Editors, writers and webmasters who work tirelessly, often in their spare time, to produce their local or chapter newsletters, create videos and manage websites and social media pages were celebrated in May at NYSUT's Communications Conference and Awards Celebration.
NYSUT Secretary-Treasurer Martin Messner presented awards to the more than 30 NYSUT members who attended and thanked all the local communicators for their hard work and dedication.
"Your work is hard, and yet so vital to your organizations and to NYSUT," Messner said. "We want you to know how much you are appreciated."
The top winners of the Ted Bleecker "Best of the Best" awards were Janine Gibney, Yorktown Congress of Teachers, for producing the video, "It's Our Turn to Talk," and Half Hollow Hills Retired Teachers Association for the entry: "Teaching with teachers in Ethiopia."
More than 50 NYSUT in-service locals and retiree chapters submitted 495 entries in various categories. A panel of judges from the communications field reviewed the entries and selected 79 award winners overall.
Participants at the awards luncheon also took part in several workshops presented by NYSUT Communications staff and participated in a writing discussion and exercise with Esther Cohen, author, poet, writing professor and cultural activist.
For the full list of winners and judges' comments, and to view the video, "It's Our Turn to Talk," visit www.nysut.org/commcomp.