ETFO Annual Meeting 2015 » Tuesday, August 18

Labour resource released at Annual Meeting today

ETFOadmin — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 22:00:21 +0000

Today First Vice-President Susan Swackhammer announced the release of a new labour-focused resource containing lesson plans for the intermediate division. Members can download the Learning from Labour resource for free on this web page. It will also be available soon at www.etfo.ca under ‘Resources.’

OTF President Rian McLaughlin delivers her report

ETFOadmin — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 21:15:42 +0000

Outgoing OTF President and ETFO OTF Table Officer Rian McLaughlin delivered her final OTF report this afternoon. McLaughlin began by outlining OTF’s professional learning initiatives and advocacy work on behalf of Ontario’s teachers. For example, it was revealed that the ‘Survive and Thrive’ website for beginning teachers would soon be redeveloped. The issue of Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) mandate creep was reported on, including OTF’s ongoing advocacy efforts with the OCT and the Ministry of Education to eliminate this problem. Finally, the OTF President outlined the continuing improvements to the financial position of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP), as evidenced by the recent reinstatement of some inflation protection for retired plan members. ETFO Vice-President James McCormack thanked Rian for her report, her expertise and her work on behalf of Ontario’s teachers over the past few years.

OTF President Rian McLaughlin

Guests at the 2015 Annual Meeting

Aida azarakhsh — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 19:49:28 +0000

This morning during Session 3, BCTF President Jim Iker was welcomed to ETFO’s Annual Meeting by President Sam Hammond. Iker received a standing ovation from ETFO delegates.

Jim Iker, President of BCTF

Other guests who visited during Session 3 include:

Ken Collins, QECO;
Jean Franklin, Honorary Life Member;
Jim Breckenridge, Ministry of Labour;
Dave Kendall, Past President; and
Emily Noble, Past President.

CB eNewsletter – President to reveal fall work-to-rule strategy on Thursday

ETFOadmin — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 19:29:00 +0000

Members and subscribers were sent the following CB eNewsletter today reminding them to tune into ETFO President Sam Hammond’s closing speech from Annual Meeting on Thursday. Hammond will announce next steps for this fall in ETFO’s work-to-rule strike action.

Candidates for Executive Member & Executive Member (Female)

ETFOadmin — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 19:16:15 +0000

Delegates heard speeches from the following candidates during Session 4 this afternoon:

Executive Member:

Yvette Blackburn – Elementary Teachers of Toronto
Nathan Core – Waterloo Region Occasional Teacher Local
Alan Heatherington – Thames Valley Teacher Local
Kelly Holley – Algoma Teacher Local
David Mastin – Durham Teacher Local
Greg Weiler – Waterloo Region Teacher Local

Executive Member (Female):

Gail Bannister-Clarke – Peel Teacher Local
Tracy Blodgett, Trillium Lakelands Occasional Teacher Local
Adelina Cecchin, Greater Essex County Teacher Local
Tania Kerr, Hamilton-Wentworth Teacher Local

Written statements from all the candidates can be read in the Annual Meeting Booklet.

2014-2015 Award Recipients

Aida azarakhsh — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 17:58:31 +0000

ETFO award winners were recognized this afternoon at the beginning of Session 4. Congratulations to all the winners!

ETFO award winners: L to R – Nathan Core, Tracy Blodgett, Heike Schiller, Jada Nicklefork, Cathy Fairley, and Brian Barker

Here is a list of the winners:

Arts and Culture Award – Media Release
Melanie Blanchard, Simcoe County Teacher Local

Children’s Literature Award – Media Release
Beverley Terrell-Deutsch, Non-member

Curriculum Development Award – Media Release
Sue Irwin, Hamilton-Wentworth Teacher Local

Environmental Education Award – Media Release
Ron Ballentine, Halton Teacher Local

Health and Safety Activist Award – Media Release
Heike Schiller, Upper Grand Teacher Local

Humanitarian Award for an ETFO Member – Media Release
Cathy Fairley, Halton Teacher Local

Member Service and Engagement Award – Media Release
Niagara teacher Local and Trillium Lakelands Occasional Teacher Local

New Member Award – Media Release
Nathan Core, Waterloo Occasional Teacher Local

Rainbow Visions Award – Media Release
Key Straughan, Hamilton-Wentworth Teacher Local

Women Working in Social Activism on Behalf of Women and Children Award – Media Release
Kathyrn Cummings, Non-member

Session 3 in Photographs

ETFOadmin — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 17:14:55 +0000

Session 4 Agenda

ETFOadmin — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 16:25:45 +0000

Session 3 has adjourned for lunch. Here’s what’s on the agenda for Session 4 this afternoon:

Awards presentation
debate on resolutions related to Policy Statements, Position Statements, OTF, and the 2015-16 ETFO budget
Election speeches by candidates for Executive positions
Update by Rian McLaughlin, OTF President

Wab Kinew Addresses Annual Meeting Delegates

ETFOadmin — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 15:46:56 +0000

ETFO’s Social Justice Speaker for the 2015 Annual Meeting is Wabanakwut (Wab) Kinew.

President Hammond introduced Kinew by saying “[Wab Kinew] has a lot to teach us about how we can be a part of the process of Canada’s reconciliation with the survivors of the residential school system.”

Mr. Kinew is a Canadian hip hop musician, journalist, broadcaster and university administrator, best known as a host of programming on CBC Television. Kinew was a very popular guest host of CBC Radio’s “Q” in December 2014. In 2014, he appeared as a panelist on CBC Radio’s Canada Reads, defending Joseph Boyden’s novel The Orenda. The novel won the competition.

In a riveting and engaging speech, Mr. Kinew talked about education being key to fulfilling all peoples’ individual potential in Canada.

Kinew also reviewed the legacy of residential schools in Canada and the “failed policies” inflicted by Canadian governments, past and present, on FNMI peoples. He noted we are in a transition period of greater awareness amongst Canadians about the hidden history of this country in relation to First Nation peoples. More and more Canadians are starting to ask ‘What can I do to help?’ Mr. Kinew’s answer: confront the truth and commit to working together toward reconciliation.

Session 3 Agenda: Tuesday, August 18 (8:45 am – noon)

ETFOadmin — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 12:15:30 +0000

Delegates to the 2015 Annual Meeting continue to conduct the business of the union during Session 3. Session 3’s agenda includes:

• Auditor’s Report,
• General Secretary’s Report + Q&A,
• Review of Electronic Voting Procedures with Parliamentarian Ruth Ann Morley,
• 32 budget resolutions, and
• Social Justice speaker Wab Kinew.

GS Victoria Reaume addresses AM delegates