ONTARIO CHAPLAINS ASSOCIATION

In the early 80’s, hospitals across the Province of Ontario and indeed across the Country where beginning to feel the financial crunch what became even more of a reality into the 90’s and beyond. The Ontario Hospital Association also found itself caught in the spiral of reduced financial resources. Consequentially in the mid 80’s OHA took action to change the status of its various Professional groups. With the disappearance of financial support what was known for many years as the “Chaplains Section” ceased to exist.

Out of the ashes emerged a new vision, which is continuing to evolve 19 years later. In 1985 a new organization was formed known as the ONTARIO CHAPLAINS ASSOCIATION with 93 charter members and the OHA designation of Allied Group. Forming a new organization without its former financial support meant establishing membership fees and a new constitution. This was accomplished at its annual meeting in late fall of 1985, in conjunction with the OHA annual fall convention.

“Allied Group designation by OHA grants OCA the privilege of organizing an event in conjunction with the annual fall OHA convention. In addition OHA provides gathering space at the Toronto Convention Centre (the venue for the fall OHA convention) and contributes financially toward the cost of program resources including personnel costs.

Early membership primarily included chaplains in health care facilities and a few other institutions. 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 1990’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 that 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.