Thursday, March 25, 2004.

In a politically charged year, many of the new delegates arrived at their first Representative Assembly intent on adding their voices to New York State United Teachers' democratic process. Their first step was the New Delegate Orientation.

As a first-timer, Michele Bushey from the Saranac Teachers Association saw the RA as a way to make sure her local was heard.

"Saranac is a small local (located in the Adirondacks). We want to take advantage any time our voices can be heard," Bushey said.

The RA is NYSUT's highest governing body: it is where policy is made, where officers are elected and the constitution is molded. It is also a model of democracy, inviting thousands of delegates from every local - regardless of size - to meet annually to hash out policy.

And for John Jackson, who is vice president of the Rochester Association of Paraprofessionals, the RA represents a chance to bring his local's issues to the forefront.

"We are interested in the NCLB issue," said Jackson. "We have aides we want to switch over to teacher assistants. (We want help getting our) district to recognize us."

"I'm here to learn how NYSUT's constitutional process works," said Corey Cavallaro, a seventh-grade social studies teacher and president of the Onteora TA. "I've learned so much - so many interesting things. It's been a great experience."

Margarette Douyon learned about her role as an alternate delegate from the Rochester TA - she can attend committee meetings, but isn't allowed to speak or vote on resolutions. "I'm here to find out how things are voted on - how issues are presented, how they are received on the floor."

"Delegates have the obligation of bringing back information to our members," Bushey said.