Welcome!
April 2005
 Dear Convention Attendee:
Welcome to the 33rd annual Representative Assembly of the New York State United Teachers. As a delegate, your participation insures that your local members will have a voice in setting the policy and direction of our union through the democratic process at the RA. You will also represent your local in determining the leadership of NYSUT for the next three years.
Attendees at the Representative Assembly represent the grassroots strength of our union. The celebrities, politicians and speakers are secondary to the true purpose of the RA.
NYSUT has a proud history of strength through membership. The proceedings reflect this strength.
Whether you are a delegate or alternate, guest, visitor or exhibitor, I hope you find the RA worthwhile, enlightening and valuable.
Sincerely,
Thomas Y. Hobart, Jr.
President
General Convention Information
All NYSUT Representative Assembly activities will be held in the Hilton New York Hotel in New York City, unless otherwise indicated. Check the program section for exact locations.
The NYSUT Convention Information Center will be located in the Second Floor Promenade.
Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Friday 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Hotel Telephone Directory
If you are expecting an important phone call at the RA, please arrange to be contacted through your hotel room.
Hilton New York Hotel & Towers
1335 Avenue of the Americas
(212) 586-7000
Fax (212) 315-1374
Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers
811 7th Avenue @ 52nd Street
(212) 581-1000
Fax (212) 262-4410
The Warwick Hotel
Avenue of the Americas @ 55 West 54th Street
(212) 247-2700
Fax (212) 957-8915
Convention Office Phone Numbers
NYSUT Convention Management Office (212) 261-6100
NYSUT Media Relations/Press (212) 261-6109
Security Update
Should there be a need for NYSUT to relay important information to you while in New York City, NYSUT will post this information on the NYSUT Web site, www.nysut.org. All hotels have Internet access through guest room televisions. We will also record important information on (800) 626-8101.
Please be sure to wear your NYSUT convention badge at all times in the Hilton New York. However, we encourage you not to wear your badge when outside the hotel. You should also have a photo I.D. with you at all times.
Cell Phone Use
In order to minimize distractions to fellow delegates, cell phone use in the Grand Ballroom during general sessions is strictly prohibited.
Registration and Seating
Thursday 12 noon to 7:30 p.m.
Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Registration for Constitution and Bylaw Amendments and Resolutions Committees and committee changes closes at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
Delegates, Alternates, Visitors, Vendors and Staff should register at the Convention Registration desks located in the Rhinelander Gallery.
VOTE-COPE pins and ribbons will be distributed at registration along with badges.
Press/Media should register in the Rhinelander Gallery at the "Visitor/Press" desk.
The badge you received at registration is your admission to all activities unless otherwise specified. The following badges allow access to the convention floor during general sessions: white (delegates), sunburst yellow (staff, invited guests, and honorary delegates). Blue badges (non-delegate presidents, alternates, and visitors) allow access into the General Session to the Visitor seating area in the Grand Ballroom. Delegates who bring their children into the General Session will also be directed by the Sergeants-at-Arms to the designated Visitor seating area. Pink badges are for visitors who are only attending the Friday night celebration honoring Tom Hobart.
Delegate Assistance/Americans with Disabilities Act
NYSUT is committed to the principles of the Americans with Disabilities Act. In that regard, we will make every attempt to accommodate those delegates and others who need special assistance. If there are others with special needs, please stop by the NYSUT Information Center in the Second Floor Promenade.
Special Order of Business in Recognition of Deceased Delegates
Please report at the NYSUT Information Center in the Second Floor Promenade the name and local name of
any delegate who has died since the 2004 Representative Assembly, so that the Representative Assembly can recognize them in a tribute Saturday p.m.
Smoking Policy
The Hilton New York is a non-smoking facility.
Political Action Center (PAC)
Third Floor Promenade - Outside Grand Ballroom
Thursday 12 noon to 7:30 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Delegates and alternates who participate in NYSUT Political Action Center activities such as faxing legislators, signing petitions and sending postcards to Congress will be eligible to win a laptop computer courtesy of VOTE-COPE. Entry forms are available at the Political Action Center. Be sure to visit the Center by 5 p.m. Friday in order to be eligible to win.
Celebration in Honor of President Hobart
Friday evening will present an opportunity for delegates, alternates, local presidents and guests to say "thank you" to NYSUT President Tom Hobart for his 33 years of leadership and vision. As you are probably aware, Tom has announced his decision not to seek re-election. There will be a number of opportunities throughout the RA to pay tribute to NYSUT's founding president. Friday evening will be a once-in-a-lifetime event with food, beverage and entertainment in celebration of Tom's tenure. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton will lead the salute to Tom at this event.
New Delegate Orientation
If you are a first-time delegate or alternate, plan to attend this informative session at 4:30 p.m. Thursday in the Beekman Parlor. The mechanics and procedures of the RA will be reviewed by Robert Carillo, NYSUT's Special Projects Coordinator. NYSUT officers also will be available to answer questions. The seminar is designed to help make your first-time attendance more valuable and less confusing, and to allow you the opportunity to meet other "first-timers."
Lost and Found
Inquire at NYSUT Information Center located on the Second Floor Promenade.
AFT Africa-AIDS Campaign
Pins can be purchased for $10 with proceeds going to the AFT Africa-AIDS Campaign. A special guest at the RA is Solly Mabusela, Deputy General Secretary from the South African Democratic Teachers Union.
Constitution and Bylaw Amendments Committee and Resolutions Committee Meetings
Registration for the Constitution and Bylaw Amendments Committee and Resolutions Committee meetings and committee changes closes at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Rhinelander Gallery. No selections/changes can be made after that time.
Committee meetings will be held from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Friday. Please refer to the Proposed Resolutions booklet in your registration kit for important information on procedures. Please refer to this program for committee meeting room locations.
NYSUT Information Technology "Internet Zone"
Third Floor Promenade - Outside Grand Ballroom
Thursday 12 noon to 7:30 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
NYSUT's Information Technology Division will be providing an "Internet Zone" during the convention. Computers with high-speed access will be available for delegates to check e-mail and access the World Wide Web. Information Technology staff will be on hand to assist delegates and alternates with any problems accessing their e-mail.
Elections
Delegates to the 2005 Representative Assembly will cast their votes on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. to elect NYSUT Officers, a Board of Directors and State Federation delegates and alternates to the American Federation of Teachers Convention. In order to be eligible to vote, delegates must register before 5 p.m., Friday, April 8.
Nominating forms, copies of the Campaign & Election Procedures, and related information are available from the NYSUT Elections Committee Table located on the 2nd floor promenade during the following times: Thursday, April 7, from 7:30 - 8:45 a.m., noon to 7:30 p.m. and 8 to 10 p.m.; Friday, April 8, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
311 Call Center
UFT enters its 2nd year, and PSC and FIT enter their 3rd year, without collective bargaining agreements. At prior RAs, we have rallied in support of our colleagues' quest for a fair contract. This year we're asking you to stop by the 311 call center and let City Hall know that this support is stronger than ever. The message is short and succinct: You are appalled at the lack of a bargaining agreement for these hard working people. The 311 call center is in the 2nd floor promenade and will be open from noon to 7:30 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.
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