OFT members representing their local as delegates to the OFT Convention must register by Feb. 7. We are looking forward to this opportunity to engage with our leaders in some critical decision making and planning.
Convention is where delegates conduct business to set the union's policies and priorities for the future. This year we will focus on engaging members around important issues such as the Janus case seeking to dismantle unions, the upcoming STRS pension board election and the race for Ohio governor. Convention business will begin Thursday morning Feb. 22 and conclude Saturday morning Feb. 24 followed by an AFT Great Lakes Regional meeting the rest of Saturday morning and afternoon - all are welcome and local presidents are strongly encouraged to attend the regional meeting portion of the weekend. This will amplify our ability to strengthen our response to attacks as we move forward to protect our union and connect us tightly to national and regional strategies.
DEADLINES and payments:
- Full convention registration is $70. ($60 before Jan. 30)
- All delegates must be registered by Feb. 7, as required by the OFT Constitution.
- COPE breakfast contribution - $35 if postmarked by Jan. 30 and $40 if postmarked after. *** IMPORTANT: Payment for COPE tickets must be from COPE political accounts or personal checks from individuals and NOT from your local's general treasury funds. Make check PAYABLE to: Ohio Federation of Teachers Political Education Fund, 1251 E. Broad St. Columbus, OH 43205.
- All payments should be mailed to OFT, 1251 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43205.
All officer positions are up for election at convention (terms are two years). Nominations may be made from the floor during convention.
Convention will be held at the Hilton Polaris, 8700 Lyra Dr., Columbus OH 43240 (same location as 2016). Rooms in the OFT block are $149.12 (including taxes). The hotel room reservation deadline has passed.
Additional fees - Delegates who wish to bring guests may include them in the Feb. 22 or 23 continental breakfasts for $24 per person per day and the Feb. 23 awards banquet dinner for $61. Please provide the name of the delegate and the name of the guest when submitting payment - payment is due by Jan. 30 mailed to OFT.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The number of delegates per local is based on per capita payments for the AFT period ending Oct. 31, 2017. Your local's allotment of convention delegates is listed in the attached document. A separate registration form for each delegate is required.
Full refunds will be granted only for cancellations provided in writing and received at the OFT office no later than Feb. 12. Cancellations after that date will receive a 50 percent refund and no refunds will be granted for no-shows. If fees were not paid in advance, the local will be invoiced for the cancellation according to the above criteria.
For your convenience, drafts of resolutions and constitutional amendments have been emailed to your local president so that delegates can review them and come to convention informed and fully prepared to represent your members.
See a DRAFT agenda (please keep in mind that both schedule and activities may change).
If you have questions, please contact Lisa Zellner via email or call 614-258-3240.