33 minute read
Chapter Reports 2019 - 2020
RETIRED TEACHERS’
ASSOCIATION OF MANITOBA
Chapter Reports 2019 - 2020
Boyne Chapter Retired Teachers
Respectfully submitted by Bob Kowalchuk
The Boyne chapter has 19 members. We have no designated president, but someone volunteers to chair each meeting. The Secretary-Treasurer is Bob Kowalchuk. The breakfast meetings are held the last Friday of each month (September to May) at a local Carman restaurant. The fee is $10 per year and the money is used to provide a scholarship to a Prairie Rose graduate entering a program of learning. The meeting opens with the singing of O Canada. RTAM President, Peggy Prendergast, attended our October breakfast meeting and she provided information about RTAM’s involvement with the Seniors Coalition, the endowment fund, the RTAM radio clips aired on CJNU. She reinforced that retired teachers should volunteer and encouraged everyone to be active and be happy and enjoy life. Peggy stressed her philosophy “Don’t isolate yourself—get outside the house.”
Many of our teacher retirees are very active in community activities. Audrey Myers is the choir director for our Carman Active Living Centre choir. The choir has been together for close to 15 years and Audrey was instrumental in starting the choir. Neil Strachan is chairperson of the Carman Library Board and the Board has been overseeing the expansion and renovation of our library. The new library had its Grand Opening this past March. Bob Kowalchuk has been involved with the Alzheimer
Society for 18 years, and for 16 years has organized the Alzheimer Ukrainian Awareness dinner. The dinner serves authentic Ukrainian food and has raised over $80 000 for the Alzheimer Society. Joan Driedger was honoured as Miami’s Citizen of the Year. Once the business portion of the meeting has been completed, one never knows where the conversation will lead. Somebody could recommend a book that they have read or a movie they have seen. Talking about grandchildren and their accomplishments is always a favorite topic. One meeting people shared stories about fire alarms being set off in schools while teaching. Some of our members play in a ukulele group and stories are shared about the group and other music incidents.
The important thing is that we always adjourn with a smile on our face. This wraps up the Boyne Chapter Report.
Calgary Chapter
Respectfully submitted by Penny Hogan
On behalf of the Chapter Committee: Dennis Kozak; Jan Campbell; Richard Dooley; Penny Hogan; Lillian Kozak and George Takashima.
Members of the Calgary and Area Chapter are drawn from a large geographical area and have retired from a variety of Manitoba school divisions. Although most members did not know one another before relocating to Alberta, the Calgary Chapter of RTAM provides a unique opportunity to maintain members’ Manitoba teaching connections. Of 57 RTAM members on our ‘Chapter Contact List,’ 25 members, some accompanied by a spouse, attended at least one meeting in 2019. A second indicator of continued interest in the Calgary Chapter is the number of members who take time to send regrets if unable to attend a meeting. We continue to alternate four yearly meetings between locations in South and North Calgary. While the majority of members are Calgarians, some individuals travel from Airdrie, High River, Lethbridge, Cochrane and Canmore to attend our luncheons. Attendance remains quite consistent from year to year.
Date 2019 Attendance 2019 Regrets 2019 Total RSVP Date 2018 Attendance 2018 Regrets 2018
March 14 18 11 29 March 8 19 11
May 2 15 15 30 May 3 22 12
Sept 12 19 14 33 Sept 13 14 14
Nov 21 17 13 30 Nov 29 18 18
The Calgary and Area Chapter was most grateful to receive a Chapter Initiative Grant in January 2019. The receipt of a Chapter Initiative is instrumental in providing the members in the Calgary Chapter with opportunities to gather together, socialize and to hear speakers on a variety of interesting topics. Chapter activities in 2019 supported by the Chapter Initiative Grant were as follows: • March 14, 2019: Two representatives of the Calgary Police Service
Counterfeit and Fraud Prevention Program provided up-to-date information on “Calgary’s Top Telephone Scams,” including strategies for seniors to best protect themselves from being victimized by criminal elements perpetrating telephone and other scams.
• May 2, 2019: A luncheon provided time for Chapter members to reconnect and socialize with ‘snow-bird’ returnees.
• September 12, 2019: Guest speaker, Shaun Hunter, brought Calgary’s history alive for our Chapter members. As former Manitobans, we may not be as well informed about the history of Calgary. Shaun Hunter is a born and raised Calgarian, who authored the book Through the Eyes of Writers. • November 21, 2019: The final luncheon of 2019, a pre-Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, provided a wonderful
opportunity for Chapter members to socialize. Highlights of the AGM on May 7 & 8 were presented by Lillian and Dennis Kozak, who attended the 2019 AGM.
