Instructional Aide revels in School for the Blind band trip of a lifetime
"Prepare, adapt and overcome." That is the theme posted in the band room of the Ohio State School for the Blind Marching Panthers. And that is exactly what these talented and dedicated students and their teachers and volunteers did recently when they headed to Boston for a trip of a lifetime.
The Ohio State School for the Blind’s marching band headed for Boston earlier this month to participate in the Lions Club International Parade of Nations as a part of the Lions Club International Convention. The Marching Panthers marched on July 8 along other visually impaired performers from around world. The band placed 2nd out of all high school marching bands in attendance.
And OCSEA member Natasha Knight was marching right along there with them. As a Child Teacher's Aide 2 and marching assistant, Natasha works directly with the students to make sure they are in comfortable and in step during their performances. She has been a marching assistant for nine years. During out-of-town performances, each student receives their own marching assistant, which means lots of dedicated volunteers and staff are on hand. Other OCSEA members in attendance as marching assistants included other Instructional Aides, Rachelle Jackson, Olivia O'Hare and Cindi Swisher.
The band is led and inspired by Yolanda Johnson, Director and Jeff Schneider, drill writer and Field Director. But the volunteers in this program and school staff are integral to the success of this program. The goal of the band is to demonstrate the abilities of people with disabilities, serving as a model for visually impaired musicians to participate fully, and as an example to raise expectations of and for those with disabilities.
"It meant the world to me to see their faces light up with joy, almost two years in the making, to watch them participate in the parade and do all the things they experienced," said Natasha. In addition to marching in the international parade, the children, staff and volunteers visited the U.S.S. Constitution, performed at Fenway Park, and took a ride around Boston Harbor, just to name a few of the sightseeing adventures. The trip was financed by the Lions Club International and through student fundraising.
"This was a lifetime of memories. I love being a marching assistant and to watch the kids flourish. You just see them grow, performing is their sweet spot," said Natasha. "I’m just so proud of our kids. Our kids are the bomb," she said.
Natasha would like to give a HUGE shout out to all the volunteers, too many to name she says, for their time and support. She encourages OCSEA members and members of the Columbus community to attend their upcoming band camp performance on August 4. It will be held at Noon at the school located at 5220 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214. Students learn music and drill in four days during their annual band camp.
Below are members of the Ohio State School for the Blind Marching Panthers with staff and volunteers in Boston. Natasha Knight, an OCSEA members and marching assistant is pictured far left. Marching at the Lions Clubs’ parade is significant because the organization is known throughout the world for their work to improve the lives of the visually impaired and prevent avoidable blindness.
Photo courtesy of the Ohio State School for the Blind Marching Panthers Facebook.
Join the fight! No on Issue 1 Protect Majority Rule Rallies are coming up in Toledo & Columbus
Calling all union members! We are in the final stretch to defeat Issue 1 on August 8, and we need the voices of union members to be heard loud and clear. Join us for Protect Majority Rule Rallies happening in Toledo this Thursday (July 27) and in Columbus next Thursday (Aug. 3). In a show of bipartisan solidarity, tally goers will be joined by Former Governor Richard Celeste (D) as well as former Ohio Attorney General Betty Montgomery (R).
Ohio unions are saying NO on Issue 1 because this legislative power grab will hurt 110 years of democracy. Issue 1 will decimate the sacred principle of One Person, One Vote and will end majority rule by voters as we know it.
These rallies are going to be big and you won't want to miss them. Invite as many people––family, friends & union members––as you can to attend one of these rallies. Tell them Ohio democracy depends on it! There will be food provided as well as free swag, including yard signs and shirts.
Learn more about why unions are saying No on Issue 1 at UnionStrongOhio.com.
RSVP Toledo!
Download and Share Toledo Rally flyer
RSVP Columbus!
Download and Share Columbus Rally flyer
Former OCSEA president celebrates 40 years of Ohio collective bargaining
We continue to celebrate 40 years of Ohio Collective Bargaining, the law that gave Ohio's public union members the legal right to sit down and negotiate the terms of their employment.
And what better way to round out the month of celebration than to hear from former OCSEA President Ron C. Alexander, who knows first-hand the enormity of what collective bargaining meant for Ohio Public Employees. Ron has been there since the beginning of collective bargaining, and actually was one of the key activists to fight for the law's creation and passage. Ron was also right there in the room when the law was signed into law thirty years ago this month by Governor Richard Celeste on July 6, 1983.
