RTAM_Fall_2025_Web by retiredteachers

IN THIS ISSUE

37 | No. 2 | Fall 2025

106-1780 Wellington Avenue

Winnipeg, MB R3H 1B3

Phone 204-889-3660 • 1-888-393-8082

Email: info@rtam.mb.ca

Website: www.rtam.mb.ca

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

Chair: Jocelyne Fraser

Members: Judy Danchura

Gisèle Grégoire

Joan Zaretsky

Email: kit@rtam.mb.ca

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2024-2025

President: Jayesh Maniar

Vice-President: Linda Blair

Treasurer: Jocelyne Fraser

DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE

Betty-Jean Checkley | Vicky Hutchinson

Peter Narth | Audrey Siemens

Trent Tuttosi | Marilyn Wiebe

Executive Director: Melissa Sitter

Office Manager: Denise Bellesia

Email: dbellesia@rtam.mb.ca

Member Services Coordinator: Dianne Casar

Email: dcasar@rtam.mb.ca

Office Administrator: F. Grace Kilani

Email: fgkilani@rtam.mb.ca

Print: Concept Printing Services

Creative Director/Design: Kathleen Cable

Email: conceptprinting@shaw.ca

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.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT Jayesh Maniar

As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin their glorious transformation, I am reminded of the magic and majesty of fall — a season that seems to speak directly to the hearts of retired teachers. Just as autumn reflects a year well spent, our lives reflect careers dedicated to growth, learning, and nurturing others. Retirement is not an ending but a beautiful continuation — a time of vibrant change, purposeful activity, and deeper connection.

Fall is a favourite season for many, and it’s easy to see why. Nature puts on a final, breathtaking show before winter’s quiet, reminding us to pause and appreciate what we have, to breathe deeply, and to move forward with intention. I encourage each of you to take advantage of this inspiring season — walk through your neighborhood or local park, take photos of the magnificent palette of nature’s colours, attend a cultural event, or sit outside with a warm drink and take in the beauty around you.

Staying active, both physically and mentally, is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves. In this chapter of life whether it’s a daily walk, yoga, volunteering, travel, writing, joining a book club, participating in organized activities or learning a new hobby helps keep us engaged which in turn helps us maintain health and happiness. And remember — being active isn’t only about motion; it’s also about being involved. Staying connected to others, contributing to community life, and continuing to learn are all forms of activities that enrich us deeply.

RTAM has always prided itself on being a place where retired teachers can remain involved, valued, and inspired. This fall, we are excited to offer a variety of opportunities to connect, contribute, and celebrate. Local Chapters and Special Interest Groups will be hosting a variety of events. These gatherings are a wonderful way to enjoy the season, stay active, and rekindle friendships.

Our volunteer initiatives are also going strong. Many of you are giving back through community service, advocacy, or creative projects. I continue to be inspired by the many ways you are

making a difference. You show, again and again, that in this phase of life, we need to continue to be active and engaged.

The staff at RTAM are planning a series of speakers focused on topics relevant to retired educators, including travel tips for seniors, navigating healthcare changes, and estate planning. Our goal is to continue to plan and offer events and content that are both enjoyable and practical. If you would like to offer a session or have suggestions for speakers or topics, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the RTAM office. RTAM is planning our AGM for this fall; please plan to attend. More information will be sent to members by email. This organization belongs to all of us, your input is always welcome and your participation is what drives RTAM.

As we settle into the rhythms of fall, it’s also a good time to reflect on our own journeys. Think of how many lives you’ve touched — how many lessons you’ve shared, how many children you’ve encouraged, and how much knowledge you’ve passed on. These contributions don’t fade with time; they ripple outward, touching generation after generation. Your impact is enduring, and your continued energy, wisdom, and involvement are gifts to our community.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our Executive and Board members, staff, committee members, volunteers, our members and everyone who contributes to the life of RTAM. Your dedication behind the scenes — whether planning events, updating members, managing finances, or leading initiatives — keeps our community strong and active. Together, we are building something remarkable.

In closing, I wish each of you a joyful and healthy fall. May you find beauty in the leaves, warmth in the connections you make, and strength in the steps you take. Thank you for all you do, and for continuing to show what it means to live fully, learn always, and lead with heart.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, Jayesh Maniar, President

RAPPORT DE PRÉSIDENT

Jayesh Maniar

Alors que l’air devient plus vif et que les feuilles entament leur splendide transformation, je suis rappelé à la magie et à la majesté de l’automne — une saison qui semble parler directement au cœur des enseignants retraités. Tout comme l’automne reflète une année bien vécue, nos vies reflètent des carrières consacrées à la croissance, à l’apprentissage et à l’accompagnement des autres. La retraite n’est pas une fin, mais une belle continuation — un temps de changement vibrant, d’activités porteuses de sens et de liens plus profonds.

L’automne est la saison préférée de beaucoup, et il est facile de comprendre pourquoi. La nature nous offre un dernier spectacle époustouflant avant le calme hivernal, nous rappelant de prendre le temps d’apprécier ce que nous avons, de respirer profondément et d’avancer avec intention. Je vous encourage à profiter de cette saison inspirante — promenez-vous dans votre quartier ou votre parc local, prenez des photos de la magnifique palette de couleurs de la nature, assistez à un événement culturel ou installez-vous dehors avec une boisson chaude pour admirer la beauté qui vous entoure.

Rester actif, physiquement comme mentalement, est l’un des plus beaux cadeaux que nous puissions nous offrir. Dans ce chapitre de notre vie, qu’il s’agisse d’une marche quotidienne, de yoga, de bénévolat, de voyages, d’écriture, de participation à un club de lecture, à des activités organisées ou d’apprentissage d’un nouveau passe-temps, tout cela nous aide à rester engagés, ce qui contribue à notre santé et à notre bonheur. Et souvenez-vous : être actif ne signifie pas seulement être en mouvement; c’est aussi s’impliquer. Maintenir le lien avec les autres, contribuer à la vie communautaire et continuer d’apprendre sont autant d’activités qui nous enrichissent profondément.

La RTAM a toujours été fière d’être un lieu où les enseignants retraités peuvent rester impliqués, reconnus et inspirés. Cet automne, nous sommes heureux de proposer diverses occasions de se connecter, de contribuer et de célébrer. Les chapitres et les groupes d’intérêts particuliers organiseront une variété d’événements. Ces rencontres sont une excellente façon de profiter de la saison, de rester actif et de renouer avec de vieilles amitiés.

Nos initiatives de bénévolat sont également en plein essor. Bon nombre d’entre vous redonnent à la communauté par le service, le plaidoyer ou des projets créatifs. Je continue d’être inspiré

par toutes les façons dont vous faites une différence. Vous démontrez, encore et encore, que dans cette étape de la vie, il est essentiel de rester actif et engagé.

Le personnel de la RTAM prépare une série de conférences portant sur des sujets pertinents pour les éducateurs retraités, notamment des conseils de voyage pour les aînés, la navigation dans les changements liés aux soins de santé et la planification successorale. Notre objectif est de continuer à planifier et à offrir des événements et du contenu à la fois agréables et pratiques. Si vous souhaitez animer une séance ou avez des suggestions de conférenciers ou de sujets, n’hésitez pas à communiquer avec le bureau de la RTAM. Nous planifions également notre AGA pour cet automne; veuillez prévoir d’y assister. Plus d’informations seront envoyées aux membres par courriel. Cette organisation appartient à nous tous; vos commentaires sont toujours les bienvenus et votre participation est ce qui fait avancer la RTAM.

Alors que nous nous installons dans le rythme de l’automne, c’est aussi un bon moment pour réfléchir à notre propre parcours. Pensez à toutes les vies que vous avez touchées — à toutes les leçons que vous avez partagées, à tous les enfants que vous avez encouragés et à tout le savoir que vous avez transmis. Ces contributions ne s’effacent pas avec le temps; elles se propagent, touchant génération après génération. Votre impact est durable, et votre énergie, votre sagesse et votre implication continues sont des cadeaux pour notre communauté.

Je tiens à exprimer ma profonde gratitude à notre direction et aux membres du conseil, au personnel, aux membres des comités, aux bénévoles, à nos membres et à tous ceux qui contribuent à la vie de la RTAM. Votre dévouement, qu’il s’agisse de planifier des événements, de tenir les membres informés, de gérer les finances ou de diriger des initiatives, maintient notre communauté forte et dynamique. Ensemble, nous construisons quelque chose de remarquable.

En conclusion, je vous souhaite à toutes et à tous un automne joyeux et en santé. Que vous trouviez de la beauté dans les feuilles, de la chaleur dans les liens que vous tissez et de la force dans les pas que vous faites. Merci pour tout ce que vous faites et pour continuer à montrer ce que signifie vivre pleinement, apprendre toujours et diriger avec le cœur.

