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Appendix A
Nechako Teachers’ Union Professional Development Policies
100 Accounting
101 Treasurer
i. The PD treasurer will keep a proper set of books of account of the NTU PD funds for the PD committee and for the Union, will have these books ready for inspection by the PD committee, or the NTU executive committee when requested, and will provide an oral report to the PD committee each PD meeting.
ii. The PD treasurer, under the direction of the PD chair, will be responsible for the processing of PD funding requests, PD billing, and PD accounts payable.
102 Signing Authority
i. Signing officers for PD accounts will be the PD chair, PD treasurer, the NTU treasurer, and the NTU president.
ii. Two signatures will be required on each cheque issued on behalf of the NTU PD committee.
200 PD Structures
i. The allocation of monies necessary to accommodate conference attendance by individuals, district/LSA/group events, summer institutes, and PD operational costs will annually be determined by the PD Committee at the first PD meeting of the year.
ii. PD monies will be allocated over four terms. Applications will be accepted all year. Term 1 will accommodate PD opportunities from September 15th to December 31st. Term 2 will accommodate PD opportunities from January 1st to March 31st. Term 3 will accommodate PD opportunities from April 1st until June 30th. Term 4 will accommodate PD requests from July 1st until school begins in September.
iii. The draw for each term will be the last day of school before the start of that term.
iv. Applications for PD funding must be received prior to each draw date.
300 Funding Guidelines
301 Funding Priority
i. Funding will be made available to members on a priority basis. Members who did not receive PD funding in the previous 5 years are to receive first priority in the receipt of PD funding. Those members who did receive PD funding in those years will receive PD funding, as funds remain available, after those members who were first priority. Priority will be based on the number of years since last receiving PD funding.
ii. Applications for PD funding must be received prior to draw date.
302 Funding Structure
i. Funding will be provided to individuals for PSA membership or attendance at a conference, seminar, (non-university credit) in-person/online course, or a webinar that provide professional development and enhance the practice of teaching in relation to their teaching assignment.
ii. Costs for attendance or enrollment at a conference, seminar, webinar or online course will be funded up to a maximum of $ 900.00 in any one year.
a) Included within that total are:
-Transportation costs
-Registration and fees
–Accommodation.
b) TTOC costs for one day are funded in addition to the PD funding of $ 900.00. Further TTOC costs for conference days may be funded if total costs will remain below the $900.00 maximum regardless, the use of PD funding for more than one TTOC day will require prior approval from the PD Chair.
c) Transportation costs include airfare, parking, bus, ferry, public transit, or taxi fares. For long distance trips, if travel is by car, the vehicle expenses must not exceed the cost of 3/4 economy fare air travel to the nearest airport. No extra TTOC time will be funded as the result of a decision to drive rather than fly.
d) Car rental costs are not covered without prior approval from the PD Chair. The NTU will not be responsible for any supplemental insurance for the collision deductibility.
e) If private accommodation is used, then funding of $30.00 per night will be provided.
f) Conference registration costs must be pre-paid by the individual attending. PD will not pre-pay conference registration costs.
iii. Original receipts (credit card receipts and/or statements alone are not acceptable) for all costs are required before reimbursement will be provided. Receipts must be submitted to the PD chair within 30 days of the conference dates so reimbursement may occur. Receipts must be made out in the name of the funding applicant. Shared receipts must show the names of all applicants sharing that cost. Note that the late submission of receipts ties up funding that would otherwise be available for other users. Please submit receipts on time.
400 PD Processes
401 Process for Application
i. Application forms are available on nechakoteachersunion.com website under “downloads”.
ii. Applications for each term are to be filled out and scanned/emailed to the PD committee chair. Applications will be considered up to the last day of school prior to the start of the term and a reply will be made that night. A lottery will occur if applications exceed the budget. Therefore, all applications must be received prior to the day the term begins.
iii. Applicants will receive notification from the PD Chair as to the status of their application.
402 Funding Approval
i. Approval of PD funding will be made as soon as practicable following receipt of an application for funding.
ii. Approvals made by the PD chair can be reviewed by a review sub-committee comprised of two members of the PD committee at the end of each funding term.
iii. The Review sub-committee will be elected from amongst, and by, the members of the PD Committee as needed.
403 Approval of Reimbursement
i. The PD chair and PD Treasurer will, as promptly as possible, approve and direct reimbursement after original receipts for a conference have been received.
ii. Decisions in this regard will be reviewed by the Review sub-committee comprised of two members of the PD committee as needed.
404 Appeal Process
i. Decisions made by the PD chair with regard to the approval of funding or of reimbursement may be appealed to the PD committee for their review and decision.
ii. The PD chair and the claimant, shall be asked to make a submission in support of their claims. Both parties will then be asked to leave the meeting, while determination is reached.
iii. Should dispute continue after appeal to the PD committee, then final appeal shall be to the NTU table officers, and their decision shall be final.
500 Policy Change
i. Any substantive change to PD funding policies must be agreed to by membership vote at an NTU General Meeting. Organizational and process changes shall need the agreement of the PD Committee only.