ETFO Standing Committees: Important Grassroots Involvement

Members of ETFO standing committees are a vital part of ETFO. They bring front-line experience and perspective to the organization and help keep the union grounded and in touch with members’ concerns.

The number of standing committees has grown from 18 when ETFO was established in 1998 to the current 28. The additional committees have broadened the extent to which the committee structure represents members, whether it’s their classroom assignment, their career stage, their gender or sexual orientation, or the key functions of the union. A complete list of ETFO’s standing committees is provided below.

The role of standing committees includes developing policy and program recommendations for consideration by the provincial Executive and the ETFO Annual Meeting. More broadly, it includes providing advice on the content, delivery and design of ETFO programs and on matters that relate to the specific focus of the particular committee.

Committee recommendations are carefully studied and considered and many have been adopted by the Executive or at the ETFO Annual Meeting. Committee recommendations have made a significant contribution to ETFO’s policy development and organizational focus.

Each year, the chairs of ETFO’s standing committees attend a provincial Executive meeting and make a presentation on behalf of their committee. This gives them an opportunity to watch their provincial Executive in action and communicate directly with Executive members.

Membership on standing committees is determined by the Selection Committee of ETFO’s Representative Council. Committee members are appointed for a two-year term and can be appointed for a second two-year term for a maximum of four years before they need to step back and make room for others. Many members return to committee work after they’ve taken a break. Bringing in new members to committee work is an important way for ETFO to keep in touch with its membership and give as many members as possible the opportunity to serve in this capacity.

Committee members give a lot to ETFO; they also receive considerable knowledge and experience in return. Serving on an ETFO standing committee broadens members’ understanding of their union and provides them with an opportunity for personal growth.

March 1 is the annual deadline for applying to serve on an ETFO standing committee. Consider this a tap on your shoulder; mark the date on your calendar and give some thought to whether serving on a committee is something you’d like to do.

For more information, check etfo.ca in the “About ETFO” section.

Vivian McCaffrey is an executive staff member at ETFO.

ETFO Standing Committees Aboriginal Education Annual Meeting Anti-Racist Education Arts Awards Collective Bargaining Disability Issues Early Years ESP/PSP/DECE English as a Second Language Environmental French as a Second Language Human Rights Intermediate Division International Assistance Labour LGBTQ Men’s Focus New Members Occasional Teacher Occupational Health and Safety Pension Political Action Professional Development/Curriculum Professional Relations and Discipline Special Education Status of Women Teacher Education/Faculty Liaison