‘NYSUT South’ retirees are active, engaged

f you are a Florida resident, snowbird or are relocating to Florida, Retiree Council 43, the only NYSUT-sanctioned, out-of-state retiree council, is waiting to welcome you to the Sunshine State. They are an active, dedicated group of NYSUT retirees who would love for you to join one of seven local TRIF (Teachers Retired in Florida) Units: Clearwater, Naples, Nature Coast, Sarasota/Manatee, Southeast (including Palm Beach County, Broward, Miami-Dade), The Villages/Ocala and Treasure Coast.

“It should come as no surprise that more than 17,000 NYSUT members call Florida their home and that is why we are heavily invested in keeping in touch with our retirees,” said NYSUT Second Vice President Ron Gross. “The work of our RC 43 units is critical due to the many unique challenges we confront with the Florida government. As they say, you can take the NYSUT retiree out of New York, but you can’t take the union activism out of the retiree. If you are calling Florida your home, please reach out to us so we can keep you informed and remain connected to our great union.”

Felicia Bruce, a retiree from the Brentwood Teachers Association, is RC 43 president. The Southern wing of the union’s daytime army hosts events to keep members connected with each other — and active in the community. In May, the council will present its successful spring symposium, which brings together union leaders and members from across the state to hear important updates from NYSUT, the United Federation of Teachers, Florida Education Association and others.

If you are interested in becoming involved with retired colleagues, even on a seasonal basis, contact Miriam Hanan, NYSUT Retirees Services Consultant, at 516-236- 0276 or Miriam.Hanan@nysut.org.

Beginning in September, NYSUT will only send printed Retiree Council newsletters to retirees who request a hard copy. This change does not apply to our UFT and UUP retirees or to the NYSUT United publication. Retirees MUST contact NYSUT to ensure that they will continue receiving a hard copy of their RC newsletter using one of the following methods:

• Go to our website and select your option — nysut.org/rcnewsoptin
• Email retiree.services@nysut.org
• Call 518-801-9199
• Mail NYSUT Retiree Services, 800 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, N.Y. 12110

Be sure to include your preference (digital or print copy), full name, mailing address, email address, phone number and your former local on all letters, emails or phone calls.

NYSUT has an opening for a part-time Retiree Services Consultant to work out of the Nassau Regional Office. This position is ideal for a retired member who is looking to continue their NYSUT activism and work with other retirees in the region.

Among other responsibilities, retiree service consultants plan retiree conferences, attend retiree council meetings and assist with pre-retirement workshops for in-service members. This position reports to NYSUT’s Retiree Services program.

Email retiree.services@nysut.org for further information or to apply.