January 23, 2026
UAW CS/IPS Advisory Council Meeting In Louisville

The UAW CS/IPS Advisory Council met in Louisville, Kentucky January 21-22 for training. The UAW CS/IPS (Competitive Shop/ Independent Parts Supplier) Advisory Council represent our members in that sector. UAW Region 8 Director Tim Smith joined UAW Vice President Rich Boyer to conduct training and to meet with the Advisory Council. Vice President Boyer has the responsibility for our members in the Independent Parts Suppler sector. “I am out of the IPS sector myself so I understand the importance of giving our support to these members,” UAW Region 8 Director Tim Smith states. “We have a lot of members in this sector and we have to do all we can to support them.”

UAW Region 8 Education Representative David Firkins and Education Representative Susan Wolfe presented UAW Effective Educator Training for the group. “The training was requested by the IPS Advisory Council to prepare members to effectively facilitate educational sessions at upcoming IPS conferences,” stated Firkins. “ It was an honor to meet and work with the IPS Advisory Council. I extend a sincere thank you to Susan Wolfe, UAW Education Representative from the UAW Solidarity House, for co-facilitating the Effective Educator class and supporting the development of member-driven education.”

The UAW Effective Educator program is designed to prepare members to lead education with confidence. Participants took part in hands-on activities that strengthened facilitation skills, increased understanding of how adults learn, and demonstrated how to use proven educational tools to successfully deliver workshops at their local unions and IPS conferences.

This training reflects a continued commitment to developing leaders and building union strength through education by ensuring members have the skills, confidence, and resources to teach, engage, and lead.