Eastern Coastal Chapter Leaders attend Southern States PBA Leadership Training

Justin Guthrie and Mike Perkins, the President and Senior Vice-President of the Eastern Coastal Chapter recently attended leadership training at SSBPA headquarters in McDonough, GA. on March 12th and 13th. This training is part of meeting chapter compliance requirements along with giving PBA leaders valuable insight into the history and operations of the organization. The training was led by Terry Nowell who is the Director of Training and Research for SSPBA. Chapter leaders from North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Alabama were in attendance. Topics included the history of SSPBA, leading a PBA Chapter, conducting meetings, the committee structure, recruiting and membership, political action, legal defense benefits, and handling grievance issues. Class participants also got a tour of the facilities and heard from numerous staff members including Jack Roberts, President of the SSBPA, Joni Fletcher Director of Legal Services, and Renee Dixon the Chief Operating Officer. There was also valuable information presented about the Police Benevolent Foundation which is a tax deductible organization set up by SSPBA in 2005. The Foundation Board of Directors has identified initiatives in which to use the funds to help the men and women of law enforcement. Both Justin and Mike came away with a more complete understanding of all the resources and tools that are available to them and the Eastern Coastal Chapter membership.