"We are like a quilt, each piece unique and more beautiful because of our differences, stitched together by our solidarity, and more essential than each of us alone," said NYSUT Vice President Kathleen Donahue in a speech reflecting the RA theme of "We are NYSUT."

Donahue said the RA theme is emblematic of the day-to-day work of the Program Services Department, which helps constituent groups flourish within the larger union.

The department has expanded NYSUT's programs for constituent groups. Retirees, for instance, took part in 16 regional conferences and 110-plus workshops this year. Members from BOCES locals; the Small and Rural Task Force and the Health Care Professionals Council have availed themselves of NYSUT's media training, goal strategizing and conference planning. The union's health and safety program trained more than 1,000 workplace leaders and responded to 300-plus requests for assistance.

Program Services also coordinates the work of NYSUT's Social Services team, providing assistance with family concerns.

A health benefits specialist supports labor relations specialists with expertise in negotiating benefits.

"Program services helps celebrate what you do by providing a constant flow of information on your achievements for articles in our publications and Web site," Donahue told delegates, noting that BOCES now has a special Web area to complement other constituent pages at www.nysut.org.

Throughout the year, she travels the state to assess needs and provide support. "Within a couple of days of the announcement of devastating cuts proposed to health care, I was able to talk with our nursing home health care professionals in their workplaces to carry their concerns and priorities to NYSUT for action and advocacy," Donahue said.

She spoke about the constant activism of NYSUT's Higher Education Council and Health Care Professionals Council on issues and priorities for their constituent groups. She also announced that NYSUT will further its social justice mission by hosting a symposium in October, "Every Child Counts," dedicated to ending the achievement gap.

Combating the root causes of the achievement gap will require effort by the larger community and every constituent group, she said. "The beautiful quilt created by our constituent groups is essential to succeeding at NYSUT's social justice mission."