A Calgary Chapter 2019 Initiative: The Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (FOIP) does not permit the release of personal contact information for RTAM members who are relocating to, or may already be living in, the geographical area of Calgary Chapter. However, in November/December 2019 with the assistance of the RTAM, a membership discrepancy was investigated, as summarized in the following table:
City/Town RTAM Total Members
Airdrie 3
Calgary* 55
Canmore 9
Cochrane 6
Lethbridge 7
Okotoks 2
Strathmore 3
Turner Valley 1 Calgary Chapter Discrepancy
1
36* Does not include members In Care
6
3
4
0
0
0 2
20
3
3
3
2
3
1
Though the process is yet to be determined, in 2020, with the assistance of RTAM, Calgary Chapter hopes to invite the 37 ‘missing’ RTAM members currently residing in our area to experience some RTAM camaraderie in Calgary. All Chapter members are notified through email regarding upcoming Chapter events. Information following each event is emailed to all members.
Members: 70+ Meetings: Our DARTA group has a list of 70+ active and inactive members. We continue to have monthly breakfast meetings with the exception of a supper meeting in October and our AGM meeting in April. We have, once again, been graciously given space at Mountain View School Division Administration Office for our breakfast meetings. To date, most of our membership have email access to maintain regular contact. We have several volunteer members who assist in phoning members who do not have email contact to keep them informed of meetings and other important events of DARTA and RTAM.
An overview of the DARTA activities and events for the past year include: • Volunteering at the Terry Fox Fundraiser BBQ and school run • Helping BBQ for the Fuel Good Day fundraiser for Whitmore
School sponsored by Co-op • Assisting with the Water Conservation Field Day at Ethelbert for area students • Hosting an October Alzheimer Coffee Break Fundraiser at the
Marketplace Mall • Guest speaker at October supper meeting with tips for Senior Drivers • Sponsored a DARTA sign at the Credit Union Place arena • Decorated the Watson Arts Centre for the holiday season • Sponsoring and laying a wreath of remembrance at the November 11 Legion Remembrance Day Service • Organizing and sponsoring the December meeting with the
Cheer and Chat afternoon • Christmas donation made to the local HERO club: Helping Everyone Reach Out • Monitoring the arena exit doors for the Dauphin Kings MJHL home hockey games in December and February • Providing volunteers for the Under 21 TELUS Provincial
Curling Championships • Members attended Town Hall Meeting, March down Main Street, or signed the petition in regards to the government decision to close the Dauphin Correctional Institute • Supported the Coldest Night of the Year Walk as a fundraiser for the Habitat for Humanity build • DARTA applied for both the RTAM Wellness Initiative Grant and the Chapter Initiative Grant this year. We were very pleased to be awarded both of these grants. The Wellness
Initiative Grant was used to sponsor a Paint Night for our membership and guests. • The Chapter Initiative Grant will be used in June or July to tour the
Farmery Estate Brewery and other local attractions in Neepawa • The AGM of DARTA will be held in April and the Officers for the 2020-21 year will be elected at that time.
ÉMR PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2020
Respectfully submitted by Patricia Thibodeau, president ÉMR (with the assistance of outgoing president Guy Gagnon)
The main objectives of Les Éducatrices et Éducateurs manitobains à la retraite (ÉMR) are to organize activities that are hoped to appeal to all tastes; will generate interest in participating; an emphasis on the social and francophone aspect. We took the opportunity at the April 18, 2019 ÉMR AGM to ask our members to share feedback on past activities and take note of ideas and suggestions for the coming year. Our members are also very active as volunteers in various sectors of the Francophone community as well as in various provincial and national organizations. Members of the Executive Council of the ÉMR are asked to organize a minimum of one activity planned during the year. Subsequently, the Board member must post and announce the planned activity through our www.lesemr.org website. The list of MRAs is close to 200. These members have worked
either as teachers or administrators in French, immersion and English school boards.
I would like to thank The Retired Teachers ‘Association of Manitoba (RTAM) for accepting our funding application through the Chapter Initiative Grant. This financial contribution has been very helpful because we have been able to recruit new members. We plan to re-apply in 2020.
