Energy and enthusiasm. Those two words sum up Sandra Carner's tenure as SRP advisory committee chairwoman for the past two years, according to Jim Wood, executive director for New York State United Teachers.

"Sandy has been a most effective advocate," Wood said. "She constantly reminded us that every member of the union helps to make schools work."

School-Related Personnel - including teaching assistants and teacher aides, bus drivers, custodians, office and cafeteria staff - is the fastest-growing area in the statewide union. With Shelvy Young-Abrams, Carner co-chaired a task force to look at SRP concerns.

"NYSUT heard all of our concerns," Carner said. "They listened and they acted. This made my job much easier."

She thanked union members for the opportunity to serve: "I've learned so much being your representative, and I promise to continue to be your advocate."

Carner will be the last chairperson of the committee to serve in an advisory capacity on the Board of Directors. Beginning in December, four new SRP members on the Board will have full voting rights.

NYSUT President Tom Hobart named Glenn Lucas, a facilities supervisor in the New Rochelle schools, the new chairman of the SRP advisory committee.

On the local level, Lucas has been a vice president for the New Rochelle Federation of School Employees since 1980. On the state level, he has worked to address pension and retirement concerns as a consultant to the state Employees Retirement System.