President’s Report

Wayne Hughes

At our AGM in May, the new Board expressed a desire to form the standing committees earlier, so some work might happen over the summer. To accomplish this, Board members stayed an extra day in Dauphin for our inaugural meeting where committee chairs were appointed. We met again in June where the standing committees were appointed. Each committee chair attempted to find non board members for their committees. In my opinion, these members are critical for RTAM’s future, as we have to have an ongoing recruitment and renewal of the Board. I would encourage more members to volunteer their skills and expertise for your fellow retired teachers. their and your don’t sound right

Judging by the events over the usually quiet summer months, this year’s board is certainly off to a flying start. Let me outline some of the changes and upcoming events that all RTAM members should watch for: • KIT: Watch for a lot of change. After many years with Pegasus Publishing, we are going to try a different publisher and printer. We hope you notice the changes and allow us to work out the “kinks.” We hope we will have a better product as well as save some production costs. • RTAM Awards: The Educational

Advocacy Committee was extremely pleased to receive 20 applications for the awards. We had applications from children, grandchildren and nieces/ nephews. The committee met in August and the winners will be notified by mail. Once notified, we will announce the names on the website as well as in the next issue of KIT. A big thank you to all who applied. • An Ad Hoc committee has been working over the summer to plan a Strategic Planning Day for the Board. As an organization, we need to meet and discuss our direction for the coming year. We look forward to working with an external facilitator.

We were pleased to receive some financial support from Johnson Insurance to cover some of the additional costs for the day. • The Benefits Committee has been in contact with Johnson Insurance to request some additions to the Travel

Plan. Manitoba Health will now allow snowbirds to be away seven (7) months, so our plan now has rates for the extended times. The rates can be seen on the Johnson website.

Members who live outside of Manitoba should check the regulation in your province. • The Benefits Committee has started the process for our annual plan renewal. We are hoping to add some additional benefits to the Extended

Health Plan, so stay tuned. • The Wellness Committee has planned an interesting workshop for

Thursday, October 10, 2013. Look for the advertisement in this KIT. • The Travel Committee has set

Wednesday, October 16, 2013 for a

Travel Fair. It will be at MTS and active teachers are invited to attend.

Look for the details in this KIT. • Most of our standing committees will be meeting prior to the September 19 Board meeting • With all these activities, we need additional help in our office. Look for the advertisement for a part time receptionist/ office position.

As you can see, your board is working very hard and I would like to thank all of them for their dedication and service. I am looking forward to the coming year. 

Published by

RETIRED TEACHERS’

ASSOCIATION OF MANITOBA

113-1555 St. James St. Winnipeg MB R3H 1B5 Phone 889-3660 • 1-888-393-8082 Email: rtam@mts.net • www.rtam.mb.ca

Editor-in-Chief: Doreen Sage Box 252 Neepawa, MB R0J 1H0 Phone: (204) 476-5772 Email: dsage@mymts.net

Privacy Officer: Richard Benoit 200 Point West Drive Winnipeg, MB R3T 5H7 Phone: (204) 261-9839 Email: lbenoit@mts.net

Board of Directors 2013-2014

President: Wayne Hughes Vice -President: Marvin Krawec Secretary: Judy Olmstead Treasurer: Carol Pelton

Past President: Richard Benoit

Directors-at-Large

Rosalie Bornn Alex Boyes Peter Carney Ralph Cibula Joan Dawson Guy Hansen Jag Malik Vel McAdam Barbara McDole Peggy Prendergast Doreen Sage Ray Sitter John Sushelnitsky Norman Wiebe

Administrative Officer: Carol Gillis

Art Direction & Layout: Gayl Punzalan

Images are licensed from Photos.com, except the ones provided by the contributors. Copyright © 2013 by RTAM

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher.