Parliamentary Speaker Bank Applications

The Provincial Executive is seeking applications from members interested in serving on the OSSTF/FEESO Parliamentary Speaker Bank.

Speakers who serve on the OSSTF/FEESO Parliamentary Speaker Bank assist with the chairing of provincial meetings such as Provincial Council (PC) and the Annual Meeting of the Provincial Assembly (AMPA), in addition to chairing of local Annual General Meetings (AGMs) and other meetings.

Duties of Speaker Bank Members:

• Complete all training assigned.
• Preparation leading up to chairing meetings of Provincial Council, AMPA, and/or at District or Bargaining Unit AGMs when assigned.
• Travel (paid for by the Provincial Office) within the province, as necessary. 
• Speakers should be available to Chair a minimum of two (2) District or Bargaining Unit AGMs in the Spring of each school year.
• Attend Steering meetings for Provincial Council and AMPA, when assigned.
• Serve as a mentor to other Speakers, formally and informally, as appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with Steering and Speaker team members on preparing for meetings that consist of analysing and deliberating on parliamentary questions.

Note: Speakers must be able to secure release time (paid for by the Provincial Office) from their District and/or Bargaining Unit to attend meetings and participate in training.

Qualifications:

• An interest in and knowledge of the OSSTF/FEESO Articles of Amendment, Bylaw One, Constitution and Regulations, Internal Policies and Procedures, External Policies, as well as local District and Bargaining Unit constitutions and regulations/bylaws.
• Previous experience in chairing meetings at the workplace, Bargaining Unit, District, and/or community level.
• Prior completion of a Parliamentary Procedure course. The following Union Training Academy workshops are an asset but not required: Constitutions 101; Chairing Effective Meetings; and Meetings, Motions, Minutes.
• Ability to Chair meetings in French is an asset but not required.
• Serving on a local Constitution or Steering committee is an asset but not required.
• Availability and willingness to Chair local meetings, between Provincial meetings, is an asset.

Successful candidates, if they have not already successfully completed a course in parliamentary procedures, will be required to do so (paid for by the Provincial Office). Speaker Bank Members are appointed by the Provincial Executive for a term of three (3) years, with the possibility of renewals and may be removed by the Provincial Executive.

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) is dedicated to equity, anti-racism, and anti-oppression while protecting and enhancing public education. OSSTF/FEESO values the participation of members with various lived experiences. We actively seek and welcome applications from members of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and/or equity-seeking groups. Self-identification is voluntary. If you choose to self-identify, please feel free to complete the Self-ID form attached and include this in your application.

The deadline to submit your application is 4:00 p.m. on May 21, 2026. Interested candidates are to submit the application included in Appendix A of this DBU to Peter.Bates@osstf.ca.