Successful gathering will become permanent annual exercise for Ontario's largest public sector union.
Toronto (27 Feb. 2009) - The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) recently brought together 25 treasurers of union locals across the province to focus on ethical issues.
The two-day meeting was so successful that OPSEU, Ontario's largest public sector union, will hold the gathering annually. A similar course will also be available for regional education programs.
"Should you issue bank cards for your local? Should (executive) members have cell phones paid by automatic deductions? Should you buy a cheap computer from a friend for the local with local funds? Not if you want to work consistently with OPSEU’s constitution," says Patti Rout, OPSEU's first vice-president.
The 25 treasurers, representing all seven OPSEU regions, examined their roles within the union, worked on the skills required to present local budgets, honed their practices as record keepers and prepared trustee audit reports.
Equally important, they were able to learn directly from each other's experience within their locals.
“I loved the interactive nature of the course and hearing that other treasurers have the same issues, have tried different strategies, and that we can learn from each other,” said one participant.
“I wanted to highlight the important role that treasurers play in developing strong locals,” Rout said. “You need support – ours and each others’ – to do the kind of job you want to do.” NUPGE
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