Planning school union representative training
Initial considerations
Careful planning is the key to a successful and enjoyable training day.
What are the desired outcomes for the day?
Through the local strategic planning process, the desired outcomes to meet both local and Federation needs are determined. For staff representatives, training needs are often determined through a feedback survey from a previous training, or a meeting of a staff representative assembly. PD representatives generally work through the local PD chairperson to determine their training needs. Other representatives, such as social justice, health and safety, and school staff committee chairpersons, should work with their local association committees to determine their training needs.
Who needs to receive the training?
That is a local decision, addressing a specific need in the local. Examples include:
- a specific group (school PD or SJ representatives, executive committee, etc.) wishing a planning session
- members new in their role as teacher representatives (rookie staff representatives, rookie PD or SJ representatives, school staff committee chairpersons, etc.)
- those who wish training on an issue of local concern (professional ethics, health and safety, social justice, etc.).
Booking a workshop
All school union representative training must be booked through the BCTF Professional and Social Issues Division (PSID). If necessary, make the initial call to support staff, School Union Representative Training program to establish the goals for the training, training topic(s), and dates. Give at least three weeks notice so that SURT facilitators, who are teachers or local officers with busy schedules, have adequate time to prepare materials and arrange travel.
Locally developed training
Occasionally, a local may wish to design and develop a training workshop not offered by the BCTF. It is possible for a local to use the SURT grant for that purpose, but it is essential that such training be planned with Henry Lee before the workshop is given if the local is to qualify for the BCTF grant. Further, geographically adjacent locals may wish to jointly sponsor SURT workshops. Henry Lee can assist locals with the organization and logistics of co-sponsored SURTs.
Note: Policy 10.J.10 of the BCTF Members’ Guide requires that the local jointly plan leadership training with the Federation to qualify for the grant.
Planning with the facilitator
After booking through the PSID, you will receive:
- a confirmation by email or fax providing the name and contact information of the facilitator.
- A call from the facilitator to co-plan the training.
Who can attend?
Each local is entitled to a grant for up to four days of release time for each school staff representative, including the local TTOC contact (see 10.J.10, Members’ Guide to the BCTF).
SURTs can be booked for the following union representatives:
- staff representatives
- staff committee chairpersons
- school PD representatives
- social justice representatives
- school health and safety representatives
- local executive committee members
- TTOCs
- teachers new to the profession
- some combination of the above.
Who pays for what?
The SURT program will pay for release time and travel for school union representatives according to the grants procedure; the SURT facilitator’s accommodation and release time expenses; and BCTF workshop materials. The local covers facility expenses, meals, and other expenses related to school union representatives’ attendance at the session.
Follow up—Taking it back to the schools
School union representatives should always be seen as members of a team of union activists who work together in each school on behalf of the members—to communicate with, advocate for, or organize and lead on union issues. Training is effective if school union representatives plan to work together as a team and take it back to the school. They put the training to practical use by sharing information/knowledge and implementing ideas with members. Discussing and planning how this is to be done is a component of every workshop. Locals can assist in the follow-up through progress reports at staff representative assemblies, newsletters to members, etc.
Booking school union representative training days—a checklist
- The local organizer co-plans and/or discusses training needs and ideas with the co-ordinator of the School Union Representative Training Program.
- Support staff selects and contacts the facilitator (SURT facilitator).
- The PSID staff confirms the details of the workshop, by email, or phone, with the local and the facilitator.
- The local organizer completes the Organizer’s checklist online.
- The facilitator talks with the local organizer about the shape of the day, the location of the meeting room, A/V needs, photocopying, etc., and co-plans the delivery of the workshop.
- The local organizer welcomes, introduces, and at the end of the day, thanks the facilitator.
- The local sends its release-time grant application to Michael Infante (minfante@bctf.ca), attaching a copy of the SURT Workshop confirmation form.
Online links
The role and function of the school staff representative—see Members’ Guide to the BCTF, 25.H.04.
The role and function of the PD representative—see Members’ Guide to the BCTF, 25.H.10.