November 22, 2025 — First-time delegate Dana Blair, a project manager with the Office of Information Technology Services in Albany, and PEF Division 357 Secretary Heather Craven, a manager of information technology services with ITS in Albany, recently reflected on their experiences at the 47th annual PEF Convention in the PEF Division 357 newsletter. We’ve reprinted their words here with permission.
From Skeptic to Supporter: My First PEF Convention Showed Me the Real Power of Our Union!
By DANA BLAIR
I arrived at the PEF Convention in Lake Placid on October 19 expecting nothing more than a dull union meeting in a beautiful location. Like many, my view of PEF was limited to personal needs: routine advice, crisis intervention, and the occasional holiday party or picnic. I was wrong! The entire event was incredibly well planned and organized, designed specifically for the 700 delegates who were there to shape the union’s path forward. My opinion wasn’t just changed; it was fundamentally transformed.
My week began with a crucial, eye-opening session — a crash course in Parliamentary Procedure (Robert’s Rules of Order). This instruction was key, teaching me the essential rules for fair debate and voting. But the real power was evident during the review of resolutions. I learned that any PEF member with an idea can submit one. A resolution is the delegates’ mechanism to request work from the PEF leadership, effectively putting the members directly in charge of the year’s agenda if their resolution gets adopted. I was unprepared for the deep sense of empowerment that came with this realization.
Once a resolution makes it to the Convention floor, delegates debate and vote on it. If passed, it becomes assigned work for our PEF leadership for the coming year. This collective power delivered immediate, tangible results: Securing added protections against violence for our Mental Health Unit (MHU) staff in high-risk facilities. Successfully fighting to save SUNY Downstate hospital from closure or conversion.
This is the real work of our union: enforcing our contract rights, protecting our pensions, and fighting legislatively for our professions. Beyond the serious work, the delegates also showed their generosity, raising more than $11,000 for a breast cancer charity. That shows the full scope of what we — PEF members — can truly do together.
My biggest lesson is this: PEF is not a last resort — it’s a powerful force for change, and that power starts with you. I truly urge every member to attend at least one Convention. Don’t just watch PEF work — come join us, get your voice heard, enjoy the after-hours fun with your PEF family from all over the state, which was amazing, and start driving the change!
A wide variety of PEF Committees
By HEATHER CRAVEN
At Convention we get to hear from and participate in various PEF committees. Before going to my first Convention many years ago, I didn’t even realize many of these committees existed.
Each year I attend I learn about different committees or more about the various committees. These special interest committees are available for any member to join throughout the year! PEF has the following committees that would welcome your participation and are available to assist you:
- Caribbean-American Committee
- Hispanic Committee
- Indo-American Committee
- Jewish Committee
- Pride Committee
- Veterans Committee
- Statewide Women’s Committee
Many of these committees are open to anyone. For example, you don’t need to be Hispanic to join the Hispanic Committee. If you have an interest in learning more about one of these committees, please reach out to PEF Headquarters (518-785-1900) and they can provide contact information for the committee chair.