FYI: Highlights from the Executive Council and other news of note

April 2017

May 3 — Vote in the FA elections: Don't forget to vote in this spring's EC elections! The list of areas for which elections are being held this year is in the last issue of The WORD. Things to know:

Ballots must arrive in the FA’s post office box before Tuesday, May 3, at noon. Do not bring your ballot to the FA office; this will invalidate your vote. Follow the instructions on the ballot and send it via U.S. postal service.

Only members who have completed an FA voter registration card and enrollment form are eligible to vote. If you haven’t submitted the above forms and wish to vote in future elections, contact the FA office at 451-4151.

May 5 — Foundation Gala celebrates AFT President Randi Weingarten: On Thursday, May 4, the FA will join friends from the college and community at the Huntington Hilton to honor Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO. SCCC President Shaun McKay says of Weingarten, "We will celebrate and recognize a great labor leader whose advocacy for education and the middle class has advanced the most important engine in creating the American Dream and a better life for each generation."

May 13 — Help the National Association of Letter Carriers (AFL-CIO) to Stamp Out Hunger on Saturday, May 13: Every second Saturday in May, letter carriers collect non-perishable food donations left by mailboxes and in post offices and deliver them to local community food banks, pantries and shelters. The drive has delivered more than 1.5 billion pounds of food the past 25 years. To donate, just place a box or can of non-perishable food next to your mailbox before your letter carrier delivers mail on the second Saturday in May. The carrier will do the rest. The food is sorted and delivered to an area food bank or pantry, where it is available for needy families. Kudos to our brothers and sisters in the NALC union for helping the 49 million people facing hunger every day in America, including nearly 16 million children.
May 15 — Page 1 of promotion forms due: Don't forget! FA members who are up for promotion this year are to submit page 1 of their promotion form to their academic chair/area supervisor and to their campus executive deans.

May 16 — Vote on your local school budget on May 16: Don’t forget to vote on the budget for your local school district on Tuesday, May 16. Learn more about specific district funding on the NYSUT website.
May 21 — Commencement is Sunday, May 21: The FA encourages all members to attend Commencement on Sunday, May 21, at 10:00 a.m. Faculty should RSVP for the event in MySCCC. Commencement is a time for faculty to demonstrate their pride in the hard work and accomplishments of the graduating class.
May 23 — NYSUT endorses Christine Pellegrino in 9th Assembly District: Our statewide union has endorsed Baldwin school teacher Christine Pellegrino in the race for the open 9th Assembly District seat for the May 23 special election. Pellegrino is a reading teacher at Brookside Elementary School in Baldwin and a fighter for public education; she decided to get involved in politics to ensure that practitioners' voices are heard in Albany.

June 1 — Mark your calendars for FA Leadership & New Member Appreciation Dinner: This year the FA will honor new members and activists on Thursday, June 1 at 3 p.m. Save the date!