More than 300 local and retiree council presidents kick off the work of the annual convention and, this year, leaders have a lot of work to do.
Presidents at the pre-RA Local and Retiree Council Presidents' Conference, held at the Clarion hotel in Rochester, should come prepared to receive tons of information on topics from funding student proficiency and the future of public education to unification and what it all means.
This year, the leaders will also get a sneak peek at a new Web initiative in the works. The statewide union is completely redesigning its Web site, and local and retiree council presidents will be the first to preview the site's new password-protected leader area during the Wednesday lunch session. When the site is rolled out, leaders will have online access to exclusive news content and resources.
The union's Web staff will be on hand to preview the site and answer questions during the convention. NYSUT expects to launch the new site in the fall.
Thursday's keynote speaker, U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-Rochester, will give an update on the impact of national politics on New York.
NYSUT officers will be on hand for questions during three crackerbarrel sessions.
There will also be strands for leaders of higher education and School-Related Professional locals.