Page 13 - Work Force March 2016

ROCHESTER — With subzero wind chills at their backs and facing 3-degree temperatures, CSEA Western Region members braved the chilly waters of Lake Ontario on Sunday, Feb. 14, to raise funding and awareness for the Special Olympics New York. Now in its 16th year, more than 1,800 participants signed up
for the Rochester Plunge that raised more than $300,000. Led by team leader and Western Region President Flo Tripi, members raised more than $6,500 to support Special Olympic athletes who will compete this summer at SUNY Brockport.
For some time now, CSEA teams have participated in Polar Plunge events to help support Special Olympics of New York.
CSEA has a long relationship with the Special Olympics as the union represents nearly 20,000 workers in the developmental disabilities field. Many CSEA members are involved with helping Special Olympics
athletes train and prepare for their participation.
“It was another great cause
that I was able to do with my
CSEA brothers and sisters,” said Louis Maury, a CSEA member and developmental assistant at Central New York Developmental Disabilities Services Office who participated in the Oneida Polar Plunge with his union for the first time earlier this year. “We were proud to be able to give back to our community and support our local Central New York Special Olympics athletes. It was
a brief dip in the chilly waters of Oneida Lake and it was well worth it.”
President’s Polar Cap Award
CSEA encourages participation and promotes the Polar Plunges, but this is a grassroots voluntary project for individuals and locals.
To encourage involvement, President Danny Donohue
CSEA Erie Educational Local members Diana Dinki, Melissa Baker and Patty Reitz took the plunge in their school bus, which did not have a working heater.
established the President’s Polar Cap Award to stimulate a friendly rivalry between CSEA’s regions. The region that raises the most money through Polar Plunge participation each
year is recognized at CSEA’s Annual Meeting.
The award is displayed in the winning region office for the duration of the champ’s reign. Donations submitted throughout the season until April 15 determine the winner.
All money raised by “CSEA” named teams count toward their region’s totals for the President’s Polar Cap Award!
2016 Polar Plunges
North Hempstead – 12th Annual Polar Plunge at North Hempstead Beach Park: March 5, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Rockaways – Jacob Riis Park:
March 12, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Oyster Bay – 3rd Annual Polar Plunge at Tobay Beach: March 19, 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Ithaca – 3rd Annual Polar Plunge at Taughannock Falls State Park: March 19, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m
Rockland – 2nd Annual Polar Plunge at Lake Welch Beach: Nov 12, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
For more information and to register or donate, visit polarplungeny.org.
Summary of January Board of Directors meeting
Editor’s Note:
The Work Force
publishes a
summary of
actions taken
by CSEA’s Board
of Directors.
The summary
is prepared by • CSEA Statewide
Secretary Denise Berkley
Berkley for union
members.
into a vehicle lease with
Newins Bayshore Ford, Inc. • Approved a temporary
Charter for CSEA Local 788, Warren County (Capital Region 4), CSEA Local 786, First Student (Southern Region 3), CSEA Local 787, Durham Bus-Albany (Capital Region 4).
• Approved a permanent Charter for CSEA Local 766, Guild for Exceptional Children (Metropolitan Region 2), CSEA Local 781, Chautauqua
Nursing VestaCare (Western Region 6), CSEA Local 785, Orchard Manor Rehabilitation and Nursing (Western Region 6)
• Approved the Standing Legal Committee Report of
Nov. 19, 2015.
Questions concerning the summary should be directed to Statewide Secretary Denise Berkley, CSEA Headquarters, 143 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210 (800) 342-4146, ext. 1253 or (518) 257-1253.
ALBANY — CSEA’s Statewide Board of Directors met on Jan. 14, 2016, in official business the board:
•
Approved the 2015 Maximum Miscellaneous Allowances as written in the Jan. 14, 2016 Statewide Treasurer’s Report to the Board of Directors. Approved the sale and authorization for President Donohue to execute all documents necessary to complete the sale of the building in Local 815.
• Approved Local 870 to enter
March 2016
The Work Force 13