By Pat Isaak

The changing face of our organization

As I write this we are just a few weeks away from our Annual General Meeting.  That means a chance to see many familiar faces and say hello to a lot of old friends.  Increasingly though, our AGM’s have also been a chance to meet the new faces of our membership.

The demographics for teachers are the same as for every other profession.  As a group, we’re getting older.  Many of the teacher-leaders who have led us through past decades are beginning to give way to a new generation – a generation that brings with them new found energy, enthusiasm, and perspectives.

I’ve always thought that we will be judged not only on the caliber of the work we do ourselves, but on how well we prepare those who will take our place.  It is not enough to tell our younger members they can come out and get involved.  We need to actively encourage them.  We need to nurture their skills, mentor them unselfishly and protect them from the political battering that results in so many of them turning their backs on their own organization.  In many local associations the results of this approach are increasingly evident. 

In my travels around Manitoba I’ve met a growing number of the newest generation of teacher-leader.  They are ceaselessly passionate about our profession. They are committed to the idea defending, protecting and supporting teachers and public schools.  They are unfailingly bright, hardworking, and in some cases, impatient for our organization to consider not only pensions and ERIP’s, but also the needs of teachers at the beginning of their career.

These are exceptional people, and we have a responsibility to not only nurture their passion, but to give it voice.  To not only recognize their potential, but to give it flight.  To generously make room for a generation awaiting its turn.

The Society has a glorious history.  It’s one of collective action.  Of standing together and supporting each other.  It’s the story of injustices fought, sacrifices made and battles won.  We need to tell those stories.  And we need to build not only our part of the MTS history, but the foundations that will allow the next generation of teachers to build theirs.

Hats off to those local associations who are not only inviting the newest generation of teachers to come out and get involved, but encouraging, supporting and even pushing them to the head of the line.  Providing them with the opportunities and assistance they need to take up the vision and work of our organization.

Nothing happens by accident.  Our victories were not given to us.  And the future will be the same.  A new generation of leadership will not appear magically out of thin air.  It will grow and develop only with our support. 

I look forward to hearing the voices of this new generation at our AGM.  And I look forward to the chorus of those voices growing in future years.