Board of Directors

Our strength is in our collective voice and our growing membership

RETIRED TEACHERS’

ASSOCIATION OF MANITOBA

RETIRED TEACHERS’

ASSOCIATION OF MANITOBA

The 2014-2015 Board of Directors

As printed in the 2014 AGM Book of Candidates

Wayne Hughes President Winnipeg, Manitoba

I have been involved with RTAM for the past nine years, as a committee member (9 years) and board member (8 years), having chaired the Political action committee for 2 years. In addition to being a member of the pension committee as well as a member on many ad hoc committees, I have been fortunate to gain a wide perspective on RTAM’s numerous activities. This wide perspective has been very helpful over the past two years as President.

The past two years have been a busy with our continued initiatives related to the website, benefits renewal, chapter initiative grants and awards for relatives of RTAM members. In addition, our decision to move to a bigger office has been a major time commitment. To ensure a smooth transition to our new space, I have decided to put my name forward for a third year as your President. I look forward to your support.

Marvin Krawec

Vice President Portage la Prairie, Manitoba

I completed teacher training at Manitoba Teachers’ College (served as President of the student body). I graduated from the University of Guelph (Ontario) and completed study of Intermediate Level French at the University of Laval.

In the Portage School Division, served as a member of a Steering Committee for the Talented and Gifted; served as a member of a province-wide assessment committee of grade eight Language Arts with the Department of Education; served as a marker and a referee for the assessment tests for the Department of Education. I was a member of the Portage Regional Library Board; served on the Board of Directors of CMHA for the province (Canadian Mental Health Association); and was a member of the Executive Policy Committee of CMHA for the province.

Upon retirement from teaching, I became a member of the Southport Aerospace Board, held the position of ViceChair, chaired the Finance & Property Committee and chaired the Human Resources Committee.

At present, I am serving as a member of the province’s Advisory Committee regarding the disposition of the Manitoba Developmental Centre. My interests are History and music.

I look forward to my second year on the RTAM Board and look for your support as Vice President.

Judy Olmstead Secretary Brandon, Manitoba

I began teaching in Thompson in the 1970’s. I also worked as a Faculty Advisor for Brandon University and Inter-University of the North education students for many years. In 1996, we moved to Brandon, and I taught multi-grades in a one-room school where I managed all the jobs required to run a school, from budgeting to librarian to principal. I retired in 2007 and joined Westman Retired Educators Association, where I served as secretary for four years.

During my career, I have been responsible for organizing the local 4-H Club and Arts Festival, and involved on those respective provincial boards. I have also organized major fundraising projects for my church and my curling club.

This past year on the RTAM Board, I chaired the Ad Hoc committee for the Volunteer Survey, and took photographs of last year’s AGM and the RTAM Directors for KIT.

I enjoy singing in a choir, lawn bowling, gardening, photography and curling. I also enjoy spending time with my grandchildren.

I look forward to serving on the RTAM Board for the next year.

Carol Pelton Treasurer Thompson, Manitoba

As Owner/Manager of Travel Only Thompson, I am completing my ninth year as a travel professional after retiring from teaching in 2003. My formal education is special education and physical education and my professional organizations included the Council for Exceptional Children and International Reading Association. I have completed my third year on the RTAM Board and my second as treasurer and have been a member of other Board committees.

During my varied teaching career, I have taught in Ontario and Northern Manitoba, as well as, in Australia on a teacher’s exchange and Papua New Guinea. My extensive travel experiences took me through the South Pacific, Asia, Europe and much of Canada and United States. Teaching assignments included the regular classroom, resource, physical education and Senior Department Head.

I have been a member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club (BPW) since 1991, am currently a member of the local Chamber, Rotary Club, the Citizenship Council and Citizens on Patrol. My volunteer activities have provided opportunities to develop leadership skills and to organize a variety of events/ workshops that are an asset to Board committee work. As a treasurer for the Council of Exceptional Children (Manitoba) and the local BPW Club, I am familiar with bookkeeping and accounting practices.

