(as with all trade departments) has certain rights. DPE officers are entitled to attend meetings of the AFL–CIO executive council as well as certain standing and policy committees of the council. DPE also may elect delegates to represent it at the AFL–CIO quadrennial convention, and its delegates may participate in the convention's committees. As a matter of courtesy and AFL–CIO policy, DPE officers are also invited to participate in the activities of a wide variety of AFL–CIO councils, committees, policy-making groups, and staff and departmental meetings. DPE is one of six constitutional departments of the AFL–CIO, which means that it may not be abolished without amending the AFL–CIO's constitution. Currently, the chair of the DPE general board is Paul Shearon, International President of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers. The first vice president is David White, National Executive Director of SAG-AFTRA. The treasurer is Lorretta Johnson, Secretary-Treasurer of the American Federation of Teachers. DPE's president is Jennifer Dorning. Special programs In 2004, DPE established a Committee on the Evolution of Professional Careers. Nearly 20 national unions agreed to delegate members, staff and resources to the committee, which identified and analyzed trends affecting the future of white-collar work, identified the fastest-growing white-collar professions, identified the best strategies to organize these workers; and identified or developed new models of unions or professional association which would allow unions to expand membership in these professions. In 2005, DPE held its first-ever organizing conference, "Organizing Professionals in the 21st Century." Presidents 1977: Albert Shanker 1979?: Jack Golodner 1990s: Morton Bahr 2001: Paul Almeida 2018: Jennifer Dorning References Aronson, Robert L. "Unionism Among Professional Employees in the Private Sector." Industrial and Labor Relations Review. 38:3 (April 1985). Department for Professional Employees, AFL–CIO. Program, Activities and Achievements, 2001-2005. Washington, D.C., 2005. Dewar, Helen. "AFL-CIO Plans to Increase Levy on Membership." Washington Post. December 8, 1977. Grossfeld, Jim and Lake, Celinda. "A Union Hearing: A Retooled Approach to Discussing Organized Labor Would Resonate With Insecure White Collar Workers." The American Prospect. December 19, 2006. Maher, Kris. "White-Collar Workers Turn to Unions for Support." Charleston Gazette. October 2, 2005. Shear, Michael D. "Labor Labels Senate Hopeful 'Anti-Worker'." Washington Post. April 14, 2006. "Unions Launch Network to Examine Issues of Concern to Professionals." Daily Labor Report. October 24, 2002. Von Bergen, Jane M. "A Judge in a Union?" Philadelphia Inquirer. March 27, 2005. "Writers Guild Votes." New York