Committees Of The Executive
General
I. Insofar as possible, Executive members shall chair committees of Executive with the possible exception of Ad Hoc Committees.
II. The Executive shall name members of Executive Committees, Ad Hoc Committees and Task Forces.
III. Committee recommendations shall first be discussed and passed by the Executive before being presented to Council.
IV. Prior to March 1st, Committee Chairs shall submit a written budget estimate, and accompanying rationale, for the coming year. Changes to the rationale for usage of funds shall be reported to the Executive. This information in no way restricts operations or imposes any limitations on any committee.
V. No Executive Committee shall exceed its budget without the permission of the Executive. Before the Executive makes a decision regarding additional funding, the request shall be forwarded to the Finance Committee for report and recommendation.
VI. The average cost for committee refreshments should not exceed the MTS per diem per committee member/per meeting for the year, to be reviewed on an annual basis by the Finance Committee.
VII. Meeting expense monies will be paid out only after submission of meeting minutes and receipts are sent to the WTA office. Where receipts are missing, requests for reimbursement shall be submitted to the Finance Committee for approval.
VIII. Visitors (non-members of the committee) may be permitted to attend any meeting with the permission of the chair. By invitation from the chair, visitors may address the meeting, answer questions and take part in discussions. Visitors are not permitted to move or second motions, nor do they have the right to interrupt, challenge or vote.
IX. Members have the right to request that a visitor(s) be excluded from the meeting. Whether the member’s request is acted upon depends on the ruling of the Chair or the vote of the members.
X. No dates for workshops to be set until checked through the WTA office. Workshop dates booked on a first come first served basis.
Committee for the Annual General Meeting of the Manitoba Teachers’ Society (AGM)
Note: Process for the selection of endorsed candidates for the Provincial Executive, and structure and process for the WTA Delegation are found in Council Policy.
This committee shall consist of the chairperson, at least one (1) other member of the Executive, and at least three (3) other members of the Association. Its duties shall be:
i. to present names of candidates to Executive and Council for election to the Provincial Executive of The Manitoba Teachers’ Society;
ii. to prepare a roster, by lottery draw, of member representatives for the Provincial Council;
iii. to prepare and process resolutions for presentation to Executive and Council;
iv. to inform delegates of Association policy pertaining to resolutions;
v. to assume responsibility for the Association’s delegation at the Annual General Meeting of The Manitoba Teachers’ Society.
I. The AGM Committee Chair shall inform Council that by-law resolutions, resolutions and candidate nominations must be submitted in time for disposition at the council meeting prior to the deadline set by The Manitoba Teachers’ Society. Committee recommendations shall be presented to Executive no later than the January meeting. Subsequent Executive recommendations to Council shall be provided as a Notice of Motion no later than the January Council meeting for disposition at the February Council meeting.
II. The AGM Committee shall organize a meeting, or meetings of delegates:
i. to inform delegates and alternates of policy related to resolutions, and
ii. to provide a platform for Candidates for Vice-President and/or President of the Manitoba Teachers’ Society. (If requested, substitute costs to a maximum of one day shall be paid for candidates who attend.)
III. Committee members who are seeking nomination to the Provincial Executive shall exclude themselves from such meetings, or portions thereof, where such nominations are discussed.
Equity and Social Justice Committee
This committee shall consist of the chairperson and a minimum of five (5) members of the Association with maximum number of Association members being seven (7). It shall be concerned with and monitor issues and concerns related to equity in education; and pursue an active program of equity and social justice awareness for the benefit of the membership.
Finance Committee
This committee shall consist of the chairperson, who shall be the Treasurer, three (3) other members of the Council, and two (2) members at large.
This committee shall consider the financial position of the Association, arrange a budget and, in general, act as financial advisers to the Executive. This committee also shall be the Trustees of all Association funds.
I. The Treasurer shall present quarterly financial statements to the Executive.
II. The year end of the Association is August 31st. The Association’s audited Statement of Expenses will be presented to Council, when possible, within four (4) months of the fiscal year end. The Treasurer shall be one of the signatories of the annual audited statement.
III. A draft budget shall be presented at the April Executive and Council meetings.
IV. The final budget shall be adopted, and the following year’s Association fee set, at the May Council meeting.
V. In order to consider requests for additional funding, the Finance Committee shall require:
i. a statement of expenses to date, and
ii. an itemized list of proposed expenses.
VI. The Treasurer shall be trained in the financial operations of the Association, including but not limited to:
i. process of fulfilling invoices.
ii. monitoring of financial accounts
iii. fulfilment of bookkeeping duties
iv. any other duties as assigned by the Association President regarding the financial business of the Association
iv. release time may be provided to the Treasurer for said training.
Group Benefits Committee
The committee shall consist of the chairperson, and at least three (3) other members of the Association.
The committee shall be concerned with matters related to benefit plans for members, and without restricting any of the foregoing, it shall supervise insurance plans operated for the benefit of the members.
Monitoring Committee
The Secretary shall chair the Monitoring Committee.
I. The chairperson shall ensure that School Board meetings are attended by at least one member of the committee.
II. The chairperson shall ensure that regular reports are submitted to the President and Executive.
Bargaining Committee
Note: The Constitution and Executive Policy must be considered concurrently.
The Vice-President shall chair the committee and be the local bargaining representative for the Association.
The WTA Bargaining Committee shall have a maximum of fifteen (15) persons, inclusive of the President. This committee may be augmented by other Association members in a consultative role.
