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Hon. Murray Sinclair Speaks With The Retired Teachers' Association of Manitoba
The Honourable Murray Sinclair Speaks With The Retired Teachers’ Association of Manitoba
Public Relations Committee
The Honourable Murray Sinclair, now retired from the Canadian Senate, addressed a recent meeting of the Board of the Retired Teachers’ Association of Manitoba (RTAM). In Zoom attendance were representatives of the Manitoba Teachers’ Society and the Manitoba School Boards. This was a unique opportunity to hear from the Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission about how education can contribute to the reconciliation process. Beginning with the “Truth” part of the Commission, the Honourable Murray Sinclair spoke in broad terms of how the relationship between the colonizers and the Indigenous people began as one of equality. Both groups needed each other; the colonizers needed to know what plants would thrive in their fields, and which river routes were best for trading. The Indigenous peoples needed those trade goods from Europe. It was a mutually beneficial relationship.
Eventually, Canada was formed in 1867 with Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. There were no Indigenous people at the table.
The colonizers were aware of all that land to the West, both in the newly formed USA, and in Canada. Treaties were signed and promises were made in exchange for the large tracts of land.
By 1883, our first Prime Minister was being quite blunt in the House of Commons… ”the Indian child should be withdrawn from their parental influence”… and then went on to mention…”central training industrial schools”.
The Residential School system had been born. Indigenous children were now to be molded into a European-style civilization. Both churches and schools were enlisted. Canada went on to have seven generations of devaluation of the Indigenous culture, language, society. Seven generations.
With respect to the “Reconciliation” part of the Commission, The Honourable Murray Sinclair referred briefly to the time it would take to regain a balance of mutual respect. He expressed his sincere appreciation of the vital role that teachers have played, offering up the widely accepted solution…”It will be through Education”.
RTAM has become part of this reconciliation process by introducing an annual Indigenous Bursary to a University of the North student. Our first recipient of this award, Brie Phillips, has written and illustrated a book entitled “Roots”. Publishing and printing support were provided by RTAM and “Roots” has been gifted to all Manitoba schools and libraries. The Honourable Murray Sinclair was presented with the first signed copy of “Roots” during the RTAM Board meeting.
This presentation will be available imminently on RTAM’s YouTube channel (in development). It is quite stunning. Watch it.
RETIRED TEACHERS’
ASSOCIATION OF MANITOBA
The Retired Teachers’ Association of Manitoba (RTAM) awards annually up to four (4) post secondary STUDENT AWARDS of $1,000 each for relatives of RTAM members.
Criteria for selection: (The applicant must be)
1) A relative of a RTAM Member 2) Involved in school and community activities 3) A Grade 12 Graduate 4) Entering the first year of a post secondary education program.
APPLICANT’S INFORMATION
PLEASE PRINT
First name:
Last name:
Mailing Address: Postal Code:
Phone Number: City/Town:
Cell Number:
E-mail Address: School (Graduated from Grade12): Year Graduated:
School Address: (Street) (City) (Postal Code) Post Secondary Plans Program Location
RTAM SPONSORING MEMBER INFORMATION (PLEASE PRINT)
Full Name Mailing Address Province Postal Code Phone
Email City
Cell
TO BE COMPLETED BY SPONSORING RTAM MEMBER:
I confirm that the applicant __________________________, has the following relationship to me ___________________________
RTAM Member’s Signature:
Applicant’s Signature Date:
Date:
THE DEADLINE FOR 2021 APPLICATIONS IS JULY 31, 2021
If further information is required, please contact the office (see below).
SUBMISSIONS TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
1. Application Form 2. Applicant’s description of school and community activities (one page) 3. Letter of reference/support from a non-family member (one page) 4. Final Grade 12 official high school transcript of marks (copy only)
Office/Voicemail Phone: 1-204-889-3660 Manitoba Toll Free: 1-888-393-8082 Fax: 1-204-783-2011 Email: office@rtam.mb.ca Website: www.rtam.mb.ca 206 - 1555 St. James St., Winnipeg, MB R3H 1B5
Respectfully submitted by Bill Cann (Winnipeg)
There has been several important developments since I became the RTAM President on August 27, 2020. Thankfully, the cooperation and support of the Executive Committee, the Executive Director, the office staff and individual Directors have provided valued assistance in successfully addressing emergent issues and moving our organization ahead. I have organized the past year’s highlights into several categories.
Piloting the RTAM Ship of State
To cope more efficiently with a significantly increased workload, the employment hours for the Executive Director, Office Manager and Member Services Coordinator were increased from part-time to full time in November 2020.
The President and Vice President completed a satisfactory review of the Executive Director’s performance on October 30, 2020.
The President introduced a two-part recruitment strategy to solve the problem of twelve current Directors being required to resign by May 2022. Part one encourages each Director to nominate a committee member a year prior to their own retirement, with the expressed hope that the nominated individual will stand for election to the Board following a year of committee service. Part two established an agreement with Chapter Presidents to provide a minimum of 2-3 committee and/or Director nominations annually over the course of a six-year rotation.
Zoom meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic have dramatically changed the way RTAM conducts meetings and special events such as webinars and pre-retirement seminars. Directors, Committee members, Chapter presidents, webinar and pre-retirement seminar registrants all noted the ease and efficiency of attending events from the comfort of one’s home and without having to travel. Meetings and events following the pandemic will continue to incorporate virtual technology in some way.
The attractiveness, user-friendly organization and maintenance of current information on the RTAM website has improved dramatically as evidenced by monthly analytic user data. The President introduced monthly Committee Highlights Reports to keep the Website current and Chapter Presidents up to date on the most recent developments. These reports were also combined quarterly for publication in KIT.
In October 2020, the President introduced an email contest to encourage approximately 3500 RTAM members to submit their email addresses to the Office to complete an electronic membership database. Unfortunately, this initiative fell well short of its intended goal.
The President held weekly meetings with the Executive Director and monthly meetings with the Executive officers. Throughout 2020-2021, the President participated in most committee meetings and all RTAM special events.
In addition to the regular monthly reports to the board and quarterly reports for KIT, the President volunteered to write the monthly Executive Highlights report for the Website and for Chapter Presidents. On November 12, 2020, the President chaired the inaugural bi-monthly zoom meeting with Chapter Presidents, which are intended to enhance Chapter participation in the general running of the organization. The registration process for both the annual $250 Chapter Initiative Grants and the five
$250 annual Wellness Advocacy Grants was reviewed. Other topics covered included cost of annual zoom contracts, RTAM’s postal code matching service to offer Chapter contact information to retirees living within a Chapter’s geographical area, draft proposal for Chapters to nominate committee members and /or Directors over a six-year rotation and RTAM’s Executive Director’s willingness to host Chapter meetings via Zoom.
The second bi-monthly Zoom meeting was held on January 14, 2021. The revised Chapter Rotation for nominating Committee members and Directors was adopted. This is a significant commitment by Chapters and to ensure a succession of between 2-3 new people that will be nominated annually. The Free First Year membership for new retirees, RTAM’s position on Long Term Care Facilities, improving relations with MTS as well as Chapter presidents’ concerns were discussed.
The third bi-monthly Zoom meeting was held on March 04, 2021. Joan Dawson reviewed the deadlines for submission of AGM nominations, reports and Distinguished Service Awards. The Chapter Presidents decided to hold their AGM/bi-monthly meeting on Friday, May 7th , 2021. Updates were provided on emergent issues such as COLA vs Inflation and the MTS request for support to raise local awareness of their response to the expected Government K-12 Review.
Chapter Presidents repeatedly expressed appreciation for the opportunity to meet virtually on a regular basis from the comfort of their homes within Manitoba as well as in Calgary, Kelowna and Vancouver Island. Most Chapter Presidents attended the March 18 address by the Hon. Murray Sinclair on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report and Calls for Action.
Improving Relations with the Manitoba Teachers’ Society.
The relations with the Manitoba Teachers’ Society have improved dramatically from August through to the present. The key has been the dedication of both Presidents to find common ground, build bridges and to convene bi-monthly Liaison meetings to address meaningful issues. Much credit must be given to MTS president James Bedford for his unwavering support.
One example of this cooperation was permission for two RTAM Directors to attend the MTS Pension Sustainability seminar.
As the second wave of the COVID pandemic struck, education stakeholders began to focus on the looming shortage of substitute teachers, especially in rural Manitoba. RTAM developed a list of solutions to address the concerns of retired teachers considering volunteering as substitutes. Since RTAM does not have a seat at the Deputy Minister of Education’s regular meetings, a joint set of proposals on improving the working conditions for substitute teachers was developed with MTS. By MTS sharing their voice, it ensured that the Government heard RTAM’s concerns.
Subsequent Liaison meeting discussions on January 12 and March 25, 2021 focused on the Government’s proposal for Centralized Pension Management, Provincial bargaining, the K-12 Review, the annual COLA grant and Inflation, joint lobby effort for legislative recognition of RTAM, and relative positions on Bill 64.
It should also be noted that ten days prior to our pre-Retirement seminars the registration for March 6 was 10 and for March 20 only 6. The last-minute advertising assistance of the MTS Local Association Presidents and the Manitoba Association of School Superintendents increased the active teacher registration to 52 and 63 respectively.
Improving Relations with TRAF
On November 9, JoAnne Hoyak, the Executive Director and I participated in our second meeting with the TRAF Executive officers. Our goal was to negotiate improvements to the TRAF Pension application form as well as a process of introducing our new Free First Year Membership to new retirees. Both objectives were achieved with the revised application form and the Free First Year membership initiative became effective on January 1, 2021.
