Vocate

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WELCOME MESSAGE

Who We Are 

The membership of Vocate includes all employees of Christian schools, from teachers to caretakers; from principals to finance managers to teacher assistants. This inclusive view recognizes the importance of each and every employee and the important part they play in the success of the school’s educational vision for supporting the growth of our children into Christ-followers.

Edifide > vocate - The new brand

New Name New Vision 

Vocate combines “advocate” and “vocation,” in recognition of both our main service (advocacy) and the area in which we do our work (employment at Christian schools).  The name also symbolizes that our members have a calling from the Lord in their chosen vocation, in service to Him and His children.

Overall Story

who we are

Company Profile

Since 1954, Vocate and its preceding organizations have supported employees of Christian schools.

With a unique combination of employment relations and education experience, our team works closely with our members and their local school to seek mutually positive outcomes.

Jonathan Schat, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR jonathan.schat@vocate.ca

Faith Boer, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT faith.boer@vocate.ca

Company Profile

HISTORY

Company Timeline 

1954
OCSTA Organized
Organized in 1954, OCSTA (or OCTA as it was first named) was begun to promote the profession of Christian school teacher by initiating discussions around the direction for Christian education and by encouraging the development of Christian curriculum.
1954
February 1964
First Full Day Convention
The first full day OCSTA convention was held in Hamilton on February 21, 1964.
February 1964
October 1964
Credentials Committe Established
Credentials Committee mandated to establish criteria for a Christian Teacher Certificate (now known as the Christian School Teacher’s Certificate). Today, this certificate has become a distinctive qualification for teachers in many Christians schools and is often a requirement for employment.
October 1964
November 1964
Convention, Constitution & Membership Fees
The next convention was a two-day event and took place on November 5 and 6, 1964. At this time, a constitution was adopted, a Board was elected and members started paying their fees.
November 1964
1988 - 2002
Hiring of First Executive Director
Hank Hultink was the first Executive Director of OCSTA.
1988 - 2002
2002-2007
Second Executive DIretor
June 2002, Hilda Roukema was hired as the Executive Director and filled that position till June 2007.
2002-2007
2007-2017
New Executive Director Hired
June 2007 Diane Stronks took on the role of Executive Director. She retired from this position in 2017.
2007-2017
2011
Organizational Name Change
In October, 2011 after 3 years of planning, strategizing and visioning, the Board has approved the change from the “Ontario Christian School Teachers Association” to “Edifide Christian Educators Association”. The working name would be Edifide.
2011
2015
Restructuring
Talks began to reorganize OACS (Ontario Association of Christian Schools), OCSAA (Ontario Christian School Administrators Association) and Edifide (Christian School Educators Association).
2015
2018
The 'New' Edifide
Edifide will reorganize into an inclusive employee organization that will represent teachers, educational assistants, administrative assistants, principals and any other employee of the Christian school.
2018
September 2018
Welcome Jonathan Schat
September 2018 we welcomed Jonathan Schat as the new Executive Director.
September 2018
2019
Brand Development for Organization
June 2019 the BOD met with a Capture Studio and approved to change the name of the organization to 'Vocate' Christian School Employees Association. From there began the process of brand development and design.
2019
2020
Introducing 'Vocate"
September 2020 was the launch of our newly branded organization including a new name, new logo, new website and new membership fee structure.
2020