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Cynthia Eaton
Not only was this his first time attending the NYSUT Community College Conference, John Brush said, “This is my first year as a full-time employee at SCCC and my first time as a full-time employee in a union, so there was so much for me to learn.” Learn he did! John found the workshops very interesting but added, “The best part was definitely the feeling of community among the attendees. Whether during presentations, small conversations in the foyers or sharing a meal with colleagues, I always felt like I belonged and that we were all part of the same team.” We perennially hear positive feedback from members who join us for the NYSUT Community College Conference each fall, and this year was one of the best yet. Dante Morelli recognized This year’s conference featured a special event: A speech from President Dante Morelli for receiving a NYSUT Higher Ed Member of the Year Award. Dante spoke of the honor he feels in telling the stories of FA members and in working with his fellow officers and Executive Council regularly to help lead a local that is 53 years strong. “I’m proud to represent the members of the FA,” Dante told the audience, “who are responsible for educating, mentoring and graduating more than 156,000 alumni who have gone on to make incredible contributions to society, especially in Suffolk County.” Nominated in part due to his work on the NYSUT Civil and Human Rights Committee, Dante acknowledges that while our county is a diverse place to live and work, it is also among the most segregated counties in the nation. “A beautiful thing about the college,” he noted, “is that those barriers are broken down once students come onto our campuses, which may be the least segregated spaces some students have encountered.” This is one reason why the FA remains committed to supporting special programs like the JEDI Institute and Take a Look at Teaching. Nine new attendees The conference brings together faculty and staff from NYSUT-affiliated community colleges all across the state, including those in New York City. We talk with academic unionists from Bay Shore to Buffalo and from Westchester to Watertown about issues that impact higher education and the labor movement. The FA always brings one of the largest contingents. Nineteen FA members traveled to the Gideon Putnam in Saratoga Springs on November 3-5, including the nine members noted below with an asterisk who were attending for the very first time.
As another first-time attendee, Carl Corry was impressed by and grateful to Dante for his effort in making everyone feel comfortable and primed to learn. “Dante went so far as to rent a minivan and drive three of us first-timers—me, Dan Lauterman and David Clark—to and from the conference,” Carl explained. On the way, “Dante described his own experiences in the union and what to expect at the conference so that by the time we got there any nerves about it were gone.” Time spent with colleagues was repeatedly cited as one of the most valuable aspects of the trip. Dan Lauterman said, “Honestly, the best part of the trip was the ride back and forth with colleagues, most of whom I’d not met prior to the trip but got to know.” Brian DeMasi agreed: “I carpooled with two great colleagues, John Capurso and John Brush, which added a delightful social element to the experience. The trip was filled with refreshing and engaging conversations, creating a camaraderie that extended beyond the conference sessions.” The sessions themselves, Brian said, “provided valuable insights and offered a unique platform for professional growth,” as they cover a range of issues facing our community colleges (see list of workshops below). Dan specifically found the workshop on academic freedom useful because it gave participants an opportunity to discuss various scenarios and look at legal cases. Also, as a member who is in NYS retirement Tier 6, Dan said, “I was unaware of the details regarding the Fix Tier 6 campaign and was glad to be a participant in that workshop; I am now more informed and can share with colleagues.” All the sessions were informative and helpful but what stood out to Carl most, he asserted, is that the FA is a strong union that makes a real difference. Grateful for member involvement We deeply appreciate that all of the above attendees took time away from their families and work to learn more about what it means to be an academic unionist. At last count over the summer, we had identified nearly 90 members who participate actively in our 30-some committees and groups (some called into being in our contract, some in the FA Constitution & Bylaws, some ad hoc) and on our Executive Council. We are a very big, busy union and we appreciate every single thing members do to help keep us FA strong. “Everyone should attend this conference at least once,” Dan suggested, “to better understand and appreciate this part of our role at the college.” John concurred: “There is important content for everyone, new or seasoned members; it is also great to attend if you are just looking to meet some wonderful people.”
2023 workshops The following list shows topics addressed in workshops at this year's NYSUT Community College—and you can see there are issues that impact every single one of us as academic unionists. Please reach out to Dante if you would like to attend next year. We love bringing new members!
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