“This is unbelievable,” said Sandie Carner-Shafran, NYSUT School-Related Professionals at-large director and the union’s 2016 SRP of the Year. “When I look out and see more than 200 SRPs here, it’s just exciting.”
Carner-Shafran’s excitement came from the energy at a SRP recognition event held in Albany to commemorate SRP Recognition Day, held throughout New York State the third Tuesday of each November.
Carner-Shafran said the impressive turnout shows that SRPs are a growing part of NYSUT, getting stronger with a voice to be reckoned with.
The longtime activist encouraged SRPs to take advantage of the NYSUT Education & Learning Trust program. “There’s nothing better than our ELT workshops,” she said, adding that many of the workshops are taught by SRPs. “Make sure you go online and check out what is available. It’s a wonderful opportunity.” (Visit nysut.org/elt for more.)
NYSUT Second Vice President Paul Pecorale, whose office oversees SRP issues for the union, congratulated SRPs on the stunning defeat of the constitutional convention referendum earlier this month.
“Prior to this summer, New Yorkers were two-to-one in favor of a constitutional convention. With the hard work of everyone in this room, we soundly defeated that proposal. And that reversal didn’t just happen … it was the result of many NYSUT members engaging others in dialog. I applaud you for that and I thank you.”
Anna Geronimo, NYSUT labor relations specialist for SRPs, will be contacting presidents of SRP locals to assist them in their organizing goals. Local leaders should contact their LRSs to get Geronimo’s assistance with member engagement, one-to-one conversations with members, leadership development and other concerns.
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