Future objectives for the RTAM Board may include: using Educational Advocacy to inform members to inform members and the public about issues related to seniors, emphasize and demonstrate the benefits of a RTAM membership, providing more value-added for members, and to investigate how to involve our non-chapter members more in RTAM. - Carol Pelton MED; B.A.;P.B.C.E. Alex Boyes Winnipeg, Manitoba

I was born in Brandon and lived there until we moved to Thunder Bay where I completed my High School education before obtaining my Arts and Education degrees at the U of M.

My first teaching experience was in Beausejour, followed by 27 years in St. Vital and 11 years in Norwood as Superintendent. My last 5 years were spent back in St.Vital/ Louis Riel SD.

Along the way, I was fortunate to serve on many Divisional and Provincial MTS Committees. Also, during those years I read books onto tape for the CNIB, was President of the United Way of Winnipeg and served as a Goldwing Ambassador for the WAA. Currently I chair the Board of Reference for the Province.

I would look forward for the opportunity to serve another term on the RTAM Board. I am impressed by the amount of good work the Board engages in on behalf of all RTAM members.

Peter Carney Winnipeg, Manitoba

A native of Dunrea, a tiny village in southwestern Manitoba, I began my teaching career in Lundar High School in the Lakeshore School Division in 1960, followed by a year at Fisher Branch and 3 years in St. Boniface. I was hired in 1966 to teach French at Westwood Collegiate in the Assiniboine North School Division (amalgamated with St. James to form St. James-Assiniboia School Division in

Two years after retiring from teaching I was elected trustee for the east end ward of the St. James-Assiniboia School Division where I served for three terms, retiring in 2010. I returned to teaching as principal of Ecole St. Malo in the Red River School Division from 2000 to 2002.

I have had extensive involvement with the Manitoba Teachers’ Society at both the provincial and local level. I was Treasurer of the provincial MTS, President of the St. James-Assiniboia Teachers’ Association and I also served as Negotiations Chair for several years.

Ralph Cibula Gladstone, Manitoba

Born: Austin, Manitoba, April 23, 1939 I completed my schooling at Orangeville School, MacGregor, Austin and my Grade 12 at Churchill High School in Winnipeg. Between grades nine and ten, I worked for the Canadian National Railway, helped on a farm and took summer school courses.

I taught on Permit at Lund School near Mountain road, Manitoba, attended Manitoba Teachers College (195859), then taught with the Federal public Service (Indian Affairs) at Norway House (159-60), Cross Lake (1960-61), Pine Fall (Fort Alexander 1961-62), Aroland (Ontario) (1962-64)

In 1970 I attended the University of Manitoba to complete a BSc Ag Economic Major. My full time teaching career was in Langruth (1 year) and Gladstone (28 years), retiring in 1999.

Since my retirement I have served on various boards: six years on the RHA Central Board; four years on the Parkland and the Gladstone Regional Library Boards. As well I served seven years as Councillor in the Town of Gladstone and two years as a Trustee on the Manitoba Library Trustees Association (MLTA) some of these concurrently. I was an active member of MTS since 1970 holding various positions on the local Executive, mainly Teacher Welfare and ultimately President of the Pine Creek Teachers’ Association.

Since retirement I have continued my interest in environmental, democracy, healthy and safe food, and world population issues.

After a hiatus from Education and Senior issues, I joined the RTAM Chapter NARTA three years ago and am presently President of that Chapter. Last year I was a Director on the RTAM Board and look forward to serving another year.

Joan Dawson

Thompson, Manitoba

I began my teaching career in 1972 with Frontier School Division in Ilford, MB, where I taught grades 1 and 2 as well as supervising the kindergarten. I moved to Thompson in 1973 where I spent the next 35 years teaching grades one to four and Reading Recovery. Over the years I often served as staff rep. for the Thompson Teachers’ Association and for two years I was the Grievance Chair. I retired in June of 2008.

My volunteer efforts are mainly with the Thompson Health Auxiliary where I am the manager of the Thompson Hospital Gift Shop. My husband and I live in Paint Lake Provincial Park and I enjoy fishing, gardening, sewing, reading, stained glass and socializing with friends at the local marina.

I am actively involved with our local Retired Teachers’ Association, TARE, and served as secretary/treasurer for three years, vice-president for one year and am now the president.

I have completed my second year as a director on the RTAM board where I have chaired the Bylaws and Policy Committee and have been a member of the KIT Editorial committee and the Membership and Chapters committee. I will also be joining the Wellness committee this year. I have enjoyed being a director for RTAM and look forward to anther interesting year.

