Inaugural Exemplary District Award winners honoured at Fall Forum

The work of our districts on the ground is a huge part of turning RTOERO’s vision and mission into practice. Every day, our 51 districts make our objectives a reality through the commitment of their members and their range of local events, programs and services.

To honour these efforts, the Board created the Exemplary District Awards. These are divided into the categories of small district (749 or fewer members), medium district (750-1,999 members) and large district (2,000 and more members).

We’re pleased to congratulate the inaugural winners, which we’re recognizing at this year’s Fall Forum in Toronto on Oct. 22-23):

• District 12 Norfolk – small district;
• District 3 Algoma – medium district; and
• District 16 City of Toronto – large district.

The awards are based on the districts’ alignment with RTOERO’s strategic goals (be the trusted voice of the broader education community, improve the lives of members and seniors, broaden the membership base) and values (accountability, community connection, giving back/making a difference, inclusion, leadership/vision, service to members, well-being).

For this first year, an ad hoc committee evaluated applicants using this rubric. In subsequent years, an adjudicating awards committee will select recipients, and will be comprised of the president of the previous year’s winning districts (or their chosen representative), chaired by a Board liaison and supported by staff.

The winning districts were cited for their particularly strong efforts in areas like political advocacy activities, social events and outings, and member communications.

We also want to give honourable mentions to the 15 other districts that were under consideration for the awards:

• Small category – District 26 Kenora, District 32 Prescott-Russell, District 37 Oxford, District 49 The Prairies and District 50 Atlantic;
• Medium category – District 9 Huron-Perth, District 10 Bruce Grey & Dufferin, District 20 Frontenac Lennox & Addington, District 36 Peterborough, District 42 Mainland British Columbia; and
• Large category – District 11 Waterloo Region, District 13 Hamilton-Wentworth & Haldimand, District 17 Simcoe County, District 23 North York, District 27 Ottawa-Carleton.

Thanks to all who took part in the process, and to our districts for showing what it means to be truly exemplary for the sake of our members and our mission.