Au nom du conseil d’administration, Jayesh Maniar, Président

Melissa Sitter

Nouvelle directrice générale de la RTAM

Soumis par Jayesh Maniar

Le conseil d’administration de la RTAM est heureux d’annoncer la nomination de Melissa Sitter au poste de directrice générale. Elle possède une expérience éprouvée en leadership, planification stratégique, gouvernance et développement des capacités, qui requiert de solides compétences en communication et en création de relations avancées avec des partenaires locaux, provinciaux et nationaux. Melissa apporte un mélange dynamique de vision, d’expérience et d’engagement envers notre mission.

Melissa possède une vaste expérience auprès d’organismes au service des aînés, qui exigeait l’interprétation de lois, l’élaboration de processus et de politiques, la planification et l’évaluation de programmes, la résolution de conflits et de problèmes, la prestation de services-conseils à des fournisseurs externes, la gestion budgétaire, la planification stratégique, le développement communautaire et le renforcement des

RTAM’s New Executive Director

Melissa Sitter

By Jayesh Maniar, RTAM President

The RTAM Board of Directors are excited to announce Melissa Sitter as our new Executive Director. She has a proven track record in leadership, strategic planning, governance, and capacity building that requires strong communication skills and advanced relationship building with local, provincial and national stakeholders. Melissa brings a dynamic blend of vision, experience, and commitment to our mission.

Melissa comes with vast experience working with senior-serving organizations that required interpretation of legislation, process and policy development, program planning and evaluation, conflict resolution and problem-solving, providing advisory services to external service providers, budgeting, strategic planning, community development and capacity building, stakeholder engagement, and grant writing. She has the ability to align strategy with mission, build strong collaborative teams, and foster sustainable practices that empower both staff and our community partners.

capacités, la mobilisation des parties prenantes, ainsi que la rédaction de demandes de subventions. Elle a la capacité d’aligner la stratégie sur la mission, de constituer des équipes collaboratives solides et de promouvoir des pratiques durables qui renforcent à la fois le personnel et nos partenaires communautaires.

Les qualifications scolaires de Melissa incluent une spécialisation diplômée en vieillissement et une maîtrise ès sciences de l’Université du Manitoba; elle a reçu de nombreux prix d’études supérieures, dont la bourse du Manitoba Health Research Council, et a été membre étudiante du conseil des gouverneurs de l’université.

Nous sommes ravis d’accueillir Melissa au sein de notre communauté RTAM. Elle sera un atout précieux alors que nous poursuivons nos efforts pour maintenir et élargir les programmes de la RTAM.

Melissa’s education qualifications include earning a Graduate Specialization in Aging and a Master of Science degree from the University of Manitoba; she was the recipient of many graduate student awards, including the Manitoba Health Research Council Studentship, and was a student member of the University’s Board of Governors.

We are thrilled to welcome Melissa to our RTAM community. She will be an amazing asset as we continue to move forward to sustain and expand programming for RTAM.

Hello RTAM members.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

Melissa Sitter

I am very excited to join the RTAM family! As a newcomer to the professional education field, I recognize that there is a lot to learn. My teaching experience is limited to a 3-year stint teaching English as an additional language in Japan, which had a big impact on my direction in life. That incredible time led me, not to a career in education, but to a career in support of healthy aging.

Living and travelling in Japan over 20 years ago, I noticed how much more mobile and physically active older adults were than the older folks I knew at home. That observation sparked a lifelong interest in healthy aging, which has so far included a Graduate Specialization in Aging from the Centre on Aging at the University of Manitoba and 15 years of leadership experience

delivering supports to seniors in health and recreation. During that time, I’ve had the privilege of working with many not-for profit and charitable organizations, helping folks to live well and safely in their own homes as they age.

I am excited about RTAM’s plans to double our membership and enhance our service offerings. I invite you to read our strategic plan and consider how you can get involved to support the well-being of our community! Find the following links online Volunteer – Retired Teachers’ Association of Manitoba and https://www.rtam.mb.ca/assets/pages/Strategic_Plan_Text_ File_2024.pdf or check the RTAM website.

Sincerely,

Melissa

NOUVELLE DIRECTRICE GÉNÉRALE DE LA RTAM

Melissa Sitter

Bonjour aux membres de la RTAM,

Je suis très heureuse de joindre la famille de la RTAM ! En tant que nouvelle venue dans le domaine de l’éducation professionnelle, je sais qu’il me reste beaucoup à apprendre. Mon expérience en enseignement se limite à trois années d’enseignement de l’anglais comme langue additionnelle au Japon, une expérience qui a profondément influencé le cours de ma vie. Cette période incroyable ne m’a pas menée vers une carrière en éducation, mais bien vers une carrière axée sur le soutien au vieillissement en santé.

En vivant et voyageant au Japon il y a plus de 20 ans, j’ai constaté à quel point les personnes âgées y étaient beaucoup plus mobiles et actives physiquement que celles que je connaissais chez moi. Cette observation a éveillé mon intérêt durable pour le vieillissement en santé, qui m’a menée, entre autres, à une spécialisation aux cycles supérieurs en gérontologie au Centre on Aging de l’Université du Manitoba

et à 15 années d’expérience en leadership dans la prestation de services de soutien aux aînés en santé et en loisirs. Durant cette période, j’ai eu le privilège de collaborer avec de nombreux organismes à but non lucratif et de bienfaisance, en aidant les gens à bien vivre et à demeurer en sécurité dans leur propre domicile en vieillissant.

Je suis enthousiaste face aux projets de la RTAM visant à doubler notre nombre de membres et à enrichir notre offre de services. Je vous invite à consulter notre plan stratégique et à envisager comment vous pourriez vous impliquer pour contribuer au bien-être de notre communauté ! Vous trouverez les liens suivants en ligne : Volunteer – Retired Teachers’ Association of Manitoba et https://www.rtam.mb.ca/assets/ pages/Strategic_Plan_Text_File_2024.pdf ou encore sur le site web de la RTAM.

Cordialement, Melissa

Message from KIT Committee

Submitted

Jocelyne Fraser

We hope everyone had a wonderful summer! Autumn is just around the corner, bringing crisp air, colourful leaves, and the beauty of changing trees.

Mark your calendars — our Annual General Meeting will be held on November 19, 2025. More details will be shared soon!

Attention all RTAM members, we need your stories!

Let’s Deck the Halls with Your Christmas School Memories!

Was your school Christmas concert the talk of the town? Did your class have a quirky holiday tradition that still makes you laugh? Maybe there was a magical snowfall on the last day before the holidays…

We’d love to share your favourite or most memorable Christmas school moments in our magazine! Whether it’s funny, touching, or just plain unforgettable, your story will help spread the spirit of the season.

To protect privacy, please do not include real names, gender, school names, or any identifying details such as location. You may use pseudonyms.

• Deadline: November 5, 2025

• Email: kit@rtam.mb.ca

Let’s fill our pages with twinkling lights, carols, and the warmth of holiday memories—one story at a time!

Message du comité KIT

Soumis par Jocelyne Fraser

Nous espérons que votre été a été ensoleillé, relaxant et rempli de beaux souvenirs!

Maintenant que l’air devient plus frais et que les arbres revêtent leurs magnifiques couleurs d’automne, il est temps de regarder vers l’avenir.

Réservez la date — notre Assemblée générale annuelle aura lieu le 19 novembre 2025. Les détails tomberont bientôt comme les feuilles, restez à l’affût!

Attention à tous les membres de la RTAM, nous avons besoin de vos histoires !

Partageons vos souvenirs de Noël/Hiver à l’école !

Votre concert de Noël/Hiver à l’école était-il l’événement tant attendu de la communauté? Votre classe avait-elle une tradition originale qui vous fait encore sourire aujourd’hui? Peut-être qu’une chute de neige magique s’est produite le dernier jour avant les vacances…

Nous aimerions publier vos souvenirs scolaires de Noël/Hiver les plus drôles, touchants ou inoubliables dans notre magazine ! Qu’ils soient empreints d’humour, d’émotion ou de nostalgie, vos récits contribueront à répandre la magie des Fêtes.

Afin de protéger la confidentialité, veuillez ne pas inclure de vrais noms, de genres, de noms d’école ni aucun détail permettant d’identifier un lieu. Vous pouvez utiliser des pseudonymes.

• Date limite d’envoi : 5 novembre 2025

• Courriel : kit@rtam.mb.ca

Remplissons nos pages de lumières scintillantes, de chants de temps des Fêtes et de la chaleur de ces souvenirs — une histoire à la fois !

We are seeking your ideas for ways to keep socially connected by asking you to identify practices which work for you. For our Winter edition, we would like to highlight some of your ideas you have found helpful to keep your social connections alive and well. Please submit them to KIT at the following address kit@rtam.mb.ca and we will collate your responses in hopes of offering some new means of reaping the many benefits of being socially connected.

