Executive Director’s Report
36th RTAM Annual General Meeting
November 19th, 2025
Greetings RTAM Members.
2024 – 25 was a year of change. Implementation of the changes to our In Memoriam practice, adoption of the Education Community Member category, and changing leadership impacted our organization. While adjusting to these changes, RTAM successfully worked to advance its strategic goals related to information sharing and communication, organizational growth and governance, member and community advocacy, and member services and partnerships.
As we take time to recognize the absence of colleagues today, we understand that In Memoriam is a valuable way to share the news of a colleagues’ passing. In keeping with current best practices, RTAM will acknowledge the death of a member where permission from the deceased is granted in advance, or permission is received from next of kin posthumously. To date we have received advance permission from 126 members To improve upon this number, changes are being made to obtain permission in our application forms and a campaign to obtain permission from current members is being planned for Spring 2026.
The education community, eligible to join RTAM since November 2024, numbered just 7 members at the end of June 2025. A small but welcome group, their presence has yet to impact our insured benefits or other member services. Membership growth is key to RTAM’s strategic plan and will be a focus in 2025-26 across all membership categories. In the past decade RTAM increased in size by an average of 80 members annually, however the rate of increase is steadily declining year over year. Active recruitment across all membership categories is necessary to maintain this vibrant organization.
A vibrant organization also requires dedicated leaders. I would like to thank the Board of Directors for their efforts since the last meeting of members. They ably stepped into the vacancies RTAM experienced this year and their leadership guided the organization through a difficult period. I would also like to acknowledge RTAM’s staff. RTAM’s external activities would have stopped in the spring if not for the strength of our staff. With appreciation, I would like to acknowledge the contributions of our Member Services Manager, Dianne Casar, Office & Finance Manager, Denise Bellesia, and our Administrative Assistant, F. Grace Kilani, for maintaining operations and for facilitating two new member-based initiatives last Spring. Courtesy of their hard work and dedication, RTAM was present at the Walk for Alzheimer’s in May, connecting with members and supporting dementia advocacy, and hosted a ‘Retired Teacher’s Day’ at the Goldeyes Game in June. The above and beyond efforts of the Board of Directors and Employees during this time kept RTAM connected with members.
Moving through the current fiscal year operational focus will be on building and sustaining these strategic goals.
• membership growth,
• growing the endowment fund in support of our Student Awards,
• increasing our French language supports, and
• building partnerships to enhance our member discounts program.
We will also continue to provide the same great member support, facilitate committee work, and look for opportunities to strengthen RTAM’s brand and reputation. Members are encouraged to get involved. I invite you to read our Strategic Plan, to participate in committee work, or to contact us about starting something new!
Respectfully submitted,
Melissa Sitter Executive Director