SIMCOE COUNTY ELEMENTARY OCCASIONAL TEACHERS LOCAL CONSTITUTION Passed at the SCEOT Annual General Meeting May 10, 2016 DEFINITIONS Federation means the provincial Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario. Local means the Simcoe County Elementary Occasional Teachers Local. Teleconference means all Executive members are participating in the same conversation at the same time. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE The official authority for conducting all local business, including meetings, shall be Robert s Rules of Order, current edition. ARTICLE 1 NAME 1.1 This organization shall be known as the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario Simcoe County Elementary Occasional Teachers Local. ARTICLE II JURISDICTION 2.1 Simcoe County Elementary Occasional Teachers Federation is a Local of The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario. 2.2 The jurisdiction of the Simcoe County Elementary Occasional Teachers Local shall be all Occasional Teachers employed by the Simcoe County District School Board in the Elementary panel. ARTICLE III OBJECTS The objects of the Local shall be: 3.1 to represent members of the Simcoe County Elementary Occasional Teachers Local. 3.2 to secure the best possible terms and conditions of employment through collective bargaining and the exercising of rights granted under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. 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 promote and protect the interests of all members of the local and the students in their care. 3.6 to co-operate with other organizations having the same or like objects 3.7 to work in concert with ETFO Simcoe County Teachers Local ARTICLE IV MEMBERSHIP 4.1 Members in the Simcoe County Occasional Teacher bargaining unit of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario, including members on board- approved leaves shall be active members of the Simcoe County Occasional Teachers Local. ARTICLE V RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERSHIP Rights and Privileges of Active Membership 5.1 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. 5.2 The rights of an active member shall be: (a) to hold office in the Local and in the Federation subject to 10.1.1. (b) to attend general meetings of the Local; (c) to participate in the vote on the preliminary submission to the collective bargaining process; (d) to participate in all votes related to collective bargaining as set out in the Ontario Labour Relations Act; (e) to participate in any general membership votes; (f) to request Local support in the grievance process; (g) to request Local support in any problem directly related to professional duties. (h) to nominate an active member for election to office in the local ARTICLE VI CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT MEMBERS SHALL: 6.1 honour the terms of the collective agreement 6.2 support collective bargaining initiatives, including a strike authorized by a legal vote 6.3 strive to achieve and maintain a high degree of professionalism and to uphold the ethical standards of the teaching profession 6.4 recognize the local as the official voice of all members of the Simcoe County OT local. ARTICLE VII LOCAL ORGANIZATION
Section 1 Local Executive 7.1.1 The local executive shall include the following executive officer positions: (a) President; (b) Vice President; (c) Secretary; (d) Treasurer; (*appropriate training required once elected) (e) Health and Safety Officer; (*appropriate training required once elected ) (f) Other executive positions as determined by the local executive such as Member at Large. (g) The chairs for the following standing committees shall become non-officer members of the executive once elected at the annual general meeting. i) Collective Bargaining ii) Professional Learning iii) Status of Women, Equity and Social Justice iv) Political Action and Public Relations 7.1.1.1 Should there be a vacancy on the executive following the annual general meeting, the elected executive members shall fill the vacancy by appointment from the membership. 7.1.2 The executive of the local shall be elected at the annual general meeting. 7.1.3 The term of office for the executive shall be two years. (elections every even year e.g., 2014, 2016, etc.) 7.1.4 Subject to 8.1.7, an unexpired term of office for an executive officer will be filled by a current member of the local and appointed by the executive. 7.1.5 The executive shall take office on July 1. 7.1.6 The Executive shall hold a Bi - Annual Executive Planning Retreat Meeting in September of the year following a spring election to outline all budgetary goals and objectives of each Executive Member and committee chair for the year. In the second year of the term, an Executive planning meeting will be held, outlining similar goals and objectives. Section 2 Committees 7.2.1 The local shall have the following standing committees (subject to Section 8.2): a) Collective Bargaining; b) Professional Learning; c) Status of Women, Equity and Social Justice d) Political Action and Public Relations
7.2.1.1. The chair of the Status of Women, Equity and Social Justice shall be a woman. 7.2.2 Other ad hoc committees required to carry out the work of the Local may be established by the Executive or by General Meetings as necessary. 7.3 Member of committees shall be members in good standing of the local. ARTICLE VIII ORGANIZATIONAL DUTIES The local, its officers and committees, shall carry out their duties and responsibilities in accordance with both the Local and E.T.F.O. policies, procedures and resolutions passed at the Annual Meeting. Section 1 Duties of the Executive The Executive shall: 8.1.1 uphold the constitution, bylaws and policies of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario. 8.1.2 execute the business of the Simcoe County Elementary Occasional Teachers Local in accordance with the constitution and the decisions of the annual general meeting of the Simcoe County Elementary Occasional Teachers. 8.1.3 hold at least four regular executive meetings during the school year, some, but not all of which may be by teleconference. 8.1.4 hold an executive meeting at the call of the president. 8.1.5 receive a financial report at each Executive meeting. 8.1.5 forward to the provincial office by September 30 of each year the annual audited financial statement. 8.1.6 appoint and develop terms of reference for ad hoc committees. 8.1.7 appoint where necessary, an interim appointee of any unexpired term of an elected or appointed local representative. At the next local general meeting an election shall take place for the vacant position to fill the office of the interim appointee. 8.1.8 develop an annual budget for presentation at the Annual Meeting. Section 2 Duties of Officers 8.2.1 The duties of the President shall be:
