President's Memo

June 24, 2005

President's Message

Before you leave for the summer, I wanted to touch base with you about a couple of items.

First of all, thank you for all of the work you have done over the course of the year both in your various positions and also in support of public education. I hope that you will have a relaxing and restful summer. To those of you who are teaching summer school, I hope that you will have a good term.

Next, if you have not already done so, please make sure that you have done your “Offence Declaration”. Please remember that it is a provincial regulation that it MUST be done. The board has set it up so that it can be done quickly and easily on the Employee Portal. They have also indicated that if it has not been done by September 1, it is possible that you may not be allowed to start work in the fall and that could have pay implications for you.

Finally, I want to give you information about accessing information and District 11 office personnel over the summer. The website will be updated as necessary throughout the summer. Voice mail and email will be monitored throughout the summer and someone will get back to you as soon as possible, generally within 2-3 working days. Contact information can be found on the District website from a link on the front page right under the “Welcome” banner. If you need urgent or immediate assistance, please contact the provincial office at 1-800-267-7867 and ask for the Duty Officer.

Because the school year at Sir George Ross SS starts on August 9, the office will again be open on August 8, 9, 10 to provide any support that may be needed at that time. We will all be back in the office daily beginning August 29.

Moving or Changing Your Name?

Help us keep our membership list current. If you change your name or address or phone number, PLEASE email, fax or phone in your new information to the District Office; also indicate which Bargaining Unit you belong to: Teachers, Occasional Teachers, PSSP, or Continuing Education Instructors.

2005 Mike Montag Memorial Award

District 11 awards the Mike Montag Memorial Award annually to a member who is active in the Federation at the local and provincial levels, who has made significant contributions in the area of collective bargaining and who demonstrates humanitarian qualities.

The District received one nomination which was endorsed unanimously by the committee made up of the District President, Federation Services Officer Mary Lou Cunningham and Executive members Ken Rochefort and Glenna Atkinson.

We are pleased to announce that the recipient of the 2005 award is Dale Leckie.

The nomination read as follows: “Dale represented District 11 as Chief Negotiator extremely well. He continues to represent all members across the province as the Director of Protective Services. He continues to take special care of us in District 11.”

The presentation was made at the District 11 Annual Dinner by Jim Ross, himself a former Director of Protector Services and former General Secretary. Jim spoke very glowingly of Dale’s expertise in the area of collective bargaining and particularly in demystifying the funding formula and becoming such an expert in that area that he is highly regarded by both districts and boards. Dale was unable to attend the Annual Dinner because he was bargaining in Ottawa, and so Ken Coran accepted the award on his behalf.

June Education Matters Online

The final issue for this school year of Education Matters Online will go “live” on our website by Monday June 27.

Submissions for the October edition should be made to Wendy Hirschegger by Friday September 23, 2005.

Click here for previous issues of President's Memos

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

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