Articles | Book Reviews | Education
Ontario Chaplains Association - A Call to Chaplains
Chaplaincy is facing urgent issues and we need to have a united voice. The problem has been that we chaplains tend to function independently unless and until we face a personal or corporate crisis. For most of us the struggle is just to keep up with the many demands on our time day to day. The immediacy of everyday tasks takes over our effective planning for our future. As a consequence, when times are difficult or our positions are threatened, we are left both with feelings of isolation and a sense of powerlessness. The answer is for us to unite.
In response to the question asked by many of us when circumstances are threatening: “Who speaks for the chaplains?” the Ontario Chaplains Association (OCA) has begun to restructure itself into a body that can meaningfully assume this role. As a first step, the OCA executive has been enlarged to include representatives from other than health care specialities. We have been listening to the urgent needs that chaplains see around them and want to be part of the solution. OCA is a body that advocates for chaplains.
OCA has restructured geographically as well. Eight areas have been identified, each of which will choose a representative whose responsibility is to facilitate interaction among area chaplains and to represent those chaplains and their concerns as an executive member of OCA. Another important step has been the development of definitions with regard to “chaplain” that not only permit the inclusion of all persons providing Spiritual & Religious Care but also recognize the unique training and role that distinguishes the professional chaplain.
The success of OCA’s efforts will depend upon whether or not we as chaplains are able to both recognize the need for a representative and supportive organization and are willing to commit ourselves to ensuring its success. In order that an assessment of the level of commitment on the part of Ontario chaplains to OCA can be made, please take time to respond to the attached questionnaire.
Depending upon whether or not you are already a member of OCA, the final measure of your commitment will be either a willingness to become more actively involved or a decision to join. Your response, along with that of other chaplains, will be critical in determining how the OCA can continue to serve as a viable organization.
On behalf of its members, I encourage you to give careful consideration to joining with us as part of the Ontario Chaplains Association. Together, we can do much to strengthen chaplaincy as we both support and “speak for chaplains” in Ontario. An opportunity for you to join OCA is provided as part of the attached questionnaire. Questions or responses can be addressed to me by e-mail at Fred.Boom@jus.gov.on.ca or by telephone at (416) 314-0810.
The Rev. Fred Boom, President
Ontario Chaplains Association 2003
A Brief Historical Overview
The Ontario Chaplains Association (OCA) was initially formed and supported by the Ontario Hospital Association of which it later became an Allied Group. The intended membership was chaplains in health care facilities. As time went on, membership was opened to chaplains in other areas of specialization, however, the majority of members continued to be from health care facilities.
In the mid 1980’s, in response to situations involving non-health care chaplains who were experiencing contract problems during which the question was often asked: “Who speaks for chaplains in these situations?”, a decision was made to attempt to enlarge the membership by actively encouraging chaplains from all areas of specialization to join the OCA. Membership remained static, however, with most members continuing to come from the health care area.
With the creation of the Ontario Multifaith Council for Spiritual & Religious Care [OMCSRC], OCA was invited to sit as a non-voting member of the council. The intent was that while OMCSRC’s mandate was to address the adequate and appropriate delivery of spiritual & religious care, OCA could effectively represent the issues and concerns of Ontario chaplains. This scenario, however,never fulfilled its potential since the membership of the OCA did not increase to the point it could claim to be a spokesperson for chaplains.
Over the ensuing years, attempts on the part of OCA to organize chaplains met with little success. Membership remained static which limited the role and effectiveness of the organization. Due to the withdrawal of funds caused by budgetary limitations faced by institutions, fewer and fewer chaplains were able to attend the annual meeting of OCA which was always held in Toronto with the result the membership began to feel less and less connected.
Contract problems involving Ontario Correctional Chaplains followed by the re-structuring of hospitals led to a sense of insecurity on the part of many chaplains. Once again the question was asked: “Who speaks for us?”
In the late 1990’s, a concerted effort was made to create a Professional Chaplains Association that could effectively speak for all Ontario Chaplains. After discussions with the Canadian Association for Pastoral Practice and Education [CAPPE] and with OMCSRC and after many attempts at working together, it became evident that a new organization would not be formed. As a result the OCA made the decision to attempt to attain at least some of the goals of a Professional Chaplains Association as a starting point, by:
- enlarging the membership of OCA,
- including chaplains from other speciality areas,
- recruiting area representatives who would also be members of the executive,
- developing standards/definitions for chaplaincy,
- creating a web-site,
- encouraging on-going education and
- creating a process by which chaplains with concerns or needs could be represented and supported by OCA.
These goals were encouraged by OMCSRC which generously supported OCA in its efforts. After some initial discussions, CAPPE chose to withdraw from further conversation with OCA. Proceeding on its own, OCA succeeded in:
- developing meaningful and inclusive definitions for chaplains,
- recruiting several area representatives,
- including non-health-care chaplains on the executive,
- establishing a process by which chaplains can be represented around important issues or in times of uncertainty or crisis.
What has not happened to date includes:
- a growth in membership from among health care chaplains,
- a growth in membership from among other chaplaincy specialities,
- a web-site is not yet functioning,
- organization of members within specified areas has not taken place.
In spite of the above efforts on the part of the OCA, to date and for many reasons, the majority of Ontario chaplains have chosen to not make a commitment to OCA as the organization that can best address their needs and speak for them when representation and support is required. As a result, the executive of the OCA is faced with the task of realistically reviewing the history and goals of OCA in order to determine the future of the organization and its place in the life of Ontario chaplains. That process begins with the accompanying cover letter and questionnaire. As a concerned chaplain, please take the time to both read the letter and complete the questionnaire. Your interest and participation is both needed and appreciated.
OCA Questionnaire (.pdf format)
Posted by editor on October 3, 2003 09:44 AM