Ron knows exactly what 40 years of collective bargaining means for Ohio. It means strength, unity and a real voice at the table. As OCSEA President from 1983 to 2007, he led the very first contract negotiations in 1986. Under his leadership, OCSEA grew to be the largest state employees union in Ohio, ushering in an era of strong and vital public sector union growth in Ohio and across the U.S.
"Collective bargaining for public employees makes Ohio a cut above the rest," said Ron. "It means having a real voice on the job, not only to impact things like wages and benefits and safety, but also to help guide and create value in public services that impacts every single Ohioan."
Ron is proud of his legacy with OCSEA and Ohio and continues to fight for union rights that he hopes will go on and on for generation after generation of Ohio public employees to come. Today, Ron continues to fight the good union fight as the head of the OCSEA Retiree group and Retiree State Board representative.
Share your No on Issue Early Voting stories, photos!
Early voting for the Ohio August 8 Special Election is underway. And union members are going out to vote NO in a big way. Have you gone to vote early yet or plan to go vote early soon? Send your Early Vote or No On Issue 1 photos to communications@ocsea.org.
EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING HOURS FOR JULY & AUGUST:
- M-F July 17-21: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- M-F July 24-28: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- July 31: 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
- August 1: 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
- August 2-4: 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
- August 5: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
(weekend voting)
- August 6: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
(weekend voting)
Please note, there are no weekend voting dates until the final weekend before the special election, August 5-6.
Find Early Vote Location
Request Absentee Ballot
Find Election Day Polling Location
Honoring OCSEA's scholarship winners
This month, we are highlighting our 2023 OCSEA union scholarship winners. Spotlights will continue on our social media sites throughout the month of July and into August.
The annual OCSEA Les Best Scholarship program awards up to $12,000 in college assistance to active OCSEA members, your dependents and your spouses. It's just one more way to say thank you and to help make the weight of paying for college that much lighter.
Not only are we super proud of all the winners and their achievements, but we also want to remind every member of this amazing annual benefit and urge members to apply. The scholarship application process runs January 1-April 30 each year.
The OCSEA Scholarship program was envisioned by OCSEA state officer and activist Les Best in 1989. As a public math teacher at the Ohio Veterans Children's Home, he wholeheartedly believed in promoting higher education and training and improving the quality of life for OCSEA members and their families. He passed away that same year, and as a result of his dedication to education, the Les Best Scholarship was created and named in his honor. Learn more at OCSEA.org/LesBest.
See All 2023 Les Best Scholarship Winners | Learn MORE about Les Best Scholarship
A big shout out to all of our OCSEA Les Best Scholarship winners. See more winner spotlights on our social media sites: Facebook | Instagram
Congratulations to OCSEA member, Correction Officer Landon Conley, one of this year's winners of the OCSEA Member Les Best Scholarship. CO Conley is a member of the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility Chapter 7330 where he also serves as a union steward. Landon is working toward his Bachelor's in Criminal Justice through Ashland University.
Congratulations to Willis McClure IV, one of this year's dependent winners of the OCSEA Les Best Scholarship! He is studying Psychology and Spanish at Ohio University. Willis is the son of Willis McClure III, Ohio Public Safety employee and OCSEA activist with Bureau Motor Vehicles Chapter 2503.
Chapter Spotlight: Recruiting new employees
Marion Correctional Chapter President Brian Miller and his crew attend Crawford and Marion County Fairs to try to recruit Correction Officers in their area. It must be paying off: This week's new employee class at Corrections Training Academy was the largest yet with 150 new employees!
MEMBERS ONLY DISCOUNT!
BOGO Zoombezi Bay ticket deal is back through July 31
Do NOT miss out on this amazing member-only deal: BOGO ZOOMBEZI BAY!!! This ticket deal is live HERE now through the end of the month with your OCSEA member-only login code. Click the Zoombezi Bay tab to find all of the water park deals.
That's right! Now through July 31, 2023, OCSEA members can Buy One Get One free tickets to the Zoombezi Bay water park. And don't forget, not only does your ticket grant you admission to Zoombezi Bay, but it also includes free access to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium during Zoo operating hours.
BOGO tickets are VALID through September 4, 2023. Children under 3 are free. Learn more and see all discounts at OCSEA.org/extras.
Buy Tickets: ocsea.org/Extras (Click either Columbus Zoo or Zoombezi Bay tabs to see zoo and water park deals)