Not sure how the weather has been where you are, but this will be the first rain-free weekend in the Capital District since Sept. 17-18. Better yet, a whole cadre of NYSUT locals are doing good this weekend. We’ve got unions from all over. Here’s a list so far: Not sure whether to list alphabetically [...]

Folks, the Schoharie Teachers Association is being overwhelmed with phone calls about this weekend’s work. They can not possibly return all the phone calls so please, if you have a question, and it’s not answered here, please comment on this blog and we will get the answer for you. They expect more than 200 volunteers both [...]

While in Binghamton to cover the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, of course I also wanted to find out about how people were coping with flooding. Broome County has estimated at least 5,500 people were displaced. Displaced can mean the home is gone, or it can mean you just can’t live there until the [...]

NYSUT’s “Adopt-a-School” program helps union locals to help each other in times of crisis with in-kind donations. Our growing listing of districts in need in the wake of recent flooding appears below. Update 12/26 Holiday giving continues Update 12/8 Donations continue Update 11/22 Flood victims still getting what they need. Update 10/31: Great needs provoke [...]

The deadline to apply for insulation to be installed in Schoharie Valley homes and businesses is Sept. 28. That’s tomorrow. So far, Martin Messner has received 60 applications. They have enough funds to do 15 more. That’s the first bit of good news. “Everyone has been just great with their response. We are so thankful [...]

Even before rains from Irene and Lee flooded Schoharie, schools in the valley “were in a terrible spot,” Martin Messner testified last night. Here’s a link to the Times-Union article. Messner teaches health and physical education and leads the Schoharie CTA, which used to have more than 125 members 10 years go and now has [...]

The topic for our next Tweetup: Does your union have a disaster or crisis response plan? for the union? for members? for the community? It will start at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25.

As we update this blog post, Martin Messner of the Schoharie TA returns a call. Despite prior reports that school would be in session today, it’s delayed until Monday, Sept. 17. No school this week as emergency services have taken over the school. Groups of teachers still meet each morning and then fan out into [...]

Bring a squeegee . Bring several pairs of gloves. Brings lots of friends to help. It’s exhausting getting water-soaked items out of a house. Mud is even heavier. Folks I am exhausted and I don’t have the technology here at my house to download the photos I took today. You can see some of them if [...]

The good news is the roads have opened in Schoharie. Can you help this community clean up? Tomorrow (Thursday) Schoharie TA members are going house to house to help clean up homes. Bring shovels, rakes, water bottles and a sense of humor. Wear boots and gloves and your union shirt. We meet at 8 a.m. [...]