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To All IAFF Local, State and Provincial Affiliate Leaders,
I am writing this letter to inform you that I have accepted the decision of General Secretary-Treasurer Vincent J. Bollon to retire from his position, effective January 15, 2010, as indicated in his December 8, 2009 attached correspondence to me. Having served since 1988, he has the distinction of being the second-longest serving principal officer in the 92-year history of the IAFF, surpassed only by George Richardson's service from 1920-1956.
Vinnie has stated in his letter of retirement that his current personal circumstances are such that it is really no longer possible for him to continue in the position as our General Secretary-Treasurer. I read his letter with bittersweet emotions-sadness that he is leaving us and pride in his example of union leadership that will remain with us.
I cherish the strong friendship that Vinnie and I have had for over 30 years. It was a great honor to have worked as the Chief of Staff for our union when Vinnie was first elected to become our General Secretary-Treasurer, and I have been very fortunate to have him as my full partner for the last nine and one-half years since we ran together as a team in 2000, when I became General President.
This International has been well served by his able stewardship throughout the more than 21 years that he has worked so hard as our Chief Financial Officer. His sound judgment, integrity and strong fiscal and fiduciary skills were the guiding qualities that put this great union on the strong financial footing that we enjoy today.
Since the day he joined the FDNY in 1959, Vinnie said that his life's ambition was to be the best fire fighter he could be. It is clear from his record of fire department service, as a member decorated several times for bravery, that he certainly accomplished that goal during his career with FDNY. As a young fire fighter, it didn't take long for Vinnie to figure out that our union, the IAFF, was primarily responsible for just about every positive aspect of the job, including staffing, pay, health benefits, and pensions. As it is in many places, the Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA), Local 94, and the Uniformed Fire Officers Association (UFOA), Local 854, were the center of progressive change and improvement, and Vinnie wanted to be a part of that.
Vincent J. Bollon is nothing less than an extraordinary union leader going back to his first election in 1975 as the Financial Recording Secretary for Local 94 (UFA) in New York. After his promotion to Lieutenant in 1977, he continued his union service to Local 854 ( UFOA) and was first elected to Local 854's Executive Board in 1978 and served as the President of the Uniformed Fire Officer's Association for eight years.
His experience on the job taught him the importance of facing even the toughest challenges head-on. It also taught him the power of teamwork and all that we can achieve when we work together. We have all greatly benefited from his principles and experiences.
On a personal note, I am especially proud of his work and efforts that helped re-create virtually every aspect of the IAFF's financial operation, setting us on the course for prosperity in the new millennium.
We will properly recognize Vinnie's distinguished service to this union at a Gala to be held in his honor during our upcoming Legislative Conference in March, so that we all, including our affiliate leadership, can gratefully celebrate his outstanding career.
Further, in accordance with the requirements of Article V, Section 5 (Vacancies) of the International's Constitution and By-Laws, I am calling a meeting of the IAFF Executive Board on January 20, 2010 at IAFF headquarters, for the purpose of meeting and electing, by secret ballot, one of the members of the IAFF Executive Board to fill the unexpired term of the General Secretary-Treasurer. Details for the meeting will be forwarded to you in the near future.
Understanding that we will be going through an important interim Principal Officer transition for the first time in our Union's history, I have asked Vinnie, and he has graciously agreed to be available to assist with the transition as long as needed. I have also asked him to join us during the February Executive Board meeting to work with the new General Secretary-Treasurer throughout that meeting and again, he has kindly agreed and is committed to help throughout this period.
I join all of you, as we wish Vinnie, and his wonderful wife Linda, nothing but the very best in his retirement years.
Harold A. Schaitberger
General President
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