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OSSTF District 11- Thames Valley
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District 11 Office |
Education Matters Online
Feature
Volume 4, Issue 2: December 12, 2005
Impressions of a New Provincial CouncillorSubmitted by Audrey Cooley, District 11 Provincial Councillor |
When I offered to run as a Provincial
Councillor, I had only the vaguest idea of what was involved except that one
attended meetings and reported back to the local executive and members, and
this seemed a reasonable way to contribute to our District 11. Having
attended two Provincial Councils now, I have a somewhat better idea of what
the role is all about. However, my understanding is still a work in
progress. I am quickly becoming familiar with the juggling of papers
(sorting On Time Reports and Late Reports; hunting for Appendix L of the
Late Report P.C. # 6A/2005-06) and beginning to understand something about
Robert’s Rules of Order. I noticed, with relief, that even some of the
acronyms were beginning to sound familiar part way through the second
meeting. Did you know that there is a committee referred to as PSSPSCOP and
our own Nancy McDougall is chair of the Executive?
Much of the meeting is taken up with information sharing from the Provincial
Executive and sometimes we vote on matters brought forth by them. Judging
from the number of activities and issues they report on each meeting, we
have a very hardworking and dedicated Executive, who are working diligently
on our behalf at the provincial level. Another part of the meeting is taken
up with reports from the various Committees. These I am still learning to
recognize. As I attend more meetings and am able to get a sense of the flow
of their work, I am sure this will take on more meaning for me.
As a PSSP
member from Psychological Services, some projects and announcements catch my
attention more than others at this early stage. So far, I am particularly
following the very
interesting
surveys on Bullying reported by Lori Foote, the concerns regarding
outsourcing, and
funding issues being followed by the Special Education Advisory Work Group.
The current Chair of Provincial Council is Mr. John Dykes and I like the
unhurried and respectful manner in which he conducts the meetings and
responds to member input, even when there appears to be mountains of
material to get through. At our first meeting a dinner reception was held
for new Councillors before the formal meeting began and we were all made to
feel most welcome by Mr. Dykes and the Executive. There are a lot of new
faces at these meetings and it was a great help to meet some “key
individuals” right from the start. And speaking of key individuals, I am
very fortunate to be seated with the experienced and enthusiastic
Councillors from District 11, Wendy Hirschegger and Ken Rochefort. Their
warm welcome and willingness to share their experience with patience and
good humour are helping to make Provincial Council something I will look
forward to over the next two years.
