HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.1 Advocacy Strategy Committee Report, 2 November 2023
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ADVOCACY STRATEGY COMMITTEE
November 2, 2023, 12:00 pm
Zoom Meeting
Members: Alysha Aziz (electronic communication), Lyra Evans (electronic
communication), Lynn Scott (electronic communication),
Amanda Presley (electronic communication)
Staff Present Michèle Giroux (Executive Officer, Corporate Services), Diane
Pernari (General Manager, Communications), Nicole Guthrie
(General Manager, Board Services), Darcy Knoll
(Communications Coordinator), James Baker (Board/Committee
Coordinator)
1. Call to Order
Chair Aziz called the meeting to order at 12:08 p.m.
2. Acknowledgement of Territorial Lands
Chair Aziz acknowledged that the meeting is taking place on unceded Algonquin
Homelands and thanked the Algonquin Nations for hosting the meeting on their
land.
3. Declarations of Interest
No declarations of interest were filed.
4. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Trustee Lyra Evans,
THAT the agenda be approved.
Carried
5. Matters for Discussion:
5.1 Aligning Efforts
a. OPSBA Advocacy Day - 27 November 2023 (Update)
During the discussion and in response to queries, the following
information was provided:
Staff have collected advocacy related documentation from
the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) and
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are working to align the Committee's advocacy efforts with
OPSBA’s direction;
OPSBA is currently preparing a submission to the Ministry
regarding Grants for Student Needs (GSN)'s with a focus on
key priority areas and issues such as Indigenous education
and mental health;
It was suggested that executive compensation be added to
the priority list;
Staff shared several sample briefing notes prepared by
OPSBA for last year’s Advocacy Day. The briefing notes
were provided in order to elicit feedback on the format and
layout. With priority areas established, similar OCDSB
briefing notes could be prepared for use by trustees in their
advocacy efforts;
Members shared that they would prefer a two page
document to better reflect and share the details of the
priority issue;
It was suggested that the length of each briefing note be
appropriate for the intended audience to ensure that it is
reviewed;
Staff advised that they would connect with OPSBA to
request their 2023 Advocacy Days briefing notes. These
could be shared with trustees;
It was suggested that importance should be placed on
messaging with the public and informing constituents on the
top priorities within the public education system; and
It was suggested that the Committee develop a work plan to
serve as a reference document that trustees can utilize
when speaking with community partners.
b. Advocacy Briefs
The Advocacy Briefs were discussed at item 5.1a.
5.2 Confirming Top Priority Areas
During a discussion and in response to queries, the following information
was provided:
It was suggested that one of the top three priorities focus on
sustainable funding with respect to replacement worker costs,
transportation, special education, cyber security, and mental health;
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Focus should also be placed on facilities renewal, the moratorium
on accommodations, and class size at the junior and intermediate
levels;
The Committee affirmed its intent to have documentation available
for all trustees to rely on; and
Staff advised that summaries for replacement costs, transportation
and special education would be drafted for review by the
Committee at the 11 December 2023 meeting.
6. New Business -- Information and Inquiries
There was no new business.
7. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 1:10 p.m.
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Alysha Aziz, Chair, Advocacy Strategy Committee