Page 11 - Retiree News Fall 2024

CSEA Retirees Moving Forward Together
ALBANY — CSEA Retiree Local officers and delegates recently participated in our union’s 34th Retiree Delegates Meeting, held in late August.
In addition to getting the latest information on member-only benefits and other retiree resources, CSEA Retiree delegates did
important union business. The meeting also included updates on political action and legal issues, as well as programs on connecting with active locals, elder law, social media and fraud prevention.
Our union also honored Fulton-Montgomery Counties Retirees Local 925 President Grace
Bevington-Eglin with the prestigious Donald Webster Memorial Mission Achievement Award, which honors an outstanding CSEA Retiree activist. (See Page 1 for more.)
On this page are a few photos from the meeting.
Fulton-Montgomery Counties Retirees
Loccal 925 President Grace Bevington-Eglin, seated, right, is congratulated on receiving the Donald Webster Memorial Mission Achievement Award by members. Seated
at left is Local 925 Secretary Linda Hayner. Standing, from left, Suffolk Area Retirees Local 920 President Millie Lucas, Westchester Retirees Local 921 President Linda Bryant and Orange-Ulster-Sullivan Retirees Local 917 President Juanita Johnson. (See Page 1 for more.)
CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan addresses attendees.
Capital Region President Shana Davis welcomes RDM attendees to the region.
Retiree Executive Committee Chair Bernadette Giambra addresses attendees.
Retiree Executive Committee Vice Chair President Kathy Zabinski addresses attendees.
From left, Metropolitan New York Retirees Local 910 Secretary Danielle Johnson, Local 910 3rd Vice President Clarissa Mitchell, Local 910 President Roslyn Taylor and Local 910 2nd Vice President Carol Harris at the Retiree Delegates Meeting.
Bevington-Eglin continued from page 1
of the biggest things you need. It’s very important to share information and be able to back up everything you say. it’s just as important to also be a good listener.”
Bevington-Eglin’s strong communication skills became especially important during the pandemic, when members were unable to meet in person due to social distancing guidelines.
“During COVID, I regularly sent out letters to members to keep them informed and help them stay involved in our union,” said Bevington-Eglin. “I feel you have to keep members together and keep them informed
as much as possible. You just can’t step back and ignore it.”
She is also working hard to reach out to CSEA members in her area who have recently retired.
“You have to think of our union’s future and the members,” said Bevington-Eglin.
While she doesn’t always seek recognition for her achievements, Bevington-Eglin said she was touched when she learned that she is an inspiration to many members.
“I never realized I touched so many lives,”
said Bevington-Eglin.
— Janice Gavin
FALL 2024
11
Retiree Executive Committee Secretary and Buffalo-Niagara Frontier Retirees Local 903 President Joan Bender, right, learns about CSEA member-only benefits.