To facilitate TRAF counsellors advising new retirees on the benefits of joining RTAM, the President and Vice President developed a document entitled Why Join RTAM - Talking Points. This document was subsequently approved by the Board. It was posted on our website and was included in our Pre- Retirement seminar package.
In January, the RTAM Executive began monitoring with TRAF Executive officers two emergent issues: The Manitoba Government’s proposed Centralization of Pension Management and the Alberta Government’s Bill 22, an omnibus bill which moved investment control of 82,000 practicing and retired teachers’ pensions to the Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) from the Alberta Teachers’ Retirement Fund (ATRF).
On March 19 the RTAM Executive meet with Jeff Norton (TRAF CEO) and Brad Prokop (Vice President, Pensions) to discuss COLA in relation to Inflation. The RTAM President presented calculations using TRAF statistics on the COLA grants from 1996-2021 and the Bank of Canada’s Inflation Calculator for the same 25-year period. The loss of pension purchasing power is 57.05-27.44 = 29.61 % over 25 years or 1.1844% per year. The TRAF executives provided helpful background information on the formula used by the Actuary to determine the COLA grant in each year. It is now clear that the only way to improve the annual COLA grant is to lobby the Government to amend the legislation governing the Teacher’s Pension Act. It was also pointed out that Bill 45 (Sales Report, 2007) actually had a positive impact on COLA, contrary to popular belief.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has caused many tragic deaths and challenges in Manitoba, in Canada and throughout the world, it has also generated many innovations including the historically fast vaccine development, testing and production, and new virtual meeting technology such as Zoom. The resilience, dedication and creativity of RTAM Directors, Committee members, office staff and Chapter Presidents working together virtually has contributed to a most successful and productive year. I extend my thanks to each and every one of them for their work on behalf of RTAM members.
This year the RTAM office has been faced with many challenges to work through. With the Covid-19 virus affecting everyone, the office administration has had to find ways to operate in a safe efficient manner. Since March 2020, the RTAM office has been closed to the public and will continue to have only one person in the office at a time while other office staff work remotely from home.
In order to meet the organizational goals and objectives, all staff are now working 40-hours per week from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Dianne Casar has now joined the office team as our Membership Services Coordinator.
Since in-person meetings are not allowed due to provincial restrictions, the office acquired a Zoom license to conduct Board and Committee on-line meetings. Additional laptops were purchased at an extremely discounted rate from the Computer for Schools program for Board members usage and improvements were made to internet and networking services. Office support was provided to Chapters if required to run on-line meetings and the phone systems will be updated this year. The Zoom license has allowed more provincial members to participate in committee work in a cost-effective manner and will continue to be used in the future.
The process has begun to ensure all suppliers and service providers have signed agreements for their services. RTAM is also expanding services for its members such as the Trip Merchant travel service and the Union Savings, which will provide a discount program on products and services for RTAM members.
Improvements are also being made in RTAM’s audit preparations to make the process more efficient in the future.
Work has begun on preparing to enter data into a new database system in the upcoming months, which will help RTAM manage its member records more efficiently.
The RTAM office lease is expiring in 2022 and the office is reviewing options before entering into a new agreement.
I want to acknowledge the incredible efforts made by the administrative staff, Denise Bellesia and Dianne Casar, over this past year and to thank them for their contributions toward the office operations. I would also like to thank the Board of Directors and Committee members for their support in these unique times. It has been an unparalleled year of transition and there will continue to be challenges as the evolution and growth of the RTAM continues.
RTAM BYLAW AND POLICY CHANGES
The following policies were approved by the Board of Directors since the 2019 AGM and and were ratified at the 2021 AGM. There are no Bylaw changes.
a) Policy 5.05 The Elections Process Revise k) to read: After the ballots are counted, any candidate may request the number of votes that the candidate received.
b) Policy 7.01 Duties of the Board That Policy 7.01 Duties of the Board be amended by adding new c) and d) as follows:
c) Respecting the privacy of our members and staff is a basic value of RTAM. In the course of their duties, Board and Committee members may be made aware of information of such nature that the use or release of that information, in any fashion other than that authorized by the Board, may cause damage or injury to RTAM, the Board, the provider of the information, or a third party. Therefore, annually all Board and Committee members shall sign a pledge of confidentiality.
d) Though Board members are expected to act as ambassadors for RTAM with members and Chapters, they shall not disclose matters of a confidential nature, personnel information pertaining to staff, or consultant(s) hired by the Board any discussion from Board meetings or discussion or decisions from in camera sessions of the Board. Unauthorized disclosure of confidential information is a serious violation of this policy and will subject those who made the unauthorized disclosure to appropriate consequences including removal from the Board and/or its
Committees.
c) Policy 8.05 Treasurer Add a new d) and renumber accordingly. d) Invoices presented for payment, which are outside the
parameters of the budget, shall be honored when there is a motion from the RTAM Board to cover the same.
d) In Policy 9.07 (4) (ii) Public Relations Sub-Committee be amended to read: Shall publicize events sponsored by RTAM with consultation from the Committee(s) responsible for the event.
e) In Policy 9.07 (8) Political Advocacy b) insert “economic and social” after the word “political”. 9.07 (8) b) would then read:
Monitor political, economic and social issues and advise the
President and/or the Board on emerging issues relevant to
RTAM.
f) In Policy 9.07 (8) Political Advocacy Committee change 9.07 (8) c) by inserting “Initiate” before Plan, delete “if so directed by the Board.” and add “on emergent and emerging issues with the approval of the Board”. 9.07 (8) c) would then read: Initiate, plan and organize advocacy, on emergent and emerging issues with the approval of the Board.
g) In Policy 11.03 (9) Other Costs change to read: Invoices presented for payment, which are
outside the parameters of the budget, shall be honored when there is a motion from the RTAM Board to cover the same.
h) Respectful Workplace Policy This is a new policy.
Respectful Workplace Policy
RTAM affirms its commitment to maintain a safe and respectful working environment that is free from harassment and at all times Harassment, bullying or disrespectful treatment will not be tolerated and may even be considered grounds for suspension or dismissal. An employee or member, who believes they are being harassed, bullied or treated disrespectfully by a person in a position of authority, or by a co-worker, or by a member, or by any other person affiliated with RTAM should report the incident immediately, following the procedures set forth below.
This policy is not intended to apply to cases of suspected child abuse. Child abuse situations are governed by Child Welfare and must be referred directly to Child and Family Services.
As well, RTAM commits to ensuring that all of its employees and Board members learn about and understand this policy.
I. Definition
Consistent with the Manitoba Human Rights Code, Harassment is defined as:
a) A course of abusive and unwelcome conduct or comment directly related to the following: i) ancestry, including colour and perceived race; ii) nationality or national origin; iii) ethnic background or origin; iv) religion or creed, or religious belief, religious association or religious activity; v) age; vi) sex, including sex-determined characteristics or circumstances such as pregnancy, the possibility of pregnancy, or circumstances related to pregnancy; vii) gender-identity; viii) sexual orientation; ix) marital or family status; x) source of income; xi) political belief, political association or political activity; xii) physical or mental disability or related characteristics or circumstances, including reliance on a dog guide or other animal assistant, a wheelchair, or any other remedial appliance or device; xiii) social disadvantage.
b) A series of objectionable and unwelcome sexual solicitations or advances; or
c) A sexual solicitation or advance made by a person who is in a position to confer any benefit on, or deny any benefit to, the recipient of the solicitation or advance, if the person making the solicitation or advance knows or ought to reasonably to know that it is unwelcome; or
d) Sexually oriented behaviour or remarks which create a negative psychological environment. Such behaviour or remarks include, but are not restricted to: i) demeaning remarks based on gender ii) suggestive jokes about sex iii) inappropriate comments about clothing, physical characteristics or activities
iv) inappropriate displays of sexual pictures or materials v) leering, ogling, or suggestive or insulting sounds vi) unwanted questions or comments about one’s private life vii) unwanted physical contact, such as brushing up against one’s body, patting or pinching viii) sexual assault (an offence under the Criminal Code); or e) A reprisal or threat of reprisal for rejecting a sexual solicitation or advance; or f) In addition to the behaviours defined in the Manitoba Human Rights Code RTAM also recognizes: i) a course of abusive and unwelcome conduct or comment undertaken or made on the basis of physical size or weight, medical circumstances or illness as harassment; and ii) retaliation against an individual who: a. invokes the policy; or b. participates or cooperates in an investigation under the policy; or c. associates with a person who invokes the policy or participates the complaint procedure under the policy.
II. Bullying and Disrespectful Behaviour
RTAM believes that bullying can be a serious problem that when occurring, requires prompt and accurate intervention. For that reason, bullying has been included in this policy.
Complaints involving bullying of staff and/or Board members and/or members will be addressed according to the procedures outlined in this policy.
Bullying is defined as unfair and one-sided aggression towards another person and may include physical, verbal, social, or written aggression (including electronic communication such as social media, text messaging and email), isolation or intimidation. It often involves an imbalance of power and strength and results in the target person feeling humiliated and/or distressed. Bullies generally hurt, threaten, and/or frighten others in a repetitive, intentional way. However, severe objectionable conduct that adversely affects a person’s psychological or physical well-being will be considered harassment whether it happens once or more than once.
Disrespectful behavior towards others is also contrary to the values and objectives of RTAM.
