It is almost the end of May! The countdown to June 23rd has begun for many I am sure. Generally this is the time of year that many of us begin to ask where the time has flown and how will we accomplish all that needs to be done before the end of the year.

I am going to ask that members please consider making time for at least one MTA activity before we close out this school year. Recently we have had members come into the office to prepare for the May elections, serve on the Mailing Committee for the school budget and BOE elections, and attend the MTA sponsored Meet the Candidates Night. It has been wonderful to welcome so many supportive MTA members.

We continue to need your help and your involve-ment! There is no doubt that many issues of importance and concern will continue. It is imperative that we continue to show a strong presence and it is equally as important that we continue to support each other.

The following are ways to show your MTA involvement:

• Contribute to the Vote/Cope Campaign (40 % of the money comes back to our union!)
• Sign up to work on the MTA water stop at the June 11th Classic 10K. We are always greeted appreciatively by the community members who run by and everyone who works always has a good time. We guarantee a morning filled with camaraderie and a lot of laughs!
  Interested? Ask your Sr. Rep to submit your name or call the MTA office
  @ 343-1517.
• Attend the June 1st BOE meeting when tenure will be awarded to our colleagues. See your Sr. Rep for details. This is an important evening and a strong MTA presence is necessary!
• Come celebrate with us on June 8th as we honor our retirees and recognize our new teachers and their MTA Buddies. This is another good time in the making!

Please make a decision to be part of at least one of the above. We can only continue to move forward when we have the involvement of others. To say that this year has been stressful is an enormous understatement, and often the negatives have seemed to outweigh the positives. However, progress will not be gained if we do not continue to present a strong and united front.

The work can not and should not be accomplished by a few, and the celebration of a job well done is much more enjoyable when shared by many. I urge you to come forward and be a part of your union.

I look forward to seeing you at one of the June events!