Frank Friontino

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Frank was born in Amato, Italy and came to Canada at age 13. He graduated from Daniel McIntyre Collegiate and later graduated with a B.A., a B.Ed., and a M.Ed. degree, along with a Permanent Professional Teaching certificate.

Frank is best known for his life-long career in the field of education starting out as a teacher in 1959, advancing to principal, and ultimately superintendent of education.

In 1992, he founded People Developers, a professional development company, and has become well-known as an education consultant and facilitator, school program evaluator in Native jurisdictions, and a pre-employment trainer mainly in Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec.

In 1998, Frank was appointed by the Italian Government as the Honorary Vice-Consul of Italy in Manitoba, and for eight years, he provided extensive services to members of the Italian community and others in Manitoba, including applications for pensions for work and military service, citizenship issues, issuing of Italian passports and visas, exchanges and much more. As President of the Italian Canadian League of Manitoba, Frank initiated the process for the construction of the new Italian Cultural Centre, the Centro Caboto Centre on Wilkes Avenue.

As well, he has served as a member of the board of directors of Creative Retirement Manitoba,Centro Caboto Centre, and the Villa Cabrini senior citizens’ residence in Winnipeg.

Frank has been the recipient of many awards including the nomination of the Transcona Jaycees’ Outstanding Young Man Award (1970), and the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002). In recognition of his “remarkable career and his volunteer efforts,” he received the Eccellenza Award, the highest award of the Italian community in Winnipeg, in 2005. Finally, for his outstanding work and dedication, he was honoured with the Order of Italy, issued by the Italian President, and knighted November 18, 2005 by the Italian Ambassador to Canada.

Frank has been married to Josie for almost 53 years. They had one son, Anthony, and two daughters, Franca and Elisa. Guy Hansen Winnipeg, Manitoba

During my 30 teaching years in Thompson I was heavily involved as Thompson Teacher’s Association Labor Rep. for the Thompson Labor Council, as well as the Co-op movement. When I got there Thompson was a young, rich, brash place, probably the strongest Union town in our country. And for me, the kid from a Saskatchewan farm, it was easy to support these sturdy mineworkers, these men who were off to work early with a lunch bucket, back home so dirty that they could not use the regular washing machine for their work clothes. I eventually did a couple shifts in the smelter. I was a tough young fellow, but not tough enough. I did not last. Anyhow, the miners knew that I was with them.

I also volunteered for the Museum Board, (I like history), Northern Restorative Justice, (I like keeping people out of jail) and spent my last 10 years at the Thompson Recycle Centre. My position was to upgrade non-employable street people (mostly male First Nations) into workers who could then move on and hold down a job. I eventually smashed an arm up badly; had to heal; the program was eventually discontinued.

In the summer I live at Setting Lake, Wabowden. I go south in the winter to Winnipeg and live with my wife, Faye.

My long-term goal for RTAM has been to improve relations between ourselves and both the MLAs, and MTS. I have been on the Board 4 years, Political Action and twice PR Chair.

Jag Malik Gilbert Plains, Manitoba

After teaching for 26 years in Gilbert Plains Collegiate I retired in 1995 and decided to live in the town of Gilbert Plains.

During my teaching years I was involved with the Local Division Association of Manitoba Teachers’ Society in various capacities and served on the MTS Executive 5 years.

I became an RTAM Board member in 1997 and have served as Treasurer 1999 – 2012. I take this opportunity to thank you for your support during these years.

I have attended RTAM Board Meetings (2012-2014) via teleconference and look for your support again for the upcoming year.

Unfortunately, Jag Malik passed away on July 19, 2014.

Barbara McDole

Winnipeg, Manitoba

• Education Certification-1966;B.A. 1974 ;B.Ed. 1977 • Retired in 1999 after 33 years of teaching. • Worked as a Faculty Advisor for 4 years for the University of Manitoba. • Served on the R.W.T.A. as Vice-President, President and Past President. • Board Member of RTAM, serving as Vice-President 20122013, took over as Chair of the Benefits Committee in 2012, with the passing of Ted Poulter; member of the Wellness Committee; member of numerous ad hoc committees (spearheading the new office location); and planned the 2012 AGM with Dolores Hebert. • Having just recently lost Bear, I am now going to work with MSAR with Cargo, my Bernese Mountain dog, hoping that he can continue Bear’s legacy in the classroom!!

