Member service at the heart of leadership

On August 17, 2005, the delegates to the ETFO annual meeting elected their provincial executive for the 2005–2007 term and my life changed.

I was  elected  to  the  position  of  vice-president female. Leadership in ETFO is challenging and personally enriching.

My involvement in federation began with my first year of teaching at Moosonee Public School in  1979.  That  involvement  included  work  as school  steward,  committee  member, vice-presi- dent  and  president in  the  Ontario North  East local.  It  also  included  involvement  on  various provincial committees, participation in the World March of Women in New York in 2000, and most recently, four years on the provincial executive.

In that position it was exciting to help shape and support the positive direction of Campaign 200. That campaign was supported by the ground- breaking framework agreement negotiated with the provincial government and allowed us to take our organization giant steps forward, creating far- reaching enhancements in our members’ working lives. I was proud to be part of it.

This year, it has been equally exciting to go out to the occasional teacher locals to address strike vote  and  ratification  meetings, as  we  work  to enhance the profile, salaries, and working condi- tions of our occasional teacher members.

Member service is at the heart of my ETFO belief system. I bring that direct commitment to my new role. Leadership is  often equated with decision-making. I hold the best interest of each member in mind when I make decisions about member service, policy development and political action.

Leadership includes my work as chair of the selection committee for ETFO standing commit- tees and my role as executive liaison for many of these vital committees. It also includes my work as chair of the executive task force struck to enact the new ETFO priority to promote the care and protection of the environment.

For me, leadership in ETFO also includes advo- cacy on issues of equity and social justice, and liaison work with other organizations. I serve as an OTF governor, and as a member of the OTF awards committee, the OFL women’s committee, and the CLC task force on power generation.

As an ETFO leader, I am able to take the lead on issues of importance to members and to soci- ety. For example, we can create positive change as we work together to save the national child care program and to stop privatization and commercialization in schools.

I am always happy to visit in the locals. This fall, I had the positive experience of presenting new teacher workshops in many locals. At local events I learn more about issues of critical importance for members. Interaction with members fuels my enthusiasm.

ETFO is an organization of knowledgeable and caring professionals. Infused  with  a  dedication to the principles  of  equity and social justice, to strong collective bargaining, to advocacy in the political arena, to member support  and quality professional development; it is an organization in which we can take great pride. It is an honour to serve as vice-president.