Editorial

ARA Season

Tim Johnston

To the consternation of some, preparations for each year’s Annual Representative Assembly (ARA) begin soon after the previous Assembly has concluded. Members of Provincial Executive Council and staff ramp up the process in September when the new budget is in force and the programs it nurtures are under way. But the need to carefully consider and plan what will be placed before members nine months down the line remains at the forefront of everyone’s thoughts. There is now less than a month to go until the 2005 ARA.

The Assembly, which alternates between Calgary and Edmonton, is the goal toward which our planning and creative thinking are directed. It is the place and time where input from many members comes -together to be shaped by informed debate into resolution and action. By the time ARA is held, Association groups and individuals have had opportunities to help Council develop policy and build the -budget. Locals receive advance copies of policy resolutions and a video outlining the proposed budget. The ATA’s Resolutions Committee guides proposed policy through an approval process for Council, and the Finance Committee does the spade work in costing out programs and actions that will keep the Association at the forefront of service to the profession.

Informing the members used to be more complicated, and probably less effective. I remember when we sent out teams consisting of a table officer, a district representative, a member of finance committee and a staff officer to enlighten the folk about our intentions. That was a hit and miss approach, because the process depended on delivering a consistent message, an objective that was often difficult to achieve. Differences in how things were understood were left to be sorted out on the floor of ARA.

We progressed from a paper-based discussion about the budget to a slide show, hoping that if everyone saw the very same presentation, everyone would arrive at the same understanding of what was being proposed. Veteran teachers, who sat through the two-hour slide-tape presentations, and who reviewed every page of the budget, may remember those times. I certainly do because I had to photograph the budget document, make the sound track and assemble sets of equipment for our teams of representatives, who were still obliged to roam the province. Moving to a 20-minute video production highlighting proposed deletions and additions has made life easier for everyone. No longer do ATA representatives travel to regional meetings. Local presidents take home videos and paper copies of the detailed proposed budget to share with members at their convenience.

We continue to improve how the Assembly conducts its business. Our communications channels are effective in letting members know what is being proposed and in providing ways to incorporate members’ views into the planning process.

Beautiful spring weather has arrived in Alberta, and a pull-out of the proposed budget is included in this issue of the ATA News. These are two of the harbingers that tell Alberta teachers ARA season is just around the corner.

I welcome your comments—contact me at tjohnston@teachers.ab.ca.