July and August for Sarah Arbitrio of the Ossining Teachers Association could be called "union summer."

"First it was LAP, which is an intensive week of training. Then I had a break, and then it was right back into it with another week of training at the Leadership Institute," Arbitrio said during a break from teaching and union duties because of the Jewish holidays in early October.

NYSUT brings teams together from across the state for a week in July as part of its year-long Local Action Project. The teams learn to develop strategies to improve communications, member involvement, political action and community coalition-building.

Six days of Leadership Institute at Cornell University followed for Arbitrio. She was one of 68 participants chosen for intensive training to prepare a new generation of union activists.

"It was like nothing I'd ever experienced before," Arbitrio said. "We were just immersed in history, activism and reality — all things union."

Arbitrio said she was inspired by strategies other locals use in organizing members, whether new or veteran, and running programs such as orientation and professional development.

Arbitrio also attended a summer leadership conference for local unions in her geographic area, run by NYSUT's Tarrytown Regional Office.

"Coming off my week at Cornell, the strategic planning course was especially relevant," she said.

Rallying for other unions is a strong theme, and at presstime, Arbitrio was gathering up members to join a rally on behalf of Garrison teachers and School-Related Professionals in Garrison, Putnam County.

— Betsy Sandberg