Reports of standing Committees

Bylaws and Policy

Respectfully submitted by Rosalie Bornn, Chair

Committee members: Rosalie Bornn (Chair), Jag Malik, Dr. Mary Pankiw, Ray Sitter, Rita Warrian

The committee held four meetings during the year. Additional extensive and ongoing committee collaboration once again took place by phone, by email and by Canada Post.

A priority for the committee was to complete the fine tuning of the Principles of RTAM as listed in the 2010 Policy Manual that was affirmed at the May 2010 AGM. The principles have been consistently written as advocacy statements of RTAM. The committee also completed tasks that were assigned by Board motion throughout the year. As a result, Section 2- Principles of RTAM and several interim policy motions are on the agenda for this AGM. Please note that the Code of Conduct for RTAM meeting participants as adopted by the Board this year will be appended to the Policy Manual. A preliminary committee operating manual as required in current policy was also developed.

This brings to an end the multi-year task of the complete review of the bylaws and policies of RTAM. However, since bylaws and policies are considered living documents that need to meet the evolving needs of an organization, this committee recommends that the following tasks be addressed by the 2011-2012 Board with input from the Bylaws and Policy Committee: 1. The advisability of setting term limits for Directors, with a recommendation to AGM 2012 2. Function of the Officers Committee 3. The operating year of the RTAM Board of Directors (Notice of motion re Bylaws)

Thank you to all directors who supported our work by offering feedback as requested. I extend my sincere appreciation to all committee members for their dedicated hard work throughout the year.

EDITORIAL

Respectfully submitted by Doreen Sage, Editor

MEMBERS: Editor, Doreen Sage, Neepawa; Proofreaders: Vel McAdam, The Pas; Joan Goble, Thompson; William Taylor, Brandon

MEETINGS: Two meetings are held with the publisher prior to each issue.

ACTIVITIES: All material is sent to the Editor by email, some photos arrive by Canada Post. This material is forwarded to proofreaders/committee members, by email. All material is kept track of with a numbering system. Committee members proofread and send corrections/ suggestions, etc., back to the Editor. This corrected material is then emailed to the publisher.

At the first meeting with the publisher, all material is checked to see that it arrived. placement is checked, ads are checked, number of pages decided upon. Number of pages must be in multiples of four. For the spring 2011 issue, another committee member attended the meeting.

The publisher forwards a final copy to the printer and within two or three days, the final copy is returned to the publisher for a final proof. Copy is then sent back to the printer for processing, which includes sending all copies to Canada Post.

The number of copies required for mailing and the mailing list is emailed from the RTAM office.

The Editor sends out receipts and a copy of the issue to all who have paid for advertising. Several copies are delivered to the RTAM office for use there.

Undelivered copies are returned to the RTAM office or to the Editor.

Educational Advocacy

Respectfully submitted, Vel McAdam, Chairperson

Committee Members: Vel McAdam (Chair), Pat Bowslaugh; Dr. Mary Pankiw, Peggy Prendergast

It has been a quiet year for Educational Advocacy. We have assisted in making contact with active teachers, through MTS, to offer our services in any way that would be deemed appropriate, in reacting to the Department of Education’s most recent policy pronouncment regarding: * student report cards; * student retention; * late assignments; * professional development

We await their response.

Elections

Respectfully submitted, Pat Bowslaugh, Elections Chair

Upon the closing time of nominations, Thursday, April 7th at 4:00 p.m., the following 15 nominations were received.

Nominees: President/Director Richard Benoit and Dr. Mary Pankiw; Vice President/Director: Wayne Hughes; Secretary: No nominations received; Treasurer/Director: Jag Malik

Nominees for Director: Guy Hansen, Dolores Hebert, Ron Kalinchuk, Carol Pelton, Barb McDole, Ted Poulter, Anne Monk, Norman Wiebe, Peggy Prendergast, Doreen Sage, John Sushelnitsky

Please remember, candidates may be nominated from the floor of AGM provided their nomination is supported by ten RTAM members, who also are present at the time of elections at AGM. Bylaws state that the Board must consist of a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 20 people.

The following Board members from 2010 – 2011 will not be returning as members of the RTAM Board. Pat Bowslaugh; Rita Warrian; Rosalie Bornn; Vel McAdam; Maureen Recksiedler; Ray Sitter; William Taylor

On behalf of our 8000+ members, we thank them for their conscientious efforts over the years that they served on the Board.