ACER CART Western Regional Meeting

By Vicky Hutchinson, Chair, RTAM Benefits Committee

The RTAM executive, Jayesh Maniar (President), Linda Blair (Vice-President), Jocelyne Fraser (Treasurer), Melissa Sitter (Executive Director), and myself, Vicky Hutchinson (Chair, Benefits Committee), attended the ACER-CART Western Regional Meeting on June 9 and 10, 2025 in Saskatoon. Regional meetings are held every year ending in an odd number.

All of the western provinces, though they have different geographical, political, and organizational structures, are dealing with similar issues in support of retired teachers. Some common topics we talked about dealt with the threat of ROTERO (Ontario retired teachers), programs towards aging in place, and challenges in recruiting volunteers for committees and boards of directors.

BC Retired Teacher Association (BCRTA) highlighted the challenge for our organizations of changing demographics; fewer retirees reflective of fewer teachers hired in the 80s and 90s and teachers retiring at an older age for fiscal and other concerns.

Alberta Retired Teachers Association (ARTA) highlighted their advocacy with politicians and the challenges caused by their current political environment. As a registered charity, ARTA supports programs for adult English as an Additional Language, affordable housing, and health care for seniors. ARTA shared that they own a pharmacy to provide medications to members in Calgary.

Superannuated Teachers of Saskatchewan (STS) highlighted their initiatives around age friendly and retirement lifestyles. They accessed grants for Home Supports and Social Prescribing.

Manitoba has one of the cheaper membership rates in the west. RTAM has opened our membership for education community associate members such as those from the U of M to boost membership numbers to sustain long-term viability. Our collective ears perked up at all the housing initiatives that other provinces are considering. Is this something RTAM should be looking at?

Chris Galloway of Friends of Medicare talked about their work in expanding public health care in Alberta. His presentation focused on the challenges to Medicare between privatization and other governmental issues in Alberta. Chris mentioned that one of the challenges that Alberta is facing is that the provincial government is looking at selling hospitals to private

corporations. The problem with this plan is that if the hospital is not profitable, there will be restrictions on who can access services in the hospital and the actual services that are being offered. Other work that Friends of Medicare concentrated on are seniors’ care, pharmacare, as well as mental health and addictions care.

ACER CART priorities and strategies for 2025 were presented.

Priority

ACER-CART will, in collaboration with like-minded organizations, develop and advocate for strategies for aging at home.

Strategies

a. Advocate for the development and implementation of a National Seniors’ Strategy which includes aging at home strategies, a universal national Pharmacare program and policies to combat the move towards privatization.

b. Advocate for initiatives that will ensure all seniors are properly supported in their efforts to achieve financial stability to enable aging in the right place.

c. Advocate for a public health care system that prioritizes appropriately supported care in seniors’ own homes and in their own community for as long as possible.

d. Continue to advocate for a stand alone Federal Minister of Seniors.

Melissa Sitter and Jayesh Maniar at the ACER CART Western Regional Meeting.

Réunion régionale de l’Ouest de l’ACER-CART

Soumis par Vicky Hutchinson, présidente, Comité des avantages sociaux de la RTAM

L’exécutif de la RTAM, soit Jayesh Maniar (président), Linda Blair (vice-présidente), Jocelyne Fraser (trésorière), Melissa Sitter (directrice générale), et moi-même, Vicky Hutchinson (présidente du Comité des avantages sociaux), avons participé à la Réunion régionale de l’Ouest de l’ACER-CART, tenue à Saskatoon les 9 et 10 juin 2025. Les réunions régionales ont lieu tous les ans dont l’année se termine par un chiffre impair.

Toutes les provinces de l’Ouest, bien qu’ayant des structures géographiques, politiques et organisationnelles différentes, font face à des enjeux similaires en matière de soutien aux enseignants retraités. Parmi les thèmes communs abordés figuraient la menace posée par ROTERO (enseignants retraités de l’Ontario), les programmes favorisant le maintien à domicile, ainsi que les défis liés au recrutement de bénévoles pour les comités et les conseils d’administration.

L’Association des enseignants retraités de la ColombieBritannique (BCRTA) a souligné la difficulté posée par l’évolution démographique : moins de retraités en raison d’un nombre réduit d’embauches d’enseignants dans les années 1980 et 1990, et des départs à la retraite plus tardifs pour des raisons financières et autres.

L’Association des enseignants retraités de l’Alberta (ARTA) a mis en valeur son travail de représentation auprès des politiciens et les difficultés causées par le climat politique actuel. En tant qu’organisme de bienfaisance enregistré, l’ARTA soutient des programmes en anglais langue additionnelle pour adultes, le logement abordable et les soins de santé aux aînés. L’ARTA a partagé qu’elle possède sa propre pharmacie afin de fournir des médicaments à ses membres à Calgary.

La Superannuated Teachers of Saskatchewan (STS) a présenté ses initiatives axées sur des modes de vie adaptés à l’âge et à la retraite. Ils ont obtenu des subventions pour les services de soutien à domicile et pour la « prescription sociale ».

Le Manitoba compte parmi les provinces de l’Ouest où les cotisations d’adhésion sont les plus abordables. La RTAM a ouvert son adhésion à des membres associés issus de la communauté éducative, comme ceux de l’Université du Manitoba, afin d’augmenter le nombre de membres et d’assurer

la viabilité à long terme de l’organisation. Nous avons tous tendu l’oreille aux nombreuses initiatives de logement envisagées par d’autres provinces. Est-ce une piste que la RTAM devrait explorer?

Chris Galloway, de Friends of Medicare, a parlé de leur travail visant à élargir les soins de santé publics en Alberta. Sa présentation s’est concentrée sur les menaces qui pèsent sur l’assurance-maladie en raison de la privatisation et d’autres enjeux gouvernementaux dans cette province. Chris a mentionné que l’un des défis actuels en Alberta est que le gouvernement provincial envisage de vendre des hôpitaux à des entreprises privées. Le problème de ce plan est que si l’hôpital n’est pas rentable, il y aura des restrictions quant aux personnes pouvant avoir accès aux services ainsi que sur les services eux-mêmes. Friends of Medicare concentre aussi ses efforts sur les soins aux aînés, l’assurance-médicaments, ainsi que sur les soins en santé mentale et en toxicomanie.

Les priorités et stratégies de l’ACER-CART pour 2025 ont été présentées.

Priorité :

L’ACER-CART, en collaboration avec des organisations partageant les mêmes valeurs, élaborera et défendra des stratégies visant le maintien à domicile des aînés.

Stratégies :

• Promouvoir l’élaboration et la mise en œuvre d’une Stratégie nationale pour les aînés comprenant le maintien à domicile, un régime universel d’assurance-médicaments et des politiques pour contrer la privatisation.

• Promouvoir des initiatives qui garantiront que tous les aînés bénéficient d’un soutien adéquat afin de maintenir leur stabilité financière et de vieillir dans le milieu qui leur convient.

• Promouvoir un système de santé public qui privilégie des soins bien soutenus au domicile des aînés et dans leur propre communauté, le plus longtemps possible.

• Continuer de promouvoir la création d’un ministère fédéral autonome dédié aux aînés

Substitute Concerns Committee

By Audrey Siemens, Chair of RTAM Substitute Concerns Committee

As the chair of the Substitute Concerns Committee, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our Substitute Concerns Committee members and the RTAM members who participated in the recent RTAM Substitute Concerns Survey. This survey was posted on our RTAM website this past year from December 16th – April 6th. We had a fabulous response of 246 respondents.

This survey was a voluntary and anonymous survey. It was intended to survey as many retired teachers as possible! Our RTAM Substitute Committee last surveyed its members in 2022 and wanted to update our members as to information and concerns re: our RTAM substitutes. We also wanted to forward these concerns to the current MTS bargaining team who will begin the process of bargaining for the next contract very soon. You will also note that some of the questions the

committee asked in the survey were closely related to some of the questions in the recent MTS bargaining survey.

We want to invite you to visit our RTAM website Substitute Teacher Concerns Committee - Retired Teachers’ Association of Manitoba and view the results of the survey! Our committee also posted a Pamphlet Sub Advice document intended to provide important information to our new retirees who wish to substitute this year! The pamphlet also provides a link citing upto-date information about the recent provincial agreement.

I would lastly like to congratulate all our new retired teachers who have recently joined RTAM, and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors!

“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.“ T.S. Elliot

N o t i c e o f 2 0 2 5 A G M

3 6 R T A M G e n e r a l M e e t i n g T H

C a l l e d f o r 1 0 : 0 0 a m , W e d n e s d a y , N o v e m b e r 1 9 t h

T h e M e e t i n g w i l l b e h e l d o n l i n e

D e t a i l s t o f o l l o w

A v i s d e l ’ A G A 2 0 2 5

3 6 e A s s e m b l é e g é n é r a l e d e l a R T A M

C o n v o q u é e à 1 0 h , l e m e r c r e d i 1 9 n o v e m b r e

L a r é u n i o n s e t i e n d r a e n l i g n e

L e s d é t a i l s s u i v r o n t

Nominations for 2025-2026 RTAM Director positions

Available Positions

Director-at-Large (5)

Secretary

All terms are for a two-year period. Terms begin one month following the AGM.