Employees, Board members and members are expected to treat every other employee, Board member, member and visitor in a respectful manner such that their behavior would set an example of appropriate conduct for others. Examples of disrespectful behavior could include swearing, yelling, name calling, gossiping, reprimanding in the presence of others, the improper use of power or authority inherent in one’s position, offensive or inappropriate remarks, gestures, behavior or displays of material. Where an employee is subject to disrespectful behavior, every effort should be made to resolve the issue directly with the other party first. Where this has not resolved the problem, the employee/Board member/member should submit a complaint in accordance with this policy and include reference to the informal efforts previously made. Reasonable actions by supervisors to manage, guide or direct employees/Board members/members or the workplace are not harassment. Appropriate employee performance reviews, counseling and disciplinary or corrective action taken towards an employee is not harassment.
III. Complaint Procedure
Any person who believes that they are, or any person who witnesses another person being harassed, bullied, or treated disrespectfully within the definitions as just outlined, should act promptly in order to resolve the situation by using the following procedures:
a) Complaints are to be made in writing directly to the Executive Director of RTAM, or if a complaint involves the Executive Director or a member of the Board and the employee/Board member/member prefers, a complaint may be made in writing directly to the President of RTAM. In either case, the President of RTAM shall advise the Board that a complaint has been filed. The President will contract with an independent investigator. A complaint must be filed within one month of the circumstances giving rise to the complaint, unless the delay was incurred in good faith and no substantial prejudice will result to any person affected by the delay.
b) Once the written complaint is received, an immediate and confidential investigation will be made by the designated contact. Both the complainant and the person against whom the complaint was made will be contacted.
c) The designated contact will endeavour to resolve the matter and in doing so shall: i) Assume responsibility for investigating all such complaints to the highest level of confidentiality possible by sharing the minimum amount of information from the written complaint required to perform a thorough investigation. At no time will personal health information be shared with the person against whom the complaint has been lodged. ii) If necessary, take steps to ensure that there is no recurrence of the situation while the investigation is in progress. iii) Take appropriate disciplinary action where such is found to be warranted. iv) Inform the complainant and the person against whom the complaint has been lodged of the outcome of the investigation. v) If through the investigation, the designated administrator finds that there were no grounds for the complaint and that it was done willfully or maliciously, disciplinary action will be taken against the complainant.
Note: this policy is not intended to discourage or prevent the complainant from exercising any other legal rights including the right to file a complaint with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission.
IV. Consequences of Policy Violation
Where it is found that a violation of the policy has occurred, the Board of Directors of RTAM may take action including, but not restricted to, the following:
a) Disciplinary Action
Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken to redress the situation which could include immediate dismissal or notification that continuation or repetition of conduct found to be in violation of this policy will be cause for further disciplinary action up to and including dismissal; and/or
b) Disciplinary Directive
A directive from the RTAM Board which specifies certain behaviour with which the party(ies) must comply. If the directive is disregarded, further action will be taken; and/or c) Dismissal of employee; and/or d) Removal of member from membership in RTAM; and/or d) Notification of the appropriate authorities.
V. Confidentiality
All records, documents, notes and transcripts of an investigation shall remain confidential. Parties to a complaint are advised to refrain from discussing the complaint with anyone else. i) Additional Board Committees The Board split two committees into four. The resultant changes to the names and terms of reference for the committees effected follow:
9.07 (1) AGM Committee
The AGM Committee shall: a) Be chaired by a Board member. b) Recommend to the President, no later than September, a suitable venue within the location chosen for the current year AGM. c) Solicit the cooperation and assistance of any local Chapter in holding the AGM, planning its social events and operating the registration desk. d) Assist the President in ensuring that materials required for the AGM are available to those attending, are published in KIT and on the Website. e) Prepare, in cooperation with the President, an evaluation form to be completed by the AGM participants, and results reported to the Board. f) Recommend a suitable venue for the next Board year AGM, to the President, upon request.
9.07 (5) Elections Committee
The Elections Committee shall: a) Be chaired by the immediate Past President, who will also act as Returning Officer. If the Past President position is vacant or becomes vacant, the Board shall appoint a Chair. b) Initiate the call for nominations in RTAM print and electronic media. c) Ensure that the official nomination forms are distributed to Chapters and to other members, upon request. d) With support from the RTAM staff, accept and verify nominations. e) Solicit a brief biography for each official candidate for publication in KIT and for distribution at the AGM. f) Prepare the official slate of candidates for both officers and directors. g) Prepare official ballots and voting cards. h) Prepare voting processes to be used in an election and ensure scrutineers are appointed. i) Accept applications for volunteers on Committees from the Board, from RTAM members, from Chapters, from attendees at
9.07 (11) Wellness Advocacy
The Wellness Advocacy Committee shall: a) Ensure members are better informed about healthy aging/ wellness topics. b) Organize events/seminar opportunities for retired teachers. c) Provide members with information on healthy aging/wellness topics in KIT and on the Website. d) Promote lifelong learning.
9.07 (10) Student Awards Committee
The Student Awards Committee shall: a) Administer the RTAM Student Awards Program. b) Annually review the RTAM Student Award Program Operating
Manual.
8.6 Immediate Past President
The immediate Past President shall: a) Chair the Elections Committee b) Act as Returning Officer at the AGM. c) Provide the Board with necessary background information about ongoing issues. d) Assist with the transition to the new Board.
9.1Names of the Standing Committees
The Standing Committees of the Board shall be named: 1) AGM Committee 2) Benefits Committee 3) Bylaws and Policy Committee 4) Communications Committee a. KIT Committee b. Public Relations Committee c. RTAM Website Committee 5) Elections Committee 6) Executive Committee 7) Membership and Chapters Committee 8) Pension Committee 9) Political Advocacy Committee 10) Student Awards Committee 11) Wellness Advocacy Committee
j) that the Board term limits, and succession planning policy 6.04, approved in 2019, be implemented following the succession guidelines established by the President in consultation with the
Chapter Presidents.
k) that Policy 9.07 (4) (ii) be amended to read: Shall recommend promotional items for RTAM
l) that the following changes to Section 5 in the Policy Handbook regarding the AGM Committee be approved as follows: delete AGM and in 5.01 a), 5.01 b), 5.01 d), 5.04 a), 5.05 a), and in 5.05 j) delete AGM in the first sentence.
m) that the new policy on Gifts and Conflict of Interest Policy be approved. The policy would read:
A. The Retired Teachers’ Association of Manitoba is permitted to receive corporate gifts which will benefit RTAM Members.
B. Individual RTAM Board Members (directors and officers), RTAM Committee Members, and RTAM Staff shall not: 1. Disclose or use confidential information acquired in the course of their official duties to further substantially their personal financial interests; 2. Accept a gift of substantial value or substantial economic benefit tantamount to a gift of substantial value which would tend to improperly influence a reasonable person in their position or which they know or should know is primarily for the purpose of rewarding them for official action taken; 3. Engage in a substantial financial transaction for their private business purposes with a person whom they supervise in the course of their official duties; 4. Perform an official act which directly and substantially confers an economic benefit on a business or other undertaking in which they have a substantial financial interest, or in which they are engaged as a counsel, consultant, representative, or agent. The phrase “economic benefit tantamount to a gift of substantial value” ($250.00 or more) includes a loan at a rate of interest substantially lower than the prevailing commercial rate and compensation received for private services rendered at a rate substantially exceeding the fair market value.
C. It is permissible for RTAM Board Members (directors and officers), RTAM Committee Members, and RTAM Staff to receive: 1. An occasional non-pecuniary gift which is insignificant in value; 2. A non-pecuniary award publicly presented by a non-profit organization in recognition of public service; 3. Payment or reimbursement for actual and necessary expenditures for travel and subsistence for attendance at a convention or other meeting on behalf of RTAM at which they are scheduled to participate; 4. Payment for speeches, debates, or other public events when acting on behalf of RTAM and where an honorarium is received.
Note- The placement of the definition of “economic benefit” being a gift of substantial value ($250.00) was discussed.
n) that the Executive Committee and the Executive Director ensure, where appropriate, that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or contract be established with all vendors who do business with RTAM and that these MOU/Contracts be reviewed at least annually.
o) Policy and Bylaws Documents Front Pages
that the covers of the Policy Manual and the Bylaws documents include: 1) the effective date on the front cover along with appropriate annotation to document no changes in 2020; 2) a new inside front page to include the effective date, the history of when the documents were changed and what was changed; and 3) the date a change was made to be indicated in brackets after the specific item changed or added. That Policy 16.03 be deleted and replaced with the following:
16.03 Distinguished Service Awards
A. Provincial
A Distinguished Service Award may be presented to an individual whose service to RTAM, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, has been extraordinary. The Award may be given posthumously. a) The nominator must be a full member of RTAM for at least five years. The nominee must have served on the RTAM Board and/or RTAM Committee for at least five years. b) The nomination shall include a comprehensive description of the nominee’s involvement and service to RTAM. c) The President of RTAM shall receive the nomination(s). d) The Award shall consist of a framed certificate duly signed by the RTAM President. e) If possible, the Award(s) shall be presented at the Evening Reception before the AGM (Annual General Meeting). RTAM shall assume all travel and accommodation expenses, incurred by the recipient(s) to attend the AGM, on the same basis and rates allotted to Chapter Presidents. f) More than one Distinguished Service Award may be given annually, with a maximum of two Awards in that year. g) An individual can only receive one DSA. h) The RTAM Board shall make the final decision on the granting of the Distinguished Service Award(s). i) The final date for submissions shall be announced annually in RTAM media by March 15.