: to serve a minimum of.8, and be released for a minimum of.8; : to be the official representative and spokesperson of the Federation, the local, and its members; : to preside at executive, general and annual meetings; : to be an ex-officio member of all committees; : to prepare proposed agenda items for all executive and general meetings; : to delegate responsibilities to executive members mindful of the needs of the Local and the strengths of individual executive members. : to represent the Simcoe County Elementary Occasional Teachers local on the Simcoe County Elementary Teachers Federation Local executive; : to attend the E.T.F.O. annual meeting as a delegate; : to be responsible for the operation of the local office; : to be a member of the Collective Bargaining Committee. 8.2.2 The duties of the Vice-President shall be: : at the request of the president and/or the executive, to assume responsibilities of the president as circumstances require; : to be responsible for additional duties as assigned by the president or executive; : to assist with preparation of proposed agenda items : to attend the E.T.F.O. annual meeting as a delegate 8.2.3 The duties of the Treasurer shall be: : to keep accurate and detailed financial records of the Simcoe County Elementary Occasional Teachers Local. : to make a financial report to each executive and general meeting of the local; : to make investments with the approval of the Executive; : to report investments during each financial report; : to ensure that the audit is completed; : to forward the annual audited financial statement of the Simcoe County Elementary Occasional Teachers Local to the Provincial office by September 30; : to assist with preparation of proposed agenda items; 8.2.4 The duties of the Secretary shall be: : to maintain accurate records of all meetings of the local : to prepare and circulate minutes of executive and general meetings. : to maintain accurate office records as circumstances require. 8.2.5 The duties of the Health and Safety Officer shall be: : to work on behalf of the Local within the Terms of Reference approved by the Ministry of Labour, and thereby, where applicable: : to attend all Joint Health and Safety Committee meetings : to assume in turn and on behalf of all worker groups the position of co-chair of the Joint Health and Safety Committee. : to participate in the government certification training within one year of appointment to the Joint Health and Safety Committee.
: To ensure that the Simcoe County Elementary Occasional Teachers Federation members are knowledgeable of their rights, responsibilities and duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act : to keep the website up to date with current Health and Safety information : To deal with any matter related to Health and Safety: - Perform workplace inspections in accordance with the Joint Health and Safety Guidelines - Review the inspection reports and present concerns to the Joint Committee - Review the accident reports - Review the Ministry of Labour inspection reports - Implement the Guidelines of the Joint Health and Safety Committee - Review yearly Guidelines to the Joint Health and Safety Committee. : to act in accordance with the dictates of the Occupational Health and Safety Act : to communicate vital issues through the Local publication. : to facilitate ETFO Annual Meeting Resolutions pertaining to Health and Safety. 8.2.6 DUTIES OF Executive Members shall be: : to attend all executive meetings. : to prepare for Executive approval an itemized annual budget for presentation at the Local Annual Planning Meeting each September as per Article 7.1.6. : to facilitate ETFO Annual Meeting Resolutions a) Collective Bargaining Chairperson; To comply with the Provincial Negotiation Procedures and the Simcoe County Elementary Occasional Teachers Federation Collective Bargaining Terms of Reference. b) Professional Learning (PL) Chairperson; Be responsible for the organization and management of any Simcoe County Elementary Occasional Teacher (SCEOT) Federation sponsored seminars and workshops. To organize and facilitate any professional learning opportunities. To manage SCEOT PL Funds and process applications for said funds c) Status of Women, Equity and Social Justice Chairperson To plan and facilitate any opportunities related to the status of women, equity and social justice in education. Lobby for women s programs to maintain and enhance the status of women in ETFO and in society in general d) Political Action and Public Relations Chairperson To develop and maintain an effective public relations program
To bring to the attention of the membership those policies of provincial and federal political parties that may directly affect members in their roles as teachers. To lobby our local MPPs on issues that have been identified by our local executive and/or provincial Executive. To assume the responsibility of communicating events of interest through the local publication and other suitable means. To endeavour to enhance the image of teachers and the teaching profession. 8.2.7 Member at Large : to carry out duties assigned by the President and/or in conjunction with the Executive. Section 3 Duties of Committees 8.3.1 to fulfill the terms of their mandates and to report to the local Executive (ie. Formal reports of conferences attended) 8.3.2 Collective Bargaining Committee : shall consist of the president and at least two (2) other members, one of whom will be the chair. : will prepare and distribute to members a collective bargaining survey at the appropriate time; : determine local terms of reference in accordance with ETFO guidelines and review as necessary. ARTICLE IX MEETINGS Section 1 General Meetings 9.1.1 a quorum for General Meetings shall be those members present. 9.1.3 there shall be at least one general meeting per year in addition to the annual meeting. Section 2 Local Annual Meeting 9.2.1. an annual meeting of the members of the Simcoe County Elementary Occasional Teachers Local shall be held between April 1 and May 31 each year. Section 3 Executive Meetings 9.3.1 a quorum for Executive Meetings shall be a simple majority of the Executive members 9.3.2 there shall be at least four Executive meetings per year.
