Click on the photo to the left to link to the entire 12th Annual Convention photo gallery.
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12th Annual OPFFA Convention Coverage
Daily summaries provided by OPFFA Secretary-Treasurer, Barry Quinn
DAY 1 - MONDAY JUNE 1
Monday June 1st saw the opening day of the 12th Annual Convention with delegates, spouses, and guests from all across Ontario coming together in Guelph.
The registration desk opened for business at 09:00, welcoming the participants and distributing the convention materials. The Guelph Professional Fire Fighters Association, who are sponsoring this years event, were also on hand to assist in meeting their visitors needs and provided each arriving guest with treasures they will be taking home to mark the event.
The opening session at 03:00 laid out the "Rules of Debate" as well as other guidelines that the delegates will utilize this week as the business of the Association moves forward. The Credentials Committee reported that there were 127 delegates, 41 significant others, 3 guests and 10 OPFFA officers in attendance thus far.
After a short break following the opening session, delegates and their spouses re-assembled in the main ballroom to partake in the annual Memorial Service which honours those members who have passed since our last gathering. This year there were 81 retirees, 8 active, and 8 Line Of Duty Deaths honoured.
National Anthems were sung by Ms. Fiona Douglas and then wreaths were laid by President, Colin Hunter, on behalf of the host local, President, Fred LeBlanc, on behalf of the OPFFA, and 13th District Vice President, Bruce Carpenter, on behalf of the IAFF.
Of special mention during the Memorial Service was the passing of Brother George Ireland. Brother Ireland passed away on October 10, 2008. George served this Association as District Vice President and President, and was a true leader in every sense of the word.
Please click here to view a special tribute to Brother Ireland.
Immediately following the Memorial Service, the Opening Ceremony commenced with welcoming remarks from the Guelph Professional Fire Fighters Association President, Colin Hunter, Guelph Fire Chief, Shawn Armstrong, MPP for Guelph-Wellington, Liz Sandals, and a final opening address from OPFFA President, Fred LeBlanc.
Once these two ceremonies were complete, it was time to take the traditional "Convention Group Photo". Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperating and the plan for an outside photo would ultimately have to be replaced with an indoor photo within the lobby of the convention hotel.
The first day wrapped-up with a well attended social gathering, hosted by the Guelph PFFA, enabling attendees to mingle, renew old friendships and establish new relationships.
All-in-all, a successful first day at the 12th Annual OPFFA Convention.
DAY 2 - TUESDAY JUNE 2
Day 2 of the 12th Annual Convention saw the delegates consider various resolutions that had been assigned to their committees. This year 3 committees were struck by President LeBlanc – Constitution and Law, Ways and Means, and Resolutions. After the delegates decide the disposition of the resolutions they are then put before the entire delegation for final direction.
The following is a very brief outline of the Terms of reference of those established committees:
Constitution and Law deals with resolutions that require a change to our Constitution and/or have a potential dollar figure attached to the resolve.
Ways and Means deals with the financial aspects of the organization except the budget which is assigned to Constitution and Law. This committee also reviews the auditors report and the various accounts we have forming the financial framework.
Resolutions deals with any topic the has direction for the organization but no financial impact.
Day 2 is also the day in which the organization holds our formal banquet. The OPFFA takes this opportunity to recognize the recipients of the OPFFA Awards. The criteria and brief description of these awards can be found by clicking on the Members Awards” menu on the left side of this site.
The recipients of the awards are as follows:
Daryl Stephenson was presented with the Patrick J DeFazio Award
Randy Petrie was the recipient for the Ed Hothersall Award
Dave Hanley received the Joe Adamkowski award
There were other members recognized for their contributions in other areas and/or agencies:
Former Executive Vice President Brian George was recognized by Muscular Dystrophy Canada for his role in re-establishing the right of our Locals to perform their boot drive campaigns. Brother George was also recognized by the OPFFA for his years of dedication to fire fighters issues.
Former District Vice President Jim Byatt was also recognized by the OPFFA for his tireless work representing fire fighters for over 10 years as a District Vice President.
Toronto Fire Fighter Kevin Ashfield was recognized the Burn Victim Survivors Foundation for his many hours spent assisting the Foundation with its’ awareness campaign over the years. Kevin also sits as a director and, through the use of his many contacts, still assists the Foundation whenever possible.
Congratulations to all the recipients, you are examples of what fire fighters truly are and you display the commitment we have to the communities we protect.
The Honorable Rick Bartolucci (Minister of Community and Correctional Services) was the keynote speaker at the event. The Minister, who is no stranger to fire fighters gatherings, brought greetings and best wishes from the Premier’s office. He offered the guests many antidotes as he moved through a compelling speech. The highlight of his address was the announcement that the Liberal Government was contributing a further fifty thousand dollars to the Memorial Restoration project which brought everyone to their feet for a thunderous ovation.
The fire fighters in the Province of Ontario thank the government for their support while we rebuild our tribute to the fallen.
The evening closed out with singing and dancing courtesy of the Guelph Professional Fire Fighters Association.
DAY 3 - WEDNESDAY JUNE 3
Day three saw the Delegates gather in plenary session to deal with the resolutions which plot the future business of our Association, not only for the coming year but well into the future as well.
