RTAM Chapter Reports

members who used their lifelong experiences to make this committee work so well. They were very accepting of each other’s' very diverse ideas and backgrounds. These people are who really make RTAM such a smooth running machine.

Ad Hoc-Distance Technology

Respectfully submitted by Carol Pelton, Winnipeg, Chair Members: Ralph Cibula, Gladstone; Jack Fraser, Winnipeg

The Ad Hoc-Distance Technology Committee was established to facilitate the implementation of internet technology to accommodate long distance audio-visual communication at any RTAM activity. The committee has continued to seek information and develop an understanding of the many technologies available.

At this point, there is no clear solution that would accommodate the various needs of RTAM. Focus has been on gathering information to enable distance communication for meetings originating from the RTAM office. There are many contributing factors in recommending a solution. The work of the committee remains ongoing.

Brandon Pre-Retirement Seminar

By Judy Olmstead

An RTAM pre-retirement seminar was held in the afternoon on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at Central Community Center in Brandon. The event was advertised in the Manitoba Teacher, RTAM website, Westman school divisions and the Brandon schools.

Eighteen people, at least half from communities around Brandon, came to hear the presentations by RTAM committee members. Ray Sitter (Membership and Chapters Committee) spoke on “Financial Issues” in retirement and the trials of downsizing. Judy Olmstead (Benefits Committee) presented power point information on the RTAM Benefit Program for retired teachers on the Health, Dental and Travel Plans sponsored by Johnson Inc. Pat Bowslaugh (Membership and Chapters Committee) spoke on “Life after Retirement” and topics to consider during the transition from working to retired life. Attendees had many questions for the presenters and responded positively to the workshop.

Everyone enjoyed coffee/tea and cookies and received a cloth bag and folder filled with valuable information. Draws were made for several door prizes to conclude the afternoon.

Boyne Chapter of Retired Teachers

Submitted by Bob Kowalchuk, Secretary Treasurer

The Boyne Chapter has 25 members. We have no designated President, but someone volunteers to chair each meeting. The Secretary-Treasurer is Bob Kowalchuk. The breakfast meetings are held the last Friday of each month (September to May) at a local Carman restaurant. For our May meeting, we alternate travelling to Elm Creek or Miami and have our breakfast in their community. The fee is $10 per year to cover any expenses and to provide a scholarship to a Prairie Rose graduate entering a program of learning. The meeting opens with the singing of O’ Canada. The sharing of information regarding upcoming activities in Carman and surrounding communities is a highlight of each meeting. In April of 2017, a group rented the Carman Handi-Van and arrangements were made to tour the Human Rights Museum. Everyone had an enjoyable day and kudos to our guide. In September, 2017, Carman hosted the Old Rusty. This is a retired teachers’ golf tournament and it is held each year on the first day of school. Many of our members were on the organizing committee, and we welcomed retired teacher golfers from many areas of Manitoba. After a day of golfing, a banquet was provided to the participants at our clubhouse.

One of Carman`s big projects is the expansion of the Boyne Regional Library. One of our members is on the expansion committee and he provides a monthly update on the architect`s plans and on the fundraising progress. Many of our members are involved in local activities in their community. Some of the highlights include the annual spring variety concert which takes place at the Carman Active Living Centre. The choir is directed by Audrey Myers and it has over 30 singers. A performance by the Carman Ukulele group was an added attraction. One of our members organizes the Alzheimer Awareness Ukrainian Dinner. This year, 300 people attended and they enjoyed a traditional Ukrainian meal and entertainment was provided by the band Revival. Once the business part of the meeting concludes, one never knows where the conversation will lead to—members often share accomplishments of their grandchildren; health concerns; the recent Olympics; classroom incidents from years ago. Someone always provides a humorous anecdote and we always adjourn with a smile on our face.

Calgary & Area Chapter of RTAM

Respectfully submitted by Penny Hogan

On behalf of the Chapter committee: Dennis Kozak, Jan Campbell, Penny Hogan, Lillian Kozak, George Takashima.

Of 62 RTAM members on our ‘Chapter Contact List’, 25 members, some accompanied by a spouse, attended at least one meeting in 2017. A second indicator of continued interest in the Calgary Chapter is the number of members who take time to send regrets if unable to attend a meeting.

