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

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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 $ $260.00

14. Where Does the Money Go?

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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)

18. 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

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

20. 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.

21. 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

22. 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.

23. Thank You!