These sessions are the principle function of the Convention. Each delegate, as representatives of their specific Local, is afforded an opportunity to openly debate the merits of the resolutions before them. Concerns of the possible and likely impacts of our chosen direction are fleshed out and debated to ensure that everyone present has a clear and concise understanding of the course of action the Organization is adopting. In essence, the way we do business within and abroad is decided in these sessions.
The process is laid out and guided through Roberts Rules of Order. Each resolution is brought forward by the Chair of the Committee to which the original resolution was assigned. The Secretary of that committee announces to the floor the "Resolves(s)" of the resolution; the Chair reveals the recommendation of the committee, and; President LeBlanc (who is the chairperson of the entire proceedings) puts the resolution before the delegates for their consideration. Sponsors of the various resolutions then put before the floor the reasoning driving their submission. Those wishing to speak to the topic can then voice their concurrence or opposition. Dependant on the impact on the organization, the voting process is one of a show of hands or a "calling of the role," in which each Local has a predetermined number of votes to cast based on the number of members in that particular Local. Once the resolution’s destiny has been decided, it becomes part of the organization’s overall strategic plan and is discharged as determined by the resolution. This entire process is one of the fundamental cornerstones contained within our democratic process. A more comprehensive description of the resolutions resolves will be forthcoming.
When the sessions closed, the delegates, alternates, spouses, and guests were treated to a banquet held at the Victoria Park Golf Club, sponsored by the City of Guelph. Guelph Fire Chief, Shawn Armstrong, welcomed everyone on behalf of the City. We were also addressed by President LeBlanc and Colin Hunter (President of the host Local). This event afforded the attendees to mingle in an atmosphere of comradeship, mixed in with renewals of new and long standing friendship. Congratulations to the City of Guelph on a very well received event.
The convention participants then returned to the host hotel to enjoy an evening of entertainment provided by the very talented, "Shania Twin". It was obvious by the representatives’ participation in the entertainment, that everyone enjoyed themselves.
DAY 4 - THURSDAY JUNE 4
The final day of our 12th Annual Convention in Guelph brought together all of the attendees for the final business session and the closing ceremonies.
A final report on the attendees showed that we had on-hand: 128 delegates, 1 alternate delegate, 10 officers of the OPFFA, 41 significant others and 3 guests.
First on the order of the day, was an address from Harold Schaitberger, General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). Before making his way to the podium, he conversed with on-duty City of Guelph Fire Fighters, offering his appreciation for what they do on a daily basis to protect the public they serve.
President Schaitberger, uninhibited by the fact that his personal luggage was still making a round-about tour of certain States and Provinces some 6 hours behind him, spoke to the gathering in a passionate and gripping manner. He congratulated and thanked those members present for forming the leadership within the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association, stressing that they are not always favoured by those whom we represent, yet we continue to move forward, ensuring that those we represent have the protection and tools to perform our duties in a proficient and effective manner. He then turned his attention toward the significant others of the delegates in attendance. Offering his profound thanks, he stressed that without their understanding of the importance of the work your representatives do, and allowing the time away from family obligations, we would not find ourselves in a position which both the IAFF and the OPFFA currently enjoy.
Speaking in broader terms, Schaitberger encapsulated the many milestones which fire fighters have achieved, in as small a timeframe as ten years. Citing presumptive legislation, hazardous materials response training provided through a grant program of the Canadian Government and delivered by the IAFF, and the highly respected relationship which we have built with other stakeholders; he emphasized the importance of political action. Affording elected officials the opportunity to participate in programs such as Fire Ops 101 - which takes the decision makers through live fire fighting evolutions - can not be overemphasized. Only when they are educated and experience what is involved with the delivery of the services we provide can they truly appreciate and understand the considerations we make of them.
In closing, he explained how the current economic times are affecting Locals, both above and below the 49th parallel. Stressing the point that strong unionism has guided us through circumstances similar to these in the past; that we need, as a body, to unite together to ride this down-turn and resolve to exit this episode stronger than before. President Schaitberger minced no words in stressing that we can not tolerate losing staff during these times, emphasizing that we can not compromise the safety of the public or our membership by allowing decision makers to remove staffing from the rigs to satisfy budget pressures. The services which fire fighters provide to the public, that are not offered by others, would create service gaps with cuts to first line responders.
Before departing, President Schaitberger again acknowledged the leadership and dedication of the representatives gathered and committed the resources of the IAFF, to assist the membership that we serve, to move through the current economic climate.
President LeBlanc then turned the attention of those gathered to the final stages of the Convention. Asking for the Guelph Convention Committee to step forward and be recognized, they were greeted by a very well deserved standing ovation by the attendees. It is no small feat to provide the service which the Guelph Local provided for us during our time with them. Congratulations to the committee, those who worked behind the scenes, and to those who allowed committee members the time to execute a truly remarkable, flawless and memorable convention.
At the conclusion of each Convention, the gavel used by the Chairperson is passed to the President of the host Local. President LeBlanc called upon Colin Hunter, President of the Guelph Association, for the ceremonial passing of the gavel, followed by the closing ritual. And with that, another tremendously successful and memorable OPFFA convention officially ended.
It is somewhat saddening at the closing of the event as you watch the participants bid farewell to old and newly established friendships. Some see each other via OPFFA functions throughout the upcoming year, but some will wait to be reunited at next year’s event in Collingwood.
Congratulations to every participant this last week.
THE 14TH ANNUAL OPFFA CONVENTION
WILL BE HELD IN OTTAWA IN 2011!