A Council meeting will be held in the near future to prepare the schedule of activities for 2020-2021. At the same time the following members will be appointed to ÉMR Executive Council: • Patricia Thibodeau, President • Gisèle Grégoire, Vice-President • Rose-Marie (Mimi) Iafolla, Treasurer • Jocelyne Fraser, Secretary • Lucille Daudet-Mitchell, Communications Advisor • Marc Beaudry, councilor • Denis Gautron, councilor • Arsène Huberdeau, councilor • Guy Gagnon, outgoing president *Gerard Massé website manager: www.lesemr.org
ÉMR 2019 - 2020 calendar of activities
April 16, 2019: EMR AGM at Canad Inns Windsor Park - 10:00 a.m. followed by lunch. Member participants 21. Guy Gagnon, organizing member May 16, 2019: Guided Visit to Parc Lagimodière-Gaboury, St. Boniface followed by lunch @ Bistro Inferno. Member participants 25. Denis Gautron, organizing member June 20, 2019: Brunch at the Original Pancake house @ The Forks. Guided tour of the Nonsuch Microbrewery on Pacific Avenue. Member participants 30. Organizing members, Pat Thibodeau & Guy Gagnon October 17, 2019: Lunch @ Bistro Era & guided French tour of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Member participants 21. Organizing member, Pat Thibodeau. November 21, 2019: Workshop on navigating the Health System held at Bibliothèque St. Boniface. Lunch @ Bistro Resto Gare in St. Boniface. Member participants 32. Organizing member, Rose-Marie Iafolla. December 12, 2019: Annual Christmas Dinner at Canad Inns Windsor Park with musical animation Guy and Agathe Lacroix. Member participants 48. Organizing members, Marc Beaudry and Denis Gautron.
April 16, 2020: EMR AGM at Canad Inns Windsor Park - 10:00 a.m. followed by lunch. Cancelled because of COVID-19. Organizing member, Guy Gagnon. May 21, 2020: Planned tour of 17th Squadron Search & Rescue followed by lunch @ La Baguette. Organizing member, Marc Beaudry. June 18,2020 : Planned visit to Thunderbird House, 715 main Street followed by lunch at the red River School Organizing member, Guy Gagnon.
The activities the EMR are planning for the calendar year 2020 - 2021 have not been finalized. Executive council will be
meeting in the near future to plan these activities
Rapport remis par : Patricia Thibodeau, présidente des ÉMR (avec l’assistance de Guy Gagnon, président sortant)
Le conseil exécutif des Éducateurs & Éducatrices Manitobains.es à la Retraite (les ÉMR) a comme objectifs principaux d'organiser des activités qu'on espère vont plaire à tous les goûts; vont susciter intérêt d'y participer; mettre l'accent sur l'aspect social et francophone. Nous avons pris l'occasion lors de l'AGA des ÉMR du 18 avril 2019 de demander à nos membres de nous partager rétroactions sur les activités passées ainsi que prendre note d'idées et suggestions pour l'année à venir.
Nos membres sont aussi très actifs comme bénévoles dans divers secteurs de la communauté francophone ainsi qu'à divers organismes provinciaux et nationaux. Les membres siégeant au Conseil exécutif des ÉMR sont demandés d'organiser un minimum d'une activité prévue durant l'année. Par la suite le membre du Conseil doit afficher &
annoncer l'activité prévue par le biais de notre site web www. lesemr.org. La liste de membres des ÉMR se chiffre à tout près de 200. Ces membres ont œuvré soit comme enseignant /enseignante ou administrateur /administratrice, dans des Conseils scolaires francophone, immersion et anglophone Je tiens à remercier La Retired Teachers' Association of
Manitoba (RTAM) d'avoir accepté notre demande de financement par le biais du Chapter Initiative Grant Cette contribution financière nous a été très utile car nous avons réussi à recruter
de nouveaux membres. Nous comptons faire demande à nouveau en 2020.
Une réunion du nouveau Conseil aura lieu le pour préparer le calendrier des activités pour 2019 - 2020. En même temps les membres suivants seront nommés au Conseil exécutif: • Patricia Thibodeau, présidente • Gisèle Grégoire, vice-présidente • Rose-Marie (Mimi) Iafolla, trésorière • Jocelyne Fraser, secrétaire • Lucille Daudet-Mitchell, conseillère & responsable des communications • Marc Beaudry, conseiller • Denis Gautron, conseiller • Arsène Huberdeau, conseiller • Guy Gagnon, président sortant *Gérard Massé responsable du site web: www.lesemr.org
Les activités des ÉMR 2019 - 2020:
18 avril 2019 : AGA des ÉMR au Canad Inns Parc Windsor @ 10h00 suivi du repas du midi. Nombre de participants (21.) Guy Gagnon, responsable de l’organisation. 16 mai 2019 : Randonnée Parc Lagimodière-Gaboury suivi du dîner @ Bistro Inferno, St. Boniface. Nombre de membres participants (24). Denis Gautron, responsable de l’organisation. 20 juin 2019 :Brunch @ Original Pancake house à la Fourche
suivi d’une visite guidée à la microbrasserie Nonsuch, rue Pacific. Nombre de membres participants (30). Patricia Thibodeau & Guy Gagnon, responsables de l’organisation. 17 octobre 2019 Brunch au resto Era suivi d’une visite guidée en Français du Musée Canadien des Droits de la personne. Nombre de membres participants (21). Patricia Thibodeau, responsable de l’organisation. 21 novembre 2019 : Atelier : Comment naviguer le système de santé tenu à la Bibliothèque de Saint-Boniface suivi du dîner au Resto Gare. Nombre de membres participants (30) Rose-Marie Iafolla, responsable de l’organisation 12 décembre 2019 : Souper traditionnel de Noël au Canad Inns Parc Windsor. Animation musicale Guy & Agathe Lacroix. Marc Beaudry & Denis Gautron, responsable. Nombre de membres participants (48). Denis Gautron & Marc Beaudry, responsables de l’organisation 18 avril 2020 : AGA des ÉMR au Canad Inns Parc Windsor @ 10h00 suivi du repas du midi. Annulée à cause de la COVID-19 Responsable de l’organisation, Guy Gagnon. 21 mai 2020 : Visite guidée de la 17ième Escadre de recherche et sauvetage suivi du dîner à La Baguette. Marc Beaudry, responsable de l’organisation. 18 juin 2020 : Visite de Thunderbird House suivi du dîner au resto de l’École des arts culinaires du Red River College. Guy Gagnon, responsable de l’organisation.
