Provincial Executive Council

PEC representatives serve two-year terms, and the ATA conducts elections for PEC positions every two years. The term of office starts on July 1 of the election year. 

How to run in a PEC election

If you are an active or associate member of the ATA, you are eligible to run in a PEC election. Be sure to review the roles and responsibilities of PEC members and familiarize yourself with the time commitment.  

The ATA provides financial assistance to all candidates via a basic grant and travel expense coverage.

Information about running in the election is promoted widely across the Association during election years. Stay in touch with us by following our social media accounts and signing up for our email newsletter. 

• meet at least eight times each year and attend the Annual Representative Assembly (ARA);
• identify issues affecting teachers and the teaching profession by 
• maintaining ongoing contact with members;
  • serving on and liaising with internal and external committees, boards and specialist councils;
  • working with other education stakeholder organization and groups;
  • considering information and recommendations by ATA program areas, committees and representatives who serve on external boards, councils and committees; and
  • participating in meetings with government officials and staff; 
• work together to set objectives and priorities and develop high-level strategies for the ATA; 
• help draft the ATA budget and provide input on fees, which are then voted on at ARA; 
• serve on internal and external committees, specialist councils and teachers’ convention association boards;
• participate in professional development and any other activities required to meet the responsibilities of governing the teaching profession; and
• approve the hiring of ATA executive staff officers and executive secretaries. 

Regular monthly PEC meetings are scheduled during the day, typically on a Thursday and Friday. A portion of regular duties involves work that must occur after school hours and on weekends to accommodate teachers’ schedules and to attend events and meetings of ATA subgroups.

Through entering into agreements with school boards, the ATA ensures elected candidates have the release time they need to serve in their positions and attend or conduct PEC-related functions. The ATA negotiates full-time release for the president, and up to 100 days of release time for vice-presidents and district representatives. 

In addition to this release time, PEC members are provided with honoraria and are reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in attending Council meetings, and during other related duties and activities. 

To assist members of Council in their continued professional development, a PEC development fund provides for conference attendance and other educational activities relevant to the members’ responsibilities.

As part of their responsibilities as PEC members, district representatives 

• communicate to the ATA the views of teachers and ATA locals in their geographic district;
• represent specialist councils on matters requiring PEC action or decisions;
• familiarize themselves with the activities of ATA locals in their geographic district, communicating ATA policy and activities to those teachers; and
• attend events or activities hosted by ATA locals in their geographic district.

The Table Officers’ Committee (TOC) is made up of the current ATA president and vice-presidents who are elected by the entire membership, as well as the past president and the executive secretary. The committee meets throughout the school year. In addition to other duties, this group is responsible for meeting with 

• the minister of education, government standing committees, the official opposition and other opposition; and
• other educational stakeholders, such as the Alberta School Boards Association and the Alberta School Councils’ Association.

Additional responsibilities of the two ATA vice-presidents include (but are not limited to)

• alternating monthly as lead vice-president;
• serving on committees and, specifically, chairing either the ATA’s finance or resolutions committees;
• representing the ATA at local events; and
• supporting district representatives in communicating with members at the school level.

In addition to serving on PEC and the TOC, the ATA president also 

• chairs PEC and TOC;
• acts as an official spokesperson for the ATA;
• represents the ATA in dealings with provincial and national education stakeholders, for example, the Government of Alberta and the Canadian Teachers’ Federation;
• chairs the Teacher Salary Qualifications Board; and
• provides ongoing support to district representatives.