Collaborate

I work tirelessly finding opportunities to support the teachers of ATA Local 55.  Working with the various stakeholders, it has been important to build relationships with the other Locals, with our Division, with members across southern Alberta and throughout Alberta. 

“We are stronger when we work together”  and "we are better together" are philosophies that I embrace and work towards bettering every day.  

With Local 38 (Calgary Public) and Local 37 (Rockyview) we have created a trio of Local strength in the South that prioritizes looking out for  ALL the teachers of Calgary and surrounding area, instead of just focusing on our own silo-ed members.

Working together saves all Locals time, money and volunteer capital when planning larger events.  This served us well at the many rallies we have participated in over the past four years and is seen at the joint photo booth at the Calgary City Teachers'.  Additionally, we pooled resources with Local 38 and Local 37 for the past election readiness campaign by sharing Coffee and Conversation and Pints and Politics events to bring together members and politicians to learn more about the political process and the platforms of the two major parties vying for the votes of teachers.

This collaboration has borne incredible benefits to all members - whether that is in hosting political forums, offering professional development opportunities across all three locals, meeting with our provincial representatives together or just finding opportunities for our members to interact with each other (at social events, movie screenings, panel discussions and hockey games).  Working together, the three locals have deliberately broken down the barriers that once created "islands" of the Local and instead now have created a unified, powerful force that reaps benefits for all members across Calgary.

Another successful collaborative provincial initiative that I have nurtured from infancy, is to create a bi-monthly meeting of all Presidents of Catholic ATA Locals.  Though #weareata and are all one, there are unique challenges that face Catholic locals and this regular meeting opportunity provided space for the voices of these Local Presidents to be heard.

Local Level:

It is at the Local division Advisory table, surrounded by Senior Admin and our Advisory team, that I feel that myself, and our team, collaborates most strongly with the to advocate for the members of Local 55. We remind the District of teachers’ current classroom conditions and continue to press them on how to reduce workload. This is a slow process, but building our relationships over time has made these meetings that are beneficial for both sides.  

The lessons learned from this process of give and take is one that I develop in all aspects of my business life and I look forward to continuing to develop these opportunities to find consensus at the PEC table and thus support ALL members of the province.