RC 12 Award of Excellence

RC 12 Award of Excellence Recipient, Geralyn O’Reilly

by Stacey Caruso-Sharpe

Geralyn O’Reilly served NYSUT’s more than 200,000 retirees and the NYSUT Retiree Program to the best of her ability and in good faith with the tools, resources, and level of support available for more than 20 years.  Geralyn was hired out of the classroom where she served as a social studies teacher and president of the Cambridge Faculty Association.  Geralyn served as the sole professional level staff member in Retiree Services for many years and created, administered, coordinated, facilitated, and delivered a wide range of retiree programs and services over the years.

Geralyn had the opportunity to serve NYSUT in capacities other than Retiree Services, but she chose to serve NYSUT’s retiree constituency for a number of reasons.  Geralyn considered it an honor and a privilege to serve NYSUT retirees in gratitude for their service to their students, their community, and NYSUT.  She considered it an honor and privilege to serve those who sacrificed so much to create the union that we now know as NYSUT. Geralyn also viewed her role as an opportunity to pay forward her gratitude for the many senior staffers (now retired) who served as guides and mentors throughout Geralyn’s teaching career.

In gratitude, Geralyn thanks RC 12 for making a donation to Sidewalk Warriors, a pop-up food pantry run by volunteers that serves the homeless and income insecure of Troy outdoors, every Thursday night-rain or shine (including Thanksgiving).

“What is NYSUT to you?”

by Phyllis VanSteenburgh, Oppenheim-Ephratah Teacher Retiree

This question could be answered by our Award of Excellence Honoree for the year 2020, Paul Pecorale, the former 2nd Vice President of NYSUT.

 I believe that Paul exemplifies what NYSUT states so well on its website: “We are dedicated to improving not only our working conditions, but also our professions. We're united in a common commitment to improve the quality of education for the people of New York.”

Paul’s dedication showed when he said, “The pep in my step has always been and will always continue to be the desire to work in the labor movement and to build on what we have to do to survive, to represent workers, and to defend them.” Soon after finishing his second three-year term as 2nd Vice president in 2020, Paul went back to the classroom in Long Island where he is from. In the past, he was a longtime special education teacher from Patchogue-Medford where he also served eight years as president of the PM Congress of Teachers.

He had many responsibilities at NYSUT, like overseeing NYSUT Program Services, which assists retirees and school-related professionals. He also provided resources to members through the Health and Safety, Health Care, and Community Outreach programs. Paul visited many school districts over the years and provided assistance where needed. He is quoted as saying, “Belonging to a union seeks to merge people through shared interests.”

 The Award of Excellence honors a person who has worked to help the retirees of RC 12. This is so true of Paul because I found two members who remembered how he helped us throughout the years.

Jeanne Williams-Bennett, past President of RC 12, remembers what Paul’s help meant to us: “For several years, I worked with Paul Pecorale as ED 51’s delegate to RAC (the Retiree Advisory Committee). Paul was very hard working and truly an advocate for retirees. One of the traits that I most admired about Paul was his “can do” attitude. Whenever he was confronted with a problem, he would listen, and invariably, his response was, “I am sure that we can solve that problem,” and he did. In a couple of cases, there were problems with which RAC had been grappling for several years. Paul was able to resolve those problems and make positive changes, which allowed us to move forward. In fact, it was during this time that the online (nysut.org) publication, “Your Blueprint for a Successful Retirement”, was created and published.”

Kathy Lyman, 2nd Vice President of RC12, stated: “When I first heard Paul Pecorale’s name, it was at a NYSUT RC 12 Board of Directors Meeting. Sandy Bliss was giving her report on the NYSUT officer candidates, and Paul was going to run that year. Sandy gave him her absolute vote of confidence that he was going to be a person with our best interests in mind. She felt that he would listen, advocate, and be involved with us retirees. She was absolutely correct!

“I often had the privilege of sharing a room with Sandy at NYSUT events in Albany. Paul always came to our table to greet us and to ask about us. Eventually I lost my shyness and was able to ask about his family as I discovered that both of us grew up on Long Island.

 “Paul made a point to join one of our general membership meetings each year. He gave us praise for our efforts and kept us informed of NYSUT’s efforts on our behalf. He was also present when I received my Community Service Award. When our executive board was asked for a nomination and recommendation for the 2020 RC 12 Award of Excellence, I didn’t hesitate to blurt out Paul’s name. The entire Board agreed with me! He is most deserving of our NYSUT RC 12 Award of Excellence.”

Congratulations, Paul! A donation will be made to the charity of Paul’s choice, and he will receive a framed certificate. Paul picked “The Shawn Mendes Foundation” that started in 2019 by singer Shawn Mendes to help youth changemakers and their organizations by giving them direct support to causes they are passionate about.

