Give to VOTE/COPE UUP Leaders Must Stand Up and Support UUP and NYSUT’s Political Action Fund.

What is VOTE/COPE? VOTE/COPE is the non-partisan political action fund of UUP and NYSUT VOTE/COPE supports endorsed candidates regardless of their party VOTE-COPE allows us to attend fundraisers and participate in other political action We support candidates based upon their voting records on: Public Higher Education and K-12 Labor Issues Healthcare Social Issues

What Does VOTE-COPE Stand For? ommittee oice f n eachers in olitical ducation ducation (The old political action arm of NEA) (The old political action arm of AFT)

VOTE/COPE As a union, the results we achieve politically are directly related to our ability to raise VOTE-COPE funds. Using these funds to elect candidates who stand with us on our issues will help produce the changes necessary to protect our university system.

What We are Fighting Winning elections requires more resources and support than ever before. The Citizens United decision opened up the floodgates of money into politics. Voter ID laws and other “reforms” are a real threat to voters who share our values. As our opponents gain strength Labor must redouble its efforts to stop them.

ONLY Because of VOTE-COPE are we in a position to fight back The result of elections has an impact on the outcome of legislative sessions New threats to our livelihood are introduced each session, and many seem to come back again and again Higher Education funding cuts, pension threats and privatization are just some of the battles we need to fight

Legislative Accomplishments & Initiatives VOTE/COPE Legislative Accomplishments & Initiatives VOTE/COPE Replacing the loss of full-time faculty Protecting SUNY’s Hospitals from attempts at privatization ORP Pension Equity Protecting and enhancing student services Maintenance of Effort for SUNY Hospitals

Why contribute to UUP/NYSUT VOTE/COPE instead of directly to candidates? Candidates recognize the link between the union’s political arm and its legislative program VOTE/COPE as a Political Action Committee representing 35,000 UUP members and over 600,000 NYSUT members wields much greater influence than any individual can Contributing to VOTE-COPE ensures your political action dollars are being spent on candidates that support our legislative goals

VOTE/COPE helps strengthen political action on all levels: REMEMBER! VOTE/COPE helps strengthen political action on all levels: Local State National

Urge Your Members Contribute to VOTE/COPE UUPers may contribute to Vote/Cope through: Payroll deduction - forms are available at your UUP chapter office, or Calling your Chapter VOPE/COPE Coordinator, Chapter President, or the UUP Administrative office

How can UUP Members Contribute to VOTE/COPE? You may also send a personal check, made out to VOTE/COPE to the UUP Administrative Office; or You may contribute by filling out the “Voluntary Contribution to UUP Vote/Cope” on any UUP expense voucher; or You can make secure online donation by visiting www.nysut.org

I am a Part-Time SUNY Employee, can I contribute to VOTE/COPE? Absolutely! Part-time employees are encouraged to contribute Your bi-weekly payroll contributions will be interrupted when you leave the university system, but will start up automatically when you return to SUNY employment

A VOTE/COPE contribution to fit all budgets… Based on payroll deduction over 26 paychecks: Per Paycheck $1.00 $2.00 $3.00 $10.00 Total Contribution $26.00 $52.00 $130.00 $260.00

Where Does the Money Go?

UUP Receives VOTE/COPE Rebates Of all VOTE/COPE monies collected: 40% of UUP members Contributions are rebated to UUP to support our Political Action

Q & A What chance do UUP members get to provide input into the endorsement of local candidates? Your UUP Chapter President serves as your voice at the NYSUT Endorsement Conference

Q & A What criteria are used by NYSUT to select candidates for endorsement? Education, Higher Education and Labor Issues, Healthcare Issues, Issues of Working Men and Women & their Families, Incumbency (with incumbency comes power on committees)

Q & A I am a Republican, why should I support NYSUT candidates when most of the endorsed candidates are democrats? NYSUT endorses candidates who generally support NYSUT and UUP Legislative Programs, regardless of party affiliation

Help VOTE/COPE Help You For your sake and the sake of SUNY Each member of your chapter MUST contribute to VOTE/COPE!

What Does it Really Cost? $5 per paycheck is only.26% of a $50,000 salary! $10 is only .5%. VOTE-COPE is likely the best investment you can make. It costs so little – 50 cents a work day – to provide so much.

Suggested Contribution Levels Using .25% of salary as a guide, Here is the recommended contribution amount based upon annual salary: $55k - $65k……$5.50 per paycheck. $65k - $75k……$7.00 per paycheck $75k – $85k……$7.50 $85k - $95k…....$8.50 Over $95k……...$10.00

Who Gives? Only one half of all UUP Leaders contribute to VOTE-COPE via payroll deduction – the easiest and most effective way to contribute. Not even all of UUP’s Chapter Presidents contribute. This clearly shows more work is needed if we expect to get all rank and file to contribute.

Thank You!