VSEA President Seeks Members To Sit On “Workers’ Memorial Committee”

If you would like to be considered for the committee, or if you’d like to hear more details about the plan, please send an email to me at jreese@vsea.org with “Workers’ Memorial Committee” in the subject line.

President Reese Soliciting VSEA Member-Volunteers To Serve On “Workers’ Memorial Committee” 

Greetings Brothers and Sisters

It’s been a wonderful spring thus far and I’m hoping that summer proves to be just as nice.

I’m writing to you today to let you know about an exciting opportunity that we have to honor past, present and future employees of the State of Vermont.  During the recently concluded legislative session, the legislature passed a provision requesting that the Administration present them with ideas and plans for a memorial honoring State employees.  The report is due back to the legislature by January 13, 2013.

On Wednesday, I met with some folks in the Administration to brainstorm ideas about how we should go about developing the memorial and, as a group; we developed a two-pronged approach. First, I’m forming a special committee called the “Workers’ Memorial Committee.”  This Committee will consist of VSEA members from around the State who have a good understanding of the many different jobs and functions State employees perform in Vermont and who also possess the ability to articulate that information to other folks. This Committee will be charged with formulating a comprehensive message about State workers that they will then take to high school students who have an interest in art, engineering, drafting, etc. 

Second, with their newfound understanding of what State employees do, those students will be challenged with the task of coming up with ideas as to what the memorial might look like.  The memorial doesn’t have to be a slab of granite, or a garden, or a plaque on a wall – it can be anything – the sky is the limit.

With all of the creative young minds here in Vermont, I am very excited about the myriad designs that they’re sure to come up with.  In the meantime, I’m putting the call out to VSEA members, both active and retired, throughout the State who have an interest in helping out in this important endeavor.  If you are selected to serve on this Committee, you will receive paid release time for attending meetings and going to schools to speak with students, in addition to having your mileage reimbursed.  I need members from every corner of the State and everywhere in between so we can reach out to as many kids as we can.  Please don’t be shy.

If you would like to be considered for the committee, or if you’d like to hear more details about the plan, please send an email to me at jreese@vsea.org with “Workers’ Memorial Committee” in the subject line.

In the meantime, stay safe and enjoy your summer!

In Solidarity!

John Reese, VSEA President