B. Chapter
A Chapter Member Distinguished Service Award may be awarded to a Chapter member whose service to the Chapter has been extraordinary. The Award may be given posthumously. a) The nominator and nominee must each have been full members of RTAM for at least five years. b) The nomination must include a comprehensive description of the nominee’s significant contribution to the Chapter and why the nominee is deserving of the Award. c) A maximum of two Awards per Chapter may be given annually. d) The deadline for receipt of nomination(s) is March 1st annually. e) The Chapter President shall receive the nomination(s). f) The nomination(s) will be submitted to the Chapter Executive for decision. g) The Award shall consist of a certificate duly signed by the RTAM President and framed by the Chapter. h) The Award will be presented at the Chapter’s AGM and that these changes be forwarded to the AGM for consideration. Carried
q) That Section 16 of the Policy Handbook be renamed Donations, Awards and Gifts and a new Section 16.05 be added as follows:
Acknowledgement of Longevity a) RTAM shall acknowledge, with an appropriate gift, members who reach the age of 100 and 110 years”.
REPORTS OF THE RTAM STANDING & AD HOC COMMITTEES
AGM Committee
Respectfully submitted by Joan Dawson, chair
The 2021 AGM Committee members are Arlene Billeck, (RWTA), Joan Dawson (Chair), Laurel McFarlane (RWTA), Pat Opalko (RWTA), Beth Smith (Director), Emily Williamson (RWTA), Lynda Tunny (RWTA), Bill Cann (President, ex officio), Gordon Fardoe (ED)
The full committee met via Zoom once to begin the preparations for an in person AGM. Many of the items planned for the 2020 AGM were put in place for the 2021 AGM including the guest speakers, the Holiday Inn Airport West, the Wine and Cheese event and the hospitality room.
As the year progressed, bimonthly meetings were held with Bill Cann and the office staff to ensure that all of the documents needed and to plan the agenda as well as phone calls and emails.
After the initial planning meeting in November, communication with the Retired Women Teachers Association (RWTA) was through Pat Opalko.
As the year progressed it became apparent that we would need to plan for both an in-person AGM and an AGM held virtually. In February several motions were approved by the Board as we now knew that the 2021 AGM had to be held virtually. The Board approved the move to a Zoom meeting on May 5, 2021, along with the cancellation of the hotel.
It is past practice to alternate AGM’s year to year between a Winnipeg location and a non-Winnipeg location but due to COVID-19 the Retired Women Teachers Association (RWTA) has not yet been able to host a Winnipeg AGM. For that reason the Board also approved a motion to hold the 2022 AGM in Winnipeg at the Holiday Inn Airport West with the RWTA to host the event, subject to the approval of the 2021-2022 RTAM Board.
The AGM committee was tasked with looking into the issue of the Independent Chair and whether it was against policy to have Dorothy Young continue in this position. The following points were considered:
a) Dorothy became the Independent Chair for the 2017 AGM. She has held this position successfully for four years now and has always been impartial in carrying out her duties.
b) She is familiar with the way we run the AGM and our expectations.
c) She was willing to go into the office to run the virtual 2020 AGM with the assistance of the RTAM staff members and did an excellent job for us.
d) Due to COVID-19 and the many restrictions placed on gatherings and personal contact issues finding and working with a new Independent Chair would be a challenge.
e) Dorothy Young is familiar with our AGM procedures and is willing to come into the RTAM office to take up the challenge of a larger and more complex AGM.
f) When we have someone who is willing to continue with RTAM, I see no value in working with a new Independent Chair during this challenging time. M J. Dawson S B. Paterson that the RTAM Board invite Dorothy Young to continue to be the RTAM Independent Chair for the 2021 AGM.
The 2020 AGM was a shortened version due to the notice of meeting in KIT and was held over Zoom. This year’s AGM will be a full meeting with all the items that would be expected at an in person AGM. It will be longer and breaks have been planned. Next year we may be able to meet in person and enjoy all the extras that come with being together.
I would like to thank the RTWA committee members, Arlene Billeck, Laurel McFarlane, Pat Opalko, Emily Williamson, and Lynda Tunny for their hard work, enthusiasm and patience. They are going to do a wonderful job next year at the 2022 AGM.
I would also like to thank Beth Smith (Director), Bill Cann (President, ex officio), Dorothy Young (Independent Chair) and our office staff, Gordon Fardoe (Executive Director), Denise Bellesia (Office Administrator) and Dianne Casar (Member Services Coordinator) for their hard work on both the in person and the virtually run AGM. It takes a great deal of dedicated people to make an AGM happen.
BENEFITS
Respectfully submitted by Pat Bowslaugh
The term of 2020 - 2021 has presented many challenges due to COVID 19. The Benefits Committee continued its vigilance of caring for RTAM members Benefit Plans (insurances) via regular monthly meetings using the Zoom platform.
Here are the major developments during the 2020 - 2021 year:
Jessica Simpson, RTAM`s Johnson representative, negotiated a much appreciated Travel Premium hiatus from September 1 to December 31, 2020 due to people being unable to travel.
The Johnson CEO, Jeff Bennett, who was presented at our past AGM meetings, has retired and has been replaced by Mr. Robert Dowden, with whom we have already had several valuable formal meetings .
Negotiations for the insurance renewals as of April 1, 2021, resulted in zero increase in premiums for Health Care and an enhanced Dental Plan.
Due to the astronomical number of travel claims (people stranded because of the COVID pandemic in foreign places needing to get home) there is an understandable increase in travel insurance premiums of 3.9%
For those who want to join or rejoin the Prestige Travel Plan, there is no longer a proof of medical stability required. The same former requirement prevails; any health issue that occurs MUST be SUDDEN and UNFORESEEN.
RTAM’s Prestige Travel can be joined at any time. Premiums are prorated.
A “comparison chart” has been created for members support. This communication lists the coverages for each of the current companies which include Blue Cross, Manulife (Winnipeg only) and the RTAM plans.
RTAM now offers travel opportunities, virtual tours and travel contests created through our association with TRIP MERCHANT. Information on accessing the price discounted opportunities can be found on our website www.rtam.mb.ca.
As chair, I must acknowledge the stellar work accomplished by this committee this year. Part of these ideas have come from three new committee members: Dave Najduch, Shannon Culbertson and Joan Rink. Joined by committed veteran members Brian Paterson, Bill Cann and myself, and assisted by Johnson’s Jessica Simpson, we now offer this information for your acceptance.
BYLAWS AND POLICY
Respectfully submitted by Jack Fraser, chair
Members: Charles Clifford (Portage la Prairie), Peggy Prendergast (Winnipeg). Dorothy Young (Winnipeg) and Jack Fraser, Chair (Winnipeg).
Committee communication and collaboration throughout the year consisted of three committee meetings, with email and phone communication between meetings and amongst members.
The Bylaws and Policy Committee continues to monitor and review the RTAM Bylaws and Policy documents according to the committee mandate. The Committee has dealt with recommendations, additions and updates of Bylaws and Policy that were referred for consideration by the Board of Directors through the RTAM committee channels and by the Executive Director. It has made recommendations to the Board of Directors on policy changes and additions. To that end, no Bylaw changes were deemed necessary this year. Motions of interim policy already approved by the Board are being brought forward for affirmation by the membership at the virtual 2021 AGM. This was a very unusual year. The committee was also responsible for reviewing the motions for policy changes from the last year that could not be considered at the 2020 virtual AGM. There were no Bylaw changes for the last year. The motions from that year are also being brought to this year’s virtual AGM.
Thank you to the Board of Directors for their valuable input and their support of the Committee. Sincere appreciation is extended to the Bylaws and Policy Committee members for their hard work and efforts throughout the year. As well, appreciation is also extended to the office staff for their valued support and work.
COMMUNICATIONS
Respectfully submitted by Joan Dawson, chair
Members: Joan Dawson (Website and Communications chair), Guy Hansen (Public Relations chair), Doreen Sage (KIT chair).
The Communications Committee is an oversight committee to coordinate and standardize RTAM’s communications in the area of KIT, Public Relations, and the Website. Its membership is composed of the chairs of these three committees. Its work is reflected in the work of the three committees it coordinates. It also makes general recommendations to the Board. Communications is taking on more strategies. We now have a Facebook presence which acts as a link to our website. The Communications Committee will have oversight on this initiative. The office staff will now be taking on the day to day operations and responsibilities for the production of KIT. The committee will also be managing the Photo Contest with the office staff taking on the responsibility for managing the operation of the two contests yearly. A YouTube channel has been created for access to the video presentations recorded of RTAM webinars and presentations by guest speakers such as the recent presentation by Senator Murray Sinclair. The office staff will also be handling most of the material that is posted on the website with approval from the President and the Website Chair.
We had hoped that the Webmaster and KIT publisher would have been able to provide the AGM with a tour of the Website to point out its new sections and to get input from the delegates on what they wanted from the website. Due to COVID 19 this was not possible. Hopefully, the next AGM will be an in person AGM and we can go forward with this endeavour.
I want to express my appreciation to the other committee members for their work on the committee: Guy Hansen (Public Relations), Doreen Sage (KIT) as well as Bill Cann (president, ex officio), Gordon Fardoe (ED, ex officio) and Denise Bellesia (Office Administrator, ex officio).
Also key to our success with an increasingly active website and KIT, I want to mention the technical work of the RTAM webmaster and KIT publisher, Gayl Punzalan of Blue Ink Media. Thank you for your input, guidance and hard work.
EDITORIAL
Respectfully submitted by Doreen Sage, chair
Members: Doreen Sage, Editor, Neepawa; Rosalie Bornn, Dauphin; Beth Smith, Dauphin; Joan Goble, Thompson; Joan Dawson, Thompson; Bill Taylor, Brandon.
KIT (Keeping in Touch) is your 32-page magazine, mailed out four times a year, in full colour, to all RTAM members, either by Canada Post or digitally.
