Day: April 30, 2020

UPDATED Social Media Toolkit- Pass a new COVID-19 mitigation package that provides crucial support to New York State (1)

Colleagues,

Our advocacy efforts continue to expand and I want to thank all of you who have already stepped up to be a part of them. Together we have sent over 1,700 digital letters to our federal representatives. Additional contacts are also being made through phone calls to representatives from UUP members across the state. UUP is on the forefront of these efforts, and we are continuing to work with our statewide and national affiliates on this important advocacy work.

But we can and must do more. Congress is set to return May 6th to negotiate the next federal aid package, so it is time to ramp-up our communication. I have set a very ambitious goal for us: 10,000 contacts to New York’s Congressional Representatives through digital letters, phone calls, social media, and other means, by June 1st to stress the importance of federal aid for New York.

In order to broaden the size and impact of our advocacy, we have made a minor change to our Action Network letter so that non-members, family, and friends can also contact their representatives in support of New York State. Please continue to encourage everyone that you are in touch with to send a letter, so we can ensure our message is heard. Here is the link to the letter for your convenience to send to your network of family and friends. https://actionnetwork.org/letters/uupcovid19letter/

We have also updated the social media toolkit for the letter and attached it here. In addition to sample posts sharing the letter on your social media pages, the updated toolkit now includes sample messaging to share the letter with other community groups you may be involved with. We’ve also included posts that will allow you to tag representatives directly to express our message and the Twitter usernames for all New York representatives. Please use this in your continued social media advocacy.

SUNY is the lifeblood of so many communities, and together we can utilize all of our coalitions to ensure New York State and SUNY receive the significant resources that only the federal government can deliver at this time.

Thank you for your continued work on this important advocacy. And please take care of yourselves … Stay well!

In solidarity,
Fred

UUP is your union, and your union wants to know what you think about the coronavirus, the economy and public higher education.

That’s why UUP has scheduled four tele-town halls in May, which will allow members to share their thoughts in online foruma with union leaders in a safe way that adheres to New York’s social distancing rules and guidelines.
The tele-town halls will be held at:

11 a.m. on Thursday, May 7
3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13
6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19
11 a.m. on Thursday, May 21

The tele-town halls will include brief presentations on the overall economic perspective of the state and the country as well as an overview of higher education funding trends in New York state and nationwide. Afterward, discussions will be opened to members for a solution-driven discussion.
“We are always be stronger when we engage each another and work from the grassroots,” said UUP President Fred Kowal. “If there is a “best” way to face these unprecedented times, I am certain that together, UUP members can and will develop that strategic plan.”

Click HERE to sign up for and participate in one of the tele-town halls.

Log-in directions will be sent to participants the week of the tele-town hall selected. Members are asked to choose just one tele-town hall to allow as many members as possible to take part.