Let’s make 2015 the year PEF needs it to be A


By SUSAN M. KENT


s we approach the end of 2014, I extend to you and your loved ones wishes for a happy, healthy, and a peaceful holiday season. It is important


KENT


for us to take time to reflect on what really matters and, while we hope that this is something we make a priority all year long, we are pushed and pulled in so many different directions that often times, this doesn’t happen. The beauty of life,


though, is that every day is an opportunity to be present in the moment and to focus our intentions purposefully on our goals. For PEF, this has meant fixing our


broken union by strengthening our resources and our determination to move forward. And that meant getting the right staff in place to work in conjunction with our elected leaders, unionized staff and members to carry


out our initiatives. It also meant taking PEF from a virtually unknown union out of the Albany area and putting our union front and center around the state through an aggressive marketing and leadership campaign. The way to strengthen and grow our


union is to be known as the professional, unionized state workforce that not only provides essential services that New Yorkers need and depend on, but to also be seen as part of the


The officers of PEF wish all of our staff and members and their families


a joyous holiday and a wonderful new year!


communities we live and work in. Last but not least, it was so important to gain recognition in social, political and public policy discussions and campaigns. We did just that. We are focused and we know where we are going. While this PEF administration


continues to carry out our commitment to work with the members to breathe life into our union, we haven’t yet been able to get to all of your worksites. Please know that during my conversations with members, as I continue to meet with them throughout the state, my message focuses on where PEF has been and where we are going. Of course, there are issues and people that are not pleasant to deal with and that try to sidetrack us. But we must remain focused and steadfast. We cannot let apprehension, fear, aggravation and frustration paralyze and overwhelm us – not in our personal lives and not in our work lives. We must push forward. I pledge to continue what you have


entrusted me to accomplish. Together, let’s make 2015 the year we want and need it to be. The year that this administration negotiates the contract we deserve and will be proud to present to you for ratification.


‘Getting to Know PEF’ training program to debut in 2015 In an effort to provide information on the union and to promote more member


participation, the PEF Education and Training, Health and Safety Department is developing a comprehensive, online orientation program about PEF. The program is divided into several modules and will include, among other


topics, the union’s history, PEF departments, benefits of membership and the roles of PEF elected leaders. This online program will answer questions such as, “How do I become more


involved with PEF?” “What is the role of a PEF steward or where can I find PEF’s policy manual?” “The plan is to create quick and informative bursts of information that can be


easily revised if needed,” said Training and Education, Health and Safety Director Paula Hennessy. “Members will be able to easily locate and explore the particular topics they need.” The first step was to gather input from a variety of PEF members and PEF


department directors on what information should be included in this education series and how to make it user-friendly. Annette Chambers, an education credentials specialist at the state Education


Department, was among those who contributed to the program’s design. “As a PEF steward and assistant council leader, I think, in concept, this is a


very good idea. Some divisions do not have a full listing of stewards. So, if members have questions, it is valuable to be able to refer them to a website. It is also beneficial to enhance our members’ knowledge of the union and have readily available resources for all stewards,” Chambers said. The first module of the orientation program is scheduled to be on the PEF website in January.


—Scott Morlock www.pef.org The Communicator December 2014 - January 2015—Page 7


PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE


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