Experienced leadership

Earl has a wide range of skills and experience to bring to the role of Treasurer. He believes that achieving the goals of OSSTF and serving our members requires prudent fiscal management that will ensure the availability of the resources necessary to accomplish both objectives. Earl's Financial Experience, coupled with his strong leadership skills and political action involvement make him ideally suited to the position of OSSTF Treasurer.

The Treasurer's role is critical to both political accountability and transparency in relation to OSSTF/FEESO's 43 million dollar budget. During his first term as Treasurer, Earl has provided clear and concise reports on two fiscal years. He is currently in the process of working on the development of OSSTF/FEESO's budget for a second year. In each of those crucial areas, he has shown both the financial skills and the communication skills that are essential to the position of OSSTF/FEESO Treasurer.

Earl has gained the confidence and support of the Finance Committee, as he has effectively fulfilled the key duties of Treasurer – providing oversight of our union's finances and working with the Executive team to ensure that OSSTF/FEESO has the resources necessary to meet our priorities.

Last year, Earl highlighted to the Finance Committee his belief in the need for long term financial planning for OSSTF/FEESO. As a result, the Finance Committee moved a motion that passed at AMPA 2010 to add to its terms of reference the responsibility to prepare Five Year Projections of our finances to each AMPA. For the first time in OSSTF/FEESO history, AMPA 2011 delegates will be presented with a Five Year Projections Report that will include an analysis of the complete picture of our finances.

This important new tool will help increase the financial literacy of Federation leaders. It will provide delegates at AMPA, Provincial Councillors and the Provincial Executive with valuable information to help guide our decision making about the union's resources. Establishing and implementing this new tool is part of Earl's commitment to focusing on the long term financial viability of our union.

In addition, Earl has:

* Produced two versions of the Financial Handbook, incorporating important new information in each version;

* Conducted numerous Financial Workshops with local leaders;

* Conducted Workshops at Summer Leadership 2009 and 2010;

* Sought the input of local leaders on the development of annual Funding Masters and Expenditure guidelines and incorporated changes that reflected that input;

* Significantly revised the Funding Master to provide greater equity in allocations to the Distance and Communications components;

* Increased the lunch claim amount;

* Developed and implemented a more streamlined and efficient process to ensure that members' vouchers are dealt with in a timely manner.

The Bylaws of OSSTF/FEESO entrust the Treasurer with a specific set of responsibilities not assigned to any other Executive member. However, the Treasurer is also a critical member of the Executive team in all its decision-making. Earl's extensive experience in federation leadership roles prior to becoming Treasurer have been an asset to the Provincial Executive.

During his first term as Treasurer, Earl has contributed fully to the Executive's deliberations on a series of complex issues in a consultative and collegial manner, demonstrating his ability to articulate positions clearly and exercise smart political judgement.

In so doing, Earl was able to draw on extensive experience gained during nine years of local and provincial OSSTF/FEESO leadership roles:

Financial Experience

Vice Chair of Provincial Finance Committee, 2004 - 2005

* Engaged in the development of clear descriptions of budget lines and a rationale for each change to budget lines
* Met with Spending Authorities to review budget requests
* Met with the Provincial Executive to review the draft budget
* Reported the proposed budget to Provincial Council and to AMPA 2005
* Demonstrated a clear understanding of the budget and the budgeting process, answering questions from Councillors and delegates

Member of Provincial Finance Committee and the Funding and Investment Advisory Workgroup, 2003 - 2005

* Active participant in provincial budget process for two fiscal years
* Reviewed budget proposals from Spending Authorities and Provincial Executive
* Monitored expenditures in various accounts
* Worked with Committee members to ensure the availability of resources for OSSTF's priorities
* Reviewed OSSTF funds and investments, including OSSTF properties
* Assisted with development of Funding Masters for Districts for two fiscal years

District Finance Committee, 2001- 2009

* Worked with the Committee to develop and implement a clear and fair method of distribution of resources to all bargaining units
* Ensured the availability of the necessary resources to each bargaining unit
* Worked with the Treasurers of all bargaining units
* Assisted with audit preparations
* Attended workshops presented by the Provincial Treasurer
* Meetings with the District 12 Treasurer and the Provincial OSSTF Chief Financial Officer
* Prepared explanatory budget spreadsheet documents for the Committee, the Bargaining Unit, the District Executive, and for Council meetings
* Met regularly with Provincial Finance Committee representatives at Provincial Council to discuss funding issues

Bargaining Unit Budget Committee, 2001- 2009

* Worked closely with two different Treasurers and with committee members to develop and implement budgets
* Ensured availability of resources required to meet annual priorities and ongoing programs
* Gained experience with and an understanding of the intricacies of the Provincial Funding Master

Board of Directors, Teachers Life Insurance Society, 2001- Present

Earl has been a Director for Teachers Life since 2001. Aside from the regular governance work of a Director, Earl has served on the Audit and Investment Committees of the Society, gaining significant practical financial expertise.