This last year has required more editing by committee members. For the May/Summer 2020 issue, all chapter and committee reports were edited by the Editorial Committee. This material, in previous years, had been sent to the committee ready to use. The Fall/August and the Winter/November issues were handled by the Editorial Committee, as usual. The Spring/March 2021 had all the AGM forms included in it. All these forms had to be converted from person-to-person to virtual for a virtual AGM. This conversion took many emails, phone calls and time. Again, for the May/Summer 2021 issue, all chapter and committee reports are being edited by the Editorial Committee.
All material for KIT is now emailed to the RTAM office, approved by the president and processed by the RTAM office staff. Thank you to the Editorial Committee members who have spent much time over the years editing all this material.
All entries and paper work required by the Photo Contest are now handled by the RTAM office staff. The high quality of entries makes judging quite challenging for the judge, Gayl, of Blue Ink Media. Thank you to Joan Dawson and Rosalie Bornn for organizing this contest for the past several years.
All those wanting to have their copy of KIT sent to them digitally must now sent their information to the RTAM office. Thank you to Blue Ink Media who has handled this mailing list up to now.
Thank you to all RTAM members, chapter presidents, committee chairs and members of the Editorial Committee for their support over the years. Being the Editor of KIT has been a great and rewarding experience.
A special thank you to Blue Ink Media for all the time and work that has been spent in publishing KIT. We have spent many hours preparing the final proof, even doing so this last year by email and phone.
PUBLIC RELATIONS (PR)
Respectfully submitted by Guy Hansen, chair
A considerable amount of our time and effort has been towards the RTAM/University College of the North Bursary. Our first recipient was Brie Phillips, an Education student in her last year of studies. One of Brie’s assignments was so beautifully done that it was identified by Pat and Ken as possibly becoming a book. Manitoba 150 was being celebrated, RTAM wanted to contribute, and we went forward. The book “ROOTS” has been printed and gifted to all Manitoba libraries, school and private, Chiefs and Councils, MMF, Mayors, MLA’s and other dignitaries.
The Hon. Murray Sinclair spoke to us at our last Board meeting (Zoom) and Brie presented the first copy of her book to him. The event was recorded and will be on RTAM’s YouTube channel shortly.
Feedback to us has been only starting, some of our early responders have particularly appreciated the study guide section prepared by Pat Bowslaugh and Helene Beauchemin.
Our second bursary recipient was a young lady from Cross Lake, Frances Ross, also an Education student. She was interviewed and the write up was well received, especially in Northern Manitoba. Our third recipient has been chosen. We will be interviewing her this summer in Thompson.
Two years ago, we started to honour our soldiers past on November 11. Our intentions were to go forward this last year, then COVID-19 struck. Ceremonies were difficult to plan. The Legion has been contacted about this upcoming fall. They themselves are uncertain about upcoming events.
It is our intention to move forward on this, if any of you, our members, have a grandchild/great grandchild who could lay a wreath for all of RTAM, or if there is a war bride in your family, please contact us. We need you.
Due to the pandemic, our Meet and Greet, a joint effort of PR/PA, was cancelled. It will be reschedule when possible.
We have promoted another book, thanks to Ken Malcolm. The “Book of Memories” is the stories of classrooms in earlier times, none of which should be forgotten. These have been great reading. Hopefully, more members will be sending in their writings.
Gerry Teide, the ACER-CART President, made representation to the Board. PR played a role in securing extra funding, so the policies of the various parties can be circulated. We can then make our needs known during the upcoming Federal election campaign. It has been a busy and successful year. Thanks to the Committee members, Helene Beauchemin, Ken Malcolm, John Sushelnitsky, to our colleague Pat Bowslaugh, and to the Political Advocacy Committee with which we have often partnered.
As a general comment, PR finds it quite exciting that PA is looking gently outward, as Marvin Krawec used to say, to “Give a hand up”
WEBSITE
Respectfully submitted by Joan Dawson, chair
Members: Joan Dawson (Thompson) Joan Goble (Thompson), Wayne Hughes (Winnipeg), Doreen Sage (Neepawa)
The Website Committee has met monthly since November 2020 to continue to edit, update and post new materials as was felt to be helpful. Bill Cann, President (ex officio), Gordon Fardoe (Executive Director), and Denise Bellesia (Office Manager) joined the meetings to provide input and guidance throughout this process. Their expertise was much appreciated. Many changes were made to the website which has led to more people visiting it.
In order to provide more timely information on the RTAM Committees, the Committee Chairs provided monthly highlights report accessible under the Committee headings. Several committee chairs also provided information on interesting and useful websites and activities to visit. The In Memoriam, the 2020 AGM documents, the Photo Contest entries and information on RTAM contests and seminars are easily available. Important information on COVID-19 is posted continuously.
It is expected that the website will continue to become a major tool of actions between RTAM and its membership and partners. The Committee urges you to use the website to acquire information regarding issues related to retired teachers. You are urged as well to encourage and assist other retired members to “test drive” the RTAM website. If you have any complaints, compliments or suggestions please contact the office at info@rtam.mb.ca.
Our partnership with TRIP MERCHANT continues to assist all of you who are travellers to more easily generate your travel plans. The usefulness of this will be determined over the next year or so, as travel plans and the Johnson Benefits plans are adjusted to fit into the new world following the COVID-19 pandemic.
I want to express my appreciation to the committee members for their work on the committee: Joan Goble, Wayne Hughes, Doreen Sage, and the helpful inputs of the office staff and President Bill Cann. Thank you also to Gayl Punzalan, our webmaster, for her continued excellent work on our website and her guidance on how to make the site more useful and interesting.
ELECTIONS
Membership: Joan Veslovsky, Virden, Rick Oakden, Brandon and Peggy Prendergast, Winnipeg, Chair.
The chair of the Elections Committee is also the Past President and presently a member of the By Laws and Policy Committee. As you
will note elsewhere, this is the first time the Elections Committee is separate from the AGM Committee. The first and only meeting of this committee was held Thursday, February 4, 2021 as a ZOOM meeting. The President, Bill Cann, ex officio, was also in attendance as was Dorothy Young, the independent AGM chair and Gordon Fardoe, the RTAM Executive Director.
The committee terms of reference were discussed as was the method of voting to be used at the May RTAM Virtual AGM meeting. It was noted that the voting procedures used would be electronic and that the Elections Committee chair, who is the Past President, according to policy, will be the AGM Returning Officer. As there will be no need for ballot counting because the voting is electronic, there was no need for further meetings.
I would like to thank the members of the Committee for agreeing to participate at this initial meeting of this Elections Committee.
MEMBERSHIP AND CHAPTERS
Respectfully submitted by Beth Smith, chair
Members: Rosalie Born (Dauphin); Charlie Clifford (Portage); Joan Dawson (Thompson); Linda Scott (Winnipeg); Linda York (Dugald) and Beth Smith (Dauphin), Chairperson.
• Welcome letters were sent out in early September to the (21)
Chapter Presidents.
• RTAM brochures were sent to the Manitoba Teachers’ Society to distribute with their Pre- Retirement Seminars. Two RTAM Directors were invited to attend the MTS Pre-Retirement
Seminars.
• Chapter Initiative Grants (CIG) were available again this year. The grants are meant to help Chapters with member engagement. For those Chapters who were not able to use the grant last year, due to COVID 19, they were advised to apply for a CIG this year and add it to the money they received last year.
• Wellness Initiative Grants (WIG) were available again this year. The grants are meant to help Chapters with member engagement, as well. Chapters were encouraged to apply for both grants and were able to use the money to help members keep in touch during COVID 19.
• There is a new initiative, as of January 2021, the first year of membership is free for new RTAM members.
• The Benefits Committee Chair (Pat Bowslaugh), and the Membership and Chapters Chair (Beth Smith) met with Bill Cann (RTAM President) and Gordon Fardoe (Executive Director) to plan 2 Pre-Retirement Seminars via Zoom. These seminars were held on March 6 and March 20, 2021. The agenda included: RTAM Benefit Plans by Jessica Simpson of Johnson Inc., Panel discussion of “Life after Teaching”, PowerPoint on “RTAM, Who We Are”, Benefits at a Glance Document and First Year Free initiative, Trip Merchant and breakout rooms for a question and answer session.
• The March 6 seminar had 48 participant and the March 20 seminar had 59 participants. • The evaluations received, showed the Pre-Retirement Seminars to be successful:
- Rate the seminar. Mostly 5.
- Subjects particularly useful to you. Johnson Benefits packages, Insurance Benefits/cost comparison, panel discussion, retired teachers’ perspectives,
- Was the question and answer activity useful? Yes. Clarify the information already presented. Less intimidating to ask questions.
- How could the seminar be made more beneficial to
teachers considering retirement? Information sharing well in advance of retirement, example 5 years prior as preparation for retirement. Assign an advisor or contact person. Send questions to RTAM prior to seminar.
- Do you think RTAM will have a role to play in your
retirement plan? Yes. For information. RTAM membership, Johnson package, valuable resource. Health insurance information/common situations. Assessing some of the benefits.
- Where did you find out about this seminar? School Division Communication and Manitoba Teacher.
- Any final thoughts and/or suggestions for future RTAM
Pre-Retirement Seminars? I would appreciate a copy of the recording as there was a lot of information to digest. I really liked to hear from retirees and their advice. I would like to know more about house insurance available through RTAM. This was my first seminar with RTAM, so much of it was new to me. I really liked the Benefits at a Glance handout. I would recommend this seminar to my colleagues approaching retirement. Make it a regular event. Very informative, lots to think about.
- Was the Zoom platform adequate for the purpose of
this seminar? Yes. The Zoom presentation was adequate. Online seminar was great! Didn’t have to leave my couch! Great format, it worked well.
