Our Agenda
Grow - Inform - Achieve

A Brief History

The G.I.A. came into existence through the services rendered by the committee of ladies assisting the committee on arrangements for the 1887 BLE Convention. Many weeks of association brought out the suggestion for such a group, and Division 1 with ten Charter Members was organized in Chicago on October 16, 1887.

The social, beneficent and charitable possibilities of such an order were recognized, and its growth was steady from the start. Today there are many G.I.A. Auxiliaries throughout the United States and Canada.

Purpose

To serve the interests and welfare of the Grand International Auxiliary and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers' members and their families throughout the United States and Canada.

PROGRAMS OFFERED BY
THE GRAND INTERNATIONAL AUXILIARY

Care and Assistance Program (CAP)

Formerly known as Aged Dependent Sisters and Relief Fund. Established in 1921 and renamed , The Care and Assistance Program in 1991.

This is a program whereby financial assistance may be rendered to qualifying G.I.A. members when properly applied for and deemed necessary by the Executive Board.

For the past twenty years we have maintained an average of ten recipients. Recipients receive monthly checks. For more information contact the GIA headquarters

Scholarship Program

The scholarship program, introduced in 1981 with solid financial base established in 1986.

To be eligible to apply for a G.I.A. scholarship:

1. Applicant must be a son or daughter of a G.I.A. and B.L.E. member (living or deceased) with each being a member at least two years;
2. Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited university, college or school of higher learning.
3. Recipient is chosen on the basis of academic record, leadership, character and personal achievement.
4. To continue to be eligible for a scholarship beyond the first quarter and/or semester, the recipient must maintain satisfactory academic status.

The scholarship award will be expended by quarter and/or semester only, with payment of awarded scholarship made jointly to recipient and the university, college or school of higher learning of his/her choice.

Applications for scholarship must be submitted to the Grand International Auxiliary by April 1 and prior to the fall term beginning the following September.

Legislation:

This program is one through which we work closely with the B.L.E. International Legislative Chairman on legislative matters that would affect the Brotherhood or Grand International Auxiliary on a national, state or local level.

We participate in letter writing campaigns as well as phone calls to our Congressmen.

Helpmates to the BLE -- A slogan adopted in 1887 by our founding sisters.

We promote fraternal love, take care of social activities and render assistance to members when sorrow and tragedy occurs.

HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER

If you are the wife, husband, mother, father, daughter or son (18 years or older) of a member in good standing in the Brotherhood of the Locomotive Engineers, we invite you to join us and become part of our family.

There are two types of memberships:

Auxiliary:

If an applicant lives in an area where there is a G.I.A. Auxiliary, he or she should apply for membership in that Auxiliary. Auxiliaries are required to meet at least ten times per year.

Member-At-Large (MAL)

A Member-At-Large status is gained to applicant living in areas where there are no G.I.A. Auxiliaries. Members-At-Large (MAL) hold their meetings in conjunction with the BLE-GIA regional conventions that are held yearly. Regions known as Eastern, Southeastern, Western, and Southwestern. Each region elects a representative annually at respective regional meetings.

As a G.I.A. in good standing regardless of type of membership, you are eligible to attend all G.I.A. Meetings and are fully entitled to all programs that are available through the Grand International Auxiliary.

How to Organize an Auxiliary:

Charters for the purpose of organizing an Auxiliary in any state of the United States or Canada are granted by the International President when properly petitioned. A petition for a Charter must contain at least ten signatures. Seven of these must be spouses of members of the B.L.E. divisions to which they wish to be Auxiliary.