A new RTAM Partnership for Hearing Aids

By Dave Najduch, Benefits Committee, February 2023

In an effort to make member money go further, RTAM is exploring the idea of partnerships with various service providers in the community. Sean Seawright, our new Executive Director, reached out to a number of companies to see if RTAM could get a better deal on hearing aids. By entering into an agreement, we would see the provision of a preferred rate for RTAM members and the promotion of Hearing Life by our organization.

As a result of his efforts, two companies responded with offers which were reviewed by the Benefits committee. Hearing Life was selected and taken to the RTAM Board for approval. A oneyear contract will be signed. The membership can learn more about this by checking advertising materials in KIT and on our web page as more information becomes available.

VERY IMPORTANT RTAM members are still free to access any service provider for their hearing aid needs. This means you would also have access to the Johnson insurance amount if you are a member of the RTAM CORE or Enhanced health plans. What you would not have access to is the discounts offered by Hearing Life.

The table below outlines in a general way how the system would work and what is available to the membership as they would move forward. Please remember that dollar values provided will change once you begin to discuss your specific needs and access various service items.

Hearing Life is a national chain which has over 350 locations across Canada. In Manitoba there are currently 10 locations. For specific contact information go to hearinglife.ca and click on “Find a hearing Centre”. There are 4 locations listed for Winnipeg and one each in Steinbach, Portage la Prairie, Winkler, Brandon, Dauphin and Swan River.

Beyond the preferred rate for hearing aids, RTAM members will get access to other services and items at a preferred rate. That information will also be provided in the near future.

Annual Review — As with all RTAM benefit plans, the services provided by Hearing Life will be reviewed by the Benefits Committee with the idea of improving coverage. It will also allow Hearing Life the opportunity to address any concerns they have with RTAM and the programs being offered.

As the hearing aid program roles out — Keep the Benefits committee informed about your experiences with Hearing life. Let us know what has worked and what might need improvement. You can do this by emailing me at secretary@ rtam.mb.ca.

Partnerships in the future — The Executive Director of RTAM has reached out to a number of eye glass providers and is waiting for information back about what might be arranged in this area. We will keep you posted as these talks move forward.

As always, if you have any questions, comments or concerns please contact me at secretary@rtam.mb.ca

202 3 Annual General Meeting Deadlines for Zoom & In-Person Meetings

Chapter Reports

Committee Chair reports

RTAM DSA nominations

Chapter DSA nominations

Director and Executive Nomination form

Friday, March 31, at 4:00 p.m.

Friday, March 31, at 4:00 p.m and it will be shared April 3

Friday, March 31, at 4:00 p.m.

Friday, March 31, at 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 29, at 4:00 p.m.

Bios for Director and Executive Nominations and it will be shared April 3

Wednesday, March 29, at 4:00 p.m.

AGM Registration (seminars, hotel, and meals)

Volunteer Application Form

Friday, March 31 at 4:00 p m

Friday, April 28 at 4:00 p.m.

Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2023

Brandon, Manitoba – Clarion Hotel

May 3rd, 2023 8:30am to 3:30pm

Agenda (as of February 2023, agenda subject to change)

8:30am – 9:00am Registration and Seating

9:00am – 9:10am Land Acknowledgement & Blessing, National Anthem

9:10am – 9:15am In Memoriam

9:15am – 10:30am Reports o President’s Report and Questions from the Audience (timed item, 20 minutes) o Executive Director’s Report and Questions from the Audience (timed item, 20 minutes) o Auditor’s Report, Presented by the Treasurer (timed item, 20 minutes)

 Includes proposal for 2023-2024 budget

 Includes vote to approve o Chapter and Committee Reports (approved as block)

10:35am – 11:40am Governance Updates

� Vote to update Articles of Incorporation (timed item, 10 minutes)

� Vote to update RTAM Bylaws (timed item, 20 minutes)

� Vote to update RTAM Policies (timed item, 20 minutes)

11:45am – 12:15pm Voting of Directors

� Introduction of candidates for executive, and director positions

� Voting on executive positions

� Announcement of results

� Voting on director positions

� Announcement of results

12:15pm – 1:15pm Lunch

1:15pm – 2:55pm Presentations o Presentation MTS (timed item, 20 minutes) o Presentation TRAF (timed item, 20 minutes) o Presentation Johnson Insurance Group (timed item, 20 minutes) o Presentation Hearing Life (timed item, 20 minutes) o BARTA (timed item, 20 minutes)

3:00pm – 3:45pm Awards

� Departing Directors

� Distinguished Service Awards

Rtam Agm Registration Form

Tuesday, May 2 and Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Clarion Hotel and Suites – 3130 Victoria Avenue, Brandon, MB 204-728-5775

All Rtam Members Are Invited And Encouraged To Attend

Tuesday, May 2, Seminar and Presentation, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, May 3, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Annual General Meeting free to all members, guest fee is $50.00.