The Board of Directors meets 10 times per year. Directors are asked to chair an RTAM Committee and there is usually homework between meetings. Travel, accommodation, and meal expenses are reimbursed by RTAM.

Any Full Member of RTAM in good standing may be a candidate for a position as Director-at-Large or as an Officer of the corporation.

To become a candidate, a Full Member must submit the following information on or before October 19th, 2025.

• The Full Member’s first and last name;

• The position the Full Member seeks to be nominated for;

• A brief biography (no more than 500 words summarizing your experience);

• A brief summary of why you are seeking election; and

• Up to date contact information (phone number and/or email address.)

Candidates may submit this information electronically to office@rtam.mb.ca or by mail to

2025 Returning Officer c/o RTAM 106-1780 Wellington Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3H 1B3

Acknowledgment of receipt of your nomination will be sent to you as soon as possible.

The Returning Officer will present the nomination report to members two weeks prior to the AGM.

Candidatures aux postes de directeur de la RTAM 2025-2026

Postes disponibles

Administrateur général (5)

Secrétaire

Tous les mandats sont d’une durée de deux ans. Les mandats débutent un mois après l’AGA.

Le Conseil d’administration se réunit 10 fois par année. Les administrateurs doivent présider un comité de la RTAM et il y a habituellement du travail à effectuer entre les réunions. Les frais de déplacement, d’hébergement et de repas sont remboursés par la RTAM.

Tout membre régulier de la RTAM en règle peut poser sa candidature à un poste d’administrateur général ou à un poste de dirigeant de la corporation.

Pour soumettre sa candidature, un membre régulier doit transmettre les renseignements suivants au plus tard le 19 octobre 2025 :

• Prénom et nom de famille du membre régulier;

• Le poste convoité;

• Une brève biographie (maximum 500 mots résumant votre expérience);

• Un court résumé expliquant vos motivations à poser votre candidature;

• Vos coordonnées à jour (numéro de téléphone et/ou adresse courriel).

Les candidats peuvent soumettre ces renseignements par voie électronique à office@rtam.mb.ca ou par la poste à :

Président d’élection 2025 c/o RTAM 106-1780, avenue Wellington Winnipeg (MB) R3H 1B3

Un accusé de réception de votre candidature vous sera transmis dans les plus brefs délais.

Le président d’élection présentera le rapport des candidatures aux membres deux semaines avant l’AGA.

RTAM needs you!

As a retired educator, you have dedicated your career to shaping young minds and making a lasting impact in the classroom. If you have never volunteered for RTAM before, we invite you to continue your legacy by joining RTAM as a volunteer! We have had many dedicated and hard-working volunteers since the inception of RTAM. RTAM is where it is today because of them. And now, we invite you to be part of the future of RTAM.

Our organization is dedicated to promoting well-being of our members, to provide opportunities for social connections, to offer activities designed for whole-person development as we age, and to advocate for changes to legislation and policies to improve the quality of life for our members. We are looking for passionate retired teachers who want to stay engaged, give back, and connect with a community of like-minded educators.

Opportunities include:

• Working on various committees

• Organizing events and workshops for members

• Advocating for retired educators’ interests

• Supporting programs with RTAM partners

Your experience, knowledge, and dedication can continue to make a difference. Whether you have a few hours a month or more time to give, we would love to have you on board.

If you are interested or need more information, please reach out to us at office@rtam.mb.ca or visit rtam.mb.ca to learn more. To volunteer, you will need to fill in and submit this form.

Thank you for your lifelong commitment to education. We hope to hear from you soon!

Warm regards,

On behalf of RTAM Board of Directors, Jayesh Maniar, President

La RTAM a besoin de vous!

Chères éducatrices, chers éducateurs retraités,

Vous avez consacré votre carrière à inspirer, guider et transformer des vies en classe. Pourquoi ne pas continuer à faire une différence, mais d’une nouvelle façon?

Si vous n’avez jamais fait de bénévolat avec la RTAM, c’est le moment idéal de vous lancer! Grâce à l’énergie et au dévouement de nos bénévoles, la RTAM est devenue ce qu’elle est aujourd’hui. Et maintenant, nous aimerions que VOUS fassiez partie de son avenir.

Ce que nous faisons :

• Favoriser le bien-être de nos membres

• Créer des occasions de rencontres et d’amitiés

• Offrir des activités enrichissantes à tout âge

• Défendre les droits et les intérêts des éducateurs retraités

Les possibilités de bénévolat :

• Participer à des comités dynamiques

• Aider à organiser des événements et des ateliers

• Être la voix des enseignants retraités auprès des décideurs

• Soutenir des programmes avec nos partenaires

Peu importe le temps que vous pouvez offrir — quelques heures par mois ou plus — votre expérience et votre passion sont précieuses.

Intéressé(e)? Écrivez-nous à office@rtam.mb.ca ou visitez rtam. mb.ca pour en savoir plus. Pour devenir bénévole, il suffit de remplir le formulaire prévu à cet effet.

Merci pour tout ce que vous avez déjà donné à l’éducation. Avec vous, l’aventure continue!

Avec toute notre gratitude, Au nom du Conseil d’administration de la RTAM Jayesh Maniar, Président

The Emeriti Committee dissolved Dissolution du Comité des Émérites

The RTAM Board of Directors unanimously passed a motion to dissolve the RTAM Emeriti Committee. Unfortunately, there was a disconnect between the Committee and the Board of Directors and the Board felt that at least for now, this Committee should not continue. Some members of the Emeriti Committee also felt the disconnect and were planning to leave the Committee this year.

The Board of Directors wants to acknowledge the work and passion that each member of the Emeriti Committee put in for RTAM. The Board of Directors also wants to heartily thank each member of the Committee for their dedication and effort by serving RTAM both in the past and on this Committee. The Executive approached each member of the Emeriti Committee that was in attendance at a joint Board of Directors and Emeriti Committee members and they all agreed to be available individually for discussion or help in any topic that we may need to consult.

Many members who have tirelessly served on the RTAM Board in the past are valuable and carry historical perspectives of our organization. Perhaps in a year or two, the Board of Directors will revisit the idea of engaging previous Board Members under a new Committee with a new Terms of Reference.

Le Conseil d’administration de la RTAM a adopté à l’unanimité une résolution visant à dissoudre le Comité des Émérites de la RTAM. Malheureusement, un décalage s’est fait sentir entre le Comité et le Conseil d’administration, et le Conseil a jugé que, du moins pour l’instant, ce Comité ne devait pas poursuivre ses activités. Certains membres du Comité des Émérites ont également ressenti ce décalage et envisageaient de quitter le Comité cette année.

Le Conseil d’administration souhaite reconnaître le travail et la passion que chaque membre du Comité des Émérites a consacrés à la RTAM. Le Conseil tient aussi à remercier chaleureusement chacun des membres du Comité pour leur dévouement et leurs efforts, tant dans le passé qu’au sein de ce Comité. La direction a rencontré individuellement chacun des membres du Comité des Émérites présents à une réunion conjointe du Conseil d’administration et du Comité, et tous ont accepté de se rendre disponibles à titre individuel pour des discussions ou de l’aide sur tout sujet pour lequel nous pourrions avoir besoin de consulter.

De nombreux membres qui ont servi sans relâche au sein du Conseil d’administration de la RTAM dans le passé demeurent précieux et conservent une perspective historique de notre organisation. Peut-être que dans un an ou deux, le Conseil d’administration réexaminera l’idée de faire appel aux anciens membres du Conseil dans le cadre d’un nouveau Comité, avec un nouveau mandat de référence.

ÉMR ( Éducatrices et éducateurs manitobains à la retraite) – Partie de quilles

Soumis par Gisèle Grégoire

Le jeudi 19 juin 2025, quinze membres des ÉMR se sont donné rendez-vous au Dakota Bowling Alley à Saint-Vital pour une partie de quilles animée et remplie de bonne humeur. Après l’effort, le réconfort : nous nous sommes ensuite retrouvés pour un délicieux dîner au restaurant Maxime, où deux autres membres se sont joints à nous, portant notre groupe à dix-sept participants.

Pour la partie de quilles, nous étions divisés en trois équipes de cinq joueurs. Pour plusieurs d’entre nous, cette activité a réveillé

de joyeux souvenirs d’antan — une vraie remontée dans le temps! Entre les lancers, les conversations allaient bon train, offrant une belle occasion de tisser de nouveaux liens et de mieux connaître nos camarades.

Fait intéressant : une équipe de tournage professionnelle, invitée par la RTAM, était présente pour capter les moments forts de notre activité, tant durant la partie que pendant le repas. Ces images serviront à la création d’une vidéo promotionnelle des activités de la RTAM.

