Want to meet some of the amazing Professional Home Economists featured in the Through the Years Series?
Make sure to register for OHEA annual conference. This year the conference is being held at Brescia University College on March 23, 2019. For more information, visit the OHEA Conference website.​

About Maria Depenweiller, P.H.Ec.
I am a Ryerson University graduate from Foods and Nutrition program. After graduation, I have worked for several companies in food and nutraceutical industries before starting my own business.
 
I became an Ontario Home Economics Association (OHEA) member in my final years of studies, attracted by the OHEA Newslink pamphlets that were always present in our faculty office. ​

Cindy Hartman, P.H.Ec., continually gives back to students and her alma mater through mentoring. She has mentored multiple students over the years and was recognized by Brescia University College in their Brescia BOLD Winter 2019 magazine. 

A graduate of Brescia's Class of 1996, Cindy Hartman is profiled in the latest issue of Brescia BOLD on page 11. Congratulations Cindy!

CALLING ALL MEMBERS

Click HERE to complete the survey.

We’ve noticed our branding is vague. As we enter into our 40 years as an association, we want to portray a strong brand to the public that you are continually confident in and can explain who you are as a current or aspiring Professional Home Economist (P.H.Ec.). To do this, we need your help.

To better define our mission, vision and values, we need to understand what is important to you, our members of ALL categories, when talking about OHEA and the profession of Home Economics. We encourage you to share your voice, opinions and help shape the next 40 years by completing our survey.

There are 12 questions and the survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. The answers are anonymous and will be kept confidential. We strongly encourage honest, constructive feedback. This information will be used to help advance the association. Click HERE to complete the survey.

The survey will be available until January 31, 2019. If you have any questions or concerns about the survey, please contact Rachelle Provost, VP Communications, at rachelleleighprovost.4@gmail.com.

As the Ontario Home Economics Association (OHEA) enters into our 40th year, we want to celebrate your experiences and accomplishments.

We are looking for members to submit photos from OHEA Annual General Meetings (AGM), conferences, events, branch association events and with other members. We want to share our P.H.Ec. pride. These photos will be used on social media, for blog posts or posters throughout the year. 

Want to submit a photo? Email Tamara Saslove or Rachelle Provost. 

We would like to wish all of our members and their families, our partners and supporters a wonderful holiday season and a very happy New Year from the Ontario Home Economics Association (OHEA).

We look forward to seeing the wonderful accomplishments you achieve in 2019 and experiencing OHEA's 40th year with you. 

​Food Literacy matters because “everyday food practices matter”. These were the words of Dr. Gwen Chapman, an opening speaker at the 2018 Nutrition Resource Centre Forum: Unpacking Food Literacy. The forum was held on November 15 at the Chestnut Convention Centre in Toronto. 

Fanjing (Lydia) Lu gives a reflection of the OHEA leadership workshop on November 17, 2018 held at Brescia University College in London, Ontario.

By: Dr. June Matthews, PhD, RD, P.H.Ec., OHEA President

Many professional associations are desperately looking for members to serve on their Boards. The Ontario Home Economics Association (OHEA) is no exception. Every year, it is a challenge to fill Executive and Board positions.

​To address this situation, Cathy Enright, P.H.Ec., and Dr. June Matthews, RD, P.H.Ec., submitted a grant application to the Canadian Home Economics Foundation (CHEF) to host a workshop on board governance. The $1000 Doris Badir Leadership Award they received was used to support a Leadership Workshop at Brescia University College on November 17, 2018. 

Cathy Enright, P.H.Ec. and Fellow in Board Governance from the Canadian Board Diversity Council, provided dozens of practical suggestions for best practices when choosing a Board. She explained the discipline and structure of Board governance, and helped participants develop a Board-friendly resume and interview ‘pitch’. She supported her valuable advice through fascinating real-life case studies.  

Cailin Whincop, P.H.Ec., Stewardship Coordinator for Girls Inc. of Durham, highlighted how Home Economics is embedded in the mission of many non-profit organizations. She described the advantages and challenges of working in this sector, reminding participants that they will gain more skills by working through challenges! She also guided participants through a personal ‘thinking style’ test.

​Ken Whitehurst, Executive Director of the Consumers Council of Canada, discussed how Home Economists helped create the consumer movement in Canada. He described the many ways in which the Council has been successful in advocating for consumers. Despite little funding, these volunteers work tirelessly on behalf of consumers. Unfortunately, the public takes for granted that this consumer protection “just happens”. Some current areas of concern include high-interest lending, e-commerce practices, and energy efficiency in the home.

Stacy Oleksy, P.H.Ec., Director of Education and Community Awareness at the Credit Counselling Society, delivered a powerful talk on leadership. Her light-hearted and practical tips for success were well-received by the audience. The interactive nature of her presentation allowed participants to gain a deeper understanding of how to overcome challenging situations in their personal and professional lives.

Dharshi Lacey, Director of Diversity & Governance at Pillar Non-profit Network, outlined the many ways in which this innovative organization provides support to hundreds of non-profits, social enterprises, and social innovators in the community.

​Lacey directed participants to Pillar's website for information on events, volunteer positions, and job opportunities. Dharshi also provided a valuable tip on a local program that matches students to a non-profit board, where they can serve as a non-voting member and learn more about non-profit governance.

Many people are not aware of the benefits and responsibilities associated with Board governance, the ways in which they can influence professional associations/ non-profit organizations, or even the process of being appointed to a Board. OHEA’s Leadership Workshop addressed this gap!
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OHEA acknowledges, with gratitude, the Canadian Home Economics Foundation and Brescia University College for their support.