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The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America held its 42nd General Convention, re-electing Doug McCarron to a sixth five-year term as general president.

Tom Flynn, the former executive secretary-treasurer of the North Atlantic State Regional Council of Carpenters, was elected to the office of general secretary-treasurer. Frank Spencer and David Tharp were elected first and second general vice presidents, respectively. Regional vice presidents were also elected, including Bill Waterkotte as eastern district vice president.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the general convention was based in Las Vegas, but with delegates participating from sites throughout the United States and Canada, linked by live video broadcasting. It was condensed from a three-day program to seven hours, cutting out not only the festivity and networking part of the event, but scores of programming that normally highlights union work and successes.

Delegates representing NASRCC gathered in Albany, New York, where pre-event surveys and temperature checks; masks and socially distanced seating were used to maintain safety.

NASRCC members served on numerous committees, which submit official reports to the convention and Local 723 Brother Carlos DeSouza gave the opening prayer for the convention, delivering it in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

As in the previous convention, delegates were given iPads with a customized UBC app preloaded with convention documents. The app was also used for recording non-election votes. A PIN number was given on-screen for each question and delegates would use it in the app to authorize them to vote.

As an appointed general officer, Flynn spoke from the Las Vegas location to a rousing reception from the NASRCC delegation in Albany. After being elected, he called it one of his proudest moments.

“I’ve been a part of this organization, this Brotherhood, for most of my life and it’s given me so much,” he said. “I’m grateful to have been able to work with so many talented people over the years, from the jobsite on up and it’s been a tremendous honor to serve it in different capacities. I look forward to serving in this role for the next five years.”

For first-time delegates, the virtual convention wasn’t a disappointment. Many said they were impressed with the way it all came together and looked forward to participating in a more traditional convention in 2025. And though some delegates who have served before were disappointed because they anticipate retiring before they get to serve again, most understood there wasn’t much else that could be done.

NASRCC Executive Secretary-Treasurer Joe Byrne appointed Bill Banfield, Assistant to the Executive Secretary-Treasurer, as the coordinator for the virtual convention and praised how well everything went.

“Bill and all of the members and staff who supported this effort deserve so much credit, as does the UBC,” he said. “There were a lot of details that had to be worked out on the fly. Things were changing frequently and they handled it all so well. It’s not the way we wanted to have our convention, but in the end it turned out as well as it could have.