Guidelines for District 12 OSSTF Electronic Conferences
The District 12 OSSTF Conferencing system is only open to members of District 12 who register online with their full name, e-mail address, name of workplace (if applicable), and OSSTF number. Opinions expressed in District 12 OSSTF conferences are those of the individual participants and are not to be interpreted as official policy for the district.Purpose
District 12 electronic conferencing has been set up to facilitate communications between members of District 12. Any member of District 12 may participate in these conferences by registering online and by posting topics for discussions, responding to postings, or simply making announcements about items that would be relevant to OSSTF members. District 12 conferencing is separate from the school board conferencing system and is meant to be a "secure" area for OSSTF members to exchange ideas and to debate issues.
Responsibilities of Participants
Participants should ensure that their behaviour is consistent with The Constitution, Bylaws and Policies of the Ontario Secondary School Teacher's Federation - particularly Bylaw 3.3, "The member's professional conduct should be characterized by courtesy and good faith, and should imply the obligation to refrain from public criticism of the member's colleagues."
Members are reminded to present their opinions in a respectful manner and to respect the rights of others to hold dissenting views.
Members are responsible for protecting the privacy of their accounts. Members are not permitted to share accounts with another person. Members must maintain the confidentiality of their passwords and change them on a regular basis.
Members are cautioned to think carefully before posting any comments that might be construed as libelous to any individual (libel - publication of a false statement damaging to a person's reputation).
Disciplinary Procedures for violations of District 12 Conferencing Policies
Violations of the above responsibilities will be disciplined in a progressive manner by means of one or more of the following:
1. Warning to the member;
2. Deletion of member's postings;
3. Monitoring of member's postings;
4. Temporary suspension of access to conferences;
5. Complete removal of conference privileges.
Appeals
Any member who is disciplined may appeal to the Communications Committee of District 12.
Appeals must be submitted in writing to the chair of the Communications Committee. Appeals will be dealt with at the regularly scheduled Communications Committee meeting. The appellant will be informed of the decision of the Committee immediately after the meeting.
