OSSTF District 11- Thames Valley
Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation

680 Industrial Road, London, Ontario, N5V 1V1
Phone: (519) 659-6588; Fax: (519) 659-2421; Email: osstf11@execulink.com

When we go to the polls to vote in the municipal election on November 13^th ,we will be deciding on our trustees for the Thames Valley District School Board for the next four years. Municipal elections seldom motivate or inspire voters in the same way that federal or provincial elections do. Yet, we know that municipal government is central to the quality of our lives.. The people who get elected as our trustees have tremendous power to make life in public education better.... or make it worse. Our political action at the local level can play a central role in shaping the kind of school board we have in the future.

D11 Political Action Committee believes that mobilizing our members to vote next November is a very important task. One key component in our action plan involves endorsing good candidates for trustee positions. The other integral component involves coalition building with our affiliates and local labour councils. We want strong, progressive candidates with a positive orientation to public education to run for trustee positions. We will be considering endorsing incumbents for re-election, but we also believe it is important to encourage leaders in our own communities to consider mounting campaigns. If any of our members know someone who might be considering candidacy, the Political Action Committee would like to know about them. We would encourage all our members to get involved at the local level, as the election approaches. Consider volunteering some time in the fall to canvas or do a leaflet drop for a candidate in your area. Positive change can result from our active input and involvement.