In consideration of the wide dispersal of our members, we continue to alternate four yearly meetings between locations in South and North Calgary. While the majority of members are Calgarians, some individuals travel from High River, Lethbridge, Cochrane and Canmore to attend our luncheons. Attendance remains consistent from year to year.

A 2017 Chapter Initiative Grant, received in February, 2017, facilitated the opportunity to host speakers at two of our four gatherings. Thanks to Jan Campbell, who arranged for the speakers, members had the opportunity to understand the changes in Calgary’s library system, and then within our personal spaces. At the March 2, 2017, luncheon, Ellen Humphrey, Calgary Public Library Deputy CEO, was our guest speaker. Her presentation, “Not your Grandmother’s Library” began with a historical overview of Calgary’s library system, and continued with an overview of the architecture, and designated spaces of Calgary’s new Central Library, scheduled to open in November 2018. On November 23, 2017, Cindy Beaudet, President, Destinations Seniors’ Downsizing’ presented an informative and entertaining talk on moving to smaller spaces for seniors.

An effort is made to keep in contact with all RTAM members in the Chapter, whether or not they have attended a meeting. Invitations and follow-up information are mailed to the small, and decreasing, number of members who do not use email. The majority of members are notified through email regarding upcoming events. Information following each event is distributed, in the hope that new faces will continue to appear at our meetings. Since the initial meeting in May, 2014, of twenty individuals connected only by their RTAM membership, the Calgary Chapter looks forward to the collegiality of meeting with friends in the coming year.

Dauphin Area Retired Teachers’ Association (DARTA)

Submitted by Yvonne Lillie

Meetings

DARTA continues to be a very active group of teachers and other MTS members. We have a full slate of 77 paid members and meetings continue to have 25 - 30 attend. Our monthly Tuesday meeting format has changed for a trial of having breakfast, lunch and two potluck supper meetings

at a variety of locations. We are currently settling on one location and one time. Members are regularly contacted via email and telephone for agendas, minutes and important RTAM information.

Activities/Events

• Our September meeting was held at our Golf Clubhouse overlooking Lake Dauphin. We welcomed new members and their breakfast was paid for by DARTA. • October was busy volunteering for the Terry Fox BBQ, the Run itself and at the local school run held at the Credit Union Place walking track. • We held an Alzheimer Coffee Break at the Dauphin Mall with many volunteers offering baking and time. We successfully raised $525.05. • We sponsored and presented a wreath at the public November 11, 2017, ceremony. • In November, several members decorated the Watson Art Centre for Christmas. • In November and December, many members plus spouses and friends provided monitoring at Dauphin Kings Hockey games. This is a great service to the community. • Our annual Christmas Cheer & Chat was held with baking and good conversation. • Many members attended free events at the Dauphin Regional Library and DARTA made a donation to support the library. • Several members worked with some new immigrant families in our community with language and understanding of life in Canada. We supported two families that were working on developing a small food business and we attended a luncheon where they offered many dishes from their culture. They then offered home delivery of many items. A very successful event. • Many members, spouses and friends worked a weekend for the Parkland Cup Hockey Event. We organized and ran the Registration Desk at two rinks. • Our Sunshine Rep continues to deliver cards of sympathy, thinking of you, illness, member weddings and birth of new grandchildren. • We continue to provide Honour Guards to member funerals, upon request. • As spring approaches, we are very busy planning DARTA’s 25th Anniversary on

April 25 with a Wine and Cheese evening. • We are planning a trip to a unique restaurant in Winnipegosis and our year end

BBQ. • Our AGM will be held in April and look forward to a full Executive for the 2018 - 2019. DARTA will continue to advocate for its members.

Éducatrices et Éducateurs manitobains à la retraite (ÉMR)

RAPPORT DU PRÉSIDENT 2018

Le conseil exécutif des Éducateurs & Éducatrices Manitobains.es à la Retraite (les ÉMR) a comme objectifs principaux d'organiser des activités qu'on espère vont plaire à tous les goûts; vont susciter intérêt d'y participer; mettre l'accent sur l'aspect social et francophone. Nous prenons l'occasion lors de notre AGA en avril de demander à nos membres de nous partager rétroactions sur les activités passées ainsi que prendre note d'idées et suggestions pour l'année à venir.

