Report of the Annual Meeting of the Ontario Teachers’ Federation – August, 2011

The Annual Meeting of the OTF Board of Governors was held in Ottawa on August 23 and 24. This meeting provides an opportunity for the Board of Governors to receive detailed reports of the events of the past year and to make decisions for the Federation into the future.

Reports from representatives of the OTPP Board and staff were provided and appreciated by Governors. The President of the Retired Teachers of Ontario (RTO) and the Chairperson of the Ontario College of Teachers brought greetings on behalf of their organizations.

This past year has been a busy one in the area of pensions. The 2010-2011 year saw the conclusion of several tasks resulting from the 2011 filing of a valuation by the OTPP at the Partners’ direction. The consultative committee and working group established as part of the filing agreement completed reports and will continue to monitor the Plan. OTF, the Government and OTPP established a website, fundingyourpension.com and capitaliservotrerente.com.

Numerous conferences and workshops were held over the past year as part of OTF’s professional learning program, including IT and Critical Thinking conferences, Going Green workshops and a host of summer workshops. The program will be somewhat diminished this year, because of shrinking resources.

Other programs with which OTF is involved also flourished, including the Teacher Learning and Leadership Program and Safe@School. Governors were reminded of important events taking place early in the fall in which OTF will be involved – Word on the Street, the OTIP Teaching Awards, World Teachers’ Day and the Canadian Aboriginal Festival, to name a few.

As well, the Board of Governors approved support for the Ontario Trillium Gift of Life Network and will encourage teachers, education workers, eligible students and union members across Ontario to join the network. The Trillium Gift of Life Network works to help save and enhance lives by maximizing organ and tissue donations for transplantation.