Hanover Association Retired Teachers
We are a chapter in limbo and have been so the last few years. It seems there is no one willing to take a leadership role in our organization. We are lucky to have our past president and vice president willing to stay on in name only to keep the organization going. For the last number of years we have had a monthly breakfast the second Friday of the month. Attendance varies from 15 to one. The last number of times we have
cancelled due to lack of interest. We will start up once again in April when a lot of the snow birds will be back. At least with the breakfasts we try to keep in touch.
Interlake Retired Teachers’ Association
Respectfully submitted by Gail Peterkin
President: Gail Peterkin; Vice President: Darlene Dufily; Past President: Nancy Phillips; Secretary: Joie VanDongen; Treasurer: Cathy Yurick; Directors: Joan Main, Barbara Lindquist, Nancy Drad
The membership of the Interlake Retired Teachers’ Association seems to be maintaining its numbers, with 50 paid members and three associates. The long standing executive remains relatively steady as well. We continue to work hard at trying to provide meaningful and socially engaging activities for our members. In September, 2019, we held our annual luncheon at Bel Acres Golf Course. We also welcomed newly retired teachers to our group; presenting them with IRTA pins, pens and a free lunch. Our featured speaker for the afternoon spoke about the work she and her husband have been doing to build, and then help support, a school in a small Mexican village. Our members brought various school supplies to donate and we made a monetary donation as well. Our Christmas luncheon in December was well attended, as always. Shopping at vendors’ tables and “catching up” with old friends set the mood for enjoying a turkey dinner, with all the trimmings. Our April AGM did not happen due to the pandemic. Like all other groups, our lives have been put on “hold.” We hope that everyone stays safe until this is over. It is, indeed, a new world.
Louis Riel Chapter
Respectfully submitted by Jack Fraser and Lynda Baxter
The Louis Riel Chapter includes the retired staff from the legacy divisions of St. Boniface, Norwood and St. Vital.
All our Chapter’s major activities have a fundraising component and are run and organized by our Activities Co chairs, Jerry Ilchyna and Ron Koskie, and their subcommittee of executive members: Edith Alexiuk, Lydia Lewko, Francis Lemieux, Marilyn Surbey, Gerry Ilchyna, and Frank Prouten (BC Rep). Our principal activities include our annual spring and fall luncheons and our annual September golf tournament. This year would have marked 28 years for the Spring Luncheon. We decided not to hold it because of the Covid-19 threat. The Fall
luncheon is still tentatively planned for October 1. This marks 21 years for our golf tournament. Local business owners, former students, and former staff donate the prizes for our silent auctions and draws. Funds raised support our bursary fund. The connections made to our external donors have been forged and maintained over the years and generate an ongoing positive contribution of community support to public education. The team’s work is invaluable in that respect. The donors’ willingness to give and their testimonials about how teachers have positively influenced lives are indeed heart-warming. In light of RTAM’s focus on ‘volunteering,’ this kind of volunteerism also needs to be recognized and acknowledged for the contribution that it is. Peggy Prendergast, the RTAM President, brought greeting to our Fall Luncheon. Our luncheons are a great contributor to our Chapter’s social and communication needs. These events are a great time to get together, renew acquaintances, get caught up on travel and family news and win a few prizes. Through the much-appreciated support of the Louis Riel School Division, tickets are sold on our behalf at the reception desk in the Board Offices. Both luncheons are held in the space provided in the Division’s Legacy Centre. Doors open at 10:15 for visiting to begin, lunch is at noon and visiting and activities go well into the late afternoon. Our newsletter is biannual, so that
leaves us with a communication time gap with our members. The Chapter established an electronic mailing list to provide timely information to 450+ of our over 1,100 members between newsletters. The e-List is growing. • Our chapter membership is open to all retiring staff of the Division. We value this diversity in our group, and the Division is also proud to be in touch with all their retired staff. The retired teacher membership component of our chapter is a ‘sub group’ with respect to activities that are of specific interest to teachers. We have an excellent working relationship with the superintendent, and the Division supports our luncheons, our bursary, and our communication in a number of ways. The Chapter appreciates the support it receives. • The success of our golf tournaments is in no small part due to the tireless work of our activities co chairs and their team, but is also because of the ever increasing support from our donors. The upcoming nine hole, shotgun start, fall tournament tentatively will be held at the Lorette Golf Course on September 22 with rain dates the 24 - 25. For the past 13 years the tournament has been sold out in two weeks. • Because of our fundraising, this past year we were able to provide a total of $4,000.00 in bursary monies to be distributed among students from all eight of our high schools. This year was the 20th anniversary of our bursary fund. It is wonderful to be able to use the funds we generate to contribute to young people in our amalgamated division. As of June 2019, we will have awarded 100 bursaries in the total amount of $42,000.00.