Les membres siégeant au Conseil exécutif des ÉMR sont demandés d'organiser un minimum d'une activité prévue durant l'année. Par la suite le membre du Conseil doit afficher & annoncer l'activité prévue par le biais de notre site web www.lesemr.org.

La liste de membres des ÉMR se chiffre à tout près de 200. Ces membres ont œuvré soit comme enseignant /enseignante ou administrateur / administratrice, dans des Conseils scolaires francophone, immersion et anglophone

Le défi, comme dans tout organisme, est au niveau d'engagement et de participation des membres actuels et recrutement de nouveaux membres. La

Retired Teachers' Association of Manitoba (RTAM) nous a octroyé des fonds à cette fin.

Les membres du Conseil exécutif des ÉMR pour 2017 - 2018 sont: • Guy Gagnon, président • Raymond Bisson, vice-président • Denis Clément, président sortant • Evelyne Beaudoin, trésorière • Patricia Thibodeau, secrétaire • Denis Gautron, conseiller • Guy Lacroix, conseiller et membre au Conseil d'administration RTAM • Alma Vincent, conseillère

Je les remercie très sincèrement por leur collaboration et leur engagement. Nous formons bonne équipe.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Members of the Éducateurs - Éducatrices Manitobains à la Retraite (les ÉMR) executive council plan their yearly activities with the following mandate in mind. It's our intention that planned activities focus on the social as well as the francophone dimensions of our gatherings. With this in mind, we ask our members at our April AGM to provide feedback & suggestions for the upcoming year.

Members of the executive council are asked to organize one or more of the yearly activities by: publicizing it on our web site: www.emr.org informing of the date, time and location. During the get together, a member is assigned to take pictures which are later downloaded on our web site including a short summary and number of participants. This is part of our marketing and recruitment strategy to get members involved & has proven successful.

Thanks to an RTAM chapters' grant in 2017, we have continued with our efforts in recruiting new members.

We presently have a list of close to 200 members. These members have taught or been school administrators in the Francophone, Anglophone & Immersion systems. Many members continue to be actively involved in political, social and educational issues either though our organization or various others within the francophone community.

The 2017 - 2018 ÉMR chapter's Executive council members elected for a one-year term are: • Guy Gagnon, president • Raymond Bisson, vice-president • Denis Clément, past president • Evelyne Beaudoin, treasurer • Patricia Thibodeau, secretary • Denis Gautron, council member • Guy Lacroix, council member & member of the Board of Directors of RTAM • Alma Vincent, council member • Gérard Massé & Norma Lacroix-Gagné, ÉMR web site

On behalf of the ÉMR membership, I wish to thank the executive committee members for their initiative and cooperation. We make a great team.

Hanover Association of Retired Teachers

Submitted by Brian Gadsby

Once again, we are in a state of flux, as we look to see what the future holds for our chapter. The old executive has volunteered to stay on as we figure out our next move.

We continue to have breakfast meetings once a month. The attendance varies, depending on the time of year, with good attendance once the snow board season is over.

Interlake Retired Teachers’ Association (IRTA)

Submitted by Nancy Phillips

President, Nancy Phillips; Vice President, Gail Peterkin; Past President, Darlene Dufily; Secretary, Joie VanDongen; Treasurer, Cathy Yurick

Directors: Joan Main, Barbara Lindquist, Nancy Drad and Cindy Grabowecky

The membership of the Interlake Retired Teachers' Association has not grown over the past several years but is being maintained. The executive encourages participation/membership

with activities such as guest speakers, luncheons, a Christmas Party and field trips.

IRTA holds four executive meetings and four general meetings throughout the year. In September, 2017, there was a luncheon at Bel Acres Golf Course with guest speaker, Sharon Todd. This is our second time having her speak to our group on senior legal issues. December, 2017, the annual Christmas Party in Balmoral was well attended. Our AGM was on April 19, 2018, where the Board of Directors was elected for the upcoming year. In June, a "Night at the Races" is being organized at Assiniboine Downs.

Those of us who are on the executive enjoy meeting days. We always go for lunch prior to the meeting. It's very social but at the same time we get the business done.

Intermountain Retired Teachers’ Association

Ron Landry, President

At our fall meeting our group decided that because of our dwindling numbers we will now only get together once a year for a social evening. This will occur in the fall. We will keep in the know by reading our KIT.

