Grand Erie District School Board
Occasional Teachers’ Constitution
Definitions:
Federation means the provincial Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario
Local means the Grand Erie Elementary Occasional Teachers’ Local
ARTICLE I - NAME
1.1 This organization shall be known as the "Grand Erie Elementary Occasional Teachers’ Local."
ARTICLE II -AFFILIATION
2.1 The Grand Erie Elementary Occasional Teachers’ Local is a member of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario.
2.2 The boundary of the Grand Erie Elementary Occasional Teachers’ Local is coterminous with the Grand Erie District School Board.
ARTICLE III - OBJECTS
The objects of the local shall be:
3.1 to represent members of the Grand Erie Elementary Occasional
Teachers’ Local;
3.2 to regulate relations between the members of the Grand Erie Elementary Occasional Teachers’ local and the Grand Erie District School Board including but not limited to securing and maintaining through collective bargaining, the best possible terms and conditions of employment;
3.3 to advance the cause of education and the status of occasional teachers in the local;
3.4 to promote a high standard of professional ethics and a high standard of
professional competence;
3.5 to foster a climate of social justice and provide a leadership role in such areas as anti-poverty, non-violence and equity;
3,6 to promote and protect the interests of all members of the Local and the students in their care;
3.7 to co-operate with other organizations having the same or like objects.
ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP
Section I - Active Membership
4.1 Active members shall be all members who are in good standing with OTF and ETFO within the Grand Erie Elementary Occasional Teachers’ Local.
Section II - Honourary Life Members
4.2.1 Local Honourary Life membership may be granted to retired members of the Local who have given outstanding service to the Local or Federation.
ARTICLE V - RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERSHIP
Section I - Rights and Privileges of Active Membership
5.1.1 Active member shall have full rights, privileges and responsibilities of membership in the Federation unless limited by disciplinary action taken in accordance with Article VII of the Federation Constitution.
5.1.2 The rights of an active member shall be:
a) to hold office in the Local and in the Federation;
b) to attend general meetings of the Local;
c) to participate in the ratification of the collective agreement
d) to participate in all votes related to general membership.
Section II - Rights and Privileges of Honourary Life Membership
5.2.1 An honourary member may attend Local functions in a non-voting capacity by invitation.
5.2.2 An honourary member may attend Local Annual and General meetings by invitation.
5.2.3 An honourary member may receive Local publications.
ARTICLE VI - LOCAL ORGANIZATION
Section I - Local Executive
6.1.1 The local Executive shall include the following positions:
a) President - must have at least one school year as a member of the Local Executive;
b) Immediate Past President, where the most recent president chooses to continue to serve in an executive capacity;
c) One (1) Vice President;
d) Secretary;
e) Treasurer or Secretary/Treasurer;
f) Other Executive positions as determined by the Executive;
g) Chief Negotiator;
h) a non-voting member from each of the other Federation Locals whose members are employed by the Grand Erie District School Board.
6.1.2 The Executive of the Local shall be elected at the Annual Meeting.
6.1.3 The term of office for the Executive shall be for two (2) years
6.1.4 The Executive shall take office on July 1st.
Section II - Committee
6.2.1 The following standing committee may be established:
a) Budget
b) Collective Bargaining
c) Political Action / Public Education
d) Professional Development
e) Goodwill / Social
f) Social Justice and Equity
62.2 Other committees required to carry out the work of the Local may be established by the Executive.
ARTICLE VII - ORGANIZATIONAL DUTIES
Section I - Duties of the Executive
The executive shall:
7.1.1 uphold the constitution, bylaws and policies of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario;
7.1.2 execute the business of the Grand Erie Elementary Occasional Teachers’ Local in accordance with the constitution and the decisions of the general meetings of the Grand Erie Elementary Occasional Teachers’ Local;
7.1.3 hold at least four (4) regular Executive meetings per year including the Annual General Meeting;
7.1.4 hold an executive meeting at the call of the President, or at the call of fifty percent (50%) of the executive members.
7.1.5 receive a financial report at each executive meeting;
7.1.6 forward to the provincial office by September 30th of each year the annual audited financial statement;
7.1.7 forward to the provincial office each year the annual report of the Local;
7.1..8 recommend committee membership to the general meeting;
7.1.9 appoint and develop terms of reference for ad hoc committees;
7.1.10 appoint at least three (3) signing officers of the Local;
7.1.11 appoint when necessary, a successor to complete any unexpired term of
an elected or appointed Local representative;
7.1.12 to recommend the appointment of the auditors to the Annual Meeting;
7.1.13 to develop investment policy;
7.1.14 to appoint a Grievance Officer;
7.1.15 assign other duties to the President as needed.
7.1.16 The executive staff attend and participate in all meetings of the Local Executive. Any member of the Executive who is absent for more than five (5) meetings in a school year shall be deemed to have resigned from the Executive. Should extenuating circumstances prevent a member of the Executive from attending a meeting, such absence shall not be counted, at the sole discretion of the majority of the remaining Executive.
Section ll - Duties of Officers
7.2.1 Duties of the President:
a) to be an ex-officio member of all committees
b) to represent the Local on the District Executive;
c) to be the official spokesperson of the Local;
d) to be responsible for the operation of the Local;
e) to be one of the signing officers;
f) to preside at meetings of the Executive, the Representative Council and the Annual Meeting.
7.2.2 Duties of the Vice-President:
a) To assume the duties, responsibilities and privileges of the President in the President’s absence or at the request of the President;