             Sandy Bliss, 2019 Award of Excellence Honoree

                          by Phyllis VanSteenburgh, Oppenheim-Ephratah Teacher Retiree

          “Sail beyond the horizon; fly higher than you ever thought possible;    magnify your existence by helping others…be true to what you value most; shine your light on the world; and be the person you were born to be.” Blake Beattie

I do love quotes so I found one that seems to embody all that Sandy Bliss was.  She did leave us in August of 2018, but her legacy lives on, and the Award of Excellence recognizes her exemplary leadership and

The Award of Excellence is voted upon by the RC 12 directors in order to honor a person who has worked to help the retirees of RC 12. A donation is made to the charity of his/her choice, and the honoree receives a framed certificate. "This award was developed to reward exceptional supporters of programs and issues of importance to our educational retirees,” stated past RC 12 President, Bill Schultz. The recipient of this year's award is Floyd Cameron.

Floyd received a Masters degree from The George Washington University Graduate School for Political Management. Before moving to New York State in 1989, Floyd worked in the United States   Senate as a Legislative Correspondent to the late  Senator Paul Simon of Illinois.  He spent nine years as chief lobbyist for the Community Services Society of New York City, an anti-poverty agency based in New York City.

He served as a NYSUT legislative representative for eight years, serving as NYSUT’s legislative liaison from New York to the American Federation of Teachers in Washington DC, where he focused on federal issues related to protecting and strengthening public education, Social Security and Medicare.

In March of 2007, Floyd was appointed by the NYSUT Board of Directors to serve as its manager of Retiree Services.  Floyd brought to the position an extensive knowledge of NYSUT’s  policy objectives. He has worked closely with NYSUT retiree leaders and staff on political and legislative issues of concern to  retirees. Floyd was vital in  coordinating our statewide campaigns to stop privatization of Social Security, to protect Medicare, and to work for affordable prescription drugs. After 20 years of selfless service on behalf of NYSUT retirees, Floyd Cameron retired in December 2017.

Floyd was very helpful to me as editor of the  Outlook and Webmaster.  He directed me to great sources of information and worked with me to find a way to submit the newsletter electronically.

David King stated, “ He is such a good listener and pleasure to work with. He will be missed  and we wish him a great retirement.”  According to Jeanne Williams Bennett,      “ Floyd was always a gentleman, friendly, politically astute and outgoing as well as very intelligent.”

The Award of Excellence is voted upon by the RC 12 board of directors in order to honor a person who has worked to help the retirees of RC 12. A donation is made to the charity of his/her choice, and the honoree receives a framed certificate. "This award was developed to reward exceptional  supporters of programs and issues of importance to our educational retirees,” stated past RC 12 President, Bill Schultz.

NYSUT Retiree Council #12 Award of Excellence recipients

2001       Carl McCall           NYS Comptroller

2002       Alan Hevesi          NYS Comptroller

2003          -none-

2004       Walter Dunn          NYSUT Vice President

2005       Tom Hobart           NYSUT President

2006       Paul Tonko            NYS Assemblyman

2007       Pat Longo              NYSUT Retiree Program

2008       Michael McNulty   NYS Congressman

2009          -none-

2010       Alan Lubin              NYSUT Executive Vice President

2011       Michael Corn          Delegate to NYST Retirement System

2012       James Wood          NYSARA Executive Director

2013       John Costello         NYSUT

2014       Thomas DiNapoli   NYS Comptroller

2015       Dennis Tracey        NYSARA President

2016       Paul Cole                American Labor Studies Center Founder

2017            -none-

2018       Floyd Cameron      NYSUT Manager of Retiree Services

2019       Sandra Bliss          Co-President of RC 12     

2020       Paul Pecorale         NYSUT Second Vice President 

2021      Geralyn OReilly       Retiree Services Specialist at NYSUT   

2022       - none 

Paul Cole, the 2016 RC 12 Award of Excellence Honoree    

by Phyllis VanSteenburgh OESJ Retiree

P. Van:  What was your start in the education field?

P. Cole:  “In college I worked for a BA in Political Science from  Marquette University and a Masters of Science degree from Canisius College.  Back in 1961, I started to teach social studies, and continued for 23 years at Lewiston-Porter Senior High School in Youngstown, New York and also I served as president of the  Lewiston-Porter United Teachers.” 

P. Van:  What made you a “force in the labor movement”?

P. Cole:  "When I started my career it was clear that if I was to raise my family and stay in teaching, economic conditions would have to improve.” And thus I decided early on to  get involved in my local union, first as president and then further down the line as a proponent of worker rights and a key player in the creation of New York State United Teachers.  **

P. Van:  How was the New York State United Teachers created?

P. Cole:  "It was evident that New York teachers would be stronger as one organization.  I made the motion that AFT-affiliated United Teachers of New York and the National Education Association-affiliated New York State Teachers Association be merged at the 1971 NYSTA convention. That merger created the present-day NYSUT.”**

P. Van:  What other positions have you had that would be of interest to us?

P. Cole: “I have served as Assistant to the President of the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) and Political Director of the New York State AFL-CIO prior to my election as Secretary-Treasurer of the State Federation in 1984. My last vote as an AFT vice president was moving to unify NYSUT and NEA/NY.  It was very satisfying. We had come full circle.”  **

P. Van:  What have you done in the last few years?

P. Cole: I founded the American Labor Studies Center, which provides resources for teaching about the U.S. labor movement. "He has always believed the common worker wasn't portrayed enough in our national history — the center is an outgrowth of decades of labor history efforts," said Gary Duesberg, former state AFL-CIO education director and a retired NYSUT Board member.  **

