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Volume 1, Issue 2: June 16, 2003

Communications / Excellence in Education Committee

In 2002-2003, the Communications / Excellence in Education Committee continued with several initiatives that have been a major part of this committee's mandate in the past, and a new initiative mandated by the District Priorities as passed by last year's Annual General meeting.

First, the CEE Committee ran the annual Marion Drysdale Contest; this year's theme was "A Defining Moment". The District received almost double the number of entries this year that it received last year. This year, 41 school level winners received medallions and 10 district level winners received trophies. Three of our district winners were also regional winners. Contest details and all of the results can be found on the District website at http://www.osstf11.com/CEEdrysdales.htm. Next year's theme is "Appreciating One's Freedom".

Next, the CEE Committee supported the Bishop Townshend Awards of Educator Excellence. These awards are presented annually and co-sponsored by OSSTF District 11, the TVDSB, and the Anglican Diocese of Huron. The awards dinner took place on February 20, 2003 at the Highland Country Club. Once again, Val Cavalini, the Townshend Awards Chairperson, did an outstanding job of coordinating this annual celebration of outstanding educators in District 11. Details and photos of the award winners and dinner can be seen at http://www.osstf11.com/CEEtownshend.htm.

A new initiative for the CEE Committee, arising from this year's District priority "to improve communication with the membership" is to oversee the District website. Officially launched in late February, the District website has sections for District documents and information, for each of the four bargaining units, for many of the District and bargaining unit committees, and for the new online magazine. It is updated daily by the "Webmaster" so as to provide as much current information as possible for all members. If you haven't yet explored the site, please do so, and please bookmark it on your computer. Suggestions for improvement of the website can be emailed directly to the District Office or passed on through the CEE Committee rep for your workplace or bargaining unit.

Finally, this year the acclaimed District magazine Education Matters has gone "high tech"; it is now Education Matters Online. The debut issue went online on April 7. The second issue is planned for June 16 in order to include articles and pictures from the Annual Dinner on June 11, as well as the profiles and photos of all of the retiring District 11 members that will also be published in print form as a momento for the retirees and their workplaces.

The webhome of the CEE Committee is http://www.osstf11.com/CEE.htm. The committee has been experimenting with doing some of its work by email--for example, proofreading of the online magazine, and providing feedback about the website--so as to make actual face to face meetings as time effective as possible. New members of this committee are always welcome.

Submitted by Wendy Hirschegger, Federation Services Officer Liaison to this Committee

Educational Services Committee

The Ed. Services Committee provided opportunities throughout the year for the benefit of OSSTF members. The following is an outline of these activities.

The Joint P.O. Committee, containing members of OSSTF Ed. Services, ETFO Executive and TVDSB Program Services attempted to plan a third annual subsidized event scheduled for March 2003 at the Convention Centre. After a series of attempts the Committee abandoned this event since ETFO failed to come to the table at these meetings. The TVDSB attempted to find monetary resources to compensate for the missing third member of the Committee, but were unsuccessful. Another fact was the event would not be a "joint" event with a missing third member. Meetings are underway for a future event next year, since this is a worthwhile event for our members.

The Ed. Services Committee decided to distribute the unused monies towards our members and subsidize their Professional Development activities throughout the year. The Committee disbursed over $5000 to individual members on a first-come, first-served basis. Although it is the responsibility of the employer to continue to support professional development, we hope that OSSTF District 11 has helped provide relief for some of our members. We would like to continue this aspect of our mandate next year, providing funds are available.

Some Ed. Services Committee members were busy organizing "Definitely NOT the PLP", an optional OSSTF event, designed to allow members to interact and learn about technology and educational opportunities out of our TVDSB area and bring that knowledge back to the classroom. This event is running on Saturday, May 31 to Niagara-on-the-Lake ONLY. As I write this report, there are 6 tickets left, so hurry to reserve your seat. (We will reschedule the Windsor trip in the fall of 2003). Special thanks goes to those few dedicated Ed. Services Committee members who spent many hours planning this event - Lynda Seeley, Carolyn Gaskin, Joe Mountenay, Wendy Hirschegger and myself.

OSSTF Ed. Services participated in the Learning Conference 2002 Committee which organizes the October P.O. Day, sponsored by the TVDSB. The October 26 PD Day was a successful event for most members. There are some changes planned for the 2003 PD Day which will be discussed at our next meeting. It is our wish that Con Ed teachers and Instructors will be able to join us at this year's event.

Thanks also to Wendy Hirschegger and Don Edgar, Federation Services Officers, who have willingly donated their efforts throughout the year towards the Ed. Services Committee.