Since the inception of the bursary fund we have raised a total of $102,472.51. The following is a quote from one of our activities co chairs: “Education is ongoing and we know that retired teachers and support staff still wish to be involved in its future.”
Respectfully submitted by Joan Rink, President
The 2019 - 2020 NARTA Executive are: President: Joan Rink; Past President: Ralph Cibula; Vice President: Vacant; Treasurer: Richard Kulbacki; Secretary: Pat Cibula; Program Director: Wendy Denbow; Communications: Doreen Sage
Member: 29 paid members Our Chapter holds three meetings and one outing each year. All members are notified by phone or email regarding meetings and the outing. Our yearly member fee is $10.00.
APRIL: Our AGM meeting was a dinner held at the Chicken Corral restaurant in Neepawa.
All retired teachers in the area received an invitation by phone, email or in person to join us at our June barbecue to celebrate the 100th birthday of MTS. This is an effort to also get new members to join NARTA. An informative presentation was given to us by Karen Fourchou of Cancer Care Manitoba.
MAY: Five NARTA delegates attended the 2019 RTAM AGM in Brandon.
JUNE: Our June meeting was a Barbecue in the Park held at the Stoney Creek School in Neepawa. The NARTA members, as well as the invited guests, enjoyed the barbecue and the birthday cake that was in celebration of the 100th birthday of MTS, 30 years of RTAM and almost 30 years of NARTA. The 2020 NARTA Student Bursary of $200.00 was presented to a graduating student from Carberry Collegiate. The NARTA Student Bursary is presented each year to a graduating student who is going on to further his/her education. Each year a student is chosen from one of the three high schools in the area, Carberry Collegiate, William Morton Collegiate (Gladstone) or Neepawa and Area Collegiate.
SEPTEMBER: Each year we have an outing in September. This year we did a morning guided tour of the Shilo RCA CFB Museum, followed by lunch at Rick’s Restaurant in Shilo. In the afternoon we did a tour of the Reptile Gardens in Douglas. For something more pleasant, it was on to the Shady Lane Tea Room near Brandon for coffee and dessert. A tour of the amazing Doll Museum concluded a wonderful day.
DECEMBER: At our December meeting we enjoyed a catered Christmas dinner with all the trimmings at the Arts Forward Building in Neepawa. Members were encouraged to use the RTAM website for communication purposes and the digital copy of KIT. The meeting was followed by Christmas quizzes and prizes for poinsettias.
JANUARY: January was the month we got together at the Chicken Corral Restaurant for a morning coffee get- together.
Having some NARTA members on the RTAM Board of Directors and Committees is an asset to our Chapter, helping to keep our members informed of RTAM activities. Thank you to RTAM for the Chapter Initiatives Grant of $250.00 which has enhanced NARTA activities for the members as well as offset the cost of our activities.
Northeastman Chapter Report
Respectfully submitted by Linda York, President
Unfortunately our chapter has been dormant this past year. Since amalgamation, we have been struggling with our geography. It has been difficult to arrange meetings as we have no central location. Also trying to develop a list of retirees in our area has been difficult. We have been investigating a split to have eastern and western chapters to solve some of our problems. Stay healthy and stay home.
