HUMANITY FUND

The ETFO Humanity Fund has been supporting Crossroads International's Girls Empowerment Program. One participant had this to say: "To be a member of a girls' empowerment club changed my life. I now have more knowledge about abuse and the right way of reporting to responsible people...I also know about HIV and AIDS, how it is prevented, how it is spread."

Learn more about the program on the Crossroads International website.

OTPP NEWS

Three pension enhancements go into effect on January 1, 2018 for Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan members:

1. The contribution rate for active members will be reduced by 1.1%. This will save a maximum salary teacher almost $1000 per year.
2. Full inflation protection will be restored for pensioners who retired after 2009.
3. The early retirement reduction factor has been lowered in some cases for members who are age 50 plus when they cease employment in education after 2017.

VOICE MAGAZINE

Please watch your mailbox for the Winter issue of ETFO Voice magazine over the next few weeks. Your 2018 validation sticker is enclosed.

If you are a digital subscriber of the magazine, a sticker will be available from your school steward at the end of January.  

Digital subscribers on a board approved leave will have a sticker mailed to their home.

ONTARIO VOTES 2018

With unions no longer able to make donations to political parties because of changes to Ontario's election finances law, it is increasingly important for ETFO members to make a difference as individuals.

If you haven't already done so, ETFO encourages you to donate to the political party or parties of your choice before the end of December 2017.  The maximum annual donation to a provincial political party is $1,200. Any donation you make this year will be eligible for a significant tax credit when you file your 2017 tax return. For more information, please see this Ontario Ministry of Finance web page.

LEARNING EVENT

ETFO invites 28 First Nations, Métis and Inuit women members to participate in the third annual leadership gathering at the provincial office. 

The focus for this year's event will be: Speaking Up! Courageous Conversations about Oppression and Racism.

For more information, please see this flyer. Registration ends January 7 at 5 p.m.

MEMBER EXPENSES

ETFO now has access to Interac e-Transfer. This service enables us to send expense payments to any member with an email address and an account at a Canadian credit union or bank. The process is fast, convenient and secure. It's a great alternative to cheques, with no costs to members.

For more information, please login to EMS and click on the "Sign up for Interac e-Transfer payment service" event link.

FOR BEGINNING TEACHERS

Here are some recent blog posts available at HeartandArt.ca:

• Music Project by Kelly McLaughlin
• Math Instruction for Struggling Readers by Deborah Weston
• Kindness and Gratitude by Michelle Fenn
• Taking care of yourself in December by Tammy Axt
• Call the Cops by Will Gourley