ÉMR – Bowling activity

Submitted by Gisèle Grégoire

On Thursday, June 19, 2025, fifteen members of the ÉMR gathered at the Dakota Bowling Alley in Saint-Vital for a lively bowling game filled with good cheer. After the effort came the reward: we then met for lunch at Maxime’s restaurant, where two additional members joined us, bringing our group to a total of seventeen participants.

For the bowling game, we were divided into three teams of five players. For many of us, this activity brought back joyful memories

from the past - a real trip down memory lane! Between turns, conversations were flowing, providing a wonderful opportunity to form new connections and get to know our fellow members better.

An interesting highlight: a professional film crew, invited by RTAM, was present to capture the key moments of our activity, both during the game and the meal. These images will be used to create a promotional video showcasing RTAM’s activities.

Retired teachers take trip to the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre and the Pembina

Threshermen’s

Museum

Submitted by Ed James

For the past dozen years, many former teachers and staff of The Fort La Bosse School Division, along with their friends, have gone on a day-long bus tour to some special destination in Manitoba or Saskatchewan to see and learn new things. This year, the trip was to Morden, Manitoba, on June 10 to visit The Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre followed by a trip to The Pembina Threshermen’s Museum in Winkler.

We loaded up at Virden on a luxury tour bus and after a pickup in Brandon we headed to southern Manitoba. The countryside in this part of Manitoba was filled with gentle valleys and large rolling green fields that stretched to the skyline.

When we arrived at Morden at the fossil museum we were given the most excellent tour and explanations of the Centre’s purpose and history by a truly knowledgeable PHD student named Bruno, who is from Portugal on a summer work project at the museum. He explained how during the ‘30s Morden was a major work site for the mining of Bentonite, an ingredient in the making of toothpaste. However, because of the unique strata of the soil layers, the work crews kept digging up prehistoric animal bones. This part of Manitoba millions of years ago was known as the great Western Internal Seaway, a huge sea in the middle of western Canada and the USA.

Government archeologists were called in and the site was declared a national historic site and protected from any further mineral excavation.

The Centre is filled with many displays of fossils dug up in the area over the years with some of them being fully or partially reassembled to show the shape and size of these prehistoric sea monsters of the deep.

Of course, the main attraction of the Centre is the restored bones of a Mosasaur, the largest one on display in the world. The staff refer to it as Bruce, and during its life, it was 43 feet long weighing over 16 tons with a long snout and razor sharp teeth that worked like a conveyor belt to carry the whole prey into its stomach. To give you a sense of its size, it was bigger than the largest mammal in the world today, the great Blue Whale!

The Pembina Threshermen’s Museum is a large facility with over 30 display buildings of early farm life in Western Canada. The display buildings were set up in a historic village main street style with each building open to see period artifacts of years gone by. Some of the display buildings featured antique cars and tractors and related tools.

The Post Office, the MTS office, the General store, an early sod pioneer home, a log RCMP cabin with jail cells, the church, the barber shop, the school, the blacksmith shed, the grain elevator, dining hall, activity centre and a wonderful prairie train station were all found! In fact, the museum is a popular site for weddings, family reunions and graduation events. As it said in the museum’s brochure, it is a perfect place with acres of fun history and discovery. It’s well worth the visit!

The former Fort la Bosse School Division employees and friends and their tour bus.

A long shot of the old CNR Train Station from Morden that was moved to the Winkler Museum. On the top floor of the station is where the station master and his family lived. In the foreground is the museum’s popular barrel train, like the Elkhorn Auto Museum has.

We left Winkler late in the afternoon and enjoyed a delicious supper in Wawanesa at the La Rocque Restaurant with its unique decor of colorful metal signs. By 9:30 pm we were back at our pickup point in Virden, both excited and tired by our travels and discoveries. For many of us, we are a whole lot wiser from the many things we saw and learned. They say the key to a good teacher and a good life is to always be a life-long learner and on that trip we all learned so many new and old things!

The trip organizer, former kindergarten teacher Beth Allison, said “I’m very pleased with the trip, the turnout and the friendship shared among the travels. I hope that these special travel adventures will continue for many years to come for former educators and friends.”

Shown here is the telegraph station at the old railway station with curved windows, so the train station agent could see the east and west-bound trains coming and going.

Dr. Bruno at the Canadian Fossil Centre, right, explaining how millions of years ago there was a large sea in the central section of North America, with the use of a map.

The bones of Bruce, a Mosasaur that lived in the western sea 80 million years ago. The area is now part of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. This Mosasaur skeleton is the largest complete one on display in the world.

Tour group members Larrie and Laura Ellen Elliot in the RCMP jail cell at the museum.

Some of the many early agricultural tools on display at the museum.

Here’s Bruce! Shown from left to right are tour group members Kelvon Smith, Diane Burke and Tom Clubb with a painting of the underwater beast!

Now’s the time to start those student portfolios

Submitted by Joan Zaretsky

Engage your loved ones in RTAM’s Student Portfolio Projects designed to encourage you and your young relatives to become collaborative members in creating and developing their “Student Success Portfolio”. Enlarge your legacy by contacting your young relatives as they begin high school this September. Mentor their “Student Success Portfolio” journey through their high school experience, so they are ready for your nomination when they graduate.

You can make a huge contribution to their success. Take the opportunity to develop stronger relationships with these special students in your life by encouraging them to believe in themselves, lifelong learning and their ability to reach lifetime goals.

RTAM will provide the high school student with a portfolio. We encourage you to communicate on a regular basis with their relatives to inspire their collection of appropriate artifacts useful in their development of their portfolio. Retired teachers can play a major role in the lives of their young relatives by sharing their skills and strengths to guide the students to become successful and caring adults. This role not only helps your loved ones but supports your self-esteem and gives you a sense of purpose at a time in our lives when we might be feeling that life is starting to pass us by.

Members are encouraged to complete and submit the Student Success Portfolio Program application form located on the RTAM website, www.rtam.mb.ca, and in this KIT magazine.

4 simple steps to get started supporting your relative’s future education:

1. Contact your Grade 11 or 12 student(s) whom you would like to sponsor for the RTAM Student Award.

2. Briefly describe the “Student Success Portfolio Project” to the student.

3. Submit the completed Sign-up Sheet found on our website.

4. Once your student has received their portfolio folder, you can start your conversations encouraging them to save any reminders, triggers, certificates, etc. in their portfolio in preparation for developing their Student Award application in June of their graduation year. This portfolio will be valuable for your students as

they apply to win $1,000 from RTAM’s Student Award, as well as other scholarship sponsors to help with the many costs of their post-secondary education.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.“ Margaret Mead

Are you getting enough sleep for good health?

Submitted by Joan Zaretsky

I don’t know about you, but I always struggle to get enough sleep at this time of the year when the sun comes up earlier and stays brighter in the evening. I always find after the Daylight Savings time change and with the advancement of the longest day of the year in June, I experience difficulties staying asleep all night. I am up for the usual bathroom runs but return to lay awake and ponder and reflect … and ponder and reflect … and finally go downstairs to my recliner to fall back asleep.

I found two articles in different sources talking about our sleep needs and one suggests some tips to improve the chances of a full night of relaxing zzz’s! If you are experiencing similar challenges sleeping, I hope these ideas offer some information about the value of our needed sleep and some strategies to encourage a longer more fulfilling sleep at night. It is awkward when all I want to do is nap when in the middle of an afternoon meeting. I am experimenting with some of the strategies found in the second article and hope one or more of them will help my eyelids relax when given the opportunity at night!

Do sleep needs change as adults grow older?

Taken from Cass & Clay County Magazine, Spring 2025 p. 33.

“Adults know much about their health changes as they grow older but health experts note that sleep requirements generally remain the same throughout adulthood.

According to the National Institute on Aging, older adults need roughly the same amount of sleep as all adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that the recommended amount of sleep for adults is at least seven hours each day, and various organizations recommend adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep per night. Those recommendations can promote optimal health into one’s golden years, but that advice is not being heeded by a significant portion of the adult population. The CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance system (BRFSS) tracked the sleeping habits of men and women between 2013 and 2022 and ultimately found that 37.5 percent of men and 36 percent of women were not getting enough sleep during that time period. The percentage of individuals not getting enough sleep was particularly high among adults between the ages of 39 and 64, among whom nearly four in ten were falling short of the recommended daily amount of sleep.”

Snooze your way to better health

Taken from Farm Forum, Friday, March 22, 2024, page 18B.

Written by Julie Garden-Robinson.

“According to the National Institutes of Health, about one out of three adults do not get the recommended amount of sleep they need.

Sleep is about as important as food in maintaining our physical health. During sleep, our bodies are restoring themselves. Getting adequate sleep helps our immune system function so we can ward off illnesses. It helps our hormones stay balanced.

Getting too little sleep can increase our risk for high blood pressure and obesity. Sleep also helps safeguard our mental health and certainly our safety.

Be cautious not to confuse being tired with being hungry. We have two hormones, ghrelin and leptin, that help us discern if we are hungry or full. If these hormones are not working as a team, we can experience changes in our appetite and satiety.

