New and veteran unionists got their first glimpse at a new strategic plan designed to guide UUP through the next five years and beyond.

More than 100 UUP members from around the state—who took part in the chapter presidents/vice presidents meeting and fall training committees Oct. 30-31 in Cooperstown—heard a report from the Task Force on Strategic Planning, co-chaired by John Delate of Purchase and Darryl Wood of Binghamton.

In keeping with its charge to craft “broad strategic initiative recommendations for the statewide leadership to advance the union in the next five years,” Delate said the strategic plan focuses on three broad topics. They are: communication (branding, targeting, educating and increasing channels); chapter development (research, training, mentorship and development); and workforce preservation (enrollment, training, data collection and salary enhancement).

Wood said the task force “expects there will be lots of overlap among the three areas.” Delate added, “We hope this plan will help us develop a new generation of leaders and engaged members.”

The task force will seek further input from the UUP officers and Executive Board before making its final recommendations, expected by the end of the year.

The leaders then had the chance to weigh in on the strategic plan. Among the ideas kicked around in Cooperstown: educate the membership on the mission of UUP; provide chapters with the resources they need to be most effective; understand the trends in higher education to better influence public policy; and work to develop and strengthen coalitions.

During the two-day event, dozens of UUPers took part in fall training committees conducted by UUP/NYSUT labor relations specialists and members of the UUP Communications Department.

In the Collective Bargaining and the Taylor Law workshop, participants got an overview of the Public Employees Fair Employment Act and discussed topics such as good faith negotiations, mandatory and nonmandatory subjects of bargaining, past practice and improper practices.

Communications 301 covered public speaking, media relations and tips on design and photography for chapter newsletters.

Forums for Problem Solving introduced participants to grievance procedures, improper practices, and labor/management meetings.

Grievance I offered a basic overview of procedures outlined in the UUP contract, while Workplace Violence Awareness and Prevention addressed ways to recognize signs of workplace violence and other inappropriate behavior such as bullying, and to identify the components of a workplace violence prevention program.

Nine elected treasurers, and representatives from 14 other chapters, got a detailed overview of UUP’s fiscal policies.

UUP Treasurer Rowena Blackman-Stroud ran the two-hour Treasurers’ Workshop, which was followed by hands-on training conducted by UUP Finance Department staff on Quicken, the accounting software used at the chapters.

“We have several newly elected chapter treasurers this year,” said Blackman-Stroud. “It is important that UUP take the time to train new leaders on our policies, budget requirements and auditing procedures.”

Before receiving a crystal plaque in honor of his decades-long service to public education, NYSUT Executive Vice President Alan Lubin pledged the statewide affiliate’s ongoing advocacy on behalf of SUNY and UUP.

“NYSUT has an obligation to stop the governor from decimating public higher education,” said Lubin, who announced his retirement, effective next month. “NYSUT is a well-staffed organization. When I leave, the fight doesn’t end. NYSUT is in it with you all the way.”

— Karen L. Mattison