The WGTA and it's membership are a recipient of NYSUT's Local Community Service Award, symbolic of the local's "collective and sustained contribution to community service."

May 2009

WGTA Earns Abel-Blatman Award
by John Christian

The “New Era” is closing its second year and the final VOTE-COPE numbers are in. The West Genesee Teachers’
Association has for the second straight year earned the Abel-Blatman Award, which is given to locals that contribute more than ten dollars per member per year.

DECEMBER 2008

Members Donate to Fire Victims
by John Christian

I received a letter from Ernie and Betty Palma who contacted me through the mail and wanted to express their thanks from the bottom of their hearts. The Palmas lost their house recently in a fire and as usual, WGTA members stepped up to the plate and helped them with a variety of gifts. Their letter was touching and only solidified the fact that I am privileged to represent the finest.

OCTOBER 2008

Fling Attendees Donate Toys

On October 9th the WGTA held a Fall Fling at McNamara's. West Genesee staff members were asked to donate an unwrapped toy that will be distributed at Christmas to West Genesee families in need. Organizers Val Koll (Academic Dean at the High School) and WGTA President John Christian showcase the many generous gifts.

Highway Cleaned Up

On October 16th a dozen WGTA volunteers cleaned up the union's stretch of highway along Route 695. Volunteers met at McNamara's at 4 PM and every participant received a complementary pair of leather gloves. Members divided into teams of three, two teams took the westbound lane, two teams took the eastbound lane -- each team cleaning about a half mile. We worked until around 5:30 PM collecting over 20 garbage bags of trash. Interesting items found included golf balls, an intact wine glass, lots of aluminum and plastic cans, a brake drum, lots of plastic from smashed cars, road flares, pieces of tires, cardboard, construction debris, styrofoam, articles of clothing, the Nine Mile Creek sign that had been taken off its support pole, and a mile marker. Best find of the day, a DeWalt tool kit complete with drill bits and other tools -- practically new.

After the trash collection we met back at McNamara's for refreshments and food -- compliments of the WGTA. Participants received a Roadside Clean-up t-shirt. There was also a raffle where three $25 Dunn Tires gift certificates were given out, a $10 gift certificate to Applebee's Restaurant, a $75 certificate from Edible Arrangements and three family packs from Cam's Pizza worth approximately $45.

Thank you to all the volunteers!

Photographs by Margie Thiele and Lynn Davis

The Volunteers!

Left to right in the front:
Sue Giannini, Margie Thiele, Theresa Mosey, Mike Cost, Bonnie Young, Michelle Lepak

Left to right across the back:
Betsy McLane, Val Koll and her husband Rob, Andrea Moore, Greg Allen and Conner Murphy

Lynn Davis -- behind the camera :-)

October / November 2008

Congratulations to the West Genesee Teachers' Association, which won an American Heart Association Top Team Award for its 2008 Heart Walk/Run.

Thank you to the many WGTA members who ran or walked in the 10th annual Race for Respect on October 5.

Kudos to the more than 90 percent of WGTA's members belonging to NYSUT, who received a Pride of the Union AFT award.