The year 2019 – 2020 was expected to be a year of growth for our chapter. Although we have seen some encouraging activity, it has not been consistent. We are trying some different approaches to our meetings, looking at the luncheon and dinner format instead of just breakfast meetings. We have tried not to be too political, which is one of the reasons people give for not attending. We have about 130 RTAM members in the Portage area which could be a powerful resource for our community, if it were utilized properly.
We tried a Christmas luncheon with a singsong and found it quite successful with 46 members coming out. Peggy, our RTAM President, attended and spoke to the group. It did require a very extensive phone campaign and an announcement on Portage on Line. We will continue to look at ways to involve our members and get them excited about what RTAM can do for them and what they can do for RTAM. We have three radio stations, an online station and a newspaper that is printed once a week. All are very community minded, we need to look at ways of involving all of them more.
Many of our members are very involved in the community as individuals or through other organizations. It may be a possibility of using our organization to help our members serve our community as they have done for so many years in the past. The pool of talent, creativity and yes energy has so much potential for keeping us healthy and living very fulfilled lives. We realize that growth may be slow but it will come! We did have the opportunity to get involved in two events as volunteers. The next few months may cause some difficulty for us because of the pending Covid-19 pandemic .
Many of our younger retirees continue to work part time in school divisions and other areas, which seems to be a trend. We will continue to make RTAM more inviting to them and our members.
Retired Women Teachers’ Association
2019 - 2020 is our sixty-eighth year as the Retired Women Teachers’ Association (RWTA). Our membership presently is 268 members with 17 of those members being Life Members who are aged 90 years or over. Membership has increased and we hope that it will continue.
During the year, the RWTA executive met five times to plan four luncheons with activities and entertainment.
The September luncheon was highlighted by our annual Fashion Show by Northern Reflections. The models for this fun event were volunteers from our very own RWTA membership. Northern Reflections kindly distributed coupons that day and many of our members were seen at St. Vital Mall shopping at Northern Reflections that afternoon!
At our Christmas luncheon we were entertained by “True Harmony,” an all-female a cappella group based in Winnipeg, who regaled us with Christmas music. We were delighted by the traditional served Christmas dinner of turkey and all the trimmings, prepared by the caterer at the Masonic Centre. Mrs. Claus, our wonderful member, Emily Williamson, rewarded everyone with a special Christmas gift, a tiny orange, on her annual visit.
For February’s luncheon we were entertained by RWTA member and author, Oriole Veldhuis. Dressed as a pioneer woman, Oriole shared her great grandmother’s family history from her book titled “For Elise-Unveiling the Forgotten Woman on the Criddle Homestead.” Oriole gave a fascinating talk and members had the opportunity to purchase her book. In honour of Festival du Voyageur, members enjoyed bison tourtiere with caribou gravy for lunch, presented by Wow Catering. Our April 2020 get together with members was to be our AGM with a luncheon to celebrate Manitoba’s 150th but that has now been postponed to September’s luncheon due to COVID-19. The entertainment planned for this April’s luncheon will be postponed to the April 2021 luncheon when we’ll celebrate the beginning of RWTA’s 70th year. It promises to be a lot of fun!
We continue to hold our luncheons at the Masonic Centre at Corydon and Osborne where our delicious and varied meals are prepared by WOW Catering. Guests are always welcome. Donations of toiletries for women’s shelters, used eye-glasses for the Eye Bank and reusable bags for Winnipeg Harvest continue to be collected at each luncheon. This February members were very generous with donations of over 200 pairs of socks for the needy. Also, donations to our Angel Baskets at our December luncheons continue to allow us to recognize our shut in members with small gifts at Christmas and Easter and cards on other occasions.
All retired and newly retired women teachers are welcome to join RWTA in 2020 - 2021. The annual membership fee is $8 and our luncheons, with entertainment, are $20 for members and $25 for non-members.
As RWTA president, I wish to thank our RWTA executive and members for their support and help. On behalf of the RWTA Executive and members, we thank RTAM for its support and dedication. We would love to have more retired women teachers join us to keep our membership numbers increasing.
Retired Women Teachers’ Association Executive 2019 - 2020
Pat Opalko, President; Cecile Alarie-Skene, Past President, VicePresident; Phyllis Arnold-Luedtke, Treasurer; Cécile Alarie-Skene, Membership Convener; Pat Opalko, Recording Secretary; Ethel Mair, Corresponding Secretary; Brenda Zebrynski, Club Notices; Lynda Tunny, Luncheon Coordinator; Louise Burton, Social Committee Chair; Arlene Billeck, Social Committee; Laurel McFarlane, Social Committee; Birdielyn Gray, Tickets; Barbara Haddow, Tickets; Peggy Prendergast, RTAM / Pensions; Emily Williamson, Visiting Committee; Lenore Butler, Visiting Committee; Helen Norrie, Publicity; Jacquie Field, Archivist; Charlotte Stech, Pianist
Southwest Assiniboine Chapter of the Retired Teachers Association
President: Joan Veselovsky; Vice President: Kel Smith; Secretary: Kathy Welsh; Treasurer: Glen McKinnon; Past President: Lorraine Scott; Travel: Kelvon Smith; Friendship and visiting: Pat Wolfe; Phoning: Mary Ellen Roach
2019 was again a very successful year for our chapter. April luncheon featured a very talented 12 year old, Ryley Jorganson, violinist.
