Professional Development Funds

OSSTF D25 Occasional Teachers' Bargaining Unit is pleased to offer members up to $300 for eligible opportunities completed in the current federation year (July 1st- June 30th). Members may now apply for pre-approval for the funding on a pre-approval form, with funds being sent out after receiving proper documentation. The terms and conditions for this funding are:

1. Eligibility:

   • Professional development (PD) certificates

   • Education conferences (e.g. OAME, STAO, ONABSE, Love of Reading, Literacy Learning Conference)

   • Additional Qualification (AQ) courses or Additional Basic Qualification (ABQ) courses

   • First Aid, mental health, equity, or coaching training

   • Travel expenses (mileage, accommodation, air or train tickets)

   • Other, special requests send to the email of Vice-President Educational Services of D25 OTBU

2. Not-Eligible:

   • Professional Development (PD) offered by the Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB)

   • Principal Qualifications Program (PQP) courses

   • Release time

   • Payment in excess of funds from other sources, exceeding the expense incurred

   • Books, e-books and other materials that are not required for the PD opportunity

3. Requirements for Application:

• Current active member of the OSSTF D25 OTBU 

  • • You must have worked for a secondary school in the OCDSB within the last 90 days of the completion of your PD opportunity.

• Confirmation of completion when applicable

  • • This document must include your name, the name of the organization, and the date of completion.

• Receipt of payment from the institution

  • • This document must include your name, itemized cost, method of payment, and the date of payment.

• Full disclosure: The member will disclose any other funding they have received or plan to receive for the professional development opportunity.

  • • The OTBU PD Funding will be adjusted to ensure total funding does not exceed the out-of-pocket costs for the PD opportunity.

• OSSTF Membership Number

4. *New* Requirements for Pre-approval:

   • Applications for pre-approval may only be made within 3 months from the start date of the PD opportunity.

     1. • E.g. You may not apply for pre-approval in October for a PD opportunity occurring in May.

   • You must fill out the "Pre-Approval for PD Funds - Application"

5. Limits for the current Federation year (2025-2026): 

   • The distribution of funds will be split between Semester 1 (July 1 - Feb 1) and Semester 2 (Feb 2 - June 30). Any unused funds in Semester 1 will be carried into Semester 2. 

   • Documentation must be submitted within 1 month of completion of the PD opportunity.

   • A waiting list will be kept in case there are any unused funds or any pre-approved funds are not claimed for the semester.

   • PD opportunities must be completed on or before June 30.

Checklist of what you need to complete for the application to be processed:

• Professional Development Funds - Application

• Financial Statement

• All applicable receipts and certificate of completion with your name and applicable dates.