DeStefano
NEW PALTZ — Strong leadership doesn’t necessarily require a love of the limelight.
In the case of SUNY New Paltz Local President Fred DeStefano, working behind the scenes is a better fit with his trademark modest personality. Quietly and methodically, DeStefano took steps in his local that earned him the Membership Achievement Award, which was scheduled to be presented at this year’s virtual Annual Delegates Meeting.
DeStefano attributes the local’s success in signing up members to experience he and other SUNY New Paltz Local officers gained while volunteering on numerous member engagement blitzes across the Southern Region.
“We’ve made sure our local is represented at orientation when new workers are hired,” said DeStefano. “We make an effort to really welcome people into our union and make sure they know the perks of being a member.”
In the case of the SUNY New Paltz Local, that means signing up new members on the spot at orientation. New members not only receive a CSEA welcome packet, but also a t-shirt from the local, allowing new members to feel they’re part of the CSEA family.
While signing up new members is nothing new for CSEA leaders, DeStefano said technology has helped him, as well as local officers, improve the process.
“Using the MyCSEA app makes the process so quick,” said DeStefano. “We bring an iPad into orientation and have people fill out the application, so membership is processed right away. It’s a lot easier than dealing with paper applications. The app has a lot of features for CSEA officers that make it easier for us to do our jobs.”
Another thing that has helped DeStefano is that he is plugged into what’s happening on campus. He sits on the Campus Auxiliary Services Board, serving even before he became a union officer. DeStefano also stays engaged in what’s happening in the greater labor community through his role as president of the Hudson-Catskill Central Labor Council.
“Fred is modest about accepting credit for things, but it’s his work that has gotten the local to such great membership numbers,” said Southern Region President Anthony Adamo. “He makes himself available to the members no matter what time of day it is. Whether you’re meeting new members when you sign them up or dealing with them down the road if they have a problem, Fred works to make sure they value being part of CSEA.”
— Jessica Ladlee
