DCFA Elections – Spring 2026
DCFA Elections – ANNOUNCEMENT OF ELECTION RESULTS
As announced at the AGM on April 30, the DCFA Table Officer election results are as follows:
Associate Steward (two-year term)
- Shelley Weisser (Biology) ACCLAIMED
Secretary-Treasurer (two-year term)
- Kurtis Formosa (Accounting)
- Rosilyn Teng (Economics) ELECTED
Vice-President Negotiations (two-year term)
- Devin Shaw (Philosophy) ACCLAIMED
The Elections Committee would like to thank the four candidates for standing for election and all members for participating in the election process.
A summary of the election results, including vote totals, is attached to this message. Detailed reports can be viewed by visiting the DCFA office or by contacting the Chair of the Elections Committee, Ryan O’Connor (oconnorr3@douglascollege.ca).
Candidate statements:
Candidate Statement for Associate Steward: Shelley Weisser (Biology)
My name is Shelley Weisser, and I am the current Associate Steward of the DCFA. I would appreciate your vote to continue in this position for a second term.
I have been a faculty member for 11 years and have served on many committees during that time. Importantly for this position, my 3-year role as the Biology Department Chair gave me experience and insight into effectively navigating a productive relationship with our administration. I was also the Science & Technology representative on the DCFA Executive Council for 4 years before being elected as Associate Steward. I have learned a lot about what this job entails, especially with these uncertain times. In these various roles, I have had the privilege of interacting with faculty members across numerous departments and have discovered that we all desire and deserve to be treated respectfully and provided the environment and opportunities outlined in our collective agreement.
With this experience, I would like to continue my work supporting our faculty. When I initially ran for this position, I had 3 main goals, and these have not changed. The first is to promote solidarity and engagement among our members. The second is to address any questions or concerns that our members might have about the collective agreement and assist in resolving workplace issues. Finally, I will stand with members who need representation through investigations, disciplinary issues, or to help facilitate any informal or formal grievance processes. Thank you for your continued support in these endeavours.
Candidate Statement for Secretary-Treasurer: Kurtis Formosa (Accounting)
I’m putting my name forward for the Secretary-Treasurer role because I believe I’m a strong fit — both in terms of background and the kind of contribution I want to make within the College.
Since joining Douglas in January 2023, I’ve looked for ways to get involved beyond teaching. Serving on the DCFA Finance Committee since December 2023 has given me insight into the financial and governance side of the Association, while chairing the CBA Healthy Workplace Committee has helped me build experience coordinating across groups and keeping initiatives moving collaboratively — something I see as just as important as the technical aspects of this role.
Professionally, I’m a CPA and previously worked as a Financial Controller, so financial reporting, budgeting, and internal controls are areas I’m very comfortable in. I’ve also served as Treasurer of a strata council, which provided hands-on experience with budgeting, record-keeping, and ensuring clear communication with stakeholders.
That combination — Finance Committee experience, professional accounting training, and direct treasurer experience — is why I feel confident stepping into this role. I value transparency and clear communication, and I’d be committed to making financial information accessible and understandable to members.
For transparency, I will be teaching in China during the Fall 2026 semester through the Douglas College–SUIBE partnership. During those 3.5 months, I would carry out all duties remotely and remain fully committed to meeting all responsibilities despite the time difference.
Candidate Statement for Secretary-Treasurer: Rosilyn Teng (Economics)
Dear Members,
I am writing to ask for your vote for the position of Secretary-Treasurer. I am committed to protecting our members rights and I am well suited to the role of Secretary Treasurer. Over the course of my 30 years at the College, I have served in the following positions with the Douglas College Faculty Association (DCFA).
Member of Operations and Finance Committee (current)
Member of the Bargaining Committee (current)
Alternate- Contract Committee for Commerce and Business Administration (CBA) (current)
Temporary Member at Large – back fill for the DCFA President (2022/2023)
Executive Council Member for CBA
Time release Committee and Structural Review Committee,
As a result of my participation in these committees and back filling for the DCFA president, I have an exceptional understanding of the operational needs of the Association. In my role as temporary member at large I participated in hiring our current Financial Coordinator. I have had the opportunity to work with our current Secretary Treasurer as a member of the Operations and Finance Committee. Additionally, I bring 30 years of institutional knowledge to the role. I have a collaborative approach to teamwork and look forward to serving our membership. Thank you for your consideration of my candidacy.