Members: Pat Bowslaugh, Chair; Maureen Recksiedler, Jag Malik, Bill Taylor, Brian Paterson and Gerry Melnyk

Having assumed the position of Chair of Group Benefits following the 2010 AGM, it has proven to be a very busy year. Due to the unfortunate illness of our usual Johnson, Inc. contact, Shannon Patershuk, we began the plans for the 2010/2011 packages with Perry Dorgan. Several meetings took place during the 2010 summer months with Perry accompanied first by Cherri Burdeney and then by actuary John Krauss. Perry Dorgan offered us great assistance in addressing the issues that were challenging the Benefits Committee. Namely, the three issues included: a) in the Extended Health Care Plan the $1000 and the $1250 prescription drug plans were no longer viable unless there were huge increases in premiums b) many Extended Health Care participants wanted unlimited coverage for prescription drugs, and c) the opportunity to increase/improve coverage on the Travel Insurance.

These were tall orders!

Following extensive deliberations, it was decided to eliminate the $1000 and $1250 Extended Health Care Plans and to move those participants to the Extended Health Care Core Plan with 80% coverage of prescription drugs up to $500. The Committee then deliberated with Johnson actuary John Krauss to design an Enhanced Plan which, due to the numerous requests, did offer the unlimited prescription drugs up to the point where Pharmacare becomes effective. The annual maximum is your Pharmacare limit or up to $10 000 for prescription drugs in the Enhanced Plan. The rates, which appeared to be expensive, were designed to make the coverage for drugs viable while also offering enhanced coverage for the ten paramedical services pus various other supports. The members who have taken advantage of this plan are able to see that their premium is realistic considering their needs.

The Travel Plan received numerous valuable enhancements while maintaining a very reasonable annual premium. Travelers are now able to have as many trips of 62 days as desired and trips of more that 62 days can be serviced with multiple 15 day extensions by contacting Johnson, Inc before departure. Our Travel Insurance now has a $2 Million limit and trip cancellation has been increased from $6 000 to $7 000. In addition, there is now coverage for lost or delayed luggage. To guarantee our coverage, any medical event must be “sudden and unforeseen”. That means people can not expect to be covered if they have had a recent medical intervention; one’s health must be that of stability. Please check with Johnson if you have any questions. Their contact number is 1-877-989-2600. In the event of a sudden and unforeseen event such as a fall or sudden illness you must contact Sigma Assistel FIRST. They will assist you by directing you in what to do.

In addition to Travel and Extended Health Care, RTAM is pleased to be able to offer other Insurances as requested over the years. These include: Dental Insurance - Long Term Care - Guaranteed Life Insurance - Home Insurance Term Life Insurance - Stand Alone Trip Cancellation/ Interruption/Baggage Insurance One of the last items to be negotiated was the change of the renewal date; henceforth it will be April 1 of each year. It is deemed that this will coincide with the Pharmacare year and will provide for reasonable transition time for the Benefits Committee to negotiate any changes to the plans.

As part of the process of implementing these plans, several Chapters invited the Benefits Committee to bring forth information. Sincere thanks to Neepawa Area Retired Teachers, Boyne Chapter, Northeastman, Southwest Assiniboine, The Pas, Thompson and the Westman Chapters, as well as those who attended the presentation at the MTS building in October. Please note that whenever you have questions you are invited to phone our RTAM office at 1-888-393-8082 and the search for an answer will begin.

Many thanks to the members of the Group Benefits Committee who have spent countless hours in the quest to offer our members viable plans

Membership and Chapters

Respectfully submitted by Membership & Chapters Committee members: Rosalie Bornn, John Solomon, Ron Kalinchuk and cochairs Ray Sitter, John Sushelnitsky

1. There has been progress in the creation of RTAM seminars to inform prospective members in the current teaching profession of the advantages in joining RTAM when they retire. In the past, RTAM representatives were allowed to be present at MTS preretirement seminars to distribute RTAM information materials. At some point, the MTS decided to not allow this practice to continue. As a consequence, Membership took up the task of writing new, updated brochures and of exploring avenues to make them available to teachers.

2. Last year, the RTAM Board reviewed the six brochures and gave an ad hoc committee the task of revising them. This year, the report of the ad hoc committee was reviewed and further revisions were suggested. A second ad hoc committee was tasked with the production of two brochures.

3. In the meantime, the Membership Committee blended the two versions of the brochures into a single power point presentation, which was presented to the Board and approved.

4. The delivery of the power point presentation was facilitated by co-operation with the provincial school superintendents’ organization. Information about the presentation was first distributed to a provincial meeting and then they were asked to distribute the information to all schools in their division.

5. As a result, two seminars were organized to present the power point and to have a following question and answer panel. The first seminar was at the Caboto Centre in Winnipeg on April 23, 2011; the second was at Crocus Plains Secondary School in Brandon on April 30, 2011.