If you have an ongoing issue with sleep, see a health professional about testing for underlying issues.

Here are a few tips to help you “Sleep like a baby”:

• Avoid large meals, tobacco, alcohol, chocolate and caffeinated beverages before going to sleep.

• Relax before bedtime by reading a book. Avoid use of screens, such as your computer or cell phone. Even flickering lights from a TV may trick your brain into waking up.

• Keep a cool, quiet, dark room for sleeping.

• Be sure to go to sleep and get up at the same time, even on weekends. Adults need a bedtime as much as kids do. “

Next time you can’t sleep, enjoy pondering on its importance and these strategies to improve your chances of sleeping longer. Sleep tight!

PROGRAMME STUDENT SUCCESS PORTFOLIO

FORMULAIRE DE DEMANDE

Le Student Portfolio Project (projet de portefeuille d’élève) de la Retired Teachers' Association of Manitoba (RTAM) a été créé pour favoriser la communication et le mentorat entre les membres de la RTAM et les jeunes de leur famille Les enseignant(e)s retraité(e)s peuvent jouer un rôle important dans l’existence de ces jeunes qui étudient actuellement au secondaire, en les faisant bénéficier de leurs compétences et de leurs forces pour les guider afin qu'ils deviennent des adultes épanouis et bienveillants

Les membres de la RTAM sont encouragés à communiquer régulièrement avec les jeunes de leur famille pour les inciter à rassembler la documentation nécessaire à l'élaboration de leur portefeuille, de leur demande de bourse d'études de la RTAM et d'autres bourses en vue de leur inscription dans un établissement d'enseignement postsecondaire

Critères de participation :

1) Ouvert à un(e) membre de la RTAM et à un(e) jeune de sa famille qui étudie en 9e, 10e, 11e ou 12e année

2) La jeune personne en question souhaite préparer des demandes de bourses d’études ou d’autres bourses

RENSEIGNEMENTS SUR LE DEMANDEUR / LA DEMANDEUSE (MEMBRE DE LA RTAM)

EN LETTRES D’IMPRIMERIE

Prénom : Nom de famille :

Adresse :

Ville/Localité : Province : Code postal :

Téléphone : Cellulaire :

Courriel :

Lien de parenté avec le / la bénéficiaire :

Préférence linguistique pour le portefeuille :  anglais ou  français

RENSEIGNEMENTS SUR LE / LA BÉNÉFICIAIRE (QUI EST EN PARENTÉ AVEC LA DEMANDEUSE / LE DEMANDEUR)

EN LETTRES D’IMPRIMERIE

Prénom : Nom de famille :

Adresse :

Ville/Localité : Province : Ville/Localité :

Téléphone : Cellulaire :

Courriel : Niveau (cocher la case correspondante) :  9e  10e  11e  12e

Nom de l’école fréquentée actuellement :

Adresse de l’école :

Ville/Localité : Province : Code postal :

Téléphone de l’école :

Courriel de l’école :

La RTAM souhaite aux membres et aux bénéficiaires qui participent à ce projet tout le succès possible!

STUDENT SUCCESS PORTFOLIO PROGRAM

PARTICIPANT APPLICATION FORM

The Retired Teachers’ Association of Manitoba (RTAM) Student Portfolio Project has been formed to engage communication and mentoring between RTAM members and their young relatives Retired teachers can play a major role in the lives of their young relatives who are currently in high school by sharing their skills and strengths to guide the students to become successful and caring adults.

RTAM members are encouraged to communicate on a regular basis with their relatives to prompt their collection of appropriate documentation useful in the development of their Portfolio, their RTAM Student Award application as well as other scholarships or bursaries in preparation of attending a post-secondary institution.

Participation criteria:

1) Open to an RTAM Member and a young relative in Grade 9, 10, 11 or 12

2) Relative interested in preparing applications for scholarships or bursaries

APPLICANT’S INFORMATION (RTAM MEMBER)

PLEASE PRINT

First Name: Last Name:

Address:

City/Town: Province: Postal Code:

Phone Number: Cell Number:

E-mail Address:

Relationship to Recipient:

Portfolio Language Preference:  English or  French

RECIPIENT’S INFORMATION (RELATIVE)

PLEASE PRINT

First Name: Last Name:

Address:

City/Town: Province: Postal Code:

Phone Number: Cell Number:

E-mail Address: Grade (please check):  9  10  11  12

Name of Current School:

School Address:

City/Town: Province: Postal Code:

School Phone Number:

School E-mail Address:

RTAM wishes all members and recipients participating in this project, all the best in your future endeavors!

RTAM Executive meet with Manitoba elected officials

By Trent Tuttosi

Meeting with Minister Tracy Schmidt.

Our RTAM Executive Committee had the pleasure of meeting with two of our elected officials on Monday, June 16 at the Manitoba Legislature - Tracy Schmidt, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning and MLA for Rossmere, and Cindy Lamoureux, the interim leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party and an Independent Liberal MLA for Tyndall Park. We will meet with Obby Khan, Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba, on September 9.

During the formal presentations, President Jayesh Maniar summarized the history and mission of RTAM, ongoing partnerships with sponsors such as belairdirect insurance and Hearing Life, recent achievements such as the IG Walk for Alzheimer’s and upcoming events like the Goldeyes baseball game in June, Folklorama bus tours in August and RTAM Golf Tournament in September.

Vice President Linda Blair outlined major areas of concern for retired teachers, including the funding of account B of our TRAF pension plan, the cost-of-living allowance (COLA), the recent Western Canadian Regional Conference of retired teachers’

RTAM wellness events

Fraud Awareness with TD: Protecting Yourself from Modern Scams

November date to be determined | Virtual | 10:00-11:30 am

Cost: Members - Free; Guests $10.00

Empowering Your Tomorrow - Presented by the Canadian Foundation of Economic Education (CFEE)

Wednesday, November 12, 2025 | Virtual | 10:00-11:30 am

Cost: Members - Free; Guests $10.00

Legacy Planning - Presented by the Canadian Foundation of Economic Education (CFEE)

Wednesday, December 3, 2025 | Virtual | 10:00-11:30 am

Cost: Members - Free; Guests $10.00

Maximizing Your Pension and Benefits - Presented by the Canadian Foundation of Economic Education (CFEE)

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 | Virtual | 10:00-11:30 am

Cost: Members - Free; Guests $10.00

Staying Engaged in Retirement (Work vs. Volunteering)Presented by the Canadian Foundation of Economic Education (CFEE)

Wednesday, January 7, 2026 | Virtual | 10:00-11:30 am

as the many contributions made by retired teachers to families and their larger communities. It was heartening to learn that many politicians in the Manitoba legislature were familiar with RTAM.

We thanked them both for their support of retired persons and seniors in Manitoba, and emphasized the need for their continued support.

Cost: Members - Free; Guests $10.00

Talking About Money with Your Family

Presented by the Canadian Foundation of Economic Education

Wednesday, January 28, 2026 | Virtual | 10:00-11:30 am

Cost: Members - Free; Guests $10.00

Presentation on Dementia by the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba

Title and description forthcoming

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 | Virtual | 10:00-11:30 am

Cost: Members - Free; Guests $10.00

Presentation on Dementia by the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba

Title and description forthcoming

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 | Virtual | 10:00-11:30 am

Cost: Members - Free; Guests $10.00

Accommodations and Lifestyle Changes

Presented by the Canadian Foundation of Economic Education

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | Virtual | 10:00-11:30 am

Cost: Members - Free; Guests $10.00

Please register for these events through your member profile. Visit the events calendar to see more upcoming seminars and events.

Rencontre de l’exécutif de la RTAM avec des élus du Manitoba

Notre comité exécutif de la RTAM a eu le plaisir de rencontrer deux de nos représentants élus le lundi 16 juin à l’Assemblée législative du Manitoba: Tracy Schmidt, ministre de l’Éducation et de l’Apprentissage de la petite enfance et députée de Rossmere, ainsi que Cindy Lamoureux, cheffe intérimaire du Parti libéral du Manitoba et députée libérale indépendante de Tyndall Park. Nous rencontrerons Obby Khan, chef du Parti progressiste-conservateur du Manitoba, le 9 septembre.

Lors des présentations officielles, le président Jayesh Maniar a résumé l’histoire et la mission de la RTAM, les partenariats en cours avec des commanditaires tels que belairdirect assurances et Hearing Life, les réalisations récentes comme la Marche IG pour l’Alzheimer, ainsi que les événements à venir, dont le match

Remembrance Day Blessings

Submitted by Joan Zaretsky

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets every day, Remembrance Day is a time to recall with gratitude all the men and women who risked their lives that we may have the life we have today. It is a time to devote our prayers with a kind mind and a thankful heart for those who were taken from their families and for those who suffered lifelong challenges upon returning home. Wear your poppies with pride for the brave men and women who gave of themselves to ensure peace within our lives and our world.