I. All meetings shall be held in camera.
II. The Committee shall have the right to meet during school hours.
III. The Bargaining Committee will consult members according to the Provincial Protocol timelines.
Political Action Committee
This committee shall consist of a chairperson and a minimum of three (3) members of the Association.
It shall:
i. build stronger ties to other labour groups.
ii. engage membership through communication of new information.
iii. continued advocacy of member issues and events offered by the Manitoba Teachers’ Society.
President’s Committee
I. The President’s Committee shall meet with the Superintendents, or their designate(s).
II. The President, Vice-President and Business Agent shall attend the meetings.
Public Relations Committee
The Vice President shall chair this committee.
This committee shall consist of the Chair and at least three (3) other members of the Association.
It shall conduct such public relations activities as directed by the Executive.
Functions of the Committee
I. To publicize the forum for Executive candidates.
II. Maintain liaison with the MTS Communications Department.
III. May distribute prizes to Council.
IV. Maintain a supply of goodwill gifts at the WTA office that bear the WTA logo, to be distributed as the President sees fit.
V. Provide the membership with information about the goals and activities of the Association.
Reception Committee
The WTA Reception Committee shall consist of the Chair and at least five (5) other members of the Association.
The WTA Reception Committee will be responsible for the organization of receptions, including the Retirement Reception, the Distinguished Service Award Reception and other events as needed.
Retired, former members may participate in the retirement reception.
Substitute Teachers
This Committee shall consist of eight (8) members of the Association, including the chairperson, five (5) substitute teachers and two (2) members-at-large who are not substitute teachers.
Under the direction, and with the approval of the Executive, the committee may plan programs and provide a forum for communication to address the needs of substitute teachers.
Wellness Committee
I. This committee shall consist of the Chair and at least four (4) other members of the association.
II. The committee shall seek to fund WTA group member events for Electoral Units consisting of at least 5 members, held within the greater Winnipeg area, that promote stress reductions, physical activity, nutrition and life management/work-life balance.
Wellness events attended by:
5-15 WTA Members may be funded to a maximum of $400;
16-30 WTA Members may be funded to a maximum of $600;
31-50 WTA Members may be funded to a maximum of $800;
51-70 WTA Members may be funded to a maximum of $900;
71-90 WTA Members may be funded to a maximum of $1000; 90+ WTA Members may be funded to a maximum of $1200.
II. The committee shall be responsible for allocating financial support for entries into MTS sporting events. The registration fees of two teams per event may be covered, providing all team participants are WTA members. Where more teams apply than are allotted by the event rules the committee will select teams by random draw. Teams submitting applications by the announced deadline shall have their names entered into a draw.
III. The Executive reserves the right to refuse sponsorship.
IV. Decision Guidelines
i) Each electoral unit may apply for the WTA Wellness Grant once per school year.
ii) Funding shall be approved for activities and events that promote wellness for teachers. The grant cannot be used for Professional Development.
iii) The person applying for the grant must be a member of the WTA, assigned to the location for whom the request is made. Requests can only be made for activities and events for the applicant’s electoral unit.
iv) The WTA Wellness Grant will not provide an honorarium for WSD staff.
Workplace Safety & Health
The committee shall consist of the Chair and at least five (5) members of the Association.
I. The role of the committee shall include, but not be limited to:
i. monitoring the implementation and application of applicable workplace safety and health policy and legislation;
ii. participating in the development, implementation and delivery of workplace safety and health training to WTA members;
iii. making recommendations for action to the WTA Executive.
WSD/WTA Joint Committee
Note: The terms of reference for this committee are included in the Collective Agreement, and must be addressed through bargaining.
The committee shall consist of six (6) members of whom:
three (3) shall be members of, and be appointed from time to time by the Board of Trustees and
three (3) shall be members of, and appointed from time to time by the Association.
The joint committee shall endeavour to promote and maintain communication and cooperation between the Division and the Association in such a manner which will encourage an ongoing free and frank discussion of issues or concerns. The committee shall also consult on suggestions or requests made by the Division or the Association with respect to employee service, activities and security, including working conditions applicable to employees, and shall not discuss individual grievances.
I. One (1) of the members appointed by the Board shall be chairperson of the joint committee; but if the chairperson is absent from any meeting, one (1) of the other members of the Board representatives who attends the meeting shall be chairperson of the Committee during that meeting.
II. A person appointed by the administration and the Business Agent of the Association may attend meetings of the joint committee in a consultative capacity.
III. The joint committee shall meet four (4) times per school year, and at such other times as may be fixed by the chairperson after consulting with the members of the committee.
Ad Hoc Committees
I. Ad Hoc Committees established by Executive motion shall include recommended number of committee members, reporting dates and a brief statement of mandate/goals.
II. Ad Hoc Committees shall be provided with terms of reference, final reporting date and a budget line of $1000.00 unless otherwise approved by the Finance Committee.
III. Ad Hoc Committees shall expire at the end of the budget year.
Task Forces
I. Task Forces are established to address issues within a designated time frame.
II. Task Forces may be established by Executive motion that includes recommended number of members, reporting dates and a brief statement of mandate/goals.
III. The term of a Task Force shall be defined and may extend beyond the current budget year.
IV. Committees may form Task Forces with the consent of the Executive.
V. Task Forces shall report to Executive through their parent committee, unless otherwise stated in the terms of reference.