Candidate Statement for Vice-President Negotiations: Devin Shaw (Philosophy)
I am running for another term as VP Negotiations to see this round of bargaining to a successful conclusion. In addition, during this period of instability in post-secondary education, the DCFA needs an experienced negotiator to handle changes that could be coming to the provincial bargaining landscape.
I have worked at Douglas College since 2018 in the Department of Philosophy. I have served as a table officer since September 2021, primarily as VP Negotiations and, as the needs of the DCFA have required, Acting President. I also have stewardship experience, meaning that I have led grievances through the grievance and arbitration process. In my role as VP Negotiations, I led the bargaining team that negotiated the 2022–2025 Collective Agreement, which provided significant gains for our members.
In addition, I have represented the interests of our members at the provincial level in FPSE’s Presidents’ Council and I have chaired FPSE’s Bargaining Coordination Committee—which is a forum for the negotiators of 16 unions in our sector—for four years. (I was re-elected to chair that committee for another two-year term should I continue as VP Negotiations). At the provincial level, I will continue to advocate for stronger federation support for bargaining and planning in order to improve our position at the table
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CANDIDATES – April 9, 2026
- Associate Steward
- Secretary-Treasurer
- Vice-President Negotiations
Candidate Forum: April 16 from 2:00-3:00 pm
https://douglascollege-ca.zoom.us/j/65444694429?pwd=sNURh0RFOka5bU9l5wU4sfYcs84Q46.1
Meeting ID: 654 4469 4429
Passcode: 651932
Voting Period: April 27 – April 29
These DCFA Members have been nominated for the following positions:
Associate Steward (two-year term)
- Shelley Weisser (Biology)
Secretary-Treasurer (two-year term)
- Kurtis Formosa (Accounting)
- Rosilyn Teng (Economics)
Vice-President Negotiations (two-year term)
- Devin Shaw (Philosophy)
Faculty members who are eligible to vote will receive an email to their College email address with a link to the electronic ballot the morning of April 27. As per by-law 8.4.7, there will be a ratification vote for uncontested positions included on the same ballot.
Statements from the candidates are attached in order to aid in your decision. The Elections Committee will also host a Candidate Forum for the contested Associate Steward position on Thursday, April 16, from 2:00-3:00 pm; the forum will be held online via Zoom, using the meeting information listed above. All DCFA members are invited to attend the Forum and to ask questions; questions can be asked at the event or submitted in advance to Chair of the Elections Committee, Ryan O’Connor, at oconnorr3@douglascollege.ca.
If you are unable to attend the Candidate Forum, it will be recorded. Access to the recording will be shared with any DCFA member who requests it. To request access to the recording, or if you have any questions about the election process, please email the Chair of the Elections Committee, Ryan O’Connor, at oconnorr3@douglascollege.ca.
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS – Mar 19, 2026
Positions set for Election
- Vice-President Negotiations
- Secretary-Treasurer
- Associate Steward
Nominations Close: April 2 at 11:59 pm
Voting Period: April 27 – April 29
Article 8 of the DCFA Constitution & By-Laws sets out that elections for DCFA Table Officer positions will be staggered and held in alternating years. For 2026, the three positions listed above are set for election. Pursuant to Article 12.10 of the Constitution & By-Laws, the Elections Committee will administer these elections. As per Article 8.4.3 of the Constitution & By-Laws, the Elections Committee will be conducting these elections via secure online voting.
Nominations for all three positions are now open. A nomination form is attached to this email and can be found on the DCFA website at www.dcfa.ca.
Information about these positions and the election process can be found in the DCFA Constitution & By-Laws (Article 5 – Officers, Article 11 – Financial Operations, and Article 8 – Elections). The DCFA Constitution & By-Laws can be found on the DCFA website.
Filing a Nomination
Complete the attached nomination form and email it to the DCFA Elections Committee Chair, Ryan O’Connor, at oconnorr3@douglascollege.ca and to the DCFA Office Manager, Anne Swinton, at dcfaannes@gmail.com, by April 2 at 11:59 pm. Candidates may include a brief candidate statement that will be published on the DCFA website and circulated via email. This statement will not exceed 250 words.
The complete list of candidates will be announced by email and on the DCFA website on or before April 9.
For further information about the election process, please contact the Chair of the Elections Committee, Ryan O’Connor oconnorr3@douglascollege.ca