April 06, 2017

RA 2017: What you need to know

Source:  NYSUT Communications
RA 2017


In this story:

RA heads to the Big Apple

Following an extremely busy fall and a host of challenges on the labor and education fronts, the 45th annual Representative Assembly offers an opportunity for the union to reflect on the past year and to determine the priorities for the coming year and beyond.

The RA convenes at 11 a.m. Friday, April 7, (following a jampacked pre-RA leadership conference). More than 2,800 delegates are reported for the two-day convention. Delegates set the union’s course by electing NYSUT officers and members of the Board of Directors. Delegates to the NYSUT convention also elect representatives to serve as delegates and alternates to the American Federation of Teachers convention.

RA delegates will act on four proposed constitutional amendments and 44 resolutions on a range of topics, from education to heath care and legislation.

The RA also offers an opportunity to recognize member excellence through the union’s constituency awards, LifeLine awards, and community service and VOTE-COPE honors.

Your RA credentials

Delegate badges will be validated at the credentialing area; just hand in your signed credential card, present a photo ID and sign your badge in front of the Credentials Committee. You will also receive your orange delegate lanyard. This now registers you as an RA delegate.

Once you have been credentialed, your badge allows you access into the RA sessions and delegate seating; rights to speak to resolutions and voting rights on the convention floor; and rights to participate in any other RA-related activities. The peach sticker on your badge allows you to participate in the 2017 elections.

For those attending the pre-RA presidents conference, please bring the your credentials to the LRCPC conference registration.

Remember: You MUST bring your credential form and badge with you to New York City, go to the credentialing area, and complete the process to become a registered delegate.

Bring your lunch on Saturday

General Session #3 on Saturday will continue until all of the union’s business is completed. You are strongly encouraged to remain in the hall until adjournment. Please plan ahead and bring sufficient food and water into the hall for what will likely be a long session.

NYSUT 2017 Elections

All NYSUT Elections begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 8, at the New York Hilton. Delegates vote with their local and the other locals in their Election District in a designated voting location. Delegates from the United Federation of Teachers, United University Professions and Professional Staff Congress vote in separate rooms assigned for each of the locals. Delegates will be advised of their voting locations during credentialing and during the General Session Friday, April 7.

Maps of the facility and all the voting rooms for all EDs will be provided. Maps will also be posted prominently in common areas on site, including credentials and the information booth. All voting locations will be clearly marked by ED.

Please note that delegates are expected to be present in the voting room by 8 a.m. Delegates are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the facility and the location of their designated voting room after credentialing. To vote in the NYSUT elections, delegates must be registered by 9:30 p.m. Friday, April 7.

Delegates will be advised during the general session Friday evening if there will be a candidates’ forum. The information will also be available at the NYSUT Elections Committee table on the Second Floor Promenade. If there is a candidates’ forum in your ED, please arrive at the voting room at 7:30 a.m. Doors to the ED election rooms close at 8:15 a.m.

More information on the elections is available at www.nysut.org/elections.

Need to know: visitors, hotel

  • NYSUT RA committees have limited space available. If you have not already selected a committee assignment, you must submit an RA committee selection form at the credential adjustment area on-site at the RA before 11 a.m. Friday, April 7.
  • Please use your hotel phone number as an emergency contact. Hilton: 212-586-7000. Sheraton: 212-581-1000.
  • All visitors to the RA need a delegate sponsor. Pre-register visitors online at www.nysut.org/ra. Badges for visitors pre-registered since the last delegate bulletin are in this mailing. Badges for other visitors are available at the convention.
  • Gender-neutral bathroom facilities are clearly designated and available at the RA on the second floor of the Hilton.
  • Friends of Bill W. meetings take place 4 p.m. Friday, April 7, and 7 a.m. Saturday, April 8, in the Hilton Board Room on the fourth floor.
  • The New Delegate Orientation is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, in the Regent room at the Hilton.
  • Delegates may purchase WiFi access at the Hilton; there is no free WiFi access at the hotel for NYSUT. Free Internet and printer access is available to delegates after 6 p.m. Friday and from 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Saturday in the PAC room.

Follow the RA online

nysut.org/ra 

NYSUT will provide RA info and updates for smartphone and tablet users throughout the convention.

News, schedule information and more will be published at www.nysut.org/ra.

To follow - and join! - the convention conversation on social media, use the hashtag #nysutra.

Here are some quick links to help you connect from the convention floor - and from afar:

Convention news and resources are available online at www.nysut.org/ra.

Please note: Delegates may purchase WiFi access at the Hilton; there is no free WiFi access at the hotel.

Free Internet and printer access is available to delegates after 6 p.m. Friday and from 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Saturday in the PAC room.

Tentative schedule

FRIDAY, APRIL 7

7:30–8:30 a.m.
Credentials Committee meeting

9–10:30 a.m.
NYSUT Services and Benefits on Display/
Political Action Center

9 a.m.–9:30 p.m.
Convention registration

9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Elections table open

10–10:45 a.m.
Resolutions and Amendments committees chairpersons meet

10–10:45 a.m.
RA & ED Elections Committee meeting

10–10:45 a.m.
New Delegate Orientation

10–10:45 a.m.
Sergeants and Tellers meeting

11 a.m.–1 p.m.
GENERAL SESSION #1

1–5:30 p.m.
PAC/NYSUT Services and Benefits on Display reopens

1:15–2:15 p.m.
Caucus meetings

2:30–4 p.m.
Resolutions and Amendments committees meet

6–9:30 p.m.
GENERAL SESSION #2

9:45 p.m.
Statewide candidates’ forum

SATURDAY, APRIL 8

7–11 a.m.
Convention registration

7:30–8 a.m.
ED candidates’ forum

8 a.m.
Elections*

10 a.m.–adjournment
GENERAL SESSION #3

* To vote in the NYSUT elections, delegates must register by 9:30 p.m. Friday, April 7.

Map

 RA 2017 Map