Report of the Annual Meeting of the Ontario Teachers’ Federation – August 2009

This year’s Annual Meeting of OTF was held on August 25 and 26 in Mississauga. Each year, the Annual Meeting provides an opportunity for the Board of Governors to receive detailed reports of events of the last year and to make decisions for the Federation into the future. At this year’s Annual Board, decisions were taken by the Governors on matters of importance to OTF operations, including the adoption of financial statements, the approval of the budget and fee for the upcoming year and the appointment of OTF’s auditors.

This year, the Board also voted on appointments to the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board. Sharon Sallows was re-appointed to the OTPPB for another two-year term commencing January 1, 2010. A new appointment to the OTPPB was also approved; Rod Albert will replace Guy Matte (who has served the maximum term) effective January 1, 2010. OTF appreciates the service of both Guy and Sharon; we welcome Rod to this new role.

Reports from representatives of the OTPP Board and staff were provided and appreciated by Governors. Guests from TFO and TVO outlined what is new in their respective programming for teachers this year. Greetings from the Retired Teachers of Ontario (RTO) were given by their president and the new Deputy Minister of Education, Kevin Constante, was also introduced to the Board.

It was OTF’s honour and pleasure to present the Greer Award to “Right to Play”, an organization devoted to providing children in other parts of the world (areas stricken by poverty or rife with turmoil) with opportunities for play. A Fellowship was also conferred on OTF’s outgoing president, Joe Lamoureux. There were other important recognitions as well. Both OTF and the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) are celebrating their 65th anniversaries this year. The Elementary Teachers’ Federation has now celebrated 10 years as a “new” federation. The Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO) celebrate their 70th anniversary this year and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) have hit the 90 year milestone. President Lamoureux awarded each of the four Affiliates with a sculpture from OTF in recognition of their respective anniversaries.

The past year has been a busy one for OTF. The 2008-2009 year saw the conclusion of the filing of the 2008 valuation of the OTPP. Work continued following the filing through the consultative committee and working group established as part of the filing agreement. The OTF pension forum was held in April 2009 as was the OTPP Annual Meeting. Plan status is being closely monitored by the partners and the Plan and further reports will be provided to the Board of Governors and plan members on a regular basis.

Numerous conferences and workshops were held over the last year as part of OTF’s professional learning program – including IT conferences, Critical Thinking Conferences, Going Green Workshops and a whole host of summer workshops (at which enrolment tripled compared to last year’s numbers!). The fall newsletter outlining the OTF lineup of professional learning opportunities for 2009 – 2010 will be in schools any day now. Watch for a continuation of some of our most popular programs (ie. It’s About Time and the Environmental Film Festival), conferences and for new, available 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 this fall in which OTF will be involved – Word on the Street, the Aboriginal Festival, the Toronto Star supplement on education, the OTIP, TFO and Toronto Star Teacher Awards to name just a few. Governors were also advised that OTF will be holding its first “Teacher Appreciation Day” on October 4 at the Toronto Marlies game. Teachers are invited to attend, along with their families, for a fun filled day and game. Proceeds will go to Kids Help Phone.

Of course, the many other activities in which OTF is involved – International assistance, liaison with the College of Teachers, the Faculties of Education, with associate teachers and teacher candidates, with Ministry staff and other education partners are outlined in detail in the Secretary-Treasurer’s Report. You can access the full report by clicking here.