NYSUT retirees continue to inspire the next generation

El-Wise Noisette

NYSUT Second Vice President Ron Gross, right, introduces Paul Cole, executive director of the American Labor Studies Center and a 2026 NYSUT Retired Member of the Year.

ore than 100 leaders gathered in Saratoga Springs for the first in-person Retiree Council Leadership Conference. The two-day event featured presentations, interactive sessions and networking opportunities to help strengthen NYSUT’s retiree programs.

“This conference was conceived as a result of our council leaders asking for more information to help them engage with our newest retirees,” said NYSUT Second Vice President Ron Gross. “Collaborating with leaders from around the state allows us to share ideas that help support our ‘Union for Life’ campaign and keep our daytime army ready for any challenge NYSUT encounters.”

Retiree council leaders heard from the state Alliance for Retired Americans about the prevalence of social media and AI-driven scams that disproportionately target older adults. Other session topics included tips on how to make aging in place realistic and rewarding; tools to ramp up retiree newsletters; online payments and much more. Leaders also received an update on the political landscape and discussed leadership succession planning.

“I learned so much about really engaging my retirees and making them understand they are still relevant and important to union leadership,” said Mel Mariani, RC 7 secretary and a retiree from the Syracuse Teachers Association. “Once a member always a member!”

The event also featured a health-focused component — retirees got moving in seated chair yoga and guided walks sponsored by the Albany Guardian Society.

For more on the conference, visit nysut.org/retirees.