H&S InsigniaThe Ontario Federation of Home and School Associations
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Why Join OFHSA?

 

 

 

Member AssociationsLine


By joining OFHSA, member associations gain:

  • the right to join the OFHSA network, connecting and sharing with other members locally, across the province and across the country
  • the right and the confidence to speak on behalf of the parent members in their school, at the school, the school board and the provincial level
  • the right to have their input included in feedback to provincial partners
  • the right to determine policy for the Federation
  • the right to have their own separate bank account and signing authorities
  • the right to be covered by liability insurance, both inside the school and at outside venues
  • the right to set their own agendas and plan their own activities
  • the right to attend OFHSA workshops
  • the right to use OFHSA resources produced by members for members
  • the opportunity to be informed about health, safety, education and social well-being issues regarding children and youth

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Parents and GuardiansLine

 

With OFHSA Membership Parents Receive:


Opportunities to influence public policy

  • OFHSA representatives are invited to many policy-setting and decision-making tables
  • Members meet with government ministers and partner organizations
  • Through membership in the Canadian Home and School Federation, members attend national conferences, meet with members from other provinces and influence federal policy

Member Support

  • OFHSA can offer its members phone, e-mail and on-site support to deal with difficulties or concerns that arise

Annual Meeting

  • Members receive registration and accommodation at special rates for the Annual Meeting and Conference which is held in different locations around the province each year to set policy and direction for the Federation.  Voting rights are assigned based on the total number of members at the Association whose membership fees have been received in the OFHSA office as of December 31st.

Leadership Training

  • Training workshops and access to resources developed to support members in their volunteer jobs

Association Mailings

  • Sent to each association, containing information, helpful resources, timelines for activities and access to the work going on outside of the school

The OFHSA Bulletin, our print newsletter

  • Sent to each association for distribution to members.  Featuring articles about changes in education, pictures and articles sent in by members, news from the provincial level of the organization, reports on important meetings attended by the members and notices about new resources and training opportunities

Virtually Yours, OFHSA's electronic information newsletter

  • Featuring information from a wide variety of sources, of interest to parents, students and other stakeholders

Recognition Award Programs

  • Citizenship Awards to students from each of grades 5-12
  • OFHSA Educator Award
  • Col. R. S. McLaughlin Memorial Award for outstanding contributions to OFHSA
  • Recognition in the form of past-presidents' pins, Life Memberships in Associations, Home & School Councils, and the Federation
  • Trilliuim Award for work with the OFHSA Board of Directors
  • Ada Courtice Certificate of Leadership and Learning for completion of the Volunteer Skills Portfolio, a self-tracking resource to encourage leadership development and recognition of volunteer efforts

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Who Can be a Member?Line

 

  • Membership is open to all persons, 18 years of age and over, who are interested in the welfare of children and youth, and who subscribe to the purposes, beliefs and objectives of OFHSA.
  • Teachers, community members and family members who support the purposes, beliefs and objectives of OFHSA are welcome to join
  • Every member who joins an association shall automatically be a member of the Ontario Federation and the Canadian Home and School Federation
  • All members active in the Federation at every level are currently either members of a Home & School association, or are Alumni members of the Federation
  • Family membership shall be assumed to include two eligible individuals residing at the same address.

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Why is There a Fee?Line


Membership fees allow OFHSA to:

  • remain an independent voice for members
  • identify who supports OFHSA's purposes, beliefs, objectives and policies
  • speak as a credible voice for parents, supported by an identifiable membership
  • develop new policies from a grassroots base of members
  • set our own agenda for activities and advocacy
  • support parent involvement at the school, school board and provincial levels
  • carry the voice of members to educators and government ministers
  • remain accountable for all activity to the members

Membership fees cover:

  • the expenses of the organization (communication including this website, Virtually Yours and the OFHSA Bulletin; maintaining an office, one paid staff person, meeting expenses, office expenses, membership in and representation to CHSF)
  • member liability insurance
  • provision of member resources and training

Membership fees are $15 a year, per individual or family. This amount is determined by the Board of Directors and ratified by the members at the OFHSA Annual Meeting.

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