Delegates to the Fifth Consolidated Convention in 1902 realized that the needs of the members could be more efficiently met if the International were divided into geographic sections, with a general vice president assigned to head each section. This structure remains in place, though the number of sections and territory within each section has changed often, as the union has grown and changed. In addition, recent mergers have made it necessary to create a division whose local lodges are not part of the geographical section structure.
Currently, the union is divided into four U.S. sections, each with an International vice president (IVP) to oversee the lodges in their respective jurisdictions, as well as an IVP for Canada. These IVPs include:
- Northeast Section - IVP John T. Fultz
- Southeast Section - IVP Timothy Simmons
- Great Lakes Section - IVP Dan Sulivan
- Western States Section - IVP J. Tom Baca
- Canada - IVP Arnie M. Stadnick
In addition to the vice presidents who represent geographical sections, one International vice president serves and advocates for members in industrial lodges, regardless of where they are situated geographically.
- Industrial Sector Operations