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Algoma Occasional Teachers' Local

Algoma OT Constitution

CONSTITUTION

of the

Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario

Algoma District Occasional Teachers’ Local

2007


Table of Contents

Article I Name

Article II Jurisdiction

Article III Objectives

Article IV Membership

            Section 1 Active Members

            Section 2 Associate Members

Article V Rights and Privileges of Membership

            Section 1 Active Members

            Section 2 Associate Members

Article VI Local Organization

            Section 1 Local Executive

            Section 2 Committees

            Section 2 Women’s Programs

Article VII Organizational Duties

            Section 1 Duties of Executive

            Section 2 Duties of Officers

            Section 3 Duties of Committees

Article VIII Meetings

            Section 1 General Meetings

            Section 2 Annual Meetings

Article IX Elections

            Section 1 Eligibility

            Section 2 Nominations

            Section 3 Procedures

Article X Delegates to Annual Meeting

Article XI Resolutions to Annual Meeting

Article XII Amendments to the Local Constitution

Article XIII Finances

Definitions

Federation means the provincial Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario.

Local means the Algoma District Occasional Teachers’ Local.

Article 1 – Name

  1.  
    1. This organization shall be known as the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario – Algoma District Occasional Teachers’ Local.

 

Article II - Jurisdiction

  1.  
    1. Algoma District Occasional Teachers’ Local is a Local of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario.
    2. The jurisdiction of the Algoma District Occasional Teachers’ Local shall be all occasional teachers employed by the Algoma District School Board in the elementary panel.

 

Article III - Objectives

  1.  
    1. The objects of the Local shall be:
    1. to represent the members of the Algoma District Occasional Teachers’ Local;
    2. to secure through collective bargaining the best possible terms and conditions of employment;
    3. to advance the cause of education and the status of occasional teachers in the Local;
    4. to promote a high standard of professional ethics and a high standard of professional competence;
    5. to foster a climate of social justice and provide a leadership role in such areas as anti-poverty, non-violence, and equity;
    6. to promote and protect the interests of all members in the Local and the students in their care;
    7. to cooperate with other organizations having the same or like objectives.

 

Article IV – Membership

Section 1 – Active Membership

  1. Active members shall be all members of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario within the jurisdiction of the Algoma District Occasional Teachers’ Local.

 

Section 2 – Associate Membership

  1.  
    1. Associate Members of the Algoma District Occasional Teachers’ Local are those members whose application has been approved by the Local and approved by the Federation Executive and who have paid the annual fee in accordance with the Federation Bylaws.

 

  1.  
    1. Eligibility for associate membership in the Algoma District Occasional Teachers’ Local is as defined in Article 4.2.3. of the Federation Constitution.

 

Article V – Rights and Privileges of Membership

Section 1 – Active Membership

  1. An 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.

 

  1. The rights of an active member shall be:
  •  
    1. To hold office in the Local and in the Federation;
    1. To attend general meetings of the Local;
    2. To participate in the vote on the preliminary submission in the collective bargaining
  •  

      process

  •  
    1. To participate in all votes related to collective bargaining as set out in the Ontario Labour Relations Act;
    2. To participate in any general membership votes’
    3. To request Local support in the grievance process;
    4. To request Local support in any problem directly related to professional duties;
    5. To attend Local functions and workshops.

 

Section 2 – Associate Membership

  1. An associate member may:
  •  
    1. Attend Local functions in a non-voting capacity by invitation;
    1. Receive such Local communications as the Local decides;
    2. Serve on Local task forces and workgroups as the Local decides.

 

Article VI – Local Organization

Section 1 – Local Executive

  1. The Local Executive shall include the following positions:
  •  
    1. President
    1. Vice-President
    2. Treasurer
    3. Two Executive members at large
    4. Non-voting members from each of the other Federation Locals whose members are employed by the Algoma District School Board.

 

  1. The Local Executive may include other executive members such as Representatives from the units or Chairs of the Standing committees (Professional Development Committee, Budget Committee, Collective Bargaining Committee, Communications Committee and/or the Health and Safety Committee).

 

  1. In accordance with Article 11.2.2 of the Constitution, twenty-five Percent (25%) of the Algoma District Occasional Local Executive shall be positions held by women.

 

  1. The Executive of the Local shall be elected at the Annual Meeting of the Local.

 

  1. The term of office for the Executive shall be for two years.

 

  1. The Executive shall take office within ten (10) working days of the Local Annual Meeting.

 

  1. There shall be the following standing committees:
  •  
    1. Communications
    1. Budget
    2. Collective Bargaining
    3. Health and Safety
    4. Professional Development
    5. Additional standing committees as required

 

  1. Other ad hoc committees required to carry out the work of the Local may be established by the Executive as necessary. These committees may include Political Action, Status of Women and Stewards.

 

Section 3 – Programmes for Women

  1. Members shall be encouraged to access Women’s Only programs offered by the Federation.

 

Article VII – Organizational Duties

The Local, its officers and committees, shall carry out their duties and responsibilities in accordance with the Local and the Federation policies, procedures and resolutions.

