JOHN SAWYER – union floor layer by day… international floor laying champion and regional icon by night. By now, the entire United Brotherhood of Carpenters community knows how skilled he truly is when it comes to flooring, but when did he realize that he’s got what it takes to be the best union floor layer in North America? Leer más
2023 was a great year for the IKORCC and its members. We saw record growth and productivity from the council – and we wanted to take some time and highlight how the organization has helped individual members throughout their journeys as UNION Carpenters… Leer más
You won’t want to miss all the great content inside our annual IKORCC magazine. Inside you’ll find a letter from EST Mike Kwiatkowski with an exciting announcement, updates from hubs across the council, important information on your pension and healthcare, updates on the solar market, training updates, and stories on the incredible IKORCC members.
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A monumental achievement unfolded on a Saturday night as 444 skilled and dedicated apprentices from the Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters celebrated the culmination of four years of unwavering commitment and hard work. A Promising Future Each year, the Regional Council celebrates the achievements of the union’s newest journey-level carpenters. “The apprenticeship is not an […]
Applications are now open for the annual Central Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters (CMRCC) scholarship program. CMRCC believes in accessible and affordable higher education, whether it’s choosing a union trade school or taking college courses. Each year, the regional council opens forty $1,000 scholarships. Scholarships will be awarded in 2024 to eligible member’s dependent children. Twenty of the scholarships are awarded based on scholastics, and twenty others via a random drawing.
The Central Midwest Carpenters scholastic scholarships are awarded based on 60% high school grade point average and 40% on SAT or ACT scores. Twenty scholarships will be selected by random drawing. Leer más
In the heart of every thriving community lies the essence of solidarity, and at the core of that spirit, often stands a dedicated union member. These unsung heroes are the backbone of progress, selflessly working towards uplifting the community they call home. Through unwavering commitment, tireless efforts, and a deep sense of responsibility, they embody the very essence of service to others.
Every year, we honor an exceptional union member, whose devotion to the community has left an indelible mark on the lives of countless individuals. Their story serves as a beacon of inspiration, illuminating the power of collective action and the positive impact that a single individual can have on a larger society.
Don Sherry passionately served the Indiana Kentucky Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters for nearly 20 years as a business representative and Director of Organizing. He was the President of Carpenters Local 175 and a dedicated advocate for worker’s rights and unions. Colleagues said his dedication to this organization was second to none. To pay homage to his legacy, the IKORCC gives the Don Sherry Achievement Award annually.
The Indiana Kentucky Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters is proud to announce this year’s Don Sherry Achievement Award goes to Mitchell Carrillo.
Mitchell is an 18-year union member out of Local 1005. Mitchell has dedicated time year after year to giving back to communities across the United States with his unique skills as a carpenter. From being a volunteer fireman for over a decade to rehabbing 30 homes in Indiana with Habitat for Humanity, Mitchell represents the true essence of a Union Carpenter.
“If you know Mitch at all you know that has never done any for his work for publicity or a pat on the back. He does this humanitarian work because he loves people”, the Local 1005 nomination letter read.
Brother Carrillo took frequent trips to Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to help rebuild those communities. When his IKORCC brothers and sisters (and countless others) needed help last December after devastating tornadoes, he got to work.
In recognizing the tireless efforts of union members like Brother Carrillo, we acknowledge the countless others like them who work selflessly behind the scenes, fueling the engine of progress in our communities. Their commitment serves as a testament to the strength of collective action, reminding us of the importance of supporting and empowering those who strive to uplift us all. We look forward to honoring our selfless members through the Don Sherry Achievement Award for years to come.
Please join us in congratulating our 2023 Don Sherry Award winner, Mitchell Carrillo!
To honor Don’s service and dedication, each year since his passing the IKORCC has given The Don Sherry Achievement Award. The award recognizes a rank-and-file member who has gone above and beyond in their service on the job site, with contractors, in MAC meetings (Member Action Committee), and in their community. In addition to giving an award in his honor, IKORCC delegates raise money each year during their annual conference and donate the proceeds to the Diabetes Foundation in Don Sherry’s honor.
Recipients of the Don Sherry Achievement Award include:
2018 – Glenn Downs, Local 599
2019 – Raymond Poer, Local 599
2020 – Cory Hudson, Local 285
2021 – Bobby Miller, Local 357
2022 – Travis Williams, Local 1005
2023 – Mitchell Carrillo, Local 1005
The IKORCC Diversity Committee hosted its first Women’s Workshop in Greenwood, IN, on June 24th, 2023. This event was created to give local women the tools and inspiration to do hands-on projects themselves and not be afraid to lead the way while doing so.
Speakers included local leading women, giving their testimonies on what it means to be a woman in leadership positions. Co-founder and owner of Two Chicks and a Hammer, from HGTV’s Good Bones, Mina Starsiak Hawk, spoke on her entrepreneurial start in home renovation and her success with the local housing market near downtown Indianapolis.
Local politicians Deb Whitfield, Ali Brown, Michelle Davis, and Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch gave the attendees a look into why running for office, no matter your background, age, or gender, is important for your community. Sarah Walker and Molly Burns spoke on their experiences in the construction industry, along with Dr. Rebecca Estes from the Indiana Department of Education, with the same goals of educating, promoting, and empowering women in the workforce.
Following the speakers, guests visited our training center, where they experienced hands-on workshops. The workshop opportunities included repairing a hole in drywall, reading a tape measure, hanging a shelf, changing door hardware, installing flooring, and more. IKORCC members and apprentices taught the attendees valuable yet simple do-it-yourself skills that all people could benefit from learning. Each workshop was taught with industry standards and safety precautions to ensure the attendees would carry on those new skills safely at home.
Overall, it was a great day for local women, not only to learn new skills and about the IKORCC, but also to network with some leading women in the area.
Congratulations to our 2023 Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters Scholarship Program recipients! Forty students received a $1,000 scholarship toward tuition, room and board, or books to a trade school or college.
Twenty recipients earned scholarships based on their high school grade point average and SAT or ACT scores. Another twenty were selected randomly.
Recipients were sons, daughters, and dependent children of members of the Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights. Parents or guardians must be members in good standing of the IKORCC for at least one year. The son, daughter, or dependent child must be a high school graduating senior or be attending a college, university, or trade school as a full-time student.
Congratulations to the following 2023 IKORCC Scholarship recipients:
Grayson, KY— With the growing need for construction workers in and around Kentucky, the IKORCC Joint Apprenticeship and Training Fund is expanding their Grayson Kentucky training facility.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on April 18, 2023, at the Carpenter’s Union Training Center at 574 Carpenters Way, Grayson, KY 41143 to launch the expansion. The event hosted apprentices, state and local officials, keynote speaker Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, local business owners, and IKORCC labor representatives.
“Today is an investment in creating more high skilled workers….it’s also a 5 million dollar investment in Grayson Kentucky.,” Governor Beshear told the crowd of nearly 110 attendees. Leer más