By Rick Guenther

The 40,000 or so teachers who constitute the B.C. Teachers' Federation are, in some respects, as diverse as the geography of this province. Our personal, professional, and yes, even our political perspectives vary. However, we are unified by the collective purpose of public education, that of creating environments in which our students can grow socially and academically into responsible citizens.

I believe that the organization representing teachers should reflect the democratic ideals that we expect our students to hold dear. And, those democratic ideals should include a vigorous electoral system. While elections for member-at-large positions on the BCTF executive are regularly contested, for a decade the leadership positions have been determined by acclamation.

Succession has replaced election, with candidates following the path determined by the faction in which they are members. Who benefits when alternative perspectives are absent? In healthy democracies debate informs and encourages thoughtful decisions to the benefit of all.

And so, I have offered my candidacy for the leadership of the BCTF.

With many years of classroom experience and union activism under my belt I am confident that I can meet the demands of the role. My support for the social justice and international commitments of the BCTF are a matter of record and I fervently believe that we must be more than just a union.

My platform weaves around the themes of communication, professionalism, and governance. Teachers, as individuals, enjoy high regard from the public. I believe that the BCTF, as an organization, should also enjoy that high regard.

While our role as a union is vitally important to the working lives of our members, we should also be seen as the credible, trusted, and professional voice for public education. We certainly have the expertise and experience to support that goal.

While we are well respected by other organizations, such as those engaged in the pursuit of social justice, and by teachers in other countries, I believe that we need to improve our relationships with groups that are more directly involved in public-education governance and policy making. And better communication can improve those relationships.

Opportunities to engage in respectful conversations with government, parent groups, administrator groups, and representatives of other bodies with interests in public education need to be created and seized. Authentic conversations, in which both sides articulate views and actively listen, can only benefit the parties. Even if common ground cannot be found, and there is simply an agreement to disagree, the dialogue promotes better mutual understanding.

It is no understatement to say that we, as an organization, are currently experiencing some problems and I have been told that “now is not the right time” to run for BCTF leadership. If now is not the time, when is?

Should we only exercise democracy when everything is going well, when the climate is stable and beneficial to our needs? Under those conditions I would expect similar claims, that elections are not required or that leadership changes need not be considered.

Should any assertion that an election is inappropriate be viewed as a statement that democracy is contingent on circumstances? If so, then undemocratic rule is considered acceptable and rule by oligarchy, in which leadership is seen as an entitlement decided by a small group rather than the general membership, becomes the norm. Leadership choice is reduced to mere succession, something imposed on the membership.

I would argue that now, when circumstances are problematic for our organization, is the best time to consider leadership alternatives. This is the best time to reflect on where we have been, where we are now, and, most importantly, where we wish to be as the BCTF.

I invite you to engage in the conversation on my Facebook page.

Rick Guenther is former president of the Abbotsford Teachers' Association.