RTAM 2023 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENT: Beth Smith

Submitted by Rosalie Bornn

As is customary policy protocol and in conjunction with the May 2023 Annual General Meeting, RTAM member Beth Smith became the most recent recipient of RTAM’s Distinguished Service Award.

Beth is a true Maritimer who became a transplanted Manitoban. She was born and raised in New Brunswick and received her first degree at University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, NB.

Beth is an adventurous person. Upon the completion of her Post Secondary Education degree, she learned of the need for MB public school teachers and left the Maritimes for life in MB. Beth initially accepted a Home Economics teaching position in the community of Leaf Rapids. After 6 1/2 years in Northern MB, Beth sought employment further “South” with the Duck Mountain School Division in Winnipegosis, MB. Beth settled into her new community and work assignment. Beth continued to pursue her education, earning her Masters in School Counselling from Brandon University. After MB school division amalgamation occurrence, Duck Mountain became part of the present-day Mountain View SD where new career opportunities became available. Beth accepted an inter-division transfer to Dauphin, MB and accepted a new assignment as the instructor of the newly formed Mountain View School Division Adult Learning Centre.

Beth was also an active member of the Manitoba Teachers’ Society and served on the MTS provincial Equality in Education Resource Team, later known as the Teacher Action Cohorts.

Upon her retirement in 2013, Beth immediately joined RTAM and DARTA, the local Dauphin Area Retired Teachers’ Association Chapter. At a Fall 2014 DARTA Chapter meeting, from a Liaison RTAM Board Report to the Chapter, Beth learned of potential openings on the RTAM Board and was encouraged to submit her application for an RTAM Director position. Her position on the RTAM Board was reaffirmed at their next AGM and Beth remained on the RTAM Board for 8 consecutive years, until the May 2022 RTAM AGM. During that time, Beth remained an active member of the local DARTA Chapter and eventually took on the Liaison RTAM Board Report duties to the DARTA monthly chapter meetings. Beth’s service to RTAM was that of a faithful, conscientious and productive RTAM Director through Committee member service, Chair responsibilities and other duties as assigned, which included:

• Public Relations Committee- member

• RTAM Student Awards Committee- member

• Membership and Chapters Committee- Chair and member

• Bylaws and Policy Committee- member

• KIT Editorial Committee- Chair and member

• MTS 100th Anniversary Celebration Committee (multiyear RTAM rep)

• RTAM Strategic Plan ADHOC Committee - member

• RTAM Pre Retirement Seminar Planning (as part of Membership and Chapters)

• Student Success Portfolios Committee- member

Beth’s length of time commitment, her level of consistent quality of volunteer service and her advocacy of both the RTAM organization and MB retired teachers strongly indicate that she is a most deserving recipient of acknowledgement with the honour of the Distinguished Service Award of RTAM, in accordance with existing RTAM policy.

It should also be noted that Beth includes scrapbooking as one of her hobbies. Shortly after she joined the RTAM Board, Beth initiated a personal project to assist the RTAM Office. Beth organized and completed an historical legacy RTAM Scrapbook to display RTAM events and memorabilia, with materials that had accumulated in the RTAM Office since the inception of RTAM. Beth continued to update the legacy scrapbook until she left the Board in 2022.

In her spare time, besides scrapbooking, Beth enjoys sewing, reading, friend and family gatherings, travel and summer holiday stays seaside in the Cap Pele area of New Brunswick, located along the Northumberland Strait.

Beth is now living in Riverton, New Brunswick to be closer to her family. We sincerely wish Beth a long, happy and healthy continued retirement close to her loved ones.