September luncheon welcomed some new members to make our total count forty-five. Ed James reported on his trip to the 75th Anniversary of Juno Beach invasion. Lorraine Scott chaired the meeting and Kelvon Smith was elected vice president. In June, a number attended a production of "Strike'' at Rainbow Stage. Thank you, RTAM, for the grant which was gratefully accepted. President Joan V. chaired the November meeting after a delicious luncheon. Father Matt Koovisk led us in the singing of carols to celebrate the Yule season. Each year our chapter donates $500.00 to Virden Music and Arts festival, Birdtail, Deloraine Border Festivals and to the Westman Youth Choir. Members also bring items for the local food cupboard at each luncheon.
St. James-Assiniboia Chapter
Respectfully submitted, Lynn Land, Chairperson
Officers 2019 - 2020
Chairperson: Lynn Land; Vice Chair: ShelleyHerber; Treasurer: Emily Williamson; Secretary: Rudy Peters; Membership/ Communications: Dorothy Young; Members at Large: Marj Bilous, Will Peters, Linda Scott, Carol Szuminsky
The main objective of the St. James Assiniboia Chapter of RTAM is to promote the economic interests of its members and other retired educators; and to support the Provincial RTAM Board in its endeavours to that end. The chapter shares information with its members all across Canada. In turn, members share the information with friends, family and also colleagues still actively teaching in Manitoba. Membership is 330!
The Chapter held a very successful Golden Days Coffee House and AGM at McMaster House on September 12, 2019. We were honoured to have James Bedford, President of the Manitoba Teachers’ Society (MTS), as our invited guest. He introduced Nathan Martindale, Vice-President of the Society. James expressed a desire to work for closer ties between active and retired teachers, the need for a strong association and is looking forward to receiving advice on how to strengthen the public education system. He thanked members for their support of education and reminded them to vote in support of public education. Peggy Prendergast, Provincial RTAM President, spoke about Bill C27 and the coalition that is taking a close look at it. She expressed satisfaction at the establishment of a capital fund within the Winnipeg Foundation in the amount of $50,000 the interest of which will be used to provide awards to nominated descendents of retired teachers. She expressed the hope to see it grow through donations to the fund. She also drew attention to several booklets of interest to seniors.
The presentation and AGM was followed by homemade apple crisp with ice cream which was enjoyed by all those in attendance. We thank Marj Bilous, Emily Williamson, Mary Starodub, Lynn Land and Shelley Herbert for making the delicious crisp. Members also participated in a door prize game. Many members went home with a prize!!!! Thanks were extended to Rudy Peters, Lynn Land, Linda Scott, Dorothy Young, Carol Szuminsky, and Marj Bilous for donating the prizes. We thank Provincial RTAM for the financial support for this event. It was really appreciated.
In the last year we have shared information on the following colleagues who have departed this life: Ivano Buccini, Barbara Ann Frame, John Gray, James Gordon Grist, Loa Henry, David McDowell, Joanne Swain, Mary Veenhuyzen, Ralph Gordon,
Leslie Ewacha, Olga Kasian
Swan Valley Chapter of Retired Teachers
Respectfully submitted by Jean Keillor, Secretary SVRT
Greetings from the Swan Valley Chapter of Retired Teachers. We are a small group of about twenty members that meet bi-monthly for a luncheon meeting at the home of Walter and Myrna Zinkiew. We are treated with a wonderful home cooked meal and have an opportunity to socialize with colleagues and discuss topics of interest.
Executive Officers 2019 - 2020
President: Aldrich Novotny; Vice President: Ed Richenhaller; Secretary: Jean Keillor; Treasurer: Henry Barkowski ; Past President: Barb Plumb
Activities of our chapter
• Our Chapter sends get well/sympathy cards to our colleagues. • We participate in the Retirement Banquet of Teachers of the Swan Valley School Division in June. • We agreed to donate $200 to the local Ag. Society. The money would go to schoolwork entry prizes at the North West Roundup and Exhibition. • In November, three members volunteered to judge Remembrance Day Contest entries. On behalf of the local chapter, a wreath was presented at the community Remembrance Day Service. • Members of our chapter, Ed Richenhaller and Aldrich Novotny, encouraged others to join in delivering meals in the “Meals On Wheels” program. They reported that people receiving meals were very appreciative.
