Executive Director’s Report 37th Annual General Meeting November 12th, 2026
Greetings, RTAM Members. This year, I have gained a deeper understanding of RTAM’s aims, objectives, and membership. I have been fortunate to meet many of you in person and learn more about your experiences and perspectives. Thank you everyone who took the time to share their thoughts with me. Many of our conversations centered on a fundamental question: Why be an RTAM member? The answers varied, but they fell into three key areas: Insurance and benefits, Advocacy and Voice, and Community and Connection. Insurance and Benefits RTAM’s insured benefits program provides access to affordable health, dental and travel insurance. This year brought changes to premium payments and increases, with careful oversight by our volunteer Benefits Committee. Our Member Advantage program also offers exclusive discounts through participating businesses. Long-standing partners include HearingLife, Trip Merchant, the City of Winnipeg and Express Scripts Pharmacy. In early 2026, we welcomed Victoria Lifeline, a Manitoba-based medical alarm provider offering bilingual service. We continue to seek new partners and encourage members to check our website regularly for additions to the program. Advocacy and Voice RTAM advocates for retired teachers through partnerships, representation, and volunteer leadership. As a member of the Manitoba Seniors’ Coalition, we bring the perspective or retired teachers to discussions with key decisionmakers, including the Deputy Minister of Health, Manitoba’s Seniors’ Advocate, and the Director of the Protection for Persons in Care office. We also monitor issues affecting the Teachers’ Retirement Allowances Fund (TRAF) and the Canadian Pension Plan through our representation on the TRAF Board, connections with CPP Investments, and engagement at the executive, board and committee levels. Our Advocacy, Substitute Teachers’ Concerns, and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committees contribute to this work and help ensure members’ interests remain part of the conversation.
Community and Connection Retirement offers new opportunities, but staying connected to colleagues and community remains important. RTAM supports these connections through in-person events, virtual programming, and special interest groups. The Summer Swing Golf Tournament and Walk for Alzheimer’s bring members together, while our webinars share health and wellness information. The RTAM Choir, French Book club, and RTAM chapters offer opportunities to connect through concerts, lunches, lectures, trips to theatres and museums, and other activities. These programs depend on dedicated volunteers who invest their time in building and sustaining our community. Growing Our Membership Membership growth strengthens our partnerships, amplifies our advocacy, and sustains our community. While we recognize that our strategic plan’s target of 21,000 members by 2027 was overly ambitious, growth remains a priority. RTAM now has more than 10,700 members, including over 40 members from the broader Education Community. We continue to be an important voice for retired teachers in Manitoba. To support future growth, RTAM created a Marketing and Communications Assistant position in June 2026. As we recruit and orient a new team member, we are building the capacity to communicate more effectively, strengthen member engagement, and demonstrate the value of an RTAM membership. As we enter the final 18 months of our 2024-28 strategic plan, our focus remains clear: to serve our members, strengthen our voice and build an association that continues to meet the needs of retired teachers across Manitoba. Thank you for your continued support and for the many contributions you make to RTAM. Sincerely, Melissa Sitter, Executive Director