August 16, 2001

Circular No. 703

ALL GENERAL CHAIRMEN IN

THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA

Re: BMWE/IBB Merger Ratification Procedures

Dear Sirs and Brothers:

Please be advised that the ratification ballots for the BMWE/IBB Merger have been mailed on August 15, 2001, to all members determined eligible to cast their vote.

The purpose of this circular is to advise you of the ratification procedures involving any/all requests for ballots for officers or members who inadvertently may not have received a ballot from this initial mailing.

The criteria for determining eligibility to receive a ballot and participate in the ratification requires that full dues be paid to June 1,2001 and beyond or that the member be in possession of a current/valid unemployment card. Accordingly, all members having dues payments posted for the month of May 2001 or beyond, at the time ballots were initially mailed, were included on the mailing list. If you are contacted by a member who claims to have not received a ballot, you should first check the members dues payment history to determine if dues have been paid in accordance with the foregoing criteria. Members who have not paid dues in May, 2001 or beyond, or are not in possession of a current/valid unemployment card, are not eligible to participate in the ratification process and you should not include them in any written requests for ballots. On the other hand, should the member be eligible in accordance with the foregoing criteria, a written request, from either the General Chairman or his designated representative, with the member’s name, social security number, lodge number and correct mailing address, should be faxed to my administrative assistant who will in turn forward the name and other pertinent information to DeLancey Printing, who in turn will send a ballot

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package to that member. Providing written request will minimize errors, avoid duplication of information, and assure expeditious processing for mailing.

Additionally, please be advised that due to time, processing and mailing constraints, the cut-off time and date for requesting ballots will be 4:00 p.m., EST, September 4, 2001. All requests for ballots received subsequent to the foregoing deadline will be marked "late receipt" and returned to your office. Ballots must be received at the addressed "P. O. Box" on the return ballot envelope by 10:00 a.m., September 17, 2001, to be counted.

Your efforts in screening the members dues payment histories prior to submitting requests for ballots and providing the information requested will assure the most expeditious handling of your request. Your assistance in this matter will be greatly appreciated.

                                                                    In solidarity,

                                                                    President

cc:  Mr. W. E. LaRue

All Grand Lodge Officers

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