Louis Riel Retired Teachers’ Association

Respectfully submitted by Jack Fraser and Lynda Baxter

The Louis Riel Chapter includes the retired staff from the legacy divisions of St. Boniface, Norwood, and St. Vital.

• All our Chapter’s major activities have a fundraising component and are run and organized by our Activities Co chairs,

Jerry Ilchyna and Ron Koskie and their subcommittee of executive members: Edith

Alexiuk, Lydia Lewko, Francis Lemieux,

Marilyn Surbey, Gerry Ilchyna, Jo-Ann

Koskie, and Frank Prouten (BC Rep).

Our principle activities include our annual spring and fall luncheons and our annual

September golf tournament. This year marks 26 years for the luncheons and 22 for the golf tournament. Local business owners, former students, and former staff donate the prizes for our silent auctions and draws. Funds raised support our bursary fund. The connections made to our external donors have been forged and maintained over the years and generate an ongoing positive contribution of community support to public education. The team’s work is invaluable in that respect. The donors’ willingness to give and their testimonials about how teachers have positively influenced lives are indeed heart-warming.

In light of RTAM’s focus on ‘volunteering’, this kind of volunteerism also needs to be recognized and acknowledged for the contribution that it is. • Carol Pelton, RTAM Treasurer, brought greeting to our spring luncheon on behalf of RTAM President, Rosalie Bornn. Our luncheons are a great contributor to our

Chapter’s social and communication needs.

These events are a great time to get together, renew acquaintances, get caught up on travel and family news, and win a few prizes.

Through the much-appreciated support of the Louis Riel School Division, tickets are sold on our behalf at the reception desk in the

Board Offices. Both luncheons are held in the space provided in the Division’s Legacy Centre.

Doors open at 10:15 for visiting to begin, lunch is at noon and visiting and activities go well into the late afternoon. • Our newsletter is bi annual, so that leaves us with a communication time gap with our members. The Chapter established an electronic mailing list to provide timely information to 200+ of our over 900 members between newsletters. The e-List is growing. • Our chapter membership is open to all retiring staff of the Division. We value this diversity in our group, and the

Division is also proud to be in touch with all their retired staff. The retired teacher membership component of our chapter is a ‘sub group’ with respect to activities that

are of specific interest to teachers. We have an excellent working relationship with the superintendent, and the Division supports our luncheons, our bursary, and our communication in a number of ways. The

Chapter appreciates the support it receives. • Our last year’s golf tournament’s bursary contributions topped over $1000 for the fourth time. This is in no small part due to the tireless work of the activities co chairs and their team, but also to the ever increasing support from our donors. The upcoming nine hole, shotgun start tournament will again be held at the Lorette Golf Course in September. For the past 11 years the tournament has been sold out in two weeks. • Because of our fundraising, this past year we were able to provide a total of $4000 in bursary monies to be distributed among students from all eight of our high schools.

This will be the 17th anniversary of our bursary fund. It is wonderful to be able to use the funds we generate to contribute to young people in our amalgamated division.

As of June, 2017, we will have awarded 84 bursaries in the total amount of $34,000. The following is a quote from one of our activities co chairs: “Education is ongoing and we know that retired teachers and support staff still wish to be involved in its future.” • The Louis Riel School Division has recently incorporated a charitable foundation called

RIEL-EVATE. Representatives of our chapter sit on the board and members have volunteered to support activities such as their clothing and school supplies drives. • We did not apply for the RTAM $250

Chapter Initiative Grant this year, but will for the next year.

Neepawa Area Retired Teachers’ Association (NARTA)

Submitted by Joan Rink and Pat Cibula

President, Joan Rink; Vice President, Vacant; Past President, Ralph Cibula; Treasurer, Richard Kulbacki; Secretary, Pat Cibula; Program Director, Wendy Denbow; Communications, Judy Roe

• June, 2017 - A meeting and barbeque was held at the Old Schoolhouse in Neepawa, attended by 23 people. • June, 2017 - NARTA student bursary of $200.00 was presented to a Grade 12 student at William Morton Collegiate,

Gladstone. • NARTA applied for and received an RTAM

CHAPTER INITIATIVES GRANT of $250.00 which was helpful in enhancing

NARTA activities. • NARTA September 11, 2017, outing - 15 people attended a morning tour of the

Neepawa Museum followed by lunch at the Neepawa Golf Club. In the afternoon, we enjoyed a tour of the Neepawa Farmery

Estate Brewery. • October 4, 2017 - NARTA hosted an

RTAM Wellness Seminar which was a tremendous success. • November 27, 2017 - NARTA held a meeting and a Christmas dinner attended by 25 people and enjoyed by all. A presentation on "Christmas in the Philippines" was given by two ladies from the Philippines who are now residents of Neepawa. • NARTA has tried a new format with four meetings/get togethers per year and wish to extend an invitation to recent retirees to join our Chapter.

