HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.3 Receipt of Advocacy Strategy Committee Report, 6 April 2023
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ADVOCACY STRATEGY COMMITTEE
April 6, 2023, 12:00 pm
Trustees' Committee Room
133 Greenbank Road
Ottawa, Ontario
Members: Alysha Aziz, Cathryne Milburn, Suzanne Nash, Amanda Presley
Staff Present Michele Giroux (Director of Education), Janice McCoy
(Executive Officer, Corporate Services), Diane Pernari
(Manager, Communications & Information Services), Nicole
Guthrie (Manager, Board Services), Darcy Knoll
(Communications Coordinator), James Baker (Board/Committee
Coordinator)
1. Call to Order
Executive Officer McCoy called the meeting to order at 12:07 p.m.
2. Acknowledgement of Territorial Lands
Executive Officer McCoy 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 Aziz,
THAT the agenda be approved.
Carried
5. Matters for Action:
5.1 Appointment of Chair
Executive Officer McCoy outlined the nomination and voting process.
Executive Officer McCoy called for nominations for the Chair for the
Advocacy Strategy Committee.
Trustee Presley nominated Trustee Aziz.
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Moved by Trustee Milburn,
THAT nominations be closed.
Carried
By acclamation, Executive Officer McCoy declared Trustee Aziz, Chair of
the Advocacy Strategy Committee.
6. Matters for Discussion:
6.1 Review of Mandate
Chair Aziz discussed the attached excerpt of the 23 April 2019 Board
recommendation. The Committee agreed to meet on a bi-monthly basis,
with the next meeting to occur in late June 2023.
The Committee resolved to bring forward a draft Terms of Reference at
the June 2023 meeting.
6.2 Report 23-031 Developing an Advocacy Strategy - Potential Initiatives
During a discussion, the following information was provided:
Initiatives for consideration may include environmental
sustainability, recycling, student transportation, and climate
change, and the recent motion related to composting was cited;
It was suggested that the Committee work with potential partners
within the City of Ottawa as a means to help offset the work in an
effort to bring “good will” to custodial staff;
It was noted that the Committee could work with educators to
implement the composting and recycling program as a means to
mitigate any negative impact and burden on staff;
It was suggested that a coordinated approach be taken to maintain
communication with the Ministry and municipal governments while
addressing environmental sustainability;
Staff advised that the goal of the Committee should be to create a
general advocacy mandate and process to implement advocacy
initiatives. In determining their role within a broader scope, staff
suggested that the Committee create three priority areas;
Trustees expressed interest in advocating potential initiatives to the
Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) and to reach
out to community partners and various government agencies;
Staff recommended that the Committee utilize three key initiatives
and develop an annual strategy for the Board. Staff made
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reference to the three areas identified as part of a recent
submission to the provincial government’s budget consultations
which were: capital planning, challenges associated with recruiting
and hiring staff for FSL programs, and executive compensation;
Staff recommended that the Committee develop its strategy with a
focus on target audiences and the types of activities it should
engage. Additionally, staff noted that the Committee can draw from
conversations that occur outside of the Committee meeting;
Areas of focus identified during the discussion included capital
funding, quality accessible childcare, autonomy of school boards
and relationship building;
The Committee members agreed to bring their top three ideas to
the June 2023 meeting; and
It was suggested that the Committee start with a focus on high
quality accessible child care, autonomy of school boards, and
relationship building; and
It was noted that work is already underway in working with City
counsellors on school safety, as well as building support and links
for mental health.
7. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 12:55 p.m.
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Alysha Aziz, Chair, Advocacy Strategy Committee