Section 1 – Duties of the Executive

  1. The Executive shall:
  •  
    1. Uphold the constitution, bylaws and policies of the Federation;
    1. Execute the business of the Algoma District Occasional Teachers’ Local in accordance with the constitution and the decisions of general meetings of the Algoma District Occasional Teachers’ Local;
    2. Hold at least two (2) regular Executive meetings, which may be held by teleconference;
    3. Hold an Executive meeting at the call of the President;
    4. Receive a financial report at each Executive meeting;
    5. Forward to the provincial office by September 30 of each year the annual audited financial statement;
    6. Forward to the provincial office each year the annual report of the Local;
    7. Recommend committee membership to the general meeting;
    8. Appoint ad hoc committees and develop terms of reference;
    9. Appoint three signing officers of the Local;
    10. Appoint when necessary a successor to complete any unexpired term of an elected or appointed Local representative;
    11. Assign additional duties as required.

Section 2 – Duties of Officers

  1. The duties of the President shall be:
  •  
    1. To be the spokesperson of the Local;
    1. To be the official representative of the Federation and its members;
    2. To be one of the signing officers;
    3. To be an ex-officio member of all committees;
    4. To preside at Executive meetings, general meetings, and the Annual Meeting;
    5. To attend the Representative Councils of the Federation, where possible;
    6. To attend the Annual Meeting of the Federation, where possible;
    7. To maintain accurate records of all meetings of the local;
    8. To maintain accurate records of correspondence received by and sent on behalf of the Local;
    9. To appoint a secretary at each meeting to prepare and circulate minutes of Executive and general meetings;
    10. To appoint a secretary to prepare the annual report of the Local Annual Meeting.

 

  1. The duties of the Vice-President shall be:
  •  
    1. To assume the responsibilities of the President, in the President’s absence;
    1. To be responsible for additional duties as assigned by the President or the Executive.

 

  1. The duties of the Treasurer shall be:
  •  
    1. To keep accurate and detailed financial records of the Local;
    1. To make a financial report to each Executive and general meeting of the Local;
    2. To make inveswtments with the approval of the Executives;
    3. To report investments during each financial report;
    4. To ensure the audit is completed;
    5. To forward the Local’s audited statement to the Federation by September 30;
    6. To act as a signing officer;
    7. To pay the bills of the Local.

 

  1. The duties of the Executive Members at Large:
  •  
    1. Duties as assigned by the President and/or Executive.

Section 3 – Duties of Committees

  1. Committees are responsible to the Local Executive.

 

  1. Committees shall:
  •  
    1. Consist of two or more members;
    1. Be appointed by the Executive or elected.

 

Article VIII - Meetings

  1. The official authority for conducting all Local meetings shall be the current Roberts Rules of Order.

 

  1. An Annual Meeting of the members of the Algoma District Occasional Teachers’ Local shall be held on a date between May 1 and May 31.

 

  1. The Annual Meeting shall:
  •  
    1. Receive the reports of the officers and committees of the Local;
    1. Elect the officers for the next two years, after a 2-year term;
    2. Approve the budget for the next year;
    3. Consider changes to the Local Constitution.

 

Article IX – Elections

Section 1 - Eligibility

  1. An active member in good standing may be nominated to stand for elected office.

Section 2 - Nominations

  1. Members shall be notified of the request for nominations at least five (5) days prior to the Annual Meeting.
  2. Nominations shall be accepted at the Annual Meeting.

Section 3 - Procedures

  1. The Executive of the Algoma District Occasional Teachers’ Local shall be elected at the Local Annual Meeting for a two year term.

 

  1. Candidates shall have the opportunity to address the Annual Meeting should an election be required.

 

  1. The vote shall be by secret ballot.

 

  1. Each candidate may appoint one scrutineer to observe the counting of the ballots for that candidate’s election.

 

  1. The vote count for all elected positions shall be released to the members present following each ballot and be recorded in the secretary’s official minutes.

 

  1. A successful candidate in each election must achieve a simple majority of the votes cast. A simple majority consists of fifty percent (50%) plus one (1). In the case of more than two nominees and failing a majority for any candidate, the candidate with the least number of votes will be dropped from the second and succeeding ballots until one candidate achieves a majority.

 

  1. Unopposed candidates shall be acclaimed.

 

  1. An unsuccessful candidate may seek another position on the Executive for which the member is eligible.

 

  1. The ballots will be destroyed by a motion of the Annual Meeting immediately following the election.

 

Article X – Delegates to the Federation Annual Meeting

  1. An active member of the Local may be nominated as a delegate to the Federation Annual Meeting.

 

  1. Delegates of the Local will be distributed in the following order:
  •  
    1. The first delegate shall be the President.
    1. The second delegate shall be a member of the Executive.
    2. Additional delegates shall be from the general membership.

 

  1. The second and additional delegates shall be drawn randomly.

 

  1. The names of the delegates shall be forwarded to the Federation office prior to June 1st.

 

Article XI – Resolutions to Annual Meeting

  1. Resolutions to the Federation Annual Meeting shall be accepted by the Executive and presented to the membership prior to March 1st.

 

  1. Resolutions shall be submitted to the Federation subject to the support of the membership.

 

Article XII – Amendments to the Local Constitution

  1. Proposed amendments to the Local Constitution must be submitted to the Executive five (5) days prior to the Annual Meeting.

 

  1. The Executive shall present a copy of all proposed amendments to members present at the Annual Meeting.

 

  1. The Constitution shall be amended if sixty percent (60%) of the members present at the Annual Meeting vote in favour of the proposed amendment.

 

Article XIII - Finances

  1. The Executive of the Local shall develop a financial policy.

 

  1. All financial transactions shall be signed by two signing officers.

 

  1. The fiscal year for the Local shall be from July 1st of the calendar year to June 30th of the succeeding calendar year.