9.3.3 Any Executive member who is absent for three (3) Executive meetings without reasonable cause shall be considered to have vacated the position. ARTICLE X ELECTIONS Section 1- Elections Committee: 10.1 * shall consist of a past President, should there be one available, and two active members who are not running in the election * shall be appointed by the executive * shall be responsible for: - recruiting poll clerks - drafting nomination forms - overseeing preparation of ballots - publicizing nomination procedures and elections booklet - running elections - reporting to the SCEOT Executive * establish and/or review SCEOT Election Policy * should no SCEOT members come forward to establish an elections committee, the Local Executive Secretary will initiate the elections. Section 2 Eligibility 10.1.1 an active member in good standing in the Simcoe County Elementary Occasional Teacher s Local may be nominated to stand for elected office. Section 3 Nominations 10.2.1 Members shall be notified of the request for nominations thirty (30) calendar days prior to the local annual meeting. 10.2.2 The deadline for receipt of nominations in writing shall be seven (7) calendar days in advance of the local annual meeting. 10.2.3 Nominations from the floor shall be accepted for any position where there is no duly nominated individual. Section 4 Election Procedures 10.3.1 the executive of the Simcoe County Elementary Occasional Teachers local shall be elected at the local annual meeting.
10.3.2 candidates shall have the opportunity to address the local annual meeting before election (4 minutes) 10.3.3 the election shall be by secret ballot. 10.3.4 each candidate may appoint one scrutineer to observe the counting of the ballots for that candidate s election. 10.3.5 the vote for all elected positions shall be released to the members present following each ballot and be published in the minutes of the annual meeting. 10.3.6 to be declared successful, a candidate must obtain a simple majority of the votes cast. 10.3.7 an unsuccessful candidate may seek another position on the executive for which the member is eligible (Options of eligibility: 1. No one is duly nominated and seconded for the position 2. Candidate s nomination for the position was declared seven days in advance of the election) 10.3.8 the ballots will be destroyed by motion of the annual meeting immediately following the election. 10.3.9 An individual can only be elected to one executive officer position. Section 5- Election Officer An Elections Officer who is not a candidate for any executive position will be appointed by the Elections Committee. ARTICLE XI DELEGATES TO THE ETFO ANNUAL MEETING 11.1 an active member of the Simcoe County Elementary Occasional Teachers Local may be nominated as a delegate to the E.T.F.O. annual meeting. 11.2 delegates of the Simcoe County Elementary Occasional Teachers Local to the E.T.F.O. annual meeting shall include the president, vice-president and other elected members. 11.3 delegates shall be elected at a local s annual meeting. 11.4 names of delegates to the E.T.F.O. annual meeting shall be forwarded to the provincial office prior to June 1 or by a date as determined by E.T.F.O.. ARTICLE XII RESOLUTIONS TO THE E.T.F.O. ANNUAL MEETING
12.1 Resolutions to the E.T.F.O. annual meeting shall be passed at a local general meeting to be held prior to March 1. 12.2 members shall be notified that resolutions should be forwarded to the executive of the local prior to October 1st. ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENTS TO THE LOCAL CONSTITUTION 13.1 proposed amendments to the local s constitution must be submitted to the executive thirty (30) calendar days prior to the annual meeting. 13.2 the executive shall give notification of all proposed amendments to the general membership fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the annual meeting. 13.3 the constitution shall be amended if 60 percent of the members present at the annual meeting vote in favour of the proposed amendment. 13.4 All constitutional amendments will take effect on July 1 st unless otherwise stated. ARTICLE XIV - LEVY 14.1 a local levy of 45c per $100.00 (0.45%) will be deducted at source by the Simcoe County District School Board, on behalf of the Simcoe County Elementary Occasional Teachers Local from each member per day worked. ARTICLE XV FINANCES 15.1 the executive of the local shall follow E.T.F.O. financial guidelines unless revised by a local Executive motion which include the following: a) 52 cents per km local release mileage b) local Executive release time paid at member grid rate c) 15 cents per km per passenger for additional mileage d) 10% of A4 maximum paid as a responsibility allowance for the President 15.2 The signing officers for the local shall be the president, vice-president and the treasurer 15.2.1 All transactions shall be signed by two of the three signing officers of the Local Executive. 15.3 The fiscal year for the Simcoe County Elementary Occasional Teachers Local shall be from July 1 of one calendar year to June 30 of the succeeding calendar year.