Whether the local union has 42 members or 5,000, first-year participants in NYSUT's Local Action Project have one basic desire in common. They want to get more members involved.

"Against the backdrop of our struggling national and state economy, unions are needed now more than ever, and unions need the involvement of their membership more than ever," said NYSUT Vice President Kathleen Donahue, whose office oversees LAP.

Seven LAP locals started their journey this summer. They participated in an intensive week of training on how to increase their presence in the community, improve internal and external communications and involve members in the union. Here are the goals and challenges facing them:

Alexandria CFA

The Alexandria Central Faculty Association has a lofty goal: Improve the climate for teaching and learning in their Jefferson County district.

"We have a long history of polarity to overcome," said Mike Montigelli, local president. "We are committed to doing it."

Buoyed by strategies learned at LAP over the summer, the union has already affixed its positive logo, which features a balloon floating over the Thousand Islands Bridge, with the message "Lifting Us Up," to union events, such as a new members' breakfast.

The union is also sponsoring a board appreciation night.

BEST

Considering that the Buffalo Educational Support Team has already more than tripled participation at one event, it's surprising to learn that member apathy drove the local to LAP.

President Ellis Woods noted that attendance increased from about 60 to 200 members at the first general membership meeting. Members raised funds for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign.

"You approach the year differently when you're excited," Woods said. "We have 12 to 14 events planned for the union's 1,000 teaching assistants and teacher aides, and we're looking forward to each and every one of them."

Pine Bush TA

To make good better and better best is why the Pine Bush TA turned to LAP.

"We knew we could be stronger," said the local's president, Carla McLaud. "We wanted to strengthen the connections we had in the community and within our union."

Building on a tradition of funding a substantial amount of student scholarships, this fall the 500-member local in Orange County contributed nearly a ton of food to four food pantries in the district. Members also staffed a booth at the Pine Bush Harvest Festival, giving away pencils and apples and making crafts.

Jamestown TA

Building on what works was also a motivating factor for the Jamestown TA, led by Chris Reilly.

The local turned to LAP to expand on a "very long and proud tradition" of member involvement and pride in the association. "We think in this day and age it's very important to give back to the community that provides us with so much," Reilly said. The 530-member Chautauqua County local is planning a board appreciation dinner and a drive to supply each incoming kindergartener with a book from the union. "This is an opportunity to continue to grow and go down the right path," Reilly said.

Jamestown TA President Chris Reilly is surrounded by members of his LAP team, from left, Mary Jane DiPietro, Andrea Figueroa, Eileen Healey, NYSUT staffer Karen Hessney and Stephanie Cotrona. Photo by Betsy Sandberg.

Schoharie CSTA

The Schoharie CSTA is in its third year without a contract and fighting against negative perceptions of the 101-member union in the community.

"We wanted to become more proactive, even to the point of resolving issues before they become problems," said Martin Messner, president.

That is going to take an increased level of involvement from all members in the rural local, Messner said, noting the local has already seen an increase in membership involvement.

That increase will be needed as the local reaches out to other unions in the upstate area and works to reverse an anti-union bias in the community.

St. Johnsville TA

Improving the relationship with each of its 41 members and with its rural community are main goals of the St. Johnsville TA.

"Member participation and morale are low," said president Phoebe Sitterly. "There's not a sense of where the union fits in our members' lives."

To counter that, the local is planning social events to provide time for members to get together. "Face-to-face contact is one way to drum up support," Sitterly said.

The local also plans to be more visible in the community. Sitterly, a high school social studies teacher, recently attended the elementary school open house and distributed pens, pencils and a parent brochure from the union.

Rochester TA

When the Rochester TA sent a team to LAP, they thought contract negotiations would be wrapped up over the summer and the local could focus on increasing involvement.

"Instead we're at impasse and going into mediation," said Jon Hickey, RTA treasurer and team member. Led by Adam Urbanski, the RTA now has specific goals of settling a fair contract.

"We still need to improve our communication with members," said Aimee Rinere, who is chairing the LAP efforts. "Members need to know what the union has to offer them and what they can offer the union."

The local is working to improve communication through its newsletter, a Web site and through building meetings to explain the status of negotiations.