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Local Action Project

LAP (Local Action Project) is no longer a pilot program. We are in full swing with a very agressive agenda. Our LAP grant has three objectives.

• To develop partnerships with community groups, build positive relationships with the media, parents, politicians, and community members, and build an equally positive image of STA (Syracuse Teachers Association) with the public.
• To educate the public about school governance, finance and legislation and to build greater support for public education.
• To strengthen member identification with the union, and widen participation in union activities and leadership.

Since the summer of 1998, a number of things have been done under the auspices of LAP.

• Developed a logo to be used on T-shirts, which will be worn by our members as they participate in various community activities this coming spring. In order to achieve this goal, we formed a Logo Contest Committee. Committee members were Liz Stack (Sacred Heart/St. Patricks), CeCe Silverbush (Solace), Jackie Sobey (Nottingham) and Ed O'Rourke (Delaware, Huntington, Roberts), assisted by many kibitzers, including Jessie Casavant, Cathy Danboise, Joanne Dinapoli, Ann Marie Voutsinas, Debbie Melfi, and Kate McKenna. Selecting the logo was a very difficult task as all entries demonstrated skilled artwork and captured the intent of our mission.
• Become patrons of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, the musicians of which are brother and sister unionists. Our name will appear in all Symphony programs this year.
• One of several sponsors of the Syracuse City School District Cross County Invitational.
• Hosted two forums for special education teachers, allowing them to air their concerns to the union leadership. We plan to sponsor more such open forums in the future.
• Developing a scholarship program for Syracuse City High School Seniors, to be awarded at each graduation this spring.
• Sponsoring a Blood Drive at the STA Office April 29. Please read your Open Line for further details on the Blood Drive.

 

We plan to do a great deal more. It's imperative that we improve the image of our union with the public. Research has shown that the public ranks teachers very highly, but ranks teachers' unions in the same category as used car salesmen, telephone soliciters and highwaymen. We must show the public that the teacher is the Union. If you are involved in or aware of any organization or community group that would be receptive to the participation of our members, please contact one of the committee members, leave a message for Ed O'Rourke at the STA office (315)472-6374), or e-mail eorourke@freeside.scsd.k12.ny.us.

 

Help us lead the Union and the District into the new millenium!

Committee Members: Ed O'Rourke (Delaware, Huntington, and Roberts), Dave Kirby (Fowler), Jim Shults (Delaware), Anne Sykes (Salem Hyde), Leila Raymond (Dr. Weeks), Denise Androvette (VanDuyn), Patty Chavers (Bellevue), Sue Webb (Dr. Weeks, STA Office), Martha Driscoll Shea), Kate McKenna (STA, and Lin Golash (STA)