ELEMENTARY TEACHERS’ FEDERATION OF ONTARIO

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progress on implementing recommendations of 
the Berkeley Report, an independent administra-
tive structure and process review undertaken in 
2012. The implementation of recommendations 
has largely been completed.

Cross-service Area Workgroups

Among other recommendations, the Berkeley 
Report identified the need for ETFO to reduce 
the ‘silos’ existing between department areas and 
maximize cross-service area effectiveness.

In 2014-2015, cross-service area teams were estab-
lished to plan a number of ETFO initiatives includ-
ing: Webinar series; Leaders for Tomorrow; Fall 
Leadership; …and still we rise; Parliamentarian 
Training; Reflections on Practice Leadership Insti-
tute; Union School; Visions Program; and Women’s 
Health and Legal Conference among others.

The ability to draw on various cross-service staff 
expertise has markedly enriched ETFO’s work for 
members. Each project has benefited from the 
considerable breadth of staff expertise, under-
standing and knowledge of the complexities of 
the world in which we function. That synergy has 
resulted in new integrated, creative and informa-
tive programs for ETFO leaders and members.

Service Area Reviews

The Berkeley Report also identified the need for 
more formal processes for planning, reporting 
and program review. The administrative lead-
ership team put in place a number of reviews 
involving staff from across the organization.

Women’s Programs Review

A review of ETFO’s Women’s Programs (WP) was 
undertaken from October 2013 through spring of 

2015. Along with a scan of current WP programs, 
a focus group was conducted with women mem-
bers. Five common goals were identified for all 
WP programs: 

O

 To promote women’s leadership within ETFO;

O

 To specifically outreach to women from 

designated groups and eliminate barriers to 
women’s leadership in ETFO;

O

 To promote programs and services that sup-

port ETFO women members in both their 
professional and personal lives;

O

 To mobilize women members to promote 

social justice and equity through activism, 
professional learning, and union leadership 
development within the broader community, 
including the union movement; and

O

 To engage members to identify with, and be 

invested in, their profession and union.

A deliberate trajectory was designed to take 
women from entry level to advanced leadership 
involvement in the union. Existing gaps and areas 
of over-coverage were identified according to the 
new goals, and a list of budget considerations 
was identified. This gap analysis and the budget 
considerations were used by executive staff to 
refine program offerings for 2015-2016, ensuring 

Strengthening Our Federation

Photo: Vitusha Oberoi