African Canadian Heritage Tour – Region 1 Equity Conference on Dec 9

Region 1 Equity Conference – Dec. 9, 2023

• Application Deadline: November 17, 2023
• Windsor DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites
  • 333 Riverside Dr. W., Windsor, ON N9A 7C5 
  • Hotel Booking Deadline: November 17, 2023

African Canadian Heritage Tour with Elise Harding-Davis

Elise Harding-Davis, a seventh generation African Canadian, is an African Canadian Heritage Consultant. Mrs. Harding-Davis is one of the foremost authorities on African Canadian history and cultural events connected to the development and progress of Canada. Her unique perception reveals the early presence of African origin pioneers and freedom fighters in British Canada revealing the invaluable roles of “The Black Thread in the Canadian Tapestry”.

Professionally, Elise was the 1st Black female Curator/Administrator of an accredited museum in Canada at The North American Black Historical Museum and Cultural Centre (now the Amherstburg Cultural Museum) for 32 years in Amherstburg, ON, the 1st Black Executive Administrator at Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital in Windsor, ON, and the Office Manager for a member of Parliament for Essex County.

Elise’s impressive volume of work includes many articles in newspapers and magazines internationally, numerous appearances in films, documentaries, podcasts, and videos pertaining to Black history, and has authored several books. In order to reach varied audiences, Elise has even designed a beer label “Henderson Jacobs Honey Kolsch” which details Underground Railroad activity in Southwestern Ontario.

Her professional careers and volunteer activities have garnered Elise numerous awards and accolades including the Ontario Museum’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the Ontario Historical Society’s Carnochan Award, as well as The Queen Elizabeth II Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilee Medals. Elise is also a recipient of The Canada South Blues Society lifetime membership, a member of 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women and an inductee into the Order of Ontario.

Elise insists: “Without Black History—History is Incomplete.”

Itinerary

Saturday, December 9, 2023

• 9:30 am  Bus departs from Doubletree by Hilton Hotel & Suites
  • Travel past ‘Tower of Freedom Monument’ Civic Esplanade, Pitt St.E., Windsor
• 9:45 am – Sandwich First Baptist Church, 3652 Peter St., Windsor
• 10:20 am – Travel and lecture-time on way to Amherstburg (open to questions throughout the Tour)
• 11:00 am The Amherstburg Freedom Museum, 277 King St., Amherstburg
• 12:30 pm – Lunch
• 2:30 pm – Travel through Harrow back to Windsor: Lecture/history sites of interest
• 3:30 pm – Arrival at Hotel; Plenary session in the Riverside Boardroom
• 4:30 pm – Adjourn

Information

Application deadline

Please download and complete this application form and send it to region1@opseu.org by Nov. 17, 2023.

Meal Expenses

$21 for breakfast, $29 for lunch, $38 for supper.

Travel Expenses:

Round-trip mileage at the rate of: 65 cents per km. if driving alone; 70 cents/km. if driving with one OPSEU members as a passenger; 75 cents/km. if driving with 2 OPSEU members as passengers; 80 cents/km. if driving with 3 OPSEU members as passengers; 85 cents/km. if driving with 4 OPSEU members as passengers.

Wages:

• No wages will be covered for this Conference.

Hotel Accommodation:

• Deadline to book Hotel Accommodations: November 17, 2023

• Reservations: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Windsor, 333 Riverside Dr. W., Windsor, ON N9A 7C5

  • Request the Group Rate for the OPSEU Equity Conference. $179 + tx for 2 Queen Bds or King Bd.

• Reservation line is 519-977-9777

• https://group.doubletree.com/3gd3ok

• Parking $15.00

• Only Members who live beyond 60 km are entitled to room accommodation for Friday night.
  • Members are reimbursed for the cost of single accommodation. Members are responsible for making their own reservations and for paying the full cost of the room at checkout.

• If you book your hotel room past the deadline of November 17, 2023, any increases to the hotel cost will be the responsibility of the member. All unreserved rooms will be released for re-sale after this date.

• Cancellation: Members who have booked a hotel room are responsible for cancelling their reservations at the hotel within the time limits as stated by the hotel when the booking is made. Failing cancellation, you are responsible for the room charges.

Human Rights Accommodation:

The Human Rights Accommodation Request Form can be sent directly to the Equity Unit by fax 416-448-7419 or email to equity@opseu.org.

Advance Cheques:

Applicants may apply to receive an Advance Cheque to cover accommodation, mileage and meal expenses by filling out the Advance Form; submit directly to advances@opseu.org. Note: Advances are not given for lost wages.

Cancellation Policy:

• In accordance with OPSEU/SEFPO Policy, notification by a member to cancel course attendance should be received by both the Local President and the Regional Office at region1@opseu.org or dgarlick@opseu.org, no later than 48 hours before commencement of the conference (i.e. no later than 4:30 P.M. on the Wednesday prior to the conference).

• When a member does not attend and the Regional Office has not been notified 48 hours prior to the conference commencement, the member will be assessed a $50.00 penalty. Extenuating circumstances will be taken into consideration
• As a reminder in accordance with OPSEU/SEFPO Policy, Full Attendance is mandatory for all participants at the conference. 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 paid.

Family Attendant Care Claims:

• Submit the Family/Attendant Care Claim Form if you require Child/Family/ Attendant Care at home and/or at the Conference to attend.
• Members are entitled to reimbursement of reasonable costs of family/dependant care provided by someone other than their partners/spouses as a result of absences from home arising from the conduct of union business. Such allowances are not intended to reimburse the claimant for dependant/family expenses that they would have normally incurred as a result of employment except where the absence exceeds the normal work day or week. 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 specify hours claimed for each day.
• Claims must be signed by the service provider and may be verified by Head Office before payment is made.
• Members who bring children to union events will be entitled to single accommodation and meal expenses. Claims for these expenses should also be included in the Family Care column of the form and described appropriately.
• 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.

Child/Family/Attendant Care:

• Childcare will be provided at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Windsor. Please include your Childcare Registration Form with the Application.
• Members must register for childcare twenty-one (21) days in advance of the event by completing the form and returning it to the London Regional Office. CANCELLATION MUST BE DONE WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THE EVENT.
• When you bring children with you, you are entitled to claim the full cost of the hotel room and meal expenses; for children under the age of 13 years at 50% of OPSEU/SEFPO’s standard meal allowance rates; children ages 13–16 are entitled to the standard rates. NOTE: Children must be registered in OPSEU’s day care for reimbursement of the full cost of the hotel room and meal claims. If the child is not in attendance, you will be responsible for the full cost of the accommodation and meals.

OPSEU/SEFPO Policies:

• No fragrances, nuts, nut products, or Coco-Cola products.