Soumis par Trent Tuttosi

de baseball des Goldeyes en juin, les excursions à Folklorama en août et le tournoi de golf de la RTAM en septembre.

La vice-présidente Linda Blair a présenté les principaux sujets de préoccupation des enseignants retraités, notamment le financement du compte B de notre régime de pension TRAF, l’indemnité de vie chère (COLA), la récente Conférence régionale de l’Ouest canadien des associations d’enseignants retraités, ainsi que l’importance d’une représentation locale pour nos membres. Elle a souligné la nécessité de modifier la législation afin de financer pleinement le TRAF en fonction de l’inflation.

La directrice générale, Melissa Sitter, a expliqué le plan stratégique de la RTAM pour l’avenir, comprenant le déménagement du bureau, l’élargissement du membership et la programmation d’activités pour nos membres. Elle a également salué la création de la Stratégie pour les aînés du Manitoba et la mise en place du poste de défenseur des aînés au sein du gouvernement provincial.

Tant Tracy que Cindy se sont montrées très réceptives et ont reconnu l’importance de la santé et du bien-être des aînés, ainsi que des nombreuses contributions des enseignants retraités auprès des familles et des communautés. Il fut encourageant d’apprendre que de nombreux politiciens de l’Assemblée législative du Manitoba connaissaient déjà la RTAM.

Nous les avons remerciées de leur soutien envers les retraités et les aînés du Manitoba, et avons souligné la nécessité d’un appui continu de leur part.

Bénédictions du jour du Souvenir

Soumis par Joan Zaretsky

Du lever du soleil jusqu’à son coucher chaque jour, le Jour du Souvenir est un moment pour se rappeler avec gratitude tous les hommes et toutes les femmes qui ont risqué leur vie afin que nous puissions avoir celle que nous menons aujourd’hui. C’est un moment pour offrir nos prières avec un esprit bienveillant et un cœur reconnaissant pour ceux qui ont été arrachés à leur famille et pour ceux qui ont souffert de défis à vie à leur retour. Portez vos coquelicots avec fierté en l’honneur des hommes et des femmes courageux qui se sont donnés afin d’assurer la paix dans nos vies et dans notre monde.

Meeting with MLA Cindy Lamoureux.

This quilted cross was created by Lise Lavack.

RTAM and the Goldeyes game

On Sunday June 22, RTAM had the privilege of sponsoring a home game of the Winnipeg Goldeyes Baseball Club in honor of Teacher Appreciation Day. After donning red Goldeyes jerseys, the RTAM Executive, consisting of Jayesh Maniar, Linda Blair, Jocelyne Fraser, and Trent Tuttosi, were escorted to the baseball field. The RTAM President had the privilege of throwing out the first pitch. Our RTAM Choir directed by Bill Quinn regaled everyone with their singing of our visitor’s national anthem and then our own national anthem. The game was now officially underway.

Joining the RTAM Executive in the Sky Box overlooking the playing field were RTAM Board members, Audrey Siemens, Betty-Jean Checkley, Marilyn Wiebe, and Vicky Hutchinson along with RTAM Staff, Melissa Sitter, Dianne Casar, Denise Bellesia and Grace Kilani accompanied by their guests. Also joining everyone in the Box were June Stewart and Mark O’Reilly from the University of Manitoba Retirees Association (UMRA) as well as Wayne Ewasko, MLA for Lac du Bonnet. Unfortunately, the Minister of Education, Tracy Schmidt, and Cindy Lamoureux, MLA for Tyndall Park were unable to attend due to prior personal commitments. Several family members and friends of RTAM were seated behind home plate.

Our VIP for the game was a past RTAM Board member and current committee member, David Harkness. Unfortunately, David was unable to attend the game and receive the accolades in-person. Congratulations, David, in being named our VIP!

Everyone was enjoying an exciting baseball game when one small rain interruption arrived. After play had resumed for a little while, we were graced with a more significant rain shower. The game had to be suspended, and tarps laid on the field. After the rain ceased, the game was able to continue. The outcome was a win for the Goldeyes. A great conclusion to a wonderful day spent at the ballpark!

Thanks go to our wonderful RTAM Staff for organizing this opportunity for our RTAM members.

Compass for LIVING

By Joan Zaretsky

Since publishing my book, The Missing Puzzle Pieces: Finding My Birth Family, I have received a number of requests for book signings, readings, adoption discussions and the latest one is to offer three two-hour workshops on “Writing Your Memoir”. The Memoir workshops have just started and after holding our first class, I am so excited to support my group of 55+ women to get a good start on developing a collection of stories for their memoirs.

Recently I found an activity which I will facilitate in my next class. In the February 22, 2025 Free Press paper in the “upclose” section, an article was written by Shawna Forester Smith prior to her passing and published post-mortem. She wrote:

“This column I won’t ever read, because if you’re reading this, it means I have left this Earth for whatever is next. Someone I knew left a Compass for Living when she died and I thought it was brilliant, so I am stealing her idea. ”

Shawna’s Compass for living provided words of wisdom to those she left behind and outlines how she lived her life. She listed twenty items in her Compass but I have selected to include the first eight to give you some ideas you may consider in developing your Compass for Living.

1. Collect people, not things. Things offer fleeting happiness. Relationships are what gives our lives meaning and purpose, not stuff.

2. Choose love. Love the shit out of your family and friends. Tell people you love them. Show love towards strangers because we are all connected.

3. Choose kindness. It’s actually less effort to be kind than it is to be an asshole. Perform acts of kindness every day. They don’t have to be big or expensive. It can be as simple as giving a hug or listening to someone.

4. You’re never too old for a stuffy. This I was told by a wisebeyond-her-years nine-year old who died far too young.

5. Don’t be afraid to do things because of the word “No”. Because what if they say “Yes”?

6. There’s no such thing as too much education or wasted learning.

7. You can have more than one soulmate.

8. Family is also the people we choose.”

She continues on with twelve more amazing gems of wisdom. What are some sayings or some gems you would like to share with your family? Rather than wait until it is too late or you are cognitively unable to express your words of wisdom, start to develop a list you can continue to build over time. Or you could develop a “Family Compass for Living” by sitting down with your family (children, grandchildren, or chosen family) and get their input as to what they have learned in their lives.

I read Shawna’s many ideas and reflected upon which of them I attempt to follow. Now it’s time for me to sit down and develop my own Compass for Living. Have fun creating your guideposts for living! There are no right or wrong ones, as they belong to you based on your life experiences. Enjoy this activity, before you pass, to share with your family when they can learn from your ideas and incorporate them into their current life! If you do develop your Compass for Living and are willing to share it, send it to KIT for inclusion in future editions. We can all learn from sharing your words of wisdom and we may choose to add some of your unique guideposts to our own Compass for Living! Have fun!

A sun-kissed sojourn: A travelogue of Albufeira, Portugal

Submitted by Jayesh Maniar

Long Stay in Portugal was offered by Trip Merchant and hosted by RTAM. In total 31 retired teachers participated in this exciting trip: 1 from Halifax, 2 from Alberta, 2 from BC, and 26 from Manitoba.

As our plane descended into Lisbon (in Portugal, Lisbon is known as Lisboa) Airport, the golden coastline of Portugal came into view, a shimmering invitation to what would become an incredible holiday. As we walked out of the airport in Lisbon, an excitement started to build as we embarked on this adventure. Albufeira, the jewel of the Algarve region, awaited us with its charming Old Town, vibrant nightlife, and sun-drenched beaches. What began as a first time-in-Portugal trip quickly transformed into a journey rich with discovery, relaxation, and cultural delight.

Arrival and first impressions

On our first night, we walked around the neighbourhood, visiting the city centre and what is known as old town followed by a group dinner. The next morning, we boarded a bus for our rendezvous to Albufeira.

We arrived in Albufeira on a cool April afternoon. Our hotel, perched on a high cliff overlooking the Atlantic, welcomed us with whitewashed walls and terracotta roofs typical of the region. The view from our balcony was nothing short of breathtaking: the azure sea framed by European style coastal buildings surrounding the ocean.

After unpacking, we took a leisurely stroll down around the hilly roads. And then, we took the path down to Old Town.

Kissing elephants

Skewer of monk ﬁsh and prawns

Kissing elephants

Skewer of monk ﬁsh and prawns

Fish market Kissing elephants

Group dinner in Lisbon.

Fish market. Cliffs cascading into the sea. Benagil Caves and Coastline. Submitted by Brian Borkowsky.

Kissing elephants.

Skewer of monk fish and prawns.