6. As this is the first attempt on RTAM’s part to approach current teachers with its own information session, we are confident that much will be learned in the organizing of such events.

with regard to emergency travel insurance, there have been “borderline” requests for associate membership. They have been decided on an individual basis according to the guidelines of RTAM Policy.

8. In reports from Chapters at Presidents’ meetings, it is clear that there are two main motivations for retired teachers meeting on a regular basis. In some Chapters, mainly rural, the social aspect is highly valued and participation remains very active. In other Chapters, mainly urban, participation is tied to the political necessity of improving the Pension COLA and involvement ebbs and flows according to the political climate.

Pensions

Respectfully submitted by Anne Monk, Chairperson

Committee: Anne Monk (Chairperson), Peggy Prendergast, Wayne Hughes, Bill Cann, Lynn Land, Donna Goodman

Meetings: The committee has met 12 times during this board year.

Activities:

1. COLA – We have continued our work on the TRAF cost of living adjustment (COLA) problem as follows: • We have continued to keep abreast of current TRAF information regarding COLAs and other relevant pension matters, including tracking the impact of Bill 45 on COLAs.

We monitored pension developments at the Manitoba

Teachers’ Society, in other provincial teacher pension plans and in other Manitoba public sector pension plans. Pension issues in general were monitored • We have continued to prepare reports regarding COLA/ pension information and analysis, and have updated some

COLA materials previously prepared by the committee as required. • Consideration of options for future COLA directions, both positions and strategies, is ongoing. • Support to the Board and its committees and to chapters on

COLA/pension matters was provided.

2. MTS Pensions Policies – We reviewed the Manitoba Teachers’ Society proposed revised pension policies and provided advice regarding RTAM’s perspective. The chairperson assisted the president in a consultation meeting with MTS regarding the proposed policies, held because of a 2010 MTS AGM resolution supporting consultation with RTAM.

3. Representation – We are in the process of developing recommendations regarding a board process for RTAM’s nomination to the Minister of Education for the minister’s appointment of a representative of retired members of the Plan to the TRAF Board.

4. Lobbying Meetings – We provided advice and support materials for meetings held with the Minister of Education and the Opposition Parties to advocate for a resolution of the COLA problem. The chairperson acted as a resource at these meetings.

5. KIT - Reports on pensions were submitted to KIT.

Future Directions: Work will continue on the COLA problem and other pension matters, including a review of pension-related policies.

Political Action

Respectfully submitted, Wayne Hughes, PAC chair

Committee Members: Wayne Hughes (Chair), Guy Hansen, Marvin Krawec, Dick Marshall, Anne Monk, John Sushelnitsky

The Political Action Committee (PAC) continues to be a very busy and committed group of volunteers. Over the past year we have had ten (10) regular monthly meetings as well as four (4) all day working or workshop meetings.

Last year, it was reported: “We are planning for the participation of RTAM members to hold a constituency meeting with their MLA that uses a four-step approach that: 1. identifies MLAs to be approached 2. selects and trains RTAM members from the appropriate constituency 3. uses a consistent message as developed by RTAM (Pension,

PAC and PR Committees) 4. follow-up with MLAs.” 5. The report went on to say, “If RTAM is to be successful in getting our message out, we need a broad based approach across the entire province.”

The 2011 Political Action Committee has devoted their efforts to the plan put forward at last year’s AGM. The fall was taken up with many hours of preparation and planning, where we were able to identify our membership by constituency. We then had three all day working meeting to develop the message to be passed on to chapter teams who would begin meeting with MLAs across the province.

In November, a presentation was made to the Chapter Presidents asking for their support in identifying 3 to 5 members willing to attend a workshop that would prepare them to meet with MLAs. Although we were prepared to have two separate workshops in Winnipeg and Brandon, the number of participants who volunteered allowed us to have one session in Winnipeg. On February 9, 2011 a very successful workshop was held for 25 members, where the central message of increased long term funding and fairness was presented. The participants began meeting with select MLAs in March and early April. Feedback from the meetings has been very positive and seems to show a continued need to meet with and inform MLAs of the ongoing concerns of retired teachers across the province.

PAC also recommends that the MLA meetings and message be repeated in September and early October for all candidates in the provincial election as RTAM’s non-partisan approach to having all parties address the long standing problems with our COLA.

Thank you to all who have worked so hard on these issues and we look forward to your continued support and commitment.

Public Relations

Respectfully submitted by the Public Relations Committee Committee: John Sushelnitsky, Chair; Vel McAdam, Guy Hanson, and Ron Kalinchuk 1. In the third year following Bill 45, RTAM has been monitoring

the economic results of the COLA and has been keeping a low public profile while letting members know of the limited improvement the Bill has made. Consequently, there have been no public press releases as in previous years. However, there has been a request from the PR committee for Board discussion on the need for more specific guidelines on when press releases should be undertaken. To date, that discussion has not been taken place.

