President's Message

Bill Cann

RTAM President 2021 - 2022

RETIRED TEACHERS’

ASSOCIATION OF MANITOBA

There have been several important developments since the Summer (AGM) edition of KIT. I remain indebted to the Executive Officers, Executive Director, Office Staff, individual Directors, Committee members and Chapter Presidents for their valued assistance in successfully addressing important issues and moving our organization forward. Clearly, the first and most important issue is the Federal Election. Our national organization, ACER-CART, prepared Election brochures in both official languages. The RTAM Executive arranged for Chapter Presidents to distribute these brochures to our members across the province as well as in Calgary, Kelowna and Vancouver Island. The brochures are also posted on the RTAM website and the English information is printed in this edition of KIT. RTAM has also received great support from the Manitoba Seniors Coalition and the Manitoba Teachers’ Society to distribute the brochures to their members. ACER-CART‘s new software program will be used to send the brochures and election letters from our members to every candidate in every riding across Canada. I strongly believe that the key issues outlined in the ACER-CART brochures and below are critical for retired and active teachers as well as for all older persons/ seniors. The brochures describe in detail the following critical election issues: 1. Making retirement income more secure. 2. Implementing a universal, public, comprehensive, accessible and portable national Pharmacare program. 3. Opposing the privatization of medical services. 4. Implementing a National Seniors’ Strategy that optimizes health, financial security, affordable housing and social inclusion so all Canadians can age with dignity.

This strategy includes endorsing the establishment of a Canadian Federal Seniors’ Ministry.

I challenge each of our 10,000 RTAM members to actively discuss these critical seniors' issues with local candidates, family and friends. Retired Teachers across Manitoba and Canada can make a difference. Remember to cast your vote on September 20th for our future well being.

The second important issue is the Succession/Leadership Crisis that RTAM will face at the May 2022 AGM. Current Policy 6.04 (b) limits Directors to 5 years of continuous service and would require 8 of the existing 13 Directors to retire from the Board in

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May 2022. Since I have declared my intention not to run for a third term, only one of the current four Executive Officers will be available to sit on the Board in May 2022. While I will serve in the capacity of Past President during 2022-2023, there will be a need to elect a new President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary! Unfortunately, the Six Year Rotation of Chapter Nominations negotiated in January 2021 and the efforts of current Directors to recruit replacements will not solve the likely leadership vacuum. RTAM cannot function effectively with a Board comprised of only 5-6 Directors. Therefore, I urge each of our members to seriously consider allowing their name to stand for election as a Director at the May 2022 AGM. Chapters must also consider nominating a candidate prior to their scheduled responsibility on the Six Year Rotation of Chapter Nominations. Please do not assume that someone else will step up to lead our organization. The leadership of RTAM and its future direction rests in your hands.

On a brighter note, I am delighted to report that our First Year Free Membership initiative is beginning to yield fruit. The number of new RTAM members at the end of June 2021 was 214. This in an increase of 50 compared to the June 2020 total of 164. While it is too early to draw conclusions, it is hoped that the July 2021 and future figures will show similar growth.

The President, Executive Director and appropriate Directors have successfully negotiated annual contracts with Blue Ink Media, for both website services and the layout/printing of KIT Magazine. A new contract has also been negotiated to provide Information Technology services for the RTAM Office and Directors.

Finally, I am delighted to draw your attention to the information printed within this edition of KIT concerning, RTAM’s first Group Travel Tour. At its June 16th meeting the RTAM Board reviewed 10 different group trip proposals from TRIP Merchant; 4 within Canada, 3 within the United States and Caribbean, and 3 in the rest of the world. The majority of Directors selected Haida Gwaii as the group tour they wanted to go on because it was within Canada, offered the least vulnerability for Covid, provided economic benefits for Indigenous people as well as the Canadian tourism industry and most important, offered RTAM members an opportunity to visit Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Sites: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pnnp/bc/gwaiihaanas. The area is nicknamed Canada’s Galapagos for its diverse plant and animal life. It's a true rainforest in our own backyard. In addition, the islands form the heartland of the Haida Nation and provide the opportunity to learn about both their history and their current culture which is woven into the very fabric of everything about the place. This trip is limited to the first 25 RTAM members (including family and friends) and is currently scheduled for May 31-June 7, 2022. I hope to see you on this exciting travel adventure. n