Region 5 In-Person Weekend Educational, 19-20 September 2026

July 30, 2026

Table of Contents

Location
- The Chelsea Hotel – 33 Gerrard Street West, Toronto, ON M5G 1Z4
Dates:
- Saturday, 19 September 2026 – 9 am to 5 pm
- Sunday, 20 September 2026 – 9 am to 1 pm (approx.)
Childcare:
- Childcare will be available on Saturday, 19 September 2026 from 8:30 am to 5 pm and Sunday, 20 September 2026 from 9 am to the end of classes.
- Parents/Guardians must be on site at all times when utilizing Childcare services provided by OPSEU/SEFPO.

Applications are now closed.

Courses

We are pleased to offer the following six courses:

1. Stewards 2: Facing the Employer, Building Member Involvement

Prerequisites: Stewards 1

This revised follow-up to Stewards 1 focuses on investigating and writing a grievance, facing management, and involving members in worksite action. Participants will use their own Collective Agreements to identify grievances. They will become immersed in an evolving case study in order to interview a grievor, write up a grievance, face the employer at a Step 1 meeting and make a presentation on safety issues to the Union side of the Joint Health and Safety Committee. They will examine the elements of effective mobilization and develop a campaign strategy for a Local.

Participants should bring their own Collective Agreements to the course.

2. Public Speaking: Finding your voice, connecting with your audience

Have you ever felt intimidated when you are a speaker in front of a large group? Have you ever wondered what you need to consider when planning and preparing a short presentation for the public? Whether you would like to strengthen your presentation skills, look more confident and credible, define your core message, organize your thoughts, or find new and effective ways to collaborate and organize, this course will give you practical skills you need to communicate successfully. You will have an opportunity to practice and hone your presentation skills in a small group setting while concentrating on your message, your target audience, and your organizing goals.

3. Duty to Accommodate 1: A Tool for Inclusive Workplaces

Provincial legislation and existing case law require employers and unions to provide accommodation short of undue hardship. This interactive course examines the roles and responsibilities of the employer, the union, and the member in accommodating members with disabilities and all other protected groups under the Ontario Human Rights Code. It builds activists’ skills to support members requiring an accommodation, and to deal with employer resistance to accommodation in the workplace.

4. The Indigenous Journey: Walking Together Part 1

This course provides an overview of key concepts essential for building respectful, informed, and culturally responsive relationships with Indigenous peoples. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the purpose and practice of Land Acknowledgements, learn and apply accurate terminology, and explore Indigenous knowledges and distinctions to better appreciate the diversity of Indigenous worldviews and experiences. Through reflective activities and guided discussion, the course examines how implicit and explicit biases shape perceptions and behaviours, and how recognizing intent versus impact is critical for meaningful and accountable engagement. Designed for learners committed to personal growth and reconciliation, this course offers practical tools, cultural context, and opportunities for self-reflect to support more respectful and informed interactions in union, workplace and community settings.

5. Political Action for Union Activists

What do you know about the political climate in your municipality, in Ontario, in Canada? How do you get insights into the current issues in your community? What is your confidence level when speaking to someone about a possibly controversial political issue? Can you use your power of communication to raise awareness of a subject that is making an impact on your life? Do you know the players in the political arena? How do you find the right persons to speak with? These are some of the topics that will be covered in this course. You will share insights, and get the tools needed to build your union and communities. You will also develop strategies for engaging your members, campaigning, and lobbying politicians.

6. Let’s Start Meeting Like This! Running Meetings that Build the Union

Have you ever been confused at meetings about when you can speak and when you can’t? Perhaps you have tried to run a meeting where there was no quorum, or where people kept interrupting each other and getting off track. Maybe you’re discouraged because you’re not sure how to make meetings a good use of anyone’s time. This course examines the potential of meetings to tap into diverse members’ energy and interest, and to build union capacity. Practical, hands-on activities will help you a) develop an interesting agenda and get members to the meeting; b) understand how to write and put forward a motion and use basic rules of parliamentary procedure effectively; c) facilitate an effective meeting discussion; d) deal with meeting “nightmares” who often look like members who won’t stop talking, or who can’t agree. Materials include templates for committee reports and meeting minutes, as well as step-by-step guidelines on running different kinds of meetings.

Important Information

The Participant and Course Selection Process will be carried out in accordance with OPSEU/SEFPO Education Policy.
Confirmation will only be sent to applicants who are accepted.
For members scheduled to work the weekend of the Educational, the Local’s Time-Off Fund (LTO) can now be used, provided the Local’s TARs are up-to-date.
As a reminder, in accordance with OPSEU/SEFPO policy, full attendance is mandatory for both days for all participants at the Educational. If you are unable to attend with full attendance without an acceptable reason, you will not receive credit for the course and your expenses (if any) may not be reimbursed.
All application forms must be approved/signed by a Local Executive Committee member from the applicant’s Local, as per OPSEU/SEFPO Policy 6.2.2. Applications without the required signatures will not be processed.

