
By: Catherine Alexander, NSO-Retired
The John Warms Legend Award is named in honor of NSO’s trailblazing second president and recognizes an NSO member who gives freely of themselves in service to their union. The recipient is one who has contributed to our national agenda in a way that affects the landscape of NSO for years to come.
The 2023 recipient of the John Warms Legend Award is Robert Blackwell from the North Carolina Staff Organization.
“As president of the North Carolina Staff Organization, Robert demonstrated the qualities of vision, tenacity, skill, and strong advocacy that I thought would be an asset to the members of NSO. After wooing him for several years I was finally able to convince him to run for the NSO Executive Committee” said Chuck Agerstrand, NSO past president. Blackwell would go on to serve 20 years as a member of the NSO Executive Committee.
“He was always the first to volunteer for a project, never hesitated to do the work and was always focused on what he could do to make our members’ lives better,” Agerstrand said.
Many members got to know Blackwell as “Mr. NSO Research” while he was on the executive committee.
“It was because of his interest and skill with technology that we have a digital database for research. Robert’s commitment to moving the organization forward with technology is the foundation on which many of NSO’s current processes have been built,” said Agerstrand.
A warm and generous man, a kind and gentle soul, he was consistently seen at the NSO research table surrounded by members eager to enter into conversation or to seek his guidance. He always gave of himself unselfishly and with an open heart.
Blackwell has worn many hats: author, pastor, mentor and friend. For those who know him, he has been a moral conscience, encouraging those around him to find their “better angels.” In his work with NSO, Blackwell constantly reminded everyone the work was a calling requiring commitment, dedication and belief in the righteousness of our cause.
NSO President Brad Darjean had this to say about our recipient “Robert Blackwell gave not only his heart, mind, and skills to NSO, but he unselfishly gave of his time. During his years on the executive committee, he never had a single day of union leave. He utilized vacation and personal business leave to do the work of our union. That level of selflessness and dedication embodies the essence of the Warms Legend Award.”
The NSO Executive Committee established the John Warms Legend Award in honor of NSO’s second president, John Warms, in 2010. Warms was a brilliant man who possessed wit, charm, and charisma. He also had a reputation of being an excellent advocate and effective labor leader.
NSO flourished under the leadership of Warms. He supported fundamental changes in NSO’s organization’s constitution and bylaws to enable associate staff to join NSO. Membership exploded during his tenure; growing from just a few hundred to more than 5,000. He was also responsible for establishing many of the programs which today are considered bedrock elements of NSO programming — including the coordinated bargaining councils, the Charlie Love Crisis Fund and the Harvard Trade Union Scholarship.
NSO congratulates Robert Blackwell on receiving the John Warms Legend award.
I had the pleasure of serving on the NSO Executive Committee with Robert. He is one of the most genuine, friendly and caring person I have ever known! Congratulations, Robert, I’m proud to call you my union sibling and friend!
Great decision to choose Robert Blackwell the 2023 John Warms Legend Award!!! He was a “giver”. He loved NSO and all of its members. He was always there for you, gave us his all. And, as Brad said, “…Robert Blackwell gave not only his heart, mind, and skills to NSO, but he unselfishly gave off his time.”
Robert, to many of us was, NSO. Thank you Robert and God Bless.
Robert,
You deserve this. You are the best!
Love ya brother!!
Ron Anderson, Retired, Colorado