Northeastman Chapter

Submitted by Linda York, President

This report is about renewal. Due to sickness, death and travel, our executive has not met for the last year. Over the next months, we are planning to meet with the Sunrise Teachers’ president to share RTAM information with practising and retiring teachers. We are hoping to get an interview with the local newspaper to reintroduce our chapter and RTAM to the public.

After the RTAM AGM, we will call a meeting to share the information we have collected. Our goal is to elect a new executive and pursue the option of splitting our chapter into two geographically accessible units. I will be seeking advice on this course of action at the AGM.

Okanagan Chapter

Respectfully submitted by Nancy Kostiuk, Secretary

April 6, 2017: Annual General Meeting at Two Eagles Golf Club, 19 Okanagan Grill, West Kelowna, BC. Attending were 18 members and guests. August 12, 2017: Annual Summer Barbecue and Pot Luck in Oyama, at the lakeside home of Carol and Peter Rykszynski. Attending were 21 members and guests. December 5, 2017: Christmas Luncheon held at the Sunset Ranch Golf Clubhouse, Kelowna, with 22 attendees. March 29, 2018: RTAM – Okanagan AGM held at Moxie’s, Kelowna, to elect the executive and plan future activities; 22 members and guests attended. Current membership is 55 with members from Salmon Arm to Oliver and points in between.

Thank you to RTAM for facilitating our Okanagan outreach through the Chapter Initiative Grant. RTAM – Okanagan Executive 2018 – 2019:

Co-Presidents: Lorne Lisik - lornelisik@gmail.com Lorna Rothwell - lrothwell@shaw.ca

Vice-President: Ken Ferg Treasurer: Roy Lycar Secretary: Nancy Kostiuk Members-at-large: Susan Forsyth, Glenda Waugh

Portage la Prairie Retired Teachers’ Association

Submitted by Charlie Clifford, President

The year, 2017 – 18, was expected to be a year of growth for our chapter. Although we have seen some encouraging activity, it has not been consistent. We are trying some different approaches to our meetings; looking at the luncheon and dinner format instead of just breakfast meetings. We have tried not to be too political, which is one of the excuses people give for not attending. We have about 130 RTAM members in the Portage area which could be a powerful resource for our community if it were utilized properly.

We tried a Christmas luncheon with a singsong and found it quite successful with 56 members coming out. It did require a very extensive phone campaign. We will continue to look at ways to involve our members and get them excited about what RTAM can do for them and what they can do for RTAM. We have three radio stations, an online station, and a newspaper that is printed twice a week, that are very community minded. We need to look at ways of involving all of them more.

Many of our members are very involved in the community as individuals or through other organizations. It may be a possibility of using our organization to help our members serve our community, as they have done for so many years in the past. The pool of talent, creativity and, yes. energy has so much potential for keeping us healthy and living very fulfilled lives. We realize that growth may be slow but it will come!

Many of our younger retirees continue to work, which seems to be a trend. We will continue to make RTAM more inviting to them.

Retired Women Teachers’ Association

Respectfully submitted: Cécile Alarie-Skene, President

Now in our sixty-sixth year, the Retired Women Teachers’ Association membership currently stands at 264 regular and 9 life members, who are aged 90 years or over. In the 2017 – 2018 term, the executive met five times to plan activities and the four luncheons for the year.

Our first luncheon, on September 28, was highlighted by our annual Fashion Show. Northern Reflections provided fashions for our

members to model and afterwards many of us went shopping for a “new” wardrobe.

At our Christmas luncheon on December 14, we were entertained by Neil Keep with his singalong medleys and impersonations of some of our favourite singers. Mrs. Claus rewarded some of our members who owned up to being “Naughty” with a lump of coal and our “Nice” women with a suitable gift.

