THE COUNCIL HOLDS MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES THAT THE LOCAL LEADERS, STAFF AND MEMBERS ATTEND IN ORDER TO INCREASE THEIR EDUCATION AND AWARENESS OF ISSUES; AND IN TURN FOR THEM TO GO BACK TO THEIR LOCALS AND PASS ON THIS INFORMATION. THE COUNCIL REIMBURSED ITS LOCALS FOR THEIR EXPENSES INCURRED IN ORGANIZING VARIOUS EMPLOYERS, PROJECTS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC, AND SOME DONATIONS AND MEMBERS' ASSISTANCE. THE COUNCIL'S EXPENDITURES ARE FOR THE DIRECT AND INDIRECT BENEFIT OF ALL ITS 133,668 MEMBERS.