Dear COMTO members (past, present, and future):
It is with great pleasure that I greet you once again as the newly re-elected president of the COMTO New York Chapter as of July 1, 2008. This continues to be an exciting time for the New York Chapter as we will move our organization in the direction that will be representative of our great State of New York, a State with the largest public transportation system in the nation, if not the world.
As I plan, lead and develop our great chapter, I established three overriding guiding principles that radiate through the Chapter. These guiding principles which are the hallmark of our mission as we develop programs and iniatives are embodied in service, professionalism, and visibility.
The guiding principle of service is fulfilled in part by re-defining and expanding COMTO Youth Day. Therefore, middle schools and high schools neighboring MTA, Port Authority and DOT properties, where accessible, will be invited to attend uniform programs to discuss operations and careers specific to that property and the various careers offered throughout the transportation industry. The COMTO – New York Chapter has received positive results from the Transportation industry and Department of Education both providing support and Co-Sponsorship for this endeavor. In addition, service will be provided by an expanded scholarship program to raise and distribute funds to students in financial need, and who show academic promise, and by introducing a COMTO Transportation related School with the highest academic standards required for students grades 6 through 12, and the implementation of a comprehensive workforce development program designed to train the New York Transportation workforce of the near future.
Further, I have assembled a Board of Directors for the New York Chapter who has the technical knowledge and expertise to address transportation equity issues in minority communities, among other things, of which our notion of service will transform into the role of advocacy. In this regard, we will provide technical presentations and establish local legislative position papers and other reports to address equity issues. The level and nature of service provided to our members will ensure that premium networking and career advancement events and programs are established to aid members with their career choices. As a result, I have established the COMTO – New York Professional Development Institute which provides practical and survival training for our members.
The COMTO – New York Chapter will conduct itself with complete professionalism. As any professional organization we will seek appropriate funding sources so that we are able to operate and conduct business accordingly. Through the establishment of a Fund Raising Committee we will seek funding via two primary sources – memberships through bi-weekly pay-roll deduction, and donations from other funding sources to the COMTO – New York Chapter, a 501 (c) 3 organization who will soon apply for certification as a New York State Charitable Organization and New York State Tax Exempt Organization.
We will conduct meetings and events that are informative and that begin and end on time. As a measure to be certain that the COMTO New York Chapter is operating with integrity and order, we have established local by-laws that will be inclusive and seek to develop other chapters at strategic locations throughout New York State.
Lastly, the guiding principle of visibility will probably be as equally important as the other two principles of service and professionalism. If you asked the question to a colleague or friend working in the transportation industry, what is COMTO? Or even further, what is the vision and mission of COMTO? Or beyond that, what does COMTO do? The overwhelming answer is I DO NOT KNOW!
To address this lack of knowledge and understanding about COMTO, I have established a local website and will provide information on the Intranet, and re-establish our chapter newsletter which will have sections highlighting promotions and networking events and other key activities and areas of interest. The chapter will purchase banners and display boards, attend community events, and issue press releases and conduct news conferences when necessary.
As you can see this is an ambitious charge that I put before the COMTO – New York Chapter Board of Directors, its members past, present and future. But, I am certain, that each charge is obtainable because of our vast resource of good and caring individuals employed in the New York State transportation industry.
I ask that each of us take responsibility of building this organization so that it becomes an institution never again to relinquish its vital role of ensuring the equal access and opportunities for all aspiring to be leaders in transportation. Obtaining our share of leadership positions in New York State transportation will be a difficult task, but the COMTO-New York Chapter and its members are positioned to gain the respect and consideration so long overdue.
Warmest Regards,
Dwayne C. Sampson
COMTO – New York
Chapter
President
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