As chapter leader, your responsibilities include the following:

• Holding at least six regularly scheduled chapter meetings each year.
• Forming a chapter consultation committee,meeting monthly with the committee and the principal, and reporting the results of the meeting to the chapter.
• Representing all chapter members in informal resolutions of problems with the administration and in grievances.
• Involving the chapter with the union by advising members of meetings, programs, rallies and other activities.
• Attending Delegate Assembly, district and citywide chapter leader meetings and divisional meetings where the concerns of the chapter can be transmitted.
• Explaining VOTE/COPE to the members and collecting VOTE/COPE checkoff cards.
• Explaining the union’s positions to members.
• Providing for informal resolution of problems between members.
• Serving as a resource for members about pensions, health coverage and other matters.
• Providing regular communications to chapter members (emails, electronic or print newsletters) and maintaining the UFT bulletin board.
• Working with the district representative and other union representatives.
• Inviting union speakers into school regularly: officers, staff, the district representative, Welfare Fund speakers and pension experts.
• Contacting and lobbying politicians.
• Registering members to vote.
• Working with parent groups.
• Taking the lead in seeking to ensure that the health, welfare and rights of members are protected.
• Disseminating UFT materials via members’ mailboxes and/or electronically.
• Conducting letter-writing campaigns and other union activities.
• Attending training sessions in order to serve the members better.
• Distributing Welfare Fund forms.
• Protecting the confidentiality of all members.
• Involving newer members and members of functional chapters in the life of the school chapter.
• Ensuring that the negotiated contracts are enforced and implemented at the school level, and that UFT members’ rights and benefits are protected.
• Leading the chapter in discussion, development and implementation of educational policies in the school in accordance with union policy.
• Functioning as the chapter’s historian,keeping records that need to be handed down.

Yes, as long as you are a UFT member. The discount vendors on the UFT app/website provide their discounts to ALL of the UFT’s members.

Currently, ONLY non-supervisory pedagogical employees will have access to SOLAS. Non-supervisory pedagogical titles include: Teachers, School Psychologists, Guidance Counselors, School Social Workers, Librarians, Attendance Teachers, School Secretarial Staff, and Laboratory Specialists. At a later date, all employees will be able to use SOLAS.

For more information about using SOLAS, see the SOLAS FAQ page here:  https://www.uft.org/sites/default/files/attachments/solas-faq.pdf

SOLAS is an online system designed to streamline the leave application process for DOE employees. SOLAS makes it easier to apply for a leave of absence and upload the necessary supporting documentation. The link to access SOLAS online is https://apps.schools.nyc/solas.

For more information about using SOLAS, see the SOLAS FAQ page here: https://www.uft.org/sites/default/files/attachments/solas-faq.pdf

If you have lost or cannot remember your password for the Self-Service Online Leave Application System, you can use the "Password Recovery and Account Confirmation Tool"  on the NYCDOE website to recover or reset your password.

Here is a link to the password and profile management page on the NYCDOE website: https://idm.nycenet.edu/itim/self/jsp/logon/login.jsp

Here is a helpful link to the Info Hub on the NYCDOE website:
https://infohub.nyced.org/resources/employee-info/diit-helpdesk/change-your-password

For more information about using SOLAS, see the SOLAS FAQ page here: https://www.uft.org/sites/default/files/attachments/solas-faq.pdf

You can view the status of your leave application by logging into SOLAS: https://apps.schools.nyc/solas.
Once you log in using your DOE/Network ID and password, select “I would like to View the Details of my Leave Application” to view your Checklist. The Checklist shows the current status of the application process, including any determinations that have been made.

For more information about using SOLAS, see the SOLAS FAQ page here: https://www.uft.org/sites/default/files/attachments/solas-faq.pdf

You can confirm that your documents have been received in the following ways:

• When your documents are received, you will receive a confirmation email to your DOE email address.
• Log into SOLAS: https://apps.schools.nyc/solas

Once you log in using your DOE/Network ID and password, select “I would like to View the Details of my Leave Application” to view your Checklist. The Checklist shows the status of the application, including application submission, Principal acknowledgement, and supporting documentation.

You can confirm that your principal has submitted their acknowledgement by logging into SOLAS:
 https://apps.schools.nyc/solas

Once you log in using your DOE/Network ID and password, select “I would like to View the Details of my Leave Application” to view your checklist. The checklist shows the status of the application, including principal/supervisor acknowledgement.

You can withdraw your leave application by logging into SOLAS: https://apps.schools.nyc/solas

Once you log in using your DOE/Network ID and password, you can either withdraw your application OR withdraw your application and submit a new application for a different leave. Select one, and then click the “Continue” button. You cannot withdraw your application in this way once your application has been approved/denied.

To rescind your non-medical leave request that has been approved, you must contact your principal to discuss rescinding your non-medical leave request. Your rescind request must be approved by your principal at least 30 days prior to the start date of your leave request. Failure to provide sufficient notice to rescind your leave may jeopardize your active status.

To rescind your medical leave request that has been approved, you must contact your principal to discuss rescinding your medical leave request and your retention on payroll. Your rescind request must be approved by your principal at least 30 days prior to the start date of your leave request. Failure to provide sufficient notice to rescind your leave may jeopardize your active status.

Once your rescind request is approved by the principal, you must fax the doctor’s fitness notice to the Medical, Leaves & Records Administration (Fax# 718-935-2641) for the DOE physician’s review. Final decision of your rescind request and your return to service is contingent upon the DOE physician’s review.