Executive Update

May 10-13, 2010 Executive Meeting
Toronto

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario will donate $ 15,000 for the establishment of a school for the arts in Kenya by Artbound, a not for profit volunteer initiative by young professionals seeking to improve the lives of impoverished children in developing regions around the world through the performing arts.

The Executive approved the donation, which will establish ETFO as a founding patron of the school. The school will be the first performing arts school of its kind in Kenya and will be integrated in an all-girls secondary school.

New Programs for 2010-2011 
The Executive has approved the development of a four-part curriculum series for junior-level teachers focused on the ETFO ARTS resource. The series will cover the four areas of the arts curriculum (Drama, Visual Arts, Dance, and Music). It is aimed at helping teachers with the implementation of this part of the curriculum because it does not have adequate support.

ETFO will also develop a leadership conference for mid-career teachers who are interested in leadership roles within education but do not wish to assume the role of principal or vice-principal. The conference will expose these members to teacher leadership opportunities and enhance their leadership skills.

These two new programs will be implemented subject to the approval of the budget at the 2010 Annual Meeting.

Collective Bargaining Training 2010-2011
The executive has approved the collective bargaining training program, 2010-2011, to provide extensive training to both members experienced in collective bargaining and new members of collective bargaining committees in preparation for the next round of bargaining. The training will include presentations from the provincial staff and local collective bargaining representatives.

Workshop for OTs
The Executive approved the development of a workshop for occasional teacher members on writing and speaking to Annual Meeting resolutions. The workshop, to be included in the September Leadership Training, will focus, among other things, on clear writing of and speaking to a motion. At present, ETFO offers new delegate training at the beginning of each Annual Meeting, which covers Annual Meeting processes and procedures, rules of order, and a brief overview of public speaking.
 
Parent-Teacher Interviews and Reporting Periods
ETFO will work with the Ministry of Education to ensure a clear understanding of the two reporting periods and the difference between a report card and a progress report. The Federation will also study the timing of the parent-teacher interviews, to achieve clarity on the issue and pre-empt any misinterpretation.

ETFO Publications
As a follow-up to a communications audit conducted earlier this year, ETFO will investigate the feasibility of providing the entire Voice magazine on the Federation’s website to make it available to members who want it electronically. The Executive also approved a recommendation that training be provided for local leaders in website content and use. The Federation will continue to monitor member needs and preferences in regard to its communications.

Humanity Fund
ETFO will take steps to increase participation in the Humanity Fund which uses the resources of members to support children and their teachers around the world. The Executive will recommend to the Humanity Fund that the vice-president with responsibility for public relations be appointed to its board of directors to promote the Fund. A link to the Humanity Fund will be added to the ETFO website and regular updates posted. The Fund will also be considered for inclusion in the collective bargaining goals for the next round of bargaining.