Course Options & Descriptions:
Mandatory Equity Plenary Session
October 5 from 0800 to 0900
Northern College Porcupine Campus – Lecture Room
All participants will be required to attend this information session prior to attending the course of their choice. Breakfast will be provided during this session.
Stewards 1: Making a Difference in the Workplace
October 5 from 0900 to 1600 & October 6 from 0900 to 1200
Northern College Porcupine Campus – Classroom
This updated version (March 2015) of Stewards 1 includes a more detailed description and history of OPSEU/SEFPO’s equity-seeking groups. The course continues to support stewards through a range of tools and practical activities. The key aims are to strengthen steward skills to orient a new employee to the union, have effective one-on-one conversations with a cross-section of members, develop a communications strategy to enlist diverse member involvement, and develop approaches to everyday workplace problems.
Throughout the course, participants are supported as they develop a profile of their members, clarify the tasks of the steward, find the resources and information in OPSEU/SEFPO, and understand the grievance process and their role in it. Stewards 1 is a prerequisite to Stewards 2 and must be completed before taking Stewards 2. Participants should bring their Collective Agreements.
Public Speaking – Finding your voice, connecting with your audience
October 5 from 0900 to 1600 & October 6 from 0900 to 1200
Northern College Porcupine Campus – Classroom
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’d 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 with your team, 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 and target audience.
Challenging Bullying and Non-Code-Based Harassment in the Workplace
October 5 from 0900 to 1600 & October 6 from 0900 to 1200
Northern College Porcupine Campus – Classroom
Is bullying and psychological harassment an issue in your workplace? This course will help you recognize the signs of bullying and a toxic workplace. We’ll look at case law and other tools helpful in understanding the impact of workplace bullying. And we’ll strengthen individual and collective capacity to respond to co-workers, and pressure employers to tackle this issue.
The Indigenous Journey: Walking Together: Part 2
October 5 from 0900 to 1600 & October 6 from 0900 to 1200
Northern College Porcupine Campus – Classroom
As a follow-up to the Indigenous Journey: Walking Together course, the Indigenous Journey 2, explores the relationship between Indigenous peoples and white settlers. This unique course will examine the relationship from settler contact to today through the lens of Indigenous people.
Applications
Completed application forms must include the signed recommendation of a Local Executive Officer (an approval via email from an LEC will be accepted if a signature is not possible) and be received by the Timmins Regional Office no later than August 15, 2024, at 12:00 pm to ssavage@opseu.org
Location
Northern College – Porcupine Campus
4715 Highway 101 East, South Porcupine, ON P0N 1H0
Accommodations
Hampton Inn Timmins
848 Riverside Dr., Timmins ON P4N 3W1
(705) 531-6000
A block of rooms will be held aside for this event, please make reservations under the group name: OPSEU at a rate of $169.00 +tax before September 2, 2024. OPSEU/SEFPO pays accommodation for members travelling 60 km or more. Members will be reimbursed for the cost of single occupancy. Members are responsible for booking by using link below and for payment of room upon checkout.
Meals
Breakfast (full hot buffet) will be provided at the Hotel from 0600 to 1000 included in your stay. Breakfast and Lunch will be provided on October 5, be sure to note any dietary restrictions on your application.
Lost Wages/Time Off
Per past practice, lost wages will be paid for those members who are scheduled to work on these days or the nightshift before. Any claim for lost wages must be substantiated by proof from your employer.
Selection Process – Education Policy Section 7 (Policy Manual)
The selection process will be in accordance with the Education Policy – Section 7 of the Policy Manual. All Local Presidents have an OPSEU/SEFPO Policy Manual. Please contact your Local President to review this policy. Applicants will be notified via email after August 22nd of their acceptance for the educational.
Cancellations
Notification by a member to cancel course attendance should be received by both the local president and the regional office no later than 48 hours before commencement of the regional school. When a member does not attend and the Regional office has not been notified 48 hours prior to the school’s commencement, the member will be assessed a $50.00 penalty. Extenuating circumstances will be taken into consideration.
Family/Attendant Care
Family/Attendant Care will be reimbursed as per OPSEU/SEFPO policy as outlined on the back of the expense claim. Such allowance is not intended to reimburse the claimant for dependant/family expenses they would have normally incurred as a result of employment except where the absence exceeds the normal workday or week. Family/dependent care will be reimbursed as per OPSEU/SEFPO Policy Manual.
The application form (page 5) must be sent via email to: ssavage@opseu.org by August 15th by 12:00pm
More to come…
February 8 & 9 2025, – Sudbury
Stewards 2
Health & Safety in the Workplace-1
Duty to Accommodate 1
Cross Cultural Communication at Work: A Union Perspective
June 2025 (date to be determined) – North Bay
Stewards 3
Health & Safety in the Workplace-2
Advanced Grievance Handling