Educational Advocacy 

Annual multi-trip plan; annual premium at age 50 is $121

Up to $1,000 for baggage and personal effects –(up to $500 for personal effects, up to $200 for document replacement, and up to $400 for baggage delay) PlAN MEMbER NOTIFICATION AND CONTACT INFORMATION

October MEDOC Mailing: In October 2012, Johnson

Inc. will be mailing a notification to Members without any current RTAM Travel coverage to introduce the new MEDOC Travel Plan for Members who travel for shorter durations.

Manitoba Sales Tax: Manitoba has introduced a new sales tax which will be applied only to the Trip

Cancellation portion of a Member’s monthly travel premiums. –Members who purchased or renewed Travel Insurance on or after July 15 will be directly notified of the new Manitoba sales tax on their coverage confirmation letter by Johnson Inc. This notification also appears on the Johnson Inc. “Members Only Website”. –Members with coverage that was in-force prior to July 15, 2012 were not subject to the new Manitoba sales tax until the following travel benefit renewal: • MEDOC Travel Plan coverage: September 2012. • “Premier” Travel Plan coverage: April 2013.

Travel Advisory: All Travel claims require proof of departure: –Proof can take any form so long as it: • identifies the claimant’s name; • specifies the date; and, • indicates that the transaction took place in the claimant’s province of residence. –Examples include: • a purchase made at the Canadian duty-free store; • a stamped passport; • an airline ticket; or, • a credit card receipt.

For inquiries on any of the above Plans, please contact our Plan Administrator Johnson Inc. Toll-free at 1-877989-2600.

For complete Travel, Health and Dental Plan descriptions please refer to the governing documents, your Certificates of Insurance available on the website: www. johnson.ca/rtam.

Keep an eye out for the Winter 2012 edition of KIT for more information on Dental Care, Extended Health Care and Long Term Care coverage for RTAM Members.

This symposium was a collaboration between the RTAM Educational Advocacy Committee, the local RTAM Thompson Chapter, the provincial Healthy Living, Seniors and Consumers Affairs Secretariat and the Manitoba Association of Senior Centres, (MASC). It served also as a pilot project for the Educational Advocacy Committee to fulfill one of the objectives of this committee: "to inform all seniors in the communities of RTAM Chapters of services available to them locally and provincially." All seniors in Thompson were invited to attend the symposium. It demonstrated the use of the talents and skills of RTAM members who are involved in other senior serving organizations and who demonstrate that organizations can work together for the common good allowing our members to use their leadership skills.

Susan Crichton, the Elder Abuse Consultant from the Manitoba Healthy Living, Seniors and Consumer Affairs Secretariat delivered the keynote address, “Families, Friends and Neighbours,” and spoke about provincially available services. Tracy Lothian, Program Manager, Senior Services, informed attendees about local Burntwood RHA services. Tim Johnson, the Mayor of Thompson, brought greetings at noon. He mentioned the changing demographic in Thompson that now includes many more seniors who have chosen to make Thompson their home in retirement. He indicated a willingness to work with them to meet their needs. Connie Newman, Executive Director MASC, explained the many handouts available in the folders provided to attendees. A delicious lunch was served by the St. Johns United Church where the event was held from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Because of Susan’s involvement, we took the opportunity to also make this a WEAAD (World Elder Abuse Awareness Day) event, normally held on June 15 each year. Purple ribbon stickers were distributed as well as appropriate information that was available and connected to the objective of the day.

The evaluations suggested that the day as a whole was successful for those who attended but that our overall communication to the community needed to improve for future symposiums.

The Educational Advocacy Committee encourages other chapters to become involved in a symposium for your community. Now that a pilot program has been established, support will come from RTAM and the other organizations mentioned in this article, where possible. Please contact Peggy Prendergast or the RTAM office for further information.

RTAM SPONSORED SYMPOSIUM IN THOMPSON, MANITObA, JUNE 7, 2012 By Peggy Prendergast