The Tuesday night presentation is free for all RTAM members and Chapter Presidents. Guests (non-members) will pay a $10.00 fee at the door for this event. Members are required to preregister on this form or through office@rtam.mb.ca if they wish to avoid the door fee.

The Wednesday AGM and luncheon is free for all RTAM members and Chapter Presidents. Guest non-member will pay a $50.00 fee at the door for this event. Members are required to pre-register on this form or through office@rtam.mb.ca if they wish to avoid the door fee.

Please ensure all guest names are listed in the box above. Please sum up your guest payments and pay the office in person before the event or at the Clarion the morning of the event.

Please identify any health-related dietary accommodation required for you or your guest.

2023 Annual General Meeting

May 3, 2023

2023 - 2024 RTAM BOARD NOMINATION FORM

ALL FULL RTAM MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED AND INVITED TO NOMINATE THEMSELVES OR BE NOMINATED FOR A BOARD POSITION. We always need new ideas and enthusiasm!

DEADLINE: Wednesday, March 29, 2023, 4:00 p.m.

As a Full RTAM member, I, ______________________________________, nominate the following Full RTAM member:

Name of Nominee:

Address (include postal code):

Email: Phone: for the position of: (check one Officer position only (3. to 5.), then check Director for nomination as a Director, if unsuccessful in the Officer position, or check Director (5.) for nomination as a Director only):

1. President Or Director

2. Vice President Or Director

3. Secretary Or Director

4. Treasurer Or Director

5. Director

The signed permission of the nominee: ______________________________________________________ Or, attach a signed statement of permission from the nominee.

Please submit with the Nomination Form a biography (no longer than half a page) and photo to be included in the AGM Elections booklet

Mail, hand-deliver, or courier the completed Nomination Form to: RTAM – Nominations

106 – 1780 Wellington Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3H 1B3

Annual General Meeting

May 3, 2023

Clarion Hotel and Suites – 3130 Victoria Avenue, Brandon, MB

Call For Nominations

2023 – 2024 RTAM BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Nominations for the Officers and Board of Directors of RTAM will be accepted up to and including Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. While nominations may be made from the floor of the AGM assembly, we discourage this and ask all candidates to declare by the 29th to help our members make an informed decision at the time of voting.

Terms and Duties:

• The term of office for a Board position is two years.

• Board Members are asked to chair one of the Standing Committees.

• Board Meetings are held monthly from September to June on the third Thursday of the month (no meetings in July and August).

• Committees generally meet virtually in the first two weeks of the month.

• First time Board members are required to take new Director training (full day session in June).

• All Board members are required to take Board Leadership training (half day session in June).

Nominees and nominators must be full RTAM members in good standing. Nominees must be sufficiently conversant with current communication methods as to be capable of participating in, and assisting with, the work of the board including access to and working knowledge of email, Zoom, Microsoft Teams meetings, Microsoft Office, and in-person meetings.

An individual can nominate themselves. Any RTAM member may be nominated for one Officer position and one Director position. An unsuccessful candidate for the Officer position has the right to stand for a Director position if they have so indicated on the nomination form. Nominees who meet the nomination deadline are invited to submit a biography (no longer than a half page) and photo to be included in the AGM Elections booklet no later than March 29, 2023

Nomination Process:

Nominations will be received by the RTAM Office up to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, via completed Nomination Forms. Nomination forms must be signed by the nominee, or accompanied by a signed statement from the nominee, to acknowledge their willingness to accept the nomination.

Please note: Only FULL RTAM members may hold office, vote, endorse or sign nomination papers. ASSOCIATE RTAM members may not hold office, vote, endorse or sign nomination papers.

Questions? Contact RTAM 204-889-3660; 1-888-393-8082 (toll-free) or office@rtam.mb.ca