Convention 2025 Guide

PDF versionThe president of each OPSEU/SEFPO local is automatically the first delegate to Convention 2025.  Here are the procedures to be followed when:  

1. electing second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth delegates; 
2. returning credential forms; and 
3. informing other members or delegates of the annual Convention and advising them of the guidelines to be followed. 

Note: All elected delegates/alternates/observers must be members in good standing, as per Article 6 of the OPSEU/SEFPO Constitution.  This information will help you when preparing either yourself or other delegates, alternates, or observers to attend the 2025 Convention.

Credentials  

Each local will be responsible for completing one credential form (with additional pages attached, if necessary). The credential form is in a fillable format, and we encourage you to use it so we can read the names of the members from your local attending Convention.  As per the Constitution, the delegates, alternates, and observers attending must be attested to by two officers of the local. You can digitally sign the form or print it after it has been completed and then sign it. The form can then be submitted electronically (scanned and emailed) to [email protected].  Locals’ delegate entitlement, as per the OPSEU/SEFPO Constitution, is as follows:  0 to 150 members in good standing: 1 delegate

• 1 to 150 members in good standing: 1 delegate
• 151 to 300 members in good standing: 2 delegates
• 301 to 500 members in good standing: 3 delegates
• 501 to 800 members in good standing 4 delegates
• 801 to 1,100 members in good standing: 5 delegates
• 1,101 to 1,500 members in good standing: 6 delegates
• 1,501 to 1,900 members in good standing: 7 delegates
• 1,901 to 2,300 members in good standing: 8 delegates
• More than 2,300 members in good standing: 9 delegates

In addition, the following are entitled to be delegates in their own right, as identified in the Constitution. They are not part of their local’s entitlement:  

• each member of the Executive Board 

• each member of a Convention committee 

• the Executive Committee of the Retired Members Division  

•  the members of: 

• • the Provincial Women’s Committee  

• • the Provincial Human Rights Committee  

• • the Provincial Francophone Committee  

• • the Provincial Young Workers Committee 

• • the Indigenous Circle 

• • the Rainbow Alliance arc-en-ciel Committee  

• • the Coalition of Racialized Workers Committee   

They will be added directly to the event by the Convention Office as they are automatic delegates. Once your delegates/alternates/observers have been elected at a local general membership meeting, their names are entered into the fillable credential form for the local. You must identify the role for each member and their ranking (e.g., second delegate, third delegate, first alternate, second alternate, etc.).  The president is automatically the first delegate. However, if the local president cannot attend (or is coming under another entitlement, such as an Executive Board Member or as a member of a Provincial Committee), the local vice-president automatically becomes the first delegate.  If your local vice-president is coming as the automatic delegate, the credential form must be accompanied by a letter or email from the local president, waiving their right to attend (or explaining their attendance under another entitlement), and delegating this right to the local vice-president.  The credential form must be received at the Convention Office at [email protected] no later than March 25, 2025. Each attendee must register using the Member Portal to let us know if you need a hotel room, if a time off letter is required or if you are requesting childcare no later than March 14, 2025.  

Things to note:

Delegates:  

If delegates lose their Convention badge (provided upon registration), a duplicate badge will not be issued.  

Alternates and observers:  

A local may elect and send alternates up to the number of delegates to which it is entitled. The number of observers is not limited by the Constitution, but space at Convention is severely restricted. Therefore, we ask locals to keep their observers to a minimum.  If your local intends to send alternates or observers to Convention, please ensure they are included on the credential form completed for the local.  If your local wishes to use rebates for time-off for alternates and observers, please submit the Locals that Wish to use Rebates form which is found in the same file as the credential form. If there is a change in status from alternate to delegate, it will be done in order of alternate ranking, i.e., first alternate, second alternate, etc.  Observers may not become or replace delegates or alternates.  Delegates/alternates/observers should read their respective Expense Guides for the 2025 Annual Convention carefully. Alternate and observers may have their Convention expenses reimbursed by the Local if authorized by the Local. Article 13 of the Constitution contains additional information about Convention.  If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Convention Office by email at [email protected].