On February 22, members were entertained by the Raging Grannies with their “rants” and we were pleased to be invited to write and present some of our own rants. Many members wore their most “Outrageous” hat at this time as well. This year our generous members provided a recordbreaking amount of food items and money for Winnipeg Harvest at this luncheon.

Our AGM will be held at the April 26 luncheon. We will be entertained by the Ron Paley Band. RTAM president, Rosalie Bornn, has been invited to this luncheon to bring RTAM greetings.

We continue to hold our luncheons at the Masonic Centre at Corydon and Osborne where our delicious and varied meals are prepared by WOW Catering. Guests are always welcome.

Donations of toiletries for women’s shelters and used eye-glasses for the Eye Bank continue to be collected at each luncheon. As well, donations to our Angel Baskets allow us to recognize our shut in members with small gifts at Christmas and Easter and cards on other occasions.

We invite all former and newly retired women teachers to join RWTA in 2018-2019. We gratefully acknowledge the grant received from the RTAM which will help our recruitment drive. Annual membership fees remain at $8.00.

My first year as RWTA president has been interesting and fulfilling thanks to the support and dedication of our executive and RTAM.

St. James-Assiniboia Chapter Submitted by Lynn Land, chairperson

Officers 2017 - 2018

Chairperson, Lynn Land; Past Chair, Connie Newman; Vice Chair, Shelley Herbert; Treasurer, Emily Williamson; Secretary, Brian Head; Membership, Emily Williamson; Communications, Dorothy Young

Members at Large: Marj Bilous, Rudy Peters, Will Peters, Linda Scott, Carol Szuminsky

Membership as of April 30, 2018 is 318.

The main objective of the St. James Assiniboia Chapter of RTAM is to promote the economic interests of its members and other retired educators; and to support the Provincial RTAM Board in its endeavors to that end. The Chapter shares information with its members all across Canada. In turn, members share the information with friends, family, and colleagues still actively teaching in Manitoba. The Chapter held a very successful Harvest Moon Coffee House on Saturday, October 21. The singing was led by guest guitarist Armando. The crowd sang along with all of the tunes. Some members didn’t even need to look at the words on the song sheets because the songs were so familiar to them. Coffee, tea, water and homemade apple crisp with ice cream were enjoyed by all those in attendance. We thank Marj, Mary and Shelley for making the delicious crisp. We thank RTAM for the financial support for this event. It was really appreciated.

Our Annual General meeting will be held in the spring in conjunction with another social event.

Southwest Assiniboine Chapter of Retired Teachers

Submitted by Ben Veselosky

The following is a brief list of our activities : 1. We held three luncheon meetings this year. a) April: Presentation by pharmacist on Medication Safety b) September: Quiz and prizes for Canada Day c) November: Attendance – App. 40. We sang Christmas carols. 2. We support the community Food Cupboard by collecting food products at our meetings. 3. We financially support some festival programs at the school level. 4. The Friendships and Visiting Committee

send our greetings and get well cards to those in need, as well as visitations; they also send cards of sympathy. Pat Wolfe is in charge of this need. 5. We assess membership dues. Glen

McKinnon is our treasurer. 6. Our Travel Committee organizes trips to areas of interest. This year, over forty retired teachers went to see, “Mamma Mia” at Rainbow Stage on Sunday, August 13.

We are very thankful to Kelvon Smith for organizing this trip and being the contact person. Kelvon also applied for and was successful in receiving a $250.00 grant from

RTAM which was used to help cover the cost of the trip. The teachers involved thank the RTAM for the grant.

Swan Valley Retired Teachers

Submitted by Ed Richenhaller

President: Barb Plumb; Secretary, Sheila Kelbert; Treasurer, Henry Barkowski; Past President, Ed Richenhaller

The Swan Valley Retired Teachers had an eventful year beginning with our first hosting of the RTAM AGM. Our Chapter is appreciative of the $250 grant from RTAM. This was used to create interest and help offset the cost of attending the social. Hosting the AGM made us aware and appreciative of all the work involved in organizing this annual event by the Executive, Board and Staff of RTAM.

In June, 2017, SVRT was invited to attend the Swan Valley School Division retiring teachers and services banquet. Here we were given the opportunity to encourage the retiring teachers to join the SVRT and RTAM.

