Public Employee Press

Get active in union committees

Members of District Council 37 are active in a wide range of union committees that express their interests in the community at large, celebrate their diverse ethnic heritages and often provide services for other members and their families.

A good example of the 15 committees members can join is the Citizenship Committee, which is chaired by Local 374 President Cuthbert Dickenson. The committee has sponsored forums and panel discussions with federal immigration officials and attorneys who specialize in immigration law and help members and their families with the complicated process of becoming an American citizen. More than 4,000 members have benefitted from the committee's work.

The Housing Committee, chaired by Local 2627 President Robert Ajaye, has made a significant impact. At its annual housing conferences, hundreds of members have learned ways to improve their credit score, save money and reduce mortgage costs when purchasing their first home.

Other standing committees that deal with members' interests include the Civil Service Committee, the Disability Advisory Committee, the Health and Nutrition Committee, the Lesbian and Gay Issues Committee, the Professional Committee and the Women's Committee.

Seven cultural committees help promote awareness of the many different groups that make up the DC 37 membership. The busiest is the Black History Committee, which together with many union locals presents DC 37's monthlong celebration of Black History Month in February. The others are the African Heritage, Asian Heritage, Irish Heritage, Italian Heritage, Jewish Heritage and Latino Heritage Committees.

The newest is the African Heritage Committee, created last year, which is chaired by DC 37 Executive Board member Morris R. Johnson. The group's goals include promoting the involvement of
African members in the union, advocating tolerance for cultural diversity and building political alliances with the African communities of New York City.

"These committees are an excellent way for our members to get involved with the union and do some very important work," said DC 37 Associate Director Oliver Gray.

Members who are interested in becoming active in a DC 37 committee can find more information on the union's Web site, ww.dc37.net, or return the coupon.