• A “Why Join RTAM?” ad was placed in the January/February edition of the Manitoba Teacher along with an ad for the 2 Pre-
Retirement Seminars.
• An updated version of the “Who We Are” PowerPoint is on the website as well as updated Retirement information. The website is rtam.mb.ca.
• Bill Cann (RTAM President) has held bi-monthly meetings, this year, with the Chapter Presidents, via Zoom.
PENSION
Respectfully submitted by Alison Logan, chair
Members: Alison Logan (Chair – Winnipeg), Joan Dawson (Thompson), JoAnne Hoyak (MacGregor), Julian Hoyak (MacGregor),
Lynn Land (Winnipeg) Bill Cann (Ex Officio) (Winnipeg)
Eight committee meetings were held during the 2020-2021 year. Two Liaison meetings between RTAM and MTS were attended by three committee members. Representatives from TRAF attended one Board Meeting in addition to one further meeting with the Pension Committee. The chair attended a presentation given by Glen Anderson, MTS staff officer, in November 2020. The Pension Committee also had representation at a meeting with the leader of the official opposition in Manitoba. Finally, some information regarding pensions was presented as part of two Pre-Retirement Seminars hosted by RTAM. All meetings were conducted via Zoom.
Highlights of the Pension Committee endeavours this past year included: 1. Following the status of the joint agreement with MTS and accepted by the TRAF Board as to the dispersal of the restricted surplus. The dispersal has been in place since July 1, 2018 and will continue over 5 years. 2. As of July 1, 2021 COLA will be 0.73% 3. Action requesting that RTAM be recognized as the official voice of retired teachers in Manitoba. 4. Monitoring pension situations both in Manitoba and other jurisdiction in Canada. Regular communication with ACER-CART has been beneficial. 5. Growing strong communication links between RTAM and MTS especially through ongoing liaison meetings. 6. Strongly urging the continuation of the traditional meeting(s) with provincial representatives is recommended. 7. The chair wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the committee members for their dedication, commitment and diligent work.
POLITICAL ADVOCACY
Members of the PA committee this year were: Vicki Hooke (Portage la Prairie), Guy Hansen (Winnipeg), JoAnne Hoyak (MacGregor), Julian Hoyak (MacGregor), Dennis Kozak (Calgary), Norman Wiebe (Steinbach), John Sushelnitsky (Chair, Portage la Prairie). The committee met by Zoom eight times. 1. In the revised Policy Handbook, the role of the Political Advocacy
Committee is to monitor political, economic and social issues and advise the President and/or the Board on emerging issues relevant to RTAM. The Committee can initiate and organize emergent and emerging issues with the approval of the Board.
The Committee accepts any task given to it by the President and/ or the Board. 2. Some annual activities such as the United Nations Observance of the Day of the Older Person, Remembrance Day and the Meet and Greet with the MLAs were curtailed by the presence of the COVID-19 virus. 3. The Committee studied and reported to the Board on the crisis in long term care homes. A motion was passed by the Board to have the Health Care Act to have all such facilities under its federal jurisdiction. The motion was sent to the Prime Minister, and to political leaders at the provincial level. A reply was received from the Prime Minister. 4. An interview was had with a volunteer parent administer to learn of the ramifications of a new government policy to take effect in July affecting the funding of nursery schools. The per session fee is rising from $5.00 to $10.40 and a means test is to be met. All 162 nursery schools are to be included. 5. A letter of commendation was sent by the RTAM President to the Indigenous Clean Energy CEO who co-ordinates the development of hydro, solar, wind, biomass, geothermal and microgrid technologies to lower the consumption of fossil fuels cross indigenous communities. A cordial reply was received. 6. The Honorable Murray Sinclair was invited to address the RTAM Board on the progress of the Truth & Reconciliation‘s “94 calls to action”. RTAM extended the invitation to several stakeholders in the education and Indigenous organizations. The address took place on March 18th and was very well received. It was recorded by RTAM. 7. Rossbrook House celebrated its 45th anniversary as an educational drop-in centre for youth in the inner city. After research by the PA Committee, it was decided by the Board to donate $500.00 to the centre to help it maintains its good work. 8. A dozen additional issues were looked at and kept on file for further action if warranted.
STUDENT AWARD
Committee Members: Joan Zaretsky, Winnipeg, Beth Smith, Dauphin, Linda Blair, Winnipeg, Joan Dawson, Portfolio subcommittee, Thompson, Peggy Prendergast, Winnipeg, chair.
Make the RTAM Endowment Fund at the Winnipeg Foundation
your charity of choice for 2021/2022. Encourage a young relative who is beginning their adult life by investing in their education. We have spent so many years of our lives investing ourselves in the young people we have
been fortunate enough to teach, why not continue that investment by supporting those who are dearest to us, our grandchildren, nieces and nephews who are continuing their Post-Graduation education.
The RTAM Student Award Program has been in existence since 2013 when $50,000 was invested in an RTAM Endowment Fund at the Winnipeg Foundation. At that time, RTAM began with four $500 awards. In 2020 we provided four young RTAM sponsored relatives with $1000 awards. In eight years the fund has supported twenty three Grade 12 graduating students to afford their Post-Graduation education. These numbers will continue to increase over time through the compounding ability of the monies held at the Winnipeg Foundation. These awards will increase exponentially either in amount or in number. While our membership is rising, so are tuition fees. Let’s help increase
the pot so we can increase the amount and number of awards faster.
Check www.rtam.mb.ca for how to donate to the RTAM Endowment Fund at the Winnipeg Foundation. It is tax deductible.
Sixty Student Award applications were received this year. Our selection process involves each committee member reading and scoring each application and then together we establish the winners. Overall, the caliber of the students applying has been rising. However, as a committee, we asked ourselves how we could support more applicants to develop stronger applications. We discussed the use of portfolios and who better to support their development than the
grandparents and relatives of the applicants. Using committee members’ expertise, we developed the “Student Success Portfolio Project”. When sponsoring a young relative, the student will be offered a portfolio folder to start their collection of artifacts over their high school years depicting their experiences and accomplishments of value to their preparation of our Award, as well as other bursary and scholarship applications. Many other scholarships and bursaries often go unused because students don’t have the necessary information or expertise to fill out the applications. This mentoring process will provide the RTAM member with the opportunity to keep in touch with the student and provide an opportunity for a close, unique relationship. In times of COVID and increased social isolation, this project will support the RTAM members as they witness the growth in their students’ preparation and feel a renewed passion in their continuing contribution to education.
Consider who you will sponsor in their Grade 11 or 12 year this year. Apply using the form online to participate and begin the mentoring process this September. Support your relative(s) who are graduating in June 2022 to be ready to prepare their Award application. Our ultimate goal is to start this mentoring process for students in Grade 9 so the student has their complete high school journey captured in their portfolio. As this year is our first year, and a pilot year, we will start our Project with students entering Grade 11 or 12.
Thank you to this hard working committee. A special thank you to Joan Zaretsky She led the committee in the preparation of a Federal New Horizons Seniors Grant application that resulted in RTAM being awarded $5,000 to support the Student Success Portfolio Project.. RTAM is now not only Leaving a Legacy of monetary awards to young relatives of our members but a Legacy of Lifelong Learning to many families where learning is already a prominent value.
WELLNESS ADVOCACY
Respectfully submitted by Linda Blair, chair
Committee Members: Linda Blair, Chair: Meryl Orth, Joan Rink, Maureen Recksiedler, Peggy Prendergast, Gordon Fardoe, Executive Director and Bill Cann, RTAM President
Due to the restrictions imposed by COVID-19, our committee planned online events to replace the traditional in-person gatherings. Gordon Fardoe, Executive Director, facilitated our Zoom meetings and Dianne Casar, Member Services Coordinator, handled our email advertising to members. Various presenters converted their in-person presentations to online presentations and now more presenters have their presentations prepared in an online format, ready for our engagement.
The on-line presentations that we offered to over 60 members per event, at no cost for registration, were to members physically located throughout Manitoba as well as in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. The specific presentations were:
· October 27, 2020: Understanding your life in a digital world by Sharon Hartung, author of Your Digital Undertaker and sponsored by Richard Rosin
· December 9, 2020: Frauds & Scams by Cst. Garnie McIntire and
Cst. Maria Buduhan, Winnipeg Police Service · January 26, 2021: Wills, Power of Attorney and Health Directive to help prevent Elder Abuse by Sharon Tod, St. Mary’s Law
· February 24, 2021: Creating certainty for your future: The importance of a well-structured estate plan by Candace Landry and Madison Kinzel, IG Wealth Management
· March 11, 2021: The Post Mountaintop Conversation with Hazel
Venzon, Assistant Director at Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre’s production of The Mountaintop
· March 19 and 20, 2021: The Bridge by Royal Manitoba Theatre
Centre. A joint recommendation from the Wellness Advocacy and the Political Advocacy Committees, for members to register and focus particularly on the Keynote Addresses from Senator Murray
Sinclair and Dr. Niigaan Sinclair.
Future planned events include:
· June 17th and 18th, 2021 Photography Workshops by Gayl Punzalan, Founder and Creative Director of Blue Ink Media
We had the pleasure of approving a total of six Wellness Initiative Grants. The following chapters were recipients of these grants: 1. Okanagan Chapter of RTAM 2. Southwest Assiniboine Chapter of Retired Teachers 3. Dauphin Area of Retired Teachers’ Association 4. Swan Valley Retired Teachers 5. Westman Retired Educators’ Association 6. Retired Women Teachers’ Association Watch for their reports in upcoming editions of KIT.
If your chapter missed this list, maybe next year your chapter can ponder how a Wellness Initiative Grant could benefit your members locally. Your application would be welcomed by your Wellness Advocacy Committee.
