Mission, Vision, Structure

Our Mission

The Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists leads the profession of occupational therapy in Ontario by providing vision, voice, visibility and value for Ontario occupational therapists.

Our Vision

OSOT is an essential voice that influences the health care conversation. Every member in our community takes action to make our vision for the profession in Ontario a reality.

OSOT's vision for the profession is that occupational therapy is a vibrant profession in Ontario that is well-known, respected, valued and easily accessible across the health care continuum.

Objects of the Corporation

Incorporated under the Corporations Act (Ontario) by Letters Patent in 1921, the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapy was later renamed the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists by Supplementary Letters Patent dated October 15, 1968. The objects of the corporation were amended by Supplementary Letters Patent in 1992 and direct the Society to meet the following purposes:

  1. To promote occupational therapy and the profession of occupational therapy.
  2. To provide membership services.
  3. To liaise with relevant groups such as government, other associations, universities.
  4. To provide members with opportunities for professional growth regarding clinical practice, education and research in occupational therapy.
  5. To provide opportunities for networking among occupational therapists.
  6. To represent the members of the corporation for its purposes.
  7. To accept donations, gifts, legacies and bequests.
  8. To carry on without the purpose of gain for its members and any profit or other accretions to the society shall be used in promoting these purposes.

And such other complementary purposes not inconsistent with these objects, and such other incidental and ancillary powers to carry out these objects.

Guiding Principles for OSOT

OSOT values principled behaviours of its staff, volunteers and members that are:

  • Professional
  • Supportive
  • Involved
  • Informed

OSOT is member-focused:

  • We seek member involvement.
  • We articulate the views of our members.  
  • We inform members of issues relevant to occupational therapists in Ontario.
  • We respond to the needs of members.

OSOT is accountable to its members:

  • We are fiscally responsible.
  • We use an efficient decision-making process.

OSOT acts proactively:

  • We develop position statements for the Society.
  • We develop strategic alliances.
  • We track current and future trends affecting occupational therapists.
  • We engage in activities that promote occupational therapy.

OSOT is an effective organization:

  • We provide staff support to our volunteers.
  • We respond to the needs of our volunteers.
  • We adapt our structure according to our objectives.
  • We allocate resources to avoid duplication.

OSOT Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

The Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists respects, values and celebrates the unique attributes,
characteristics and perspectives that make each person who they are. We believe that our strength lies in our
diversity among the broad range of people we represent and that our work is enriched and made better by
engaging diversity of voices, viewpoints and skillsets. We consider diversity and inclusion a driver of organizational
excellence and seek out diversity of participation, thought and action. It is our aim that our members, partners, key
stakeholders reflect and embrace these core values. To this end, OSOT’s Board of Directors and staff are
committed to ensure the Society engages in its strategic and operational work in ways that fully respect these
principles and commitments.

View OSOT's Policy re Diversity and Inclusion