P. Van:  What is one project that the American Labor Studies Center is working on now?

P. Cole: The ALSC purchased the Mullany home in 2002 with state funds, along with the property next door — a boarded-up business that was torn down to make way for a future Kate Mullany Park. The park will be filled with plants common in the 1870s and will be home to a memorial to honor trade union women pioneers. She represents the courage of people in the mid-1800s who went out and risked a lot to organize a union," said Cole. (Source NYSUT United Liza Frenette 4/22/16) 

In accordance with the wishes of Paul Cole, our 2016 Award of Excellence honoree, RC 12 made a donation to the American Labor Studies Center.                                                      

  ** Source “NY Teacher” Kara E. Smith 3/30/06

                        ( This article was created in the form of an interview.)

  By Phyllis VanSteenburgh & Jeanne W. Bennett

             Thomas P. DiNapoli, NYS Comptroller and “The Defender of Public    Defined Benefit Pensions Plans” was given the 2014 RC 12 Award of Excellence on June 5th, during the annual meeting/election of officers.  Comptroller DiNapoli was presented with a plaque, and a donation was made to the charity of his choice.  Public pensions have been under attack, and Comptroller DiNapoli has repeatedly and consistently defended defined benefit pension plans.  He is the sole trustee of the NYS Employees Retirement System (NYSERS) and appoints a trustee to the New York State Teachers Retirement System (NYSTRS) Board.  Both systems remain among the best funded public pension plans in the nation.  For these       reasons, the RC 12 Board of Directors voted to give the 2014 Award of Excellence to Tom DiNapoli.

Since 2007, Thomas P. DiNapoli, as New York State Comptroller, has “aggressively fought misuse of public resources, strengthened one of the nation’s top public pension funds and consistently spoke out against fiscal gimmicks, imprudent actions and government inefficiency.” (taken from NYS Comptroller website-1) Most pension funds during the years 2008-09 lost money, but in 2013, a 13% positive return was seen by the NYS Employees Retirement System. “As a diligent fiduciary of the state pension fund (NYSERS), Comptroller DiNapoli has always continued to advocate changing the way the fund operates to increase transparency and establish strong internal controls, ensuring the strongest investment performance and ethical operations.” (see 1)

During the June 5th meeting, DiNapoli told the story of how his junior high guidance counselor informed his mother,    “I must tell you as I look over your son's records that I see that he is college material.” That moment crystallized that going to     college was possible so his parents began talking about how to save money to make that happen. Tom graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in history from Hofstra University in Hempstead. Originally, Tom wanted to become a history teacher, but that changed. His life of public service started when he was just 18 years old and elected to the Mineola Board of Education, becoming the first 18-year old in New York State to hold public office. From that time on, “he’s been making  government more accountable and transparent to the people for more than 35 years.” (see 1)

Being a lifelong resident of Nassau County, Thomas P. DiNapoli went on to gain his master’s degree from The New School University’s Graduate School of Management and Urban Professions. Prior to his election to the New York State        Assembly, he was a manager in the telecommunications industry. Tom DiNapoli represented the 16th Assembly District in northwestern Nassau County for two decades. During his tenure, he chaired many committees like the Consumer Affairs and Ethics while he also sponsored legislation that helped Nassau County to emerge from serious fiscal distress and restore fiscal responsibility.  He earned a reputation as one of the state’s leading voices on environmental issues. (see 1)

During his talk at the RC 12 lunch meeting on June 5th, Thomas mentioned that he is thankful for all teachers who     provide the spark and opportunity that impact their students’ lives. He also informed the group that New York State Employees System retirees have an economic impact of over 5 billion dollars in NYS so he is also interested in keeping public pensions  going strong. Another continuing interest to Mr. DiNapoli is that “the NYS Employee Retirement System pension fund increase opportunities for women and minority firms throughout its portfolio of investments by expanding the pension fund’s Emerging Manager program into each of the fund’s main asset classes, and accelerating capital to new programs within these asset classes.” (see 1)

In accordance with the wishes of Thomas P. DiNapoli, our 2014 Award of Excellence honoree, RC 12 made a donation to the NYSUT  Disaster Relief Fund. The plaque presented to Tom DiNapoli was inscribed with the following words, written by RC 12 past president, Judith Schultz, “In grateful appreciation for your outstanding leadership, oversight, and stewardship of the Office of State Comptroller.  As guardian of the public trust, you have consistently pursued transparency and accountability for transactions by public, corporate, and political entities, thus  reducing fraud and improper spending.  All NYSUT's members, both       in-service and    retirees, benefit from these efforts. 

Your firm support and defense of Defined-Benefit plans against those that would place our lifetime earnings at risk by substituting less secure Defined-Contributions plans and your fight against reducing or eliminating pensions for public employees, both in-service and retired, are duly noted.  We thank you for contributing to the security and well-being of RC 12 retirees and their families.”

RC12 wishes Thomas P. DiNapoli the best for his tenure as New York State Comptroller.