The Winpisinger Center has opened applications for the 2026 Chris Wagoner Memorial Leadership Grant, with a submission deadline of November 30. The grant aims to help local chapters send current and emerging leaders to leadership training at the center, particularly those lacking sufficient resources.
According to Official Circular 908, which established the grant, funding is provided annually to one local from each International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Territory. For 2025, this includes the Eastern, Midwestern, Western, Southern, Canadian and Air Transport Territories, as well as Headquarters and vicinity areas including the Rail Division. The grant covers all costs incurred by a local in sending a member to participate in a leadership program at the Winpisinger Center.
The grant can be renewed for each selected local. A chosen member may attend up to four annual leadership programs if they complete each prior program satisfactorily and if their local submits an accountability statement confirming their participation and contributions to local activities.
Seven locals across North America were awarded the inaugural Chris Wagoner Memorial Leadership Grant in 2025: Local 550 (Surrey, British Columbia), Local 4538 (Towson, Maryland), Local 1894 (South Ozone Park, New York), Local 2916 (Corpus Christi, Texas), Local 104 (Huntington, West Virginia), Local 1613 (Vandalia, West Virginia), and Local W38 (Shelton, Washington).
The Chris Wagoner Memorial Leadership Grant was created by delegates at the 2024 IAM International Convention in memory of Chris Wagoner. Wagoner served as Director of the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center until his death in 2022 after more than three decades with IAM. “Brother Wagoner… believed that expanding opportunities for Leadership training was critical to our future growth and strength as a union.”
