President's Report

Linda Blair

RTAM President, 2022-2023

The groundhog has seen his shadow so we can now expect six more weeks of winter. As you read this issue of KIT, Spring will be arriving very soon. Trees will be budding, grass will be greening, flowers will be appearing, and weather will be warmer.

During the month of January, we had two of our dedicated Board Members submit their resignations. Audrey Siemens and Anne Williams have had situations in their lives change and felt that they could no longer give their positions with RTAM the care and focus needed.

Audrey was the Chair of the Substitute Teachers Concerns Committee. She worked to gather information on the working conditions of our members who substitute. Audrey was always ready to supply the current information that we needed. Anne has a gift in the field of editing. She shared her gift with us. We will miss these two Board Members. We wish them well in the days ahead.

We have two Board Members who have served their final term on the Board after many years of service. Pat Bowslaugh and Bill Cann will be completing their service on the Board in May.

There are also four Board Members who have indicated that they will be moving off the Board in May. Paul Harland served as Chair of the Website Committee. Dennis Kozak served as Chair of the Political Advocacy Committee. David Harkness served as Chair of the Pension Committee as well as stepping into the Chair of the Substitute Teachers Concerns Committee when Audrey could no longer continue as Chair. Joan Rink served as a member of the Wellness Committee. These four members brought their gifts to serve on the Board. We will miss their contributions.

As you have read, we are going to miss several Board Members in May. Please consider how you can contribute to our Board. Please encourage other members to do the same. We need your skills. We need your input. Consider completing an RTAM Volunteer Form.

Your feedback regarding Manitoba’s K to 12 Education Action Plan was compiled into a document and forwarded to Minister Ewasko in December. He has sent his appreciation for the feedback.

Our application process seeking out the best candidate or candidates to be nominated for the RTAM seat on TRAF has been completed as of January 31. The name of the nominee has been forwarded to Minister Ewasko. We await the official announcement of the RTAM representative who will hold the RTAM seat on the TRAF Board.

We have been busy developing new partnerships. Our new hearing partner is Hearing Life. Check out our website for the list of all our partners and benefits.

Our next RTAM Pre-Retirement Seminar will be held online on Saturday, March 11. Check out our website for details. Strive for balance in your daily living.