RTAM Policy Change

Rosalie Bornn, chairperson- Bylaws & Policy committee

The following interim policy changes were approved by the membership at the May 2011 AGM of RTAM in Steinbach:

Motion (aFFiRMed)

That section 2 – PRinciPles oF RtaM be included in the Policy Manual as follows:

section 2 – PRinciPles oF RtaM 2.01 liaison with Mts

RTAM advocates: a) That it be represented at the AGM of MTS. b) That the RTAM representative(s) there have the right to speak to any motion that might affect retired teachers. c) That the Association may submit resolutions to the AGM of the Society for consideration.

2.02 Representation on the tRaF Board

RTAM advocates: a) That RTAM be represented on the TRAF Board. b) That any member representing RTAM be named by RTAM. c) That any representation on the TRAF Board and its committees be proportional based on TRAF pension assets.

2.03 Role of aceR-caRt

RTAM advocates that ACER-CART: a) Take a leadership role in the public discussion of national issues. b) Speak for all retired teachers on national issues affecting them. c) Facilitate and promote liaison and mutual assistance among its member organizations. d) Promote the interests of its member organizations. e) Develop strategies for joint action on matters of common concern to member organizations. f) Co-operate with other organizations on matters of common concern. g) Promote and support public education.

2.04 Representation with other agencies

RTAM advocates: a) That it be represented on any Provincial Government or MTS committee whose objectives affect the economic welfare of, or services to, RTAM members. b) Co-operation with other organizations on matters of common concern.

2.05 health Policy

RTAM advocates: a) Support of the following general policy on national health care: i) Acceptance of the five core principles of the Canada Health Act ii) Adherence to national standards iii) Establishment of a funding formula iv) Meeting the demands for home care v) Supporting a national Pharmacare program vi) Providing accessible, affordable and timely health care to the elderly and b) Opposition to any legislation that would introduce user fees for medical care.

2.06 Retirement income

RTAM advocates: a) That a teacher is entitled to receive adequate retirement income. b) That inflation protection be provided to enable retirees to maintain their standard of living. c) That full inflation protection be the goal of the TRAF Cost of Living Allowance.

2.07 Five year Pension averaging

RTAM advocates: a) That teacher pensions be based on a five-year average for both active and retired teachers; b) That the following be the basis of calculations for those with service prior to 1980: i) Active teachers who bought back to achieve a five-year average shall receive reimbursement of the cost of buy-back plus accrued interest. ii) Retired teachers whose pension is based on both a sevenyear average and five-year average shall receive a pension based on a five-year average. iii) Retired teachers who bought back their pension to achieve a five-year average for all years of service shall receive an actuarially based pro-rated amount of the cost of the buy-back plus interest.

2.08 Pension surplus

RTAM advocates: a) That, in decision-making regarding the use of teacher pension plan surplus, RTAM is recognized by government as the representative of retired teachers. b) That the Teachers’ Pension Act contain provisions for determining allocation of pension plan surpluses.

2.09 Pension Fund investing

RTAM advocates that: a) The first principle of management objectives should be to seek maximum returns for the benefit of the pension plan. b) Investment portfolio management decisions should be based solely on economic merit.

2.10 advertising in RtaM Print and electronic Publications

a) RTAM and Chapter sponsored events may be promoted free of charge. b) Not-for-profit organizations that wish to place public service announcements, school or teacher reunion notices, or information on volunteer opportunities with service groups may do so free of charge. These may be promoted at the discretion of, and for a period as determined by, the Editor and/or Webmaster, based on criteria developed by the Communications Committee and approved by the Board. c) Commercial advertising that does not compete directly with an RTAM program or service may be included at the discretion of the Editor and/or the Webmaster at rates suggested by the Communications Committee, approved by the Board and published in RTAM print and electronic media. d) All advertisers should be informed that RTAM does not endorse or promote any products, services, or events presented in paid advertisements, the announcements, or other sections of its publications unless specified. e) The Editor, Webmaster and/or Board of Directors of RTAM accept no responsibility or liability for failure to insert an advertisement for any reason. In such instances, a full refund will be given. f) Where space permits, classified advertisements may be accepted.

Motion (aFFiRMed)

That Policy 3.01 c) be amended to read: When in the discretion of the Board of Directors of RTAM, it is consistent with the interests, aims and objectives of RTAM to cooperate with an external or commercial venture in distributing information to RTAM members then, where practical and with all costs being borne by the requesting group, such information may be distributed through 1) RTAM print and electronic media or 2) a bonded mailer to which RTAM will provide a single-use mailing list.

Motion (aFFiRMed)

That the following change be made to section 6 – BoaRd oF diRectoRs of the Policy Manual, with appropriate re-numbering. (6.02 will become 6.03). Add:

6.02 Duties of Directors

a) Each director shall be a member of at least one standing committee.

Motion (aFFiRMed)

That the following changes be made to section 8 – coMMittees of the Policy Manual, with appropriate renumbering: i) That Policy 8.02 read:

8.02 Committee Formation

An Ad Hoc Organizing Committee consisting of the President, Vice President and Past President shall: a. Be established each year at AGM soon after the elections have been completed. b. Be responsible for recommending to the first meeting of the Board the membership of Board committees as well as their chairs. c. Make these recommendations from a list of names gathered by the AGM and Election Committee by inviting applications from the Board, from readers of KIT and the Website, from Chapters and from attendees at AGM. d. Give consideration to committee membership diversity where possible.

Motion (aFFiRMed)

ii) That Policy 8.02 be re-numbered as 8.03 and be amended to read:

8.03 Committee Make-up and General Responsibilities

Each standing committee shall: a. Consist of a chair and a maximum of five (5) members (exclusive of the President), a majority of which shall be directors, appointed by the Board of Directors at the first meeting of the Board from a list recommended by the Ad Hoc Organizing Committee. Additional members, if required, may be added by resolution of the Board.

Motion (aFFiRMed)

That Policy 10:02 (5) c) be added to read: Board members and Chapter representatives traveling from outside of Manitoba to attend RTAM approved activities shall be reimbursed at the approved reasonable rates for the portion of their travel within Manitoba.

Motion (aFFiRMed)

That Policy 10.02 (6) be re-numbered as 10.02 (7) and that 10.02 (6) now read: When on RTAM business out of Winnipeg, and when accommodation rates exceed the approved RTAM rate, all reasonable accommodation costs will be reimbursed.

Motion (aFFiRMed)

That in response to the motion passed at AGM 2010 with respect to the study and report of the future need for receipts for all meal expenses, the Board recommends to AGM 2011 that RTAM continue with the current practice regarding reimbursement of expenses.

BylaWs notice oF Motion for agM 2012 (aFFiRMed)

Bylaws article 6- Board of directors

6.04 election and term of office

b) The term of office for a Board shall be from July 1st to June 30th .