Cliﬀs cascading into the sea

Benagil Caves and Coastline submi>ed by Brian Borkowsky

Exploring the old town: A delight to the senses

We ventured into Albufeira’s Old Town that led to a labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets open only to foot traffic, whitewashed buildings, and colorful tiled facades. Street performers played soulful tunes on guitars and flutes, and market vendors offered everything from handmade pottery to children’s toys to cork souvenirs. The town square with many winding alleyways, alive with the hum of activity, was lined with open-air restaurants and boutiques. Meals in many of the restaurants varied from traditional Portuguese cuisine to Italian to Mexican to Indian and of course, burgers and chips. Meals were a leisurely affair at a restaurant tucked into one of the winding alleyways. We feasted on freshly grilled sardines, cataplana de marisco (a traditional seafood stew), skewers of monk fish and prawns, and crusty bread dipped in herb-infused olive oil. The flavours were simple yet sublime, highlighting the region’s deep connection to the sea. Along with meals, we sampled Portuguese beer, Sagres as well as Super Bock, and many delicious wines produced in Portugal. We also tried a Portuguese sour cherry brandy called Ginja served in small chocolate cups!

Exploring the Algarve:

Cultural day trips and inland charm

We took day tours to both Western and Eastern parts of the Algarve region. It was quaint and no matter where we went, all paths in Portugal were paved cobblestone except roads where cars drove. The roads were narrow, and it was interesting to see how SUVs and buses navigate them. We visited old churches, castles, and gardens that highlighted the vast history of Portugal as well as their rich culture. The people were friendly

and always approachable. We visited vast cliffs with many of them cascading into the ocean; we saw many caves and the cliff aptly named kissing elephants where erosion had created this masterpiece with a glimmering sea in the background. Orange trees and groves were a common sight. Portuguese oranges are so juicy and delicious. Almost every town and village we visited had numerous roadside outdoor cafes where people can have a leisurely coffee or a drink. What was interesting was whenever we ordered coffee, it was always what we call an espresso in Canada! I learned to enjoy an espresso with steamed milk.

Cabo De Sao Vicente in Faro is the most south-western point of Portugal. It is sometimes referred to as the ‘end of the earth’. We looked westward but did not see Canada! During the tour, we came across stork nests both on tops of chimneys and on hydro-electric towers with storks resting in them. These nests were huge and looked like they were about 1 to 2 meters wide. We tried to avoid looking directly at the storks as, you know, at our age, we didn’t want a ‘special delivery’! Visiting a fish market in Portugal is a unique experience where fishermen were selling fresh catches of tuna, haddock, sardines, octopus, pieces of shark, and sting rays.

We hired a tuk-tuk which took us to a village, Paderne, where 80% of the population did not have running water in their home so the town council built a communal water source where the residents come to collect water for household use including cooking and drinking. This communal water station is also used as a showering, and clothes washing facility.

Our tour took us to the town of Silves, once the capital of the region during Moorish rule. The red sandstone Silves

Breathtaking Cape St. Vincent submi>ed by Willa Klyne

Night View of Albufeira from balcony submi>ed by Sharon Jasper

Breathtaking Cape St. Vincent. Submitted by Willa Klyne.

Night view of Albufeira from balcony. Submitted by Sharon Jasper.

Castle, towering over the town, offered sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. Walking its ramparts, we imagined the centuries of history and culture embedded in its walls.

One of our tours stopped at a vineyard along the way for a wine tasting, where we sampled robust reds and fruity whites accompanied by crackers. The winemaker shared stories of his family’s legacy and how the Algarve’s unique climate and mountainous region contributes to the wine’s character. He invited us back to participate in a festival of the grape crushing by stomping on them with our feet!

Algarve region is also known for their pottery and hand-crafted tiles where artisans meticulously draw and paint designs which are then fired in an oven through a specific process. Many buildings were lined on the outside with these tiles to make a colourful and a lively wall.

A visit to the Algarve region is not complete without a visit to the cork factory. We were awed with how long the tree has to mature and grow before bark is stripped, with the process of drying and flattening the bark and how items such as wine corks, purses, fabric, coasters, insulation, flooring, shoes, etc. are made. We were impressed to learn cork is fire resistant. NASA uses high quality cork to line the spaceships, so they don’t burn up on re-entry.

Sun and surf on the Algarve Coast

The beaches of Albufeira are truly spectacular. Over the next few days, we explored several, each with its own personality. A beach along the coastline of the Atlantic and slopes of mountains, Praia da Falésia with its dramatic red cliffs and miles of golden sand, has become a tourist’s favourite. With the sun glimmering on the surface, the ocean water sparkled like diamonds. For the first few weeks we were there, the days were cooler and windy with periodic rain, so it was difficult to swim in the ocean. We

often spent afternoons walking along the water’s edge, reading or napping on the beach to the soothing sound of the water as the tide rolled in and out.

One afternoon, we joined a boat tour to the Benagil Caves. As we sailed along the coast, we passed dramatic sea caves and limestone arches, their shapes sculpted by centuries of waves and wind. The Benagil cave is interconnected with other caves and big enough for some boats to enter it. It was a magical, almost surreal experience looking at what nature had carved out. The echoing sound of waves within the cave created a meditative atmosphere that we will remember for a long time.

Lisbon

After our stay in Albufeira finished, we arrived back in Lisboa (Lisbon). Lisboa is also rich in history and culture with an Old Town full of a variety of restaurants, shops, and entertainment. We took a tour of Lisbon in an antique car replica of a 1926 Ford Model T. A visit to the marina provided spectacular views and showed Portugal’s ties to the sea. There were four cruise terminals for cruise-faring visitors to explore the richness of Lisbon.

A farewell with a full heart

This holiday had given us more than just sun and sand. It offered a connection—to nature, to history, and to people. Our fellow retired teachers became friends. Albufeira had surprised us with its diversity of experiences, from beachside serenity to vibrant culture, from ancient roots to modern joy.

As we packed our bags the next morning, we knew that we weren’t just leaving a beautiful destination behind. We were taking with us the warmth of its people, the taste of its food, and the rhythm of its waves. Albufeira had worked its way into our hearts, and we promised ourselves to try to return.

Looking out at the sea through a cave

Group shot Above: Group shot. Right: Looking out at the sea through a cave.

Life Members

April 2025

Edith A. Alexiuk – Winnipeg, MB

Bernard Boland – Winnipeg, MB

Edmund V. Kowalchuk – West St Paul, MB

Sheila P. Milner – Winnipeg, MB

May 2025

Wilfrid R. Gosselin – Winnipeg, MB

Hertha E. Jahn – Winnipeg, MB

Suzanne Jamault – Rathwell, MB

Sigrid K. Lyles – Winnipeg, MB

Nicole I. Rivard – Winnipeg, MB

Manoli Terezakis – Abbottsford, BC

Jeannine Tranq – St Claude, MB

Jeanette Zimmer – London, ON

June 2025

Joan M. Anderson – Winnipeg, MB

Maureen J. S. Bell – Winnipeg, MB

June-Anne Ferries – Winnipeg, MB

Verna Guenther – Winnipeg, MB

C Len Hew – Scarborough, ON

John Kornelsen – Winnipeg, MB

Lorraine F. Kozera – Winnipeg, MB

Wilmer Penner – Winnipeg, MB

In memory of RTAM members who dedicated their lives to education in Manitoba and beyond, we will remember you.

In Memoriam

January 2025

Abram Wiebe – Winnipeg, MB

April 2025

Mary E. Roach – Reston, MB

May 2025

Garry Finlay – Qualicum Beach, BC

Greg Walker – Winnipeg

June 2025

James W. Pehura – Portage la Prairie, MB

In memory of RTAM members who have passed and dedicated their lives to education in Manitoba and beyond, we will remember you.

To respect the privacy of RTAM members, those members who have provided pre-authorization to the office, or family members who have provided consent for their loved ones will be listed. RTAM members or family may complete the online form on the RTAM website (under News and Events). Only current RTAM members will be listed.

À la mémoire des membres de la RTAM qui nous ont quittés et qui ont consacré leur vie à l’éducation au Manitoba et au-delà, nous nous souviendrons de vous.

Afin de respecter la vie privée des membres de la RTAM, seuls les membres qui auront donné une préautorisation au bureau, ou dont la famille aura fourni son consentement, seront mentionnés. Les membres de la RTAM ou leur famille peuvent remplir le formulaire en ligne sur le site Web de la RTAM (sous Nouvelles et Événements).

Seuls les membres actuels de la RTAM seront inscrits.

“Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the World straight in the eye.“ Helen Keller

Book your free annual hearing test today!

Just like your eyes, your hearing needs regular checkups too. If you’re over 60, getting your hearing tested once a year is a simple way to stay on top of your health. In fact, a recent report from the World Health Organization highlights that early hearing care helps people stay socially active and maintain a higher quality of life as they age.

At HearingLife, we’re here to help you find the right solution for your needs. It starts with a free hearing test, followed by personalized options and ongoing support to make sure your hearing aids continue to fit your lifestyle.

Take advantage of exclusive benefits available to RTAM members and family at any HearingLife clinic, including an EXTRA 10% off the final purchase price of hearing aids.

Call 1- 844-688-5443 or visit HearingLifeAdvantage.ca to book your free appointment today.

Call 1-844-688-5443 or visit HearingLifeAdvantage.ca to book your free appointment today.