Your Federation: A Roundup of Federation News

Leadership 2006: Building community

Organizations build strength and increase their relevance when they tap into all the resources and the diverse bodies of knowledge available in their community. That was the message delivered by George Dei, the keynote speaker at ETFO’s annual conference for local leaders. The theme of the conference was building community. Dei, a professor at UT/OISE, emphasized the importance of making sure our communities are inclusive, pointing out that, “the world is here in our midst, we need to respond. What happens around the world implicates us.” Dei said, “We can’t talk about excellence without tapping into diversity.”

Leading a workshop on equity in action were Phillip Howard, equity program facilitator at the Durham  District School  Board, and  Meredith Lordan, teacher  educator at  OISE/UT. Among other  topics,  workshop  participants  discussed personal  and  systemic  barriers  to  equity  and their vision of  equitable practice in federation work. The Equity and Women’s Services column on page 10 presents the ideas of Anne Bishop and her workshop “Becoming an Ally.”

New political action chairs were among the leaders attending the conference. Carol Anne  Sceviour, of  the Ontario Federation of  Labour spoke to them about getting involved  in municipal and provincial politics.

Closing the  conference, Toronto  Mayor David Miller drew on the experience of his  mother, a teacher, to  emphasize the  critical  role  teacher federations play in their  members’ professional lives. He also stressed the importance of participation in municipal and school board elections.

Make Poverty History

Poverty takes one in six kids out of the picture was the title of a full- page ad in the Toronto Star,sponsored by ETFO, OECTA, OSSTF, and the Campaign Against Child Poverty to mark the Action Against Poverty Week, October 16-22. Federation presidents urged local leaders to ask their boards to recognize the week. As well, members were encouraged to undertake their own school-based activities. You can see a full copy of the ad by going to childpoverty.com.

Summer of Hope Challenge

Last February, leaders attending Representative Council viewed Summer of Hope, a video about the literacy camps founded by Ontario’s lieutenant governor, the Honourable James Bartleman. At the time Anne Hoggarth, then president of the Simcoe County Teacher Local, pledged $1200 and challenged other locals to do the same. Since then 11 locals have contributed to the fund with donations ranging from $100 to $2700, and totalling more than $15,000. The donations will also support Camp Amick, the lieutenant governor’s book clubs for schools in First Nations communities.

ETFO members – politically active in their communities

Deb Wells, first vice-president of the Limestone Teacher Local, was sworn in as vice- president of  the  Kingston District Labour Council in October.

ETFO members were also active in municipal  races.  Successful  candidates  were:  Joe Cimino (Rainbow), councillor, Greater City of Sudbury; Cynthia Lemon (Bluewater), coun- cillor, Meaford; Lee Mason (Algoma), coun- cillor, Echo Bay Township; Warren Maycock (Upper Grand), deputy mayor, Orangeville; Sharon Tibbs  (Rainy River ESP), councillor, Fort  Frances;  Russ  Thompson  (Rainbow), councillor, Greater City of Sudbury; and Pam Wolf (Waterloo), city councillor, Cambridge.

Women’s History Month

To  celebrate  Women’s  History  Month,  ETFO asked each of its locals to nominate up to three women distinguished for contributions in their community, particularly in  areas that  support diversity and improve the quality of life for girls and women. Of  the  women  nominated, six  were chosen as “Great Canadian Women of 2006.” They and their accomplishments are celebrated in a poster that ETFO produced in collaboration with the Women’s Future Fund. The  women  and  the  locals  that  nominated them are: Catherine Frazee, Upper Canada OT Local;  Shelley  Harding-Smith,  Greater  Essex Teacher Local; Alia Hogben, Limestone Teacher Local; Linda Middaugh, Halton Teacher Local; Colleen Purdon, Bluewater Teacher Local; and Heather Sole, Renfrew County Teacher Local.

Every  public  elementary  school  as  well  as ETFO partner organizations across the province received copies of the poster.

Reflections on Practice

Now in its third year, is a leadership institute for women teachers. There are three meetings at provincial office during the  school  year,  and  between sessions participants take part in an on-line professional learning community.  Following  ETFO’s lead,  the  Alberta  Teachers’ Association is now providing its members with a similar program. For  a  detailed   account   by  a participant, please see the Winter 2006 issue of Voice.

Leaders  for  Tomorrow

ETFO’s leadership program for women, brought together  women  from  diverse  back- grounds for the second of four meetings at provincial office in early November. The program provides members with a wide range of  opportunities to acquire and practice leadership skills. The pro- gram is described in detail in the Winter 2005 issue of Voice.

ETFO Humanity Fund Update

The ETFO Humanity Fund was established in 2001. Since then eight locals have reached agreements with their boards to allow payroll deductions of 10 cents per member per day. Other locals have made one-time, lump-sum donations. In 2005-2006   all of these  donations – more than $60,000 in total – went to the Stephen Lewis Foundation, the fund’s signature charity.

The Foundation’s website is stephenlewisfoundation.org