Proposed deadlines and policies

Because the annual Representative Assembly occurs one week earlier - April 2-4 - in 2009, the time frame for preparing resolutions also changes. To speed that process, the report on the status of last year's resolutions is already in the hands of NYSUT Board members, reports NYSUT Vice President Kathleen Donahue.

"This is the earliest turnaround of this report in recent memory," Donahue said. "We need to give leaders maximum time to debate and plan for next year." With that report in hand, she said, directors can any time this fall initiate planning for next year.

Donahue noted that key deadlines for the resolution process are mandated by the NYSUT Constitution to allow maximum time for members to read and weigh in on the resolutions published in New York Teacher.

The proposed deadlines, pending board approval, are listed below.

March 1, 2008, through February 28, 2009
Representative Entitlement for Locals* shall be based on the average number of in-service members for whom a local has paid dues or agency fee at a minimum of one-eighth dues level for the membership period of March 1, 2008, through February 28, 2009.

October 31, 2008
Convention Call, Election Certification Report and Landrum-Griffin Checklist mailed to all local and retiree council presidents of record.

November 6, 2008
Locals notified in NYSUT Leader of deadlines for filing proposed Resolutions and proposed Amendments to the Constitution or Bylaws for the 2009 NYSUT RA.

January 5, 2009
Proposed resolutions to be considered by the RA must be: approved by the local's or retiree council's general membership or executive board; signed by the local's or retiree council's president certifying that the proposed resolution was so approved; received in writing at NYSUT's Office of the President on or before the close of business January 5, 2009.

February 2, 2009
Proposed Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws* to be considered for adoption must be submitted in writing to the NYSUT Board of Directors supported by no fewer than 100 members drawn from at least five election districts. Submissions must be received at NYSUT on or before the close of business February 2, 2009.

February 16, 2009
The Election Certification Report and the Landrum-Griffin Checklist must be sent to NYSUT Headquarters by certified mail (or other receipt-providing delivery service) postmarked on or before February 16, 2009.* The local's or retiree council's president or secretary must complete and sign the Election Certification Report form reporting all elected delegates and alternates. The Landrum-Griffin Checklist must also be completed, signed and returned with the Election Certification Report by the local or retiree council president. The Election Certification Report Form and the Landrum-Griffin Checklist will be included in the Convention Call to be mailed this fall to each local and retiree council president of record. Only persons reported on the Elec- tion Certification Report will be eligible to receive credentials for the 2009 NYSUT RA or be eligible to vote in any special election called between the 2009 and 2010 NYSUT RAs.

February 19, 2009
Publication of Proposed Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws* and Proposed Resolutions: All properly submitted proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws and Proposed Resolutions will be published in the February 19, 2009, issue of the New York Teacher.

February 27, 2009
Hotel reservations can only be made on the official NYSUT RA housing form and must be received by this date. However, receipt of the form by this cut-off date does not necessarily assure availability since rooms are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.

March 13, 2009
Per Capita Payment: Final date for receipt of all per capita dues for the period ending February 28, 2009.

March 13, 2009
Committee Registration Forms should be received at NYSUT Headquarters by this date.

April 2-4, 2009
NYSUT Representative Assembly – Buffalo, NY.

*Constitutional Requirement