2. As a consequence, to keep RTAM’s presence in the minds of members, the government, the MTS and the general public, the Public Relations Committee resurrected the Media Watch project started last year. It is an activity whose focus is on changes in the news media affecting retired teachers, retired seniors and the general public. The issues have been primarily economic, health and social changes.

3. It was a very efficient tool in keeping members abreast of developments in a timely manner as it was issued three times a week. It re-opened on Nov. 23, 2010 with issue #40 and had issue # 100 on May 2nd. Feedback has been positive.

4. Guy Hanson headed the Committee’s task of purchasing promotional items for RTAM activities.

TRAVEL

Respectfully submitted by Maureen Recksiedler, Chair

Committee: Maureen Recksiedler, Chair; Dr. Mary Pankiw, William Taylor, Carol Pelton

Throughout the year the travel committee submitted information of interest to travellers for inclusion in KIT. One article featured websites where … 1. you can discover if a visa is needed when you travel to new country; 2. it offered information on working on organic farms around the world; and 3. it provided information for disabled travellers.

We organized a seminar for May 4, 2011 at the M.T.S. building. Those who attended last year’s seminar were very interested in information on volunteering vacations. So this seminar featured Jean Robson and Maureen Barchyn presenting their experience of volunteering on the island of Kauai in Hawaii.

Our second exciting presentation was given by board and travel committee member, Bill Taylor. Bill told us about his adventures on the Mongolian Express as it travelled through Russia. * * * *

Website

Respectfully submitted by Ron Kalinchuk, Webmaster

The RTAM website continues to be an ongoing process, involving content about the goings on of RTAM as a board and as a provincial organization. The new design has been established and is occasionally refreshed with new background designs and formats. I hope this is not confusing or disconcerting for any using the site. Several sections of the site remain to be updated, like the KIT archive pages, but, rest assured, they are being attended to. Very few new links have been added to the LINKS page, but any suggestions are always welcomed. We have tried to keep pace with new activities as they occur, such as the recent Travel and Wellness days that have been held in Winnipeg. Links to two of our Chapter Websites (The Pas and EMR) have been revised and refurbished, as they seemed to have been lost in the shuffle somewhere down the line. Of course, any other chapters that have created websites are welcome to contact us for inclusion in our links to your websites. Anyone wishing to establish a website can find much information on the web about doing so. We can help by giving you space on our web server or offering suggestions about getting started.

We did experiment with adding a blog comment system that worked quite well, but after vetting the idea through a lawyer, the board decided that it was better to remove that aspect of the website as there was potential for inappropriate content being posted to our site. We felt, as an association, that we did not want to be held responsible to any comments that might be scandalous or libelous. An individual blog would be one thing, but a corporate one like this has its own problems to contend with. The tracking and “censoring” of such a blog, to protect the association, was considered quite prodigious.

Continually changing content includes things like Approved Minutes from board meetings, special activities like Travel Fairs and Wellness Days, Media Watch articles, President Reports, KIT pdf files and other content that may be appropriate and of interest to our members. Sometimes the changing of this content is a matter of time commitment and sometimes a matter of availability of material or technical problems to be overcome in posting it. We hope to improve the timeliness of these items as much as possible. Any suggestions or ideas that you would like to see added to or deleted from the Website would be considered. Please feel free to contact the Board Office or the Webmaster with any of your ideas.

Wellness

Respectfully submitted by Peggy Prendergast, Chair

Committee:

Peggy Prendergast, Chair, Winnipeg; Maureen Reckseidler, Stonewall; Barbara McDole, Winnipeg; Lydia Heshka, Winnipeg, (Non Board Member) and Faye Hansen, Winnipeg (Non Board Member)

Meetings:

Four committee meetings were held.

Seminars:

Two seminars were held at McMaster House from 9:30am to 2:30pm on: Wednesday October 21, 2009 – Manage Life Creatively - Make Money Wednesday April 20, 2010 – Stay In The Game

Activities:

As a committee we believe that older adults experience a higher quality of life by becoming personally responsible for their personal wellness. By providing a number of activities that deal with the following six recognized dimensions of wellness – emotional, intellectual, physical, social, spiritual and vocational health, it is our hope to promote development in those key areas and thus integrate wellness into the daily lives of our members.

The Wellness Committee took on the responsibility of having lunch brought in at RTAM Board meetings. We tried to establish an atmosphere at lunch that encouraged a relaxing social atmosphere so members could converse easily and get to know one another. We provided a variety of healthy menus within our budget line.