12. Election to and Removal from Office

  • 12.1 Elections
    • 12.1.1 Members are eligible for election to the executive and/or standing committees as permitted by the Constitution and/or PSTA Policy.
    • 12.1.2 A member may hold more than one position within the local.
    • 12.1.3 A member of the local will be elected by the general membership to the position of president prior to the general assembly meeting before July 1 of the first year of each term of office. The president shall be elected by secret ballot.
    • 12.1.4 Members of the local will be elected at a representative assembly meeting to the following positions prior to July 1 of each year:
      • (1) Vice-president
      • (2) STF councillors
      • (3) Local Implementation and Negotiation Committee
      • (4) Professional Development Committee
      • (5) Communication Committee
      • (6) Teacher Wellness Committee
    • 12.1.5 Members of the local will be elected by the specified schools or groups of members to the position of school staff liaison at or before school opening of each year.
    • 12.1.6 The procedure for elections shall be determined by the policies and guidelines.
    • 12.1.7 In circumstances where a representative assembly meeting for the purpose of electing Executive members cannot be held prior to the expiration of the term of office for Executive members, the members of the Executive, whose terms are set to expire, will have their terms of office extended until after the representative assembly meeting of the membership at which the regular election takes place.
  • 12.2 Substitutions and Vacancies
    • 12.2.1 A vacancy is defined as a resignation, removal from office or unfilled positions.
    • 12.2.2 In the event of an extended absence, the executive shall, if necessary, with all deliberate speed appoint a substitute for the position.
    • 12.2.3 In the event of an elected office other than councillor or school staff liaison becoming vacant, the executive shall with all deliberate speed appoint a successor for the remainder of that term of office.
    • 12.2.4 If a position of STF councillor or vice-president becomes vacant, the executive shall call for an election to fill the vacancy.
    • 12.2.5 If a duly elected councillor is unable to attend a meeting of the STF Council, the local association may appoint a replacement for the absent STF councillors and the president shall notify the STF executive director of the substitution prior to the opening day of the meeting of Council.
    • 12.2.6 If a position of school staff liaison becomes vacant, the designated school or area shall elect a replacement for the remainder of the term of office.
  • 12.3 Removal of Officers
    • 12.3.1 A member of the local association executive may be removed from office for:
      • (1) Behaving in a manner contrary to the codes and standards of the teaching profession.
      • (2) Conduct has resulted in such a negative effect so as to impede the work of the local association.
      • (3) Failing to carry out the duties of the office.
    • 12.3.2 The process for removal shall include the following:
      • (1) A notice of motion shall be presented to all association executive members at least three working days prior to an executive meeting.
      • (2) At the association executive meeting, a motion to remove the executive member must be presented and approved by at least 80 percent of the voting members present.
      • (3) An approved association executive motion to remove an officer requires approval by a simple majority at a General Assembly for the President or by a simple majority at a Representative Assembly for all other officers.
    • 12.3.3 The following conditions shall prevail in all proceedings related to removal from office:
      • (1) A notice of motion shall be presented to the association membership at least three full days ahead of the General Assembly in circumstances involving the president.
      • (2) A notice of motion shall be presented to the members of the representative assembly at least three full days ahead of the Representative Assembly in circumstances involving all officers except the president.
      • (3) An opportunity shall be provided to the subject representative(s) and to the mover of the motion to address both the association executive, General Assembly or Representative Assembly.
      • (4) No motion of the association executive to remove an association member from office shall stand for over 30 days without the calling of a General Assembly or Representative Assembly.

Updated: 2025-10-14