VOTE-COPE
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eml |
Not
sure what VOTE-COPE is or why you should contribute? The easiest response
we can give is that the acronym says it all:
Voice
Of
Teachers
in Education
-
Committee
On
Political
Education.
VOTE-COPE
is NYSUT's non-partisan political action fund. It pools the voluntary
contributions of members from across the state to make contributions to
pro-education candidates and to support political action that aims to
protect our incomes and careers, health and safety, retirement changes,
and health care.
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Some misunderstand
the purpose and function of VOTE-COPE, so it's important to emphasize that members
voluntarily contribute to the fund and that the political action is
non-partisan. VOTE-COPE supports the election of pro-education candidates
and grass-roots lobbying. Union dues are not used for political action.
Through VOTE-COPE, the professional and personal lives of our members are improved.
VOTE-COPE is your political action committee: It is your voice in Albany, your
best means to educate politicians on the issues that shape our professional
lives.
The formal structure
of VOTE-COPE consists of a statewide committee composed of the elected officers
of NYSUT and two other NYSUT members. VOTE-COPE campaigns are coordinated by
a statewide campaign coordinator supported by a network of regional campaign
coordinators. VOTE-COPE reflects NYSUT’s commitment to the grass-roots
involvement of its members. VOTE-COPE funds, by law, are kept separate from
those of NYSUT. Decisions on the distribution and use of VOTE-COPE contributions
are made by the VOTE-COPE Committee.
The tireless Bill
Perrotti, our immediate Past President and currently the Treasurer and Secretary of the CNY Labor Council,
also serves as the Coordinator of our VOTE-COPE Campaign. The PA was recognized
with the Abel
Blattman Award at the NYSUT
Representative Assembly in years 2004 through 2007, for our VOTE-COPE efforts. Here are a few of of the numerous
articles that Bill has penned over the years in support of VOTE-COPE:
Many other strong,
smart higher ed unionists in New York State recognize and appreciate the value
of VOTE-COPE in our professional lives as well. Here's just a sampling of other
articles:
