LAKE PLACID — The Central Region’s annual Spring Conference drew activists and leaders from across the region for a weekend filled with learning and solidarity.
During the conference, attendees held roundtable discussions on issues concerning state government, local government and the private sector.
The state government roundtable focused on updates to state contract negotiations, Tier 6 reform and renewed energy to participate in lobby days following a recent effort at the state Capitol.
Central Region 1st Vice President Tom Hingher noted that he became an activist after seeing the powerful impact the union can have when members show up in numbers and demand change.
Meanwhile, Central Region 2nd Vice President Andy Maroney was among the group of activists who attended the lobby day and shared his experience.
He encouraged leaders to boost turnout among members for future events by communicating to members the importance of participation.
During the opening dinner, Central Region President Kenny Greenleaf presented the region’s annual Activist of the Year Award to former Central Region 2nd Vice President Karen Bright, who announced her retirement from the Madison County Department of Social Services to join CSEA staff as the statewide PEOPLE coordinator.
Her retirement means that Maroney was elevated to 2nd vice president, and SUNY Upstate Local President Ali Cottrell was appointed as the region’s 3rd vice president.
Day two focused on education. Statewide Secretary Stacey Baldwin Deyo was on hand to lead Secretary Training. Members also received president and vice president training. Training is mandatory for CSEA officers.
Rebecca Fletcher, vice president of the Mohawk Correctional Facility Local, said she was pleased to have these workshops offered at the conference, noting that it is often difficult to attend them around a work schedule. She added that she would like to see more mandatory trainings offered when the region gathers.
Additional trainings and discussions included “Communicating Digitally,” which focused on ways to connect with members and use various platforms to meet them where they are; a safety and health training session covering proper procedures and guidelines for workplace violence incidents and a roundtable discussion with school workers about the latest issues facing school employees.
Day three concluded with the Region Executive Board meeting, where leaders received updates on the work of the region and its committees and heard reports from committee chairs and CSEA staff.
“We’ve now had back-to-back conferences with sold-out attendance, and the desire to learn and engage with fellow leaders and our siblings in solidarity has never been higher,” said Greenleaf. “We look forward to bringing in new leaders and activists to keep the labor movement strong in Central Region 5.”
— Nicholas Newcomb
Central Region President Kenny Greenleaf and Statewide Secretary Stacey Baldwin Deyo help get members ready for a day of learning and solidarity. (Photo by Alexandra Whitbeck)