Submitted by Kathy Wildfong, Committee Charperson

Human Rights and Status of Women Committee

While the Human Rights / Status of Women Committee was busy with planning and executing activities, much of the credit goes to numerous people who initiated or participated throughout District 11. There were three central strands:

1. Heightening awareness of prejudices against women and barriers to their full participation in society. The December 6th memorial or White Ribbon campaign asked adolescent and adult men to speak out against violence directed at women. Several branches reported that a union member, a student or a group were already preparing for this; in others, the District 11 initiative helped to continue or establish memorial activities. Feedback from branch presidents indicate that although the vast majority of members are aware of the campaign, for some students the symbolic wearing of the white ribbon has less meaning than hoped. Women's shelters and second-stage housing were the target of some branch campaigns. Those branches who did not have a designated recipient for the proceeds contributed through the District Office to the support of women refugees from political violence in Colombia.
2. The presence of a Colombian refugee family in one of the communities in the District assures them of safety and us of the ability of our group, in partnership with others, to intervene in crises. In addition to offering educational opportunities for members, the Human Rights /Status of Women committee felt that support for the Colombians is a way to show solidarity with people from a land where to be a teacher is to have a price on your head, and to be a union member is often a death-sentence.
3. The Human Rights / Status of Women committee also brought questions and resources to the ad-hoc committee to the TVDSB looking at the harassment and mistreatment of GLTB2 students. Our logic was that in a climate of fear, physical and mental abuse, not only will students not be able to learn, but also teachers will not be comfortable to work. The work of the committee, led by trustees went before the Board on May 13 was approved. Public pressure was a significant factor in this. Our role was to support students' quest for justice. On the other hand, we were sure to point out to the board the areas of weaknesses in efforts to deal with harassment.

In the 2003-2004, the committee plans to introduce OSSTF produced resources, Common Threads, and published materials, eg: by the Kielburger brothers, to assist members in understanding with their students the North-South disparities in Human Rights. This overview will help members to recognize the hand of the privateers in the suppression of Human Rights, the Common Good, Education, in the First and Third Worlds. The questions of equity for women and minority groups will need to be in the forefront again.

Submitted by Bryan Smith, Committee Chairperson

Political Action Committee

Activities of the Political Action Committee during the past year have centred on the long awaited provincial election. We have established priorities, set budgets, developed plans and begun implementation to ensure that opposition candidates with the best chance of winning are given our strongest support. The Party for Change, our spring social event, brought members together with the Liberal and New Democrat candidates from area ridings. Presentations by the two education critics, Rosario Marchese and Gerrard Kennedy, sparked a lively exchange of view points. Guests joined us from other affiliates and unions.

Members can keep up to date on the issues and find links to various related sites through the District 11 web site, thanks to the special efforts of Wendy Hirschegger.

Much of our Committee planning is geared to take effect once the election has been called. Members interested in helping to make a difference in the upcoming election should contact their local riding association, members of the PAC, or Don Edgar at the District Office. As our liaison with the District Office, Don helps the Political Action Committee put plans into action. We are indebted to Don, and to Laurie Lafraniere who helps him, for helping to make political action in District 11 a reality. We won't make a difference in the election, however, without you.

 Submitted by Marilyn Norman, Committee Chairperson

Active Retired Member: Chapter 11

District 11 has been well-ARMed this year. The ARM Chapter 11 president's baton was passed to me by Peter Chapman, who moved on to ARM Provincial Council, joining Don Wright there. Locally, the troika of Mike Moir, Win Schell and I worked on a variety of initiatives. The niftiest (a well- known retiree's term) was our District 11 Discount Card. Mike signed up a number of local London businesses to give card-carrying ARMers significant discounts (many thanks to Ottawa's Terry Taller for his help!). Coupled with the OSSTF Edvantage card, this gave ARM members considerable scope to stretch their indexed pensions - and a very practical reason to stay well- ARMed after that heady transition to retirement. We sent out two newsletters on topical issues, and held two information-luncheon meetings, as well as a benefits information meeting.

At the end of the year, Mike and Win took over the helm when I took on the pleasant but VERY (this is retirement??) challenging role of Campaign Manager for Banting English teacher Irene Mathyssen in her NDP campaign in London Fanshawe. As we go to press, the attempt is to get our grey power at work to take revenge on Mike, Ernie and the rest of their cabal for their arbitrary, unrelenting and unspeakably harmful attacks on teachers, educations workers, students, and our society at large. With any luck, we help strongARM sanity, democracy and quality education back into the Ontario poIitical landscape. (Sorry - tried to keep this non-political!)

Next year - even more adventures for Mike, Win and Joe as we try to provide good ways for OSSTF District 11 retirees to stay in touch with the finest education union in Ontario.

Let us not take thought for our separate interests, but let us help one another.
(OSSTF Motto)

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