On the RTAM website, we strive to keep members up-to-date with current information regarding wellness. Under Wellness Advocacy, there is a list of websites that encompass presentations to come as well as links to past presentations. We plan to record our presentations when allowed by the presenter so that we can share them. Watch for additional details as we strive to accomplish this plan.
Many members have given us suggestions for future events as they completed and submitted their Evaluation Forms after events. We are striving to find knowledgeable presenters on these topics.
Thanks to the many members who contributed to our successful transition to online events. We appreciate your engagement with us.
REPORTS ON RTAM REPRESENTATION ON OUTSIDE GROUPS/COMMITTEES ACER-CART
Respectfully submitted by JoAnne Hoyak, Director Observer: Bill Cann (Winnipeg)
The ACER-CART represents over 160,000 retired teachers in ten provinces plus the Yukon.
As the national voice of retired teachers, the ACER-CART focuses on priorities evolving from issues affecting the well- being of seniors all across
1. The implementation of a National Seniors’ Strategy.
2. The monitoring of the Federal Government’s progress toward establishing a national universal pharmacare plan including a
Canada drug agency and a national formulary.
3. The monitoring of the effects of COVID19 on the Canada Health
Care Act and on bilateral funding agreements including the challenging of privatized for profit aspects.
4. Advocating for a health care system that prioritizes care for seniors in their OWN homes for as long as possible.
5. Advocating for regulations governing Long Term Care Facilities that would guarantee improvement of standards in all relevant sections.
6. Monitoring impacts of the pandemic on the defined benefit pension plan assets held in the various retired teachers’ allowances funds.
7. The elevation of ACER-CART’s profile.
8. The extension of our relationship with the Canadian Teachers’
Federation. In terms of relating ACER CART to our RTAM membership: 1. The Minister of Seniors, Deb Schulte, provides regular and timely updates through ACER- CART, on topics like travel protocol [DON’T], tax information [ALWAYS FILL OUT A FORM], LTC and vaccine scams, staying safe during COVID and other pertinent issues. These are shared with RTAM members through Chapter presidents and the RTAM website. 2. ACER-CART provides a list of like-minded associate partner organizations that may be found on their website. 3. RTAM provides regular reports to our Western cohorts that are shared at ACER-CART board meetings. 4. In preparation for an anticipated election call, RTAM has provided ACER- CART with a one- time additional 50 cents a member for the development of a brochure outlining our issues. 5. The ACER-CART virtual AGM will be on June 5th, 2021 and will be attended by JoAnne Hoyak as Director and Bill Cann as observer.
MANITOBA SENIORS COALITION
RTAM Representatives: Peggy Prendergast, RTAM Past President and Linda Scott, RTAM Director. Representatives from the following organizations make-up the Manitoba Seniors Coalition:
A & O Support Services for Older Adults Active Aging in Manitoba
Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba Association of Senior Support Coordinators Centre on Aging – University of Manitoba
Long Term & Continuing Care Association of Manitoba Manitoba Association of Senior Centres
Retired Teachers Association of Manitoba Transportation Options Network for Seniors The Manitoba Seniors Coalition was adapted from the ACER-CART Seniors Vote 2016 list of pillars of concern for older adults, namely: Healthy Aging, Social Participation, Income Security, Housing, Transportation and Health Care. The Pandemic, Vaccination, Ageism, Long Term Care and Mental Health are some of the recent concerns that are being in focus under Health Care and areas of concern for the Coalition. Healthy Aging is the goal of the Coalition.
RTAM, as a member of the Coalition since the start, has focused on Income Security by contributing a 500 word article each month for the past two years to the Lifestyles 55 publication: www.lifestyles55.net. Three meetings with provincial elected members and officials were arranged to discuss the possible areas of contribution and participation for the Coalition as a whole in supporting the Provincial Government with community help in the delivery of the Covid-19 vaccines and other older adult health supports.
As retired teachers, RTAM provides support to, and receives support from, the larger provincial population and community of older adults. “We are all in this LIFE together” as has been noted during this recent pandemic.
RTAM is over 10,000 plus members, volunteering in every nook and cranny of this province, using their experience gained in teaching children to help and encourage others in many different endeavours of learning, experiencing and doing small acts of kindness to help in their communities. Those skills added to the other members of the Coalition brings an awareness that if we all share our talents and each give a little to this world we will all receive much for our efforts. This is a new opportunity for those of us that have had the good fortune to live a long life. We are the elders of the world and can teach our children and grandchildren by leading by example.
RTAM CHAPTER REPORTS
Boyne Chapter of Retired Teachers
No report.
Calgary and Area Chapter
President: Dennis Kozak
Committee Members: Jan Campbell, Richard Dooley, Penny Hogan, Lillian Kozak RTAM Members: 60
A Calgary Chapter 2020 Initiative: Calgary Chapter members reside in Calgary, Airdrie, High River, Lethbridge, Cochrane, Strathmore, and Canmore. The Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (FOIP) does not permit RTAM to release personal contact information if/when members relocate to Alberta.
In July 2020, at the request of Chapter President Dennis Kozak, Linda Scott, Chair Members and Chapters Committee, sent a letter to 30 RTAM members living in Calgary and area who were not in contact with the Calgary Chapter. In early December 2020, a follow-up invitation to join the Chapter was sent. This initiative has introduced six new members to the Calgary Chapter. Members look forward to welcoming these individuals in person, post Covid. A special ‘Thankyou’ to RTAM administrative staff for their assistance with this initiative.
March 5, 2020: A luncheon was held at Scotsman’s Well, 12024 Symon’s Valley Road NW, Calgary, with guest speaker Roselyn Elford,
March 17, 2020: Alberta Premier Jason Kenney declared a public state of emergency with limits on social gatherings. In an effort to remain in contact with Chapter members, emails, written by Jan Campbell, were sent June 2, September 20, December 23, 2020 and January 19, 2021. These dates approximate the pre-Covid schedule of in-person Chapter quarterly luncheons. Many positive replies from members were received in response to the emails.
November 20, 2020: An email was circulated to Chapter members regarding information about the RTAM Wellness Committee Frauds and Scams Webinar. Several Calgary Chapter members participated in the December 9 webinar.
In spite of not being able to meet in person, we continue to strive to maintain contact electronically with our members. Not only has Zoom allowed Calgary Chapter members to attend RTAM sponsored Webinars, but it is also possible for RTAM members living outside Manitoba to participate on RTAM committees. Dennis Kozak has joined the Political Advocacy Committee, and takes part regularly in Chapter Presidents’ meetings.
Respectfully submitted by Joyce McGinnis, President Members: 65+
Meetings: Our DARTA group has a list of 65+ active and inactive members. This year because of COVID 19 we were only able to have one meeting. This was our re-organization meeting in October. We had to relocate from the Mountainview School Board Office to the Watson Art Center for this meeting. We were not able to have our usual catered breakfast meeting, so coffee and wrapped cinnamon buns were served. We had a safe socially distanced meeting with 25 members present.
Currently, most of our members have e-mail access for maintaining regular contact. A small group of volunteer phoners assist to keep in contact with those who do not have e-mail.
Newsletters were sent out to keep the membership informed of RTAM and DARTA news and activities. In November we donated the cost of a wreath to the Royal Canadian Legion for Remembrance Day. Christmas, sympathy, and thinking of you cards were sent to members or their families throughout the year.
Our annual December donation was made to the Angel Tree, a program that buys Christmas gifts for children whose family is receiving a Christmas hamper.
DARTA once again applied for the Chapter Initiative Grant and the Wellness Initiative Grant. We are very grateful for both of these programs to help with our membership engagement plans.
We appreciated the RTAM Webinars which made it possible for our rural membership to take part in the varied topics presented.
The DARTA AGM which is to be held in April will not take place this year. However, the current executive have agreed to stay in place for the 2021-2022 year
Éducatrices et Éducateurs manitobains à la retraite (ÉMR) Rapport remis par : Patricia Thibodeau, présidente des ÉMR
Le conseil d’administration des Éducateurs & Éducatrices Manitobains.es à la retraite (les ÉMR) a comme objectif principal d’organiser une variété d’activités qui mettent l’accent sur l’aspect social et francophone de notre communauté. Nous proposons des activités qui suscitent un vif intérêt de la part de nos membres et qui comblent la curiosité des enseignants retraités. Au moment de l’AGA du 15 avril 2021, nous allons profiter de l’occasion pour demander à nos membres de nous partager leur rétroaction sur les activités passées offertes sur Zoom et nous allons aussi leur demander de nous suggérer des possibilités d’activités pour l’année à venir.
Pour ce qui est des membres qui siègent au Conseil exécutif des ÉMR, on leur demande d’organiser au moins une activité à faire durant l’année même en cette année de COVID on a réussi à proposer une bonne variété d’ateliers intéressants et pertinents. Avant chaque activité les organisateurs doivent voir à ce que l’activité prévue soit affichée et annoncée dans notre site web, www.lesemr.org. À la suite de l’activité, ces mêmes responsables d’activités doivent aussi voir à afficher le rapport de leur activité, avec photos, sur notre site.
La liste de membres des ÉMR se chiffre au-delà de 200. Il est clair que nos efforts de recrutement ont porté fruit. Nos membres ont œuvré soit comme enseignant/enseignante ou administrateur/ administratrice, dans des bureaux divisionnaires, dans des écoles francophones, anglophones, ou d’immersion de conseils scolaires de partout dans la province. Il est important de préciser que nos membres demeurent très actifs comme aînés et bénévoles dans divers secteurs de la communauté francophone et qu’ils contribuent à divers organismes provinciaux et nationaux.