If You Are Attending in Person

Single accommodation is approved for this Educational.
OPSEU/SEFPO’s 60km rule will be enforced – this means that if you live further than 60 kms from the hotel you are entitled to single accommodations. For this event, members living outside 60 kms of the hotel will be entitled to room accommodation for both Friday, September 18 and Saturday, September 19 nights of the weekend Educational as per OPSEU/SEFPO policy. Members living within 60 kms of the hotel will not be covered.
You are responsible for booking your own accommodations directly with the Chelsea Hotel, if required. An online direct booking link for rooms in the Event Group Block will be issued to successful applicants at the following rates: Single $289.00 (taxes not included). Individuals may also call the hotel directly, toll free 1-800-CHELSEA (1-800-243-5732) or 416-595-1975. These individuals must also identify themselves as part of OPSEU/SEFPO September 2026 Educational to take advantage of the discounted group rate.
Valet parking will not be covered.
As a reminder, in accordance with OPSEU/SEFPO policy, full attendance is mandatory for participants at the Educational. If you are unable to attend with full attendance without an acceptable reason, you will not receive credit for the course and your expenses (if any) may not be reimbursed.
Persons attending OPSEU/SEFPO meetings are requested to refrain from using perfume, cologne or any other fragrances for the comfort of other participants.
Participants are also to refrain from bringing nut products, bottled water and Coca Cola products to OPSEU/SEFPO Events.
- All applications must be approved/signed by a Local Executive Committee member from the applicants Local, as per OPSEU/SEFPO Policy 6.2.2. Applications without the required signatures will not be processed.

Accommodation

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Chelsea Hotel, 33 Gerrard St W, Toronto, ON M5G 1Z4
Members are responsible for making their own accommodation and payment arrangements. Accommodation must be booked no later than 28 August 2026.
All unreserved rooms will be released for re-sale after the 28 August 2026 deadline. OPSEU/SEFPO Policy states that members are responsible for their own room booking and payment. It is also stated that members are fully responsible should the need arise to cancel their room. Failing to cancel your room could result in the member being responsible for all room charges.An online direct booking link, and telephone instructions for reserving a hotel room will be issued to successful Educational applicants prior to the hotel-booking deadline of 28 August 2026.
OPSEU/SEFPO’s 60km rule will be enforced. Members living outside 60km will be covered for both Friday and Saturday night 18 & 19 September 2026. Members living within 60km will not be covered.

Cancellations

Notification by a member to cancel course attendance should be received by both the Local President and the Regional Office ([email protected]) no later than 48 hours prior to the start of the Weekend Educational (e.g. no later than 9:00 A.M. on Thursday 17 September 2026). When a member does not attend and the Regional Office has not been notified forty-eight (48) hours in advance, the member will be assessed a fifty-dollar ($50.00) penalty fee. Extenuating circumstances will be taken into consideration.
All hotel reservations must also be cancelled 48 hours prior to the scheduled day of arrival. Late cancellations will result in a charge of a 1-night stay plus taxes. A valid credit card is required at time of booking.

Child / Elder/ Dependant Care

Use of OPSEU/SEFPO’s on-site childcare is encouraged – please complete the childcare registration form to participate.
Members who arrange their own childcare will be reimbursed at $15.00 an hour to a maximum of $220.00 per 24-hour period, as per OPSEU/SEFPO Policy 4.2.2.
Childcare claims will be honoured for children up to and including age 16, for whom the member is the parent/guardian.Friends, family, or professional or Commercial Services, or any other satisfactory arrangement, may provide care to the member making the claim. Claims must be verified and must be signed by the service provider.Members seeking childcare through OPSEU/SEFPO for this Educational must include the completed Childcare Registration paperwork with their Application.If childcare is requested, the child/dependant must be in attendance with the program.
Off-site Family/Attendant care will be reimbursed at the rate of $15.00 per hour to a maximum of $220.00 per 24-hour period and must be signed by the care provider(s). Please complete this Family/Attendant Care form and specify hours claimed for each day. This policy covers the expenses for persons over the age of 16, permanently residing with, and under the care of a member, who are differently abled and/or aged.

Transportation

If you are participating in person, you will be reimbursed for the actual cost incurred for travel by public transportation. As per the policy of the Union, the most economical means of transportation should be used.
Where a member is required to use their private vehicle, they may claim for such travel at the current rate, as well as the total distance travelled. Destination points are to be indicated on the expense form.
Members must arrange their own travel and are encouraged to.
Transportation/ Kilometric Rate will be as follows:
- One (1) OPSEU/SEFPO member travelling alone $0.60/km.
- Two (2) OPSEU/SEFPO members, $0.65/km.
- Three (3) OPSEU/SEFPO members $0.70/km
Any transportation/kilometric expense claim form involving OPSEU/SEFPO members as passengers must have the members’ name and address on the expense form
All expenses must be submitted on proper Expense Claim Forms or via the Member Portal.

Local Time Off:

Local Time Off Funds can now be used for members who work on the weekends to attend Educationals. Local TARS must be Up to Date in order to use the Local Time-Off Fund.

Meals:

Breakfast: Members who stay at the hotel or had to be present for an OPSEU/SEFPO event before 0800 hours (8:00 a.m.) are eligible to claim twenty- three dollars ($23.00).
Lunch: Members attending this educational may claim thirty-two dollars ($32.00) lunch on both Saturday and Sunday.
Dinner: Members who stay at the hotel or had to be present for an OPSEU/SEFPO event past 1700 hours (5 pm.) are eligible to claim forty-one dollars ($41.00).

Advances:

Advances are available via the Member Portal. Please note that you can only apply for an advance via the portal after you have received your official acceptance email.