Audit Committee, 2002 - Present

* Annual reviews of internal financial control procedures
* Responsible for overseeing the Society's accounting procedures and information systems
* Meetings with the external auditor to review the auditor's report
* Establishes expectations with respect to the annual audit and the annual financial report
* Ensures a process for implementation of auditor's recommendations
* Establishes and reviews internal audit processes
* Reviews the Financial and Accounting Procedures of the Society

Investment Committee, 2003 - Present

* Oversees the investment of Society assets (in excess of $40 million)
* Meets with the investment counsel to review performance of investments
* Sets the standards for quality of assets and monitors compliance
* Monitors the proportions in the various asset classes in the investment portfolio
* Monitors the credit risk of the society

Treasurer for the school Board Trustee Campaign of Jim McQueen, 2006

* Along with mobilizing members and campaigning, oversaw all the financial aspects of the campaign
* Set campaign spending priorities, developed the budget and organized all fundraising
* Maintained expenditure records and banking records
* Paid all bills and maintained accounting records
* Ensured campaign expenditures did not exceed donations
* Ensured campaign finances met all Municipal regulatory requirements

Political Action

Earl knows that political action is key to successfully achieving the goals of OSSTF. As Executive liaison to the District Political Action Committee and a long-time NDP activist, Earl played a critical role in mobilizing member involvement in provincial and municipal elections. In 2003, Earl played a key role in developing District 12's election strategy, helping to the defeat all Tory candidates in Toronto. In 2003 and 2006, Earl's leadership in the area of political strategy helped to elect many progressive Trustees at the TDSB. In 2007, Earl coordinated the strategic vote for NDP and Liberal candidates in Toronto, resulting in the election of 13 of 14 endorsed candidates, including Kathleen Wynne.

* Vice President responsible for Political Action
* Executive Liaison to Political Action Committee
* Member of NDP, 1988 - Present
* Election Readiness Team Coordinator for municipal and provincial campaigns since 2003
* Coordinated election strategy with ETFO, OECTA and CUPE
* Worked with ETFO and OECTA representatives on OTF Community Forums on Public Education
* Campaign worker for many NDP candidates (Ferreira, Tabuns, Marchese, Di Novo, Prue, Layton, Nash) and Liberal candidate Kathleen Wynne
* Experienced with lobbying Trustees and MPP's
* Organized District 12 OSSTF PAC Forum on Lobbying
* Worked with parent groups opposed to province-wide standardized testing
* Worked with Campaign for Public Education on "Need to Succeed" and "Our City Our Schools" campaigns and on the Trustee endorsement process

Labour Solidarity

Earl's participation and leadership in the broader labour movement provide him with valuable insight and experience, and demonstrate his commitment to working with other unions. He knows there is a direct link between our fight for the properly funded full service school system and the achievement of a just economy and society. Earl's roots in labour activism provide a strong foundation for his work as Provincial Treasurer and as a member of the Provincial Executive team.

* Executive Member of Toronto and York Region Labour Council 2005 – 2007
* Campaign activist for various campaigns: "$10.00 Minimum Wage," "Manufacturing Jobs Matter," "Hotel Workers Rising" …
* Education Committee, Toronto and York Region Labour Council, 2004 - 2008
* Delegate, Toronto and York Region Labour Council 2003 -2009

Provincial Leadership

During four years as an OTF Governor, Earl developed an excellent working relationship with other OSSTF OTF Governors and members of the current Executive team. His experience with pension issues as an OTF Governor are an asset in the role of Treasurer, with the Provincial Executive team and with the leadership of other education unions.

* Member, Process to Review Political and Governance Structure Workgroup, 2008
* OTF Governor, 2005 - 2009
* Vice Chair, Finance Committee, 2005
* Member, Finance Committee, 2003 - 2005
* OSSTF Delegate to CLC Conventions in 2002, 2005, and 2008
* OSSTF Delegate to OFL Conventions in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009

Local Leadership

Earl served four years as Vice President of the Toronto Secondary Teachers' Bargaining unit, and was a full time Executive Officer in Toronto for nine years. Earl is an outspoken defender of public education, a skilled communicator and a strong activist on behalf of all members. Earl's experience as a member of the Toronto Secondary Teachers' Bargaining Unit and District Executives has helped prepare him for the responsibility that he has assumed as Provincial Treasurer.

In the nine years before becoming Provincial Treasurer, Earl served in many roles, including:

* Vice President Responsible for Negotiations, 2008 - 2009
* Vice President Responsible for Staffing/Surplus, 2005 - 2008
* Vice President Responsible for Political Action, 2005 - Present
* Executive Liaison, Political Action Committee, 2003 - 2009
* Executive Liaison to the Pensions and Benefits Committee
* Executive Member, Toronto and York Region Labour Council, 2006 - 2008
* Education Committee, Toronto and York Region Labour Council, 2004 -2008
* Delegate, Toronto and York Region Labour Council
* Organized Forum on OTPP Social/Ethical Investment
* Organized Commemorative events for the 30th anniversary of the 1975 Toronto Teachers strike and the 10th anniversary of the 1997 Bill 160 protest
* Grievance Officer
* Assistant to District/Bargaining Unit Treasurer
* District Finance Committee Member
* Bargaining Unit Budget Committee Member
* District Executive Officer
* Executive Officer responsible for members with Disability Claims
* Participated in Forums for Parents regarding province-wide standardized testing
* Coordinated with ETFO, CUPE and Skilled Trades Union on Joint Union and Board Benefits Review Committee

Communication Skills

Earl believes that the ability to communicate clearly - including listening to members, synthesizing positions, and responding appropriately - is critical to strong leadership. Earl is highly skilled in each of these areas of communication and has put those skills to use as Provincial Treasurer.

As Provincial Treasurer, Earl has ensured that members continue to be well-informed about the financial health of OSSTF, and in his liaison role to Districts and Bargaining Units has clearly communicated updates from Provincial Executive.

In his previous roles on the Teacher Bargaining Unit and District Executives in District 12, Earl developed communications expertise in many areas:

* Developed clear format for Teacher Bargaining Unit and District budgets
* Designed and maintained the Toronto Teacher Bargaining Unit website
* Implemented a member e-mail distribution list
* Executive liaison to District and Bargaining Unit Communications Committees
* Executive liaison to D12 Voice including responsibility for both layout and production
* Presented reports to Teacher Bargaining Unit and District Executives, Teacher Bargaining Unit Council and Annual General meetings
* Wrote many articles for D12 Voice and Executive Action