Je tiens à remercier la Retired Teachers’ Association of Manitoba (RTAM) d’avoir, encore cette année, accepté de contribuer à notre financement par le biais du Chapter Initiative Grant. Cette contribution financière nous a été très utile et nous a permis de nous procurer une licence Zoom afin de rester en contact avec nos membres en leur offrant des occasions de rencontre. Nous comptons faire demande à nouveau en 2021 dans le but de continuer notre recrutement et d’améliorer nos services auprès de notre regroupement.
Comme tout le monde, cette année, nous avons été obligés de rester confinés et malheureusement on a été obligés d’annuler un grand nombre de nos activités sociales. Cependant, on a réussi a offrir plusieurs ateliers très intéressants à l’aide de Zoom, Voici les
activités des ÉMR pour l’année 2020 2021:
Jeudi 17 décembre 2020, Chants de Noël, 19 participants Jeudi 14 janvier 2021, Langues officielles, 11 participants Jeudi 28 janvier, l’Islam, 13 participants Jeudi 4 mars, pré arrangements funéraires, 10 participants Jeudi 18 février Francofonds (reportée à l’AGA) Jeudi 4 mars Réconciliation (reportée à l’automne) Jeudi 15 avril 2021 à 13h l’AGA des ÉMR
Peu après notre assemblée générale du 15 avril qui se fera via zoom, la réunion du nouveau conseil aura lieu pour préparer le calendrier des activités de 2021-2022. Les membres suivants sont toujours prêts à prendre place au Conseil exécutif: - Patricia Thibodeau, présidente
- Guy Gagnon, président sortant - Gisèle Grégoire, vice-présidente - Rose-Marie Iafolla, trésorière - Jocelyne Fraser, secrétaire - Lucille Daudet-Mitchell, conseillère et responsable des communications - Marc Beaudry, conseiller - Robert Daigneault, conseiller - Un poste de conseiller reste à combler.
Je remercie très sincèrement tous les membres du CA, pour leur énergie, leur collaboration et leur engagement. Nous formons une équipe des plus dynamiques. Nous voulons remercier Gérard Massé responsable du site web: www.lesemr.org qui nous appuie dans toutes nos communications. Il faut aussi reconnaître la contribution d’Agathe et de Guy Lacroix qui, depuis longtemps, animent et agrémentent nos soirées de Noël avec des chants traditionnels. C’est toujours la fête avec eux!
Grand merci également à Denis Gautron qui tire sa révérence cette année. C’est grâce à Denis que nous avons eu tant de plaisir à nos rassemblements de Noël dans les dernières années. Son engagement et son dévouement nous ont rendu de grands services.. Je tiens aussi à remercier Arsène Huberdeau qui, lui aussi, prend sa retraite des ÉMR. Il a choisi de se consacrer à de nouveaux défis. Nous lui souhaitons fortitude et bonne chance. On se console en pensant que, dEnis et Arsène resteront proche de nous en participant à nos rencontres. Il faut applaudir tout ce beau monde!
En guise de conclusion, merci aux gens qui ont participé à nos activités de cette année et continuons de venir en grand nombre, après tout, les occasions de se rencontrer en français se font de plus en plus rares.
Enfin comme plusieurs membres des ÉMR le font déjà, continuons à nous engager dans nos communautés. Nos paroisses, nos associations profitent grandement de notre expertise tant au niveau provincial que fédéral. Poursuivons nos passions, c’est le temps de le faire, puisque nous ne serons, plus jamais, aussi jeunes que nous le sommes maintenant!
Éducatrices et Éducateurs manitobains à la retraite (ÉMR) Patricia Thibodeau, President of ÉMR (with the assistance of our past president Guy Gagnon)
The main objectives of Les Éducatrices et Éducateurs manitobains à la retraite (ÉMR) are to organize social activities that appeal to our membership and that generate interest in participating while emphasizing our francophone aspect. At our April AGM, we always take the opportunity to ask our members to share their feedback on past activities and we take note of ideas and suggestions for the coming year. Our members are also very active in various sectors of the Francophone community as well as in various provincial and national organizations.
Every year, the members of our Executive Council of the ÉMR are expected to plan a minimum of one activity during the year. Even in this year of COVID, we were successful in offering a variety of interesting workshops. Before every activity, the organizers need to make sure that the activity is advertised on our web site, www.lesemr.org website, and after the activity, they must post a report with photos. Our membership numbers are up this year: We have more than 200 people on our list. These members have worked either as teachers or administrators in French, English or immersion schools and school board offices across Manitoba. It is important to add that our members are still active members of their community as elders and volunteers, contributing to various provincial and national organizations.
I would like to thank The Retired Teachers ‘Association of Manitoba (RTAM) for their contribution to our chapter through the Chapter Initiative Grant. This financial support has allowed us to acquire a Zoom license in order to stay in contact with our members and offer opportunities to meet. We plan to apply again, in 2021, so we can continue recruiting members and improve our services.
Like the rest of the world, this year, we have been confined and sadly, we’ve had to cancel some of our social gatherings. However, we were able to offer many interesting workshops through our Zoom platform, as you can see below:
ÉMR activities for the year 2020 2021: Thursday 17th of December 2020, Xmas party, 19 participants Thursday 14th of January 2021, Official Languages, 11 participants Thursday 28th of January, Islam 13 participants Thursday 4th of March, Funeral pré arrangements, 10 participants Thursday 18th of February, Francofonds (postponed to AGM) Thursday 4th of March, Réconciliation (postponed to the fall) Thursday 15th of April, 2021 EMR AGM Soon after our AGM of April 15th, which will take place on Zoom, our Council meeting will be held to prepare the schedule of activities for 2021-2022.The following members have already declared their interest in serving on the ÉMR Executive Council: - Patricia Thibodeau, President - Gisèle Grégoire, Vice-President - Rose-Marie Iafolla, Treasurer - Jocelyne Fraser, Secretary - Lucille Daudet-Mitchell, Communications Advisor - Marc Beaudry, councilor - Denis Gautron, councilor - Guy Gagnon, outgoing president - One councilor position remains to be filled *Gerard Massé website manager: www.lesemr.org
I would like to sincerely thank all the members of our executive for their commitment and cooperation. We for sure, are a dynamic team. We need to thank Gérard Massé for his work on the web site, www. lesemr.org, which supports all our communications. We must also recognize the contribution of Agathe and Guy Lacroix who, for many years, have directed and energized our December parties with traditional Christmas songs. We always have fun with them!
Many thanks to Denis Gautron who, this year, has completed his mandate, Thanks to Denis, we have had much fun at our Xmas parties for the last few years. His commitment and drive, have served us well. We must also thank Arsène Huberdeau who is also retiring from the ÉMR Council. He has chosen to take on other more important challenges. We wish him strength and good luck. We can take consolation in the fact that Denis and Arsène will stay close to us by participation in our future activities. Let’s give them a round of applause!
In conclusion, I would like to thank all the people who attended this year’s activities and I hope we can count on their continued support. After all, such opportunities to meet in French are more and more scarce. Finally, as many of our members already do, I encourage them to continue engaging in our communities. Our parishes and our associations benefit a great deal from our expertise at all levels. We need to pursue our passions and now is the time to do it since we will never be as young as we are now!
Hanover Association of Retired Teachers
No report.
Interlake Retired Teachers’ Association (IRTA)
No report.
Intermountain Retired Teachers’ Association
No report.
The 2020 - 2021 NARTA Executive: President: Joan Rink Past President:Ralph Cibula Vice President: Vacant Treasurer: Richard Kulbacki Secretary: Pat Cibula Program Director: Wendy Denbow Communications: Bev Finlayson
NARTA has 27 members. Our yearly membership is $10.00.
Our April to December 2020 meetings were cancelled due to COVID-19 rules.
June 2020: NARTA Student Bursary of $200.00 was presented to a Grade 12 student at William Morton Collegiate, in Gladstone. The NARTA Student Bursary is presented each year to a graduating student who is going on to further his/her education. Each year a student is chosen from one of the three high schools in our area: Carberry Collegiate, William Morton Collegiate (Gladstone), and Neepawa Area Collegiate.
NARTA applied for and received an RTAM Chapter Initiative Grant of $250.00, which will be used to cover the cost of our Zoom meetings.
January 21, 2021: NARTA Executive held a Zoom meeting in which they planned the themes for the next five upcoming Zoom general meetings:
• February: Members are to share a memory of something romantic and wear red. Our Program Director challenged the members with a quiz about amusing St. Valentine’s Day facts.
Members shared their school memories of Valentine’s Day, as a student and as a teacher.
• March: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and wear something green. Share with the group a book they have read. March is also our annual general meeting.
• April: One of our members has agreed to show his Easter eggs and tell stories about them. Also, members could share their favourite recipes.
• May: Members to talk about their gardening experiences. In order to increase our NARTA Zoom meeting attendance, our members will invite others to join our Zoom meetings.
A big thank you to RTAM for the Chapter Initiative Grant as this has allowed our members to stay in contact through Zoom.
Northeastman Chapter
No report.
Okanagan Chapter of RTAM
Submitted by Nancy Kostiuk, Secretary
AUGUST 14, 2020 The two co-presidents and secretary met at the open-air patio at Frind Winery in West Kelowna.
Discussions were on the activities of members during the COVID-19 lockdown. Subsequently to email contacts with members, a submission to KIT detailed members’ activities, along with photos, in the fall edition.
NOVEMBER 5, 2020 Following a request from the chair of the Membership and Chapters Committee, we conducted an email and telephone survey of all our contacts and submitted an updated list of our 49 current active chapter members and associates.
JANUARY 14, 2021