In September, some members and guests toured the lighthouse and windmill tower constructed by Robyn and Reba Meyers on their farm on the bank of the Valley River just West of Gilbert Plains. This 50 foot high structure was mostly constructed of stone. New energy surfaced as we climbed the inside to the top of the windmill. The additional attractions were the reconstruction of a number of pioneer buildings and old machinery and, of course, the mascot dog. We concluded our tour by crossing the swinging bridge across the Valley River to a delicious lunch at the Gilbert Plains Golf Club.

On November 11, we laid a wreath at the Legion Remembrance Day Service. Also, in November, our Chapter judged the Legion sponsored Literary and Poster Contests.

In December, we invited retired school board and retired school support staff to a brunch at the Westwood Inn. The comments of attendees were so positive that this may result in an annual event.

In February, for two weeks, our Chapter delivered Meals on Wheels.

In March, our AGM and luncheon was held at Zinkiews. Our membership has increased to 28 members.

The Pas Retired Teachers' Association Respectfully submitted for Vel McAdam, President

President, Vel McAdam; Vice-President, Vaughn Wadelius; Secretty-Treasurer, Elaine Bollman

As our community has undergone some significant financial pressures in the last two years, many retirees are opting to leave the community, or stay in teaching a bit longer. We are trying to continue to relay news of important activities of RTAM and ACER-CART to all of our members.

Another activity has been to be aware of the provincial government intrusions into teacher pension issues. We have communicated with the local Kelsey Teachers’ Association to express our willingness to dialogue with and offer support to them on these critical issues should they call a local meeting. So far no reply.

As usual, our chapter members have many volunteer commitments that keep them active and reflect on the community's view of The Pas Retired Teachers' Association. These include: The Pas Community Choir, The Pas Hospital

Auxiliary, The Sam Waller Museum Board (and fund-raising), Citizens on Patrol, the Kelsey School Division Board of Trustees, The Pas Rotary, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Women's League and the Order of the Eastern Star, to mention a few. All of these local organizations rely on teacher leadership and support.

These hours devoted to community work mean many of our members find little time to devote to association meetings. We plan to conduct an annual end-of-the-year picnic, hopefully at Clearwater Lake in June, assuming our massive snowfall amount in 2017 -18 has melted!

Thompson Association of Retired Educators (TARE)

Submitted by Joan Goble, President

Our small group meets about ten times a year and usually over a meal. We vary the days and the time of day so that those who substitute, have other jobs, volunteer, or travel may attend at least some of the meetings. Our theme this year revolved around Wellness.

May • The Kids Plant Project at the Library has been quite popular so it happened again: D., Barb M., Dianne D., Grace B. and Sue M. were involved in organizing and carrying out this popular project. • Pre-retirement Seminar for TTA members. Our presenters were Joan D, Marg and Joan.

June • Filled the planters at the Library and a local restaurant then went for coffee. Mature Drivers Program (sponsored by MPIC) is an excellent presentation! Free driver testing is also available upon request after taking this program. The results only go to you, the driver. Bottled water was provided for each participant. • Rice Krispie cakes were delivered to two elementary classrooms whose teachers were retiring. July • Pot Luck supper at a member’s cottage September • To Hell with the Bell breakfast on the first day of school October • Exercise class with Katie Kirkwood Armstrong, a local Senior Fitness Trainer. November • A lawyer from Law North talked to us about wills, power of attorney, health care directives and then answered many questions posed by the group. Coffee and dainties provided. February • Darren King from Clarke’s Pharmacy presented a very informative session on seniors and drugs. He spent over two hours in discussion with the group answering many questions .Coffee and dainties provided. • Thompson 2020 Committee invited interested TARE members to meet them at the Northern Boreal Centre to brainstorm ideas. March • AGM dinner and meeting at Paint Lake Marina. Joan Goble will remain as President. Dorothy Smith is the Vice President and the Secretary-Treasurer is Kate Roth.

VanIsles Chapter

Irene Hilchey, President; Jim Reid, Treasurer; Patti Dobroski, Secretary

The Vancouver Island chapter has over 100 members located in various cities and towns throughout our island.

Our Annual General Meeting was held on April 12 in the Satellite Bar and Grill at the Arbutus Ridge Golf Club in the community.

Our guest speaker for the event was Pamela Thompson, a life skills coach and motivational speaker. She spoke on learning the difference between a life change and a transition. She also presented some effective strategies for enhanced health, happiness, fulfillment and inner peace.