Region 8 Albany                                                      
Conference crystallizes the inner-workings of PEF

By DEBORAH A. MILES
The information shared with 100 participants at the PEF Region 8 membership conference made a difference to those who attended the workshops at the Gideon Putnam in Saratoga Springs in early November.

Gail Entzminger-Babb said the workshop on lobbying crystallized the types of things members need to know.
“The information at the lobbying workshop taught us how important it is to time our lobbying activities with the actual state budget cycle, and how important it is to hit when those key times are involved,” said Babb, an associate administrative analyst at the state Law Department.

PEF Region 8 Coordinator William Wurster said the workshops fit the conference theme, “Looking At Our Successes — Building Our Future.”

“Many of PEF’s achievements are tied to leaders and members working side-by-side, as in PEF’s Go Public campaign.

“This conference was designed to show the participants the strength of the union, through legislative action, active mobilization, and fighting contracting out. It also provided members with information on topical subjects, such as bullying in the workplace and retirement planning,” Wurster said.

One of the attendees, Mario Chiarello, an information technology specialist 3 at the Office of the State Comptroller, also attended the 2007 and 2008 Region 8 conferences. He said they were “terrific” and inspired him to return.

“Events such as this help to further the goals of PEF and our members,” Chiarello said. “PEF is a very open organization. This conference offers members an opportunity to actively participate and have an impact on what gets decided and what gets considered. PEF is very special in that respect, as far as unions go.”

Chiarello said he enjoyed listening to PEF Region 8 Retiree President Marje DeVoe.

“Retirement is an important subject. We can spend one-third of our lives in retirement. Being an active PEF retiree is something we all need to think about,” he said.

This was Barbara Ulmer’s first Region 8 membership conference. She was inspired by the resolve PEF has to spotlight the financial waste caused by hiring consultants.

“I’ve been impressed with the way PEF is working to stop contracting-out and pointing out the state work force is the better option,” Ulmer said.

Chiarello added the conference was a “tremendous local opportunity.

 Region 12 Long Island                                          
Leadership training gets rave reviews

By DEBORAH A. MILES
“Information is power, be it the candle or the mirror that reflects it,” was the theme of PEF Region 12’s advanced leadership training and retreat held at Gurney’s Inn in Montauk in October.

Approximately 60 people attended, based on their past performance of sharing information with members. This conference provided a lot to bring back.

It included workshops on current topics, such as bullying in the workplace, the importance of membership involvement with political action committees, and financial management.

One workshop was devoted to opposing the contracting-out of state services, and another provided an in-depth look into the PS&T contract and how to research it online through the PEF Resource Center.

“We received glowing feedback on all the workshops,” said PEF Region 12 Coordinator Dee Dodson. “The topics were pertinent to what is happening in worksites and what people are interested in today.

“The presenters were highly knowledgeable and they each thoroughly engaged the participants,” Dodson said. “These participants have shown a commitment to the union, and now they are armed with a wealth of information to share with their constituents.”

Bill Pike, a civil engineer at the state Department of Transportation, agreed.

“The conference gave me some insight into the problems and concerns that may affect members, and it provided me with additional resources so I can better assist the workers in my division,” he said.

Ed Swierkowski, a senior tax auditor at the state Department of Labor, said the conference was top-notch in every aspect.

“There was so much helpful information. We could have spent more time with each presenter,” Swierkowski said. “And as much as it was informative, it was also a relaxing experience.”

Dodson said the Montauk area was chosen for just that purpose, to get people away from their daily stresses, so they would be able to relax and easily absorb what was being presented to them.