Former NYSUT President Tom Hobart always told union leaders and NYSUT delegates that there were 3 things union members could do each year to make their local better and stronger. The 3 things were:

• Contribute to VOTE-COPE, the non-partisan political action division of NYSUT
• Vote in all elections, including local school budget and Board of Education elections
• Volunteer for at least 1 hour in a local union activity.

Well, the time is here to be able to do all 3 of these things within the next 4 weeks. The VOTE-COPE campaign will be run in each of the buildings from May 15 – May 31, the school budget voting day throughout the state will be May 16th and the MTA will be gathering members at the union office after school on May 11th to organize an election mailing to the nearly 1,000 NYSUT members who reside in our school district.

Make every effort to become part of all 3 activities; complete or increase a VOTE-COPE payroll deduction form, be sure you are registered to vote May 16th and contact your senior building rep to sign up for the mailing committee.