I am hoping to remain on the Board to strengthen the direction we are taking with RTAM. Peggy Prendergast Winnipeg, Manitoba

Formerly a teacher and administrator in the Winnipeg School Division.

I have been associated with RTAM, first as a member of the Benefits Committee (which dealt with pensions then); then as Vice President; and President.

Over the years I have chaired the Pension Committee and been on the Pension Task Force

I have been a member of the Editorial Committee, the membership committee, and the Bylaws Committee. Currently I am a member of the Pension Committee, chair the Wellness Committee and co-chair the Educational Advocacy Committee.

My commitment to RTAM is twofold: assisting the Board in solving the COLA and larger pension issues and in providing help to our members in the area of social, emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual wellness.

Doreen Sage Neepawa, Manitoba

From Swan River, and after teaching in the rural area, I took a Business Education Course and worked for McLeods and Eatons. I went back to teaching and taught Business Education in Swan River and Neepawa.

I have been on the RTAM Board for several years, as a member of the Finance Committee and Group Benefits Committee. I was the Chair of the Finance Committee, but because of changing needs of RTAM members, the committee was renamed Wellness. I organized many Wellness Seminars throughout the province.

I moved to the job of Editor of KIT eleven years ago. I have found this to be most rewarding and I hope to be able to continue.

I live in Neepawa with husband, Ed Sage.

Ray Sitter Brandon, Manitoba

In my previous life, I have been a teacher and an administrator of a school in Brandon. Some of the activities I participate in are: volunteer with the Cancer Society driver program in Brandon; work with Habitat for Humanity as a member of their Building Committee, their Family Selection Committee as well as being a worker on site. My wife and I drive for Meals on Wheels and work with the Brandon Economic Development Board as Tourist Greeters.

I am a member of the local retired teachers group and also of the Seniors for Seniors organization in Brandon. In my spare time I like to make wine. Seeing the latest COLA, the wine comes in handy.

My interest has always been in resolving the COLA issue. This issue has been central to my involvement with RTAM. I have been a member of RTAM since retiring and almost half a dozen years ago, I became a member of the Board. Since that time I have been on the Political Action Committee and the Pension Committee and this year was Chair, Membership and Chapters. My goal has not changed.

John Sushelnitsky Portage La Prairie, Manitoba

Boissevain is my hometown and I attended Brandon College. As president of the debating society and the international relations club, I gained an appreciation for the art of effective communication. In my third year I went to West Africa as part of a group called Crossroads Africa. Our role there was to complete the construction of a boys’ dormitory in the town of Bo, Sierra Leone. Based on that positive experience, I went to East Africa with Canadian University Service Overseas (CUSO) following my graduation in 1964 and worked for two years as teacher in Bukoba, Tanzania.

On my return, I was contacted by Boissevain school officials who needed a teacher. Then, I took a year at the U. of Man. Education Faculty to get my formal qualifications. After practice teaching in Winnipeg, I drove out to interview for a job in Portage la Prairie. I loved the size of the town, bigger than Boissevain, smaller than Winnipeg.

Joining the Manitoba Teachers’ Society, I served at the local and provincial level for my 37 years of teaching. I was on the MTS provincial executive for four years. Afterward, as a MTS representative, I served on the Minister of Education’s Advisory Board for four years. After retirement in 2003, the Society gave me the honour of becoming a Honorary Life Member in 2004.

A high school aptitude test encouraged me to continue studying the French language and I have used it throughout my career, being editor of the French Journal for ten years for the Manitoba Association of French Teachers and also serving as its president.

I also served on several Department of Education committees and was the co-author of its French correspondence courses. In the classroom, I taught 29 years of junior high, eight years of high school and two years of elementary. In addition to teaching Basic and Immersion French, I coached basketball and other sports. In my five years of coaching grade ten boys basketball we had the good fortune to be ranked number one on two occasions. All in all, a very satisfying career!

I have now served on the RTAM Board for eight years as a Director and have chaired the Public Relations, Membership/Chapter and Political Action committees.