• On one of the coldest days of 2019, 24 members drove to Rawhides in Stenen, SK for a Christmas Get-Together! • Forty two pounds of food was collected for the local food bank. • Julie Kooistra made retired teachers aware of recreational/ entertainment available in Swan River: i.e. Pickle Ball , Square Dancing, community Band Concert, Christmas Carol Festival. • The SVRT welcomed retired Superintendent, Tim Mendel, at our meeting in February.
The Pas Retired Teachers
Respectfully submitted by Vel McAdam, President
Our membership continues to meet sporadically, but serves on numerous other committees very vigorously. The hospital, our local churches, and several service clubs and fraternal organizations are the lucky recipients of their many talents and expertise. The RTAM group itself meet for lunch infrequently, but are always grateful for the varied information which we receive from the Board and/or its many committee activities via email.
Thompson Association of Retired Educators
Respectfully submitted by Joan Goble, President
Vice President: Terry Nychuk; Secretary-Treasurer: Kate Roth
May, 2019: members attended RTAM AGM; Library plant project with children June: filled four large planters at the Library and organized summer maintenance; funeral of Carol Pelton, RTAM Treasurer and TARE member; planned Rice Krispie event for retirees, but no takers.
July: several members accepted invitation to attend Seniors’ Council BBQ; annual picnic held this year at the summer home of Ruth Saunders at Setting Lake. September: annual “To Hell with the Bell” breakfast at a local hotel dining room. Later in the month several members accepted the invitation to attend a Prevention and Education Conference on Elder Abuse held at the local Rec Centre.
October: Pharmacist D. King again spoke to us answering all question we had. November: toured the local AFM facility meeting staff; seeing the residence areas, seminar rooms, dining rooms, etc. and learning about the programs offered in the North.
December: no scheduled meeting but members were encouraged to attend local Seniors’ Christmas dinner. Several did attend. It was a wonderful meal and good entertainment. January 2020: the Seniors’ Council again extended an invitation to us this time to attend a Telehealth presentation on Dementia. Several of our members did attend.
February: Constable S. Deibert came to speak to us about Safety in Thompson. It was a very informative session.
March: three members will present a pre-retirement seminar to TTA members: plans are pending for another group event. April: our AGM is tentatively set for April 16 at Paint Lake Lodge (Cancelled due to Covid 19 - new date TBA when pandemic rules allow)
May: members are encouraged to attend the RTAM AGM in Winnipeg; Memories Project Tea locally to present Memory binders to the SDML, the Library and the Museum. (See Covid note above) Our Memories Project is still underway and will hopefully continue over the next few years. There is no record of teachers’ impressions and stories about teaching in Thompson. We are asking anyone who ever taught here to send us a memory or two c/o mgoble@mymts.net to include in the binders.
VANISLES RTAM Chapter
The RTAM Vancouver Island chapter has about 100 members located in various cities and towns throughout our island. The chapter’s Annual General Meeting was held on April 11, 2019, in the Satellite Bar and Grill at the Arbutus Ridge Golf Club in the community of Cobble Hill, with breathtaking views of the Gulf Islands.
The guest speaker, retired RN Ingrid Fredrickson, spoke about healthcare for seniors. It was a very informative session and discussion afterwards.
On September 5, the chapter held its annual fall get-together. The fall celebration meeting was held up-island in the picturesque harbour town of Ladysmith on the east coast of the island. Ladysmith is where the movie, Sonic the Hedgehog, was filmed last summer.
Jim Reid, our treasurer, selected the venue, Fox and Hounds, and organized the event. It was a superb authentic British pubstyle restaurant run by a family that recently emigrated from the UK. The weather was warm and sunny making it perfect for the scenic drive to Ladysmith. We had a lively meeting and all fifteen members that attended had a delightful time. Thanks to Jim for organizing the event.
VanIsles Chapter Executive Members:
Irene Hilchey ihilchey@gmail.com President Jim Reid jrreid@shaw.ca Treasurer Patti Dobroski pattido@shaw.ca Secretary
Westman Retired Educators’ Association
Respectfully submitted by Ron McPhail, WREA President, 2018 - 2019
WREA held four general meetings this year, all luncheon meetings held at the Rotary Villas Retirement Home. At each of the meetings there was either an entertainer or a speaker. They included: The Song Birds from Seniors for Seniors, the local Ukulele club and Pharmacist Mark McCure as a guest speaker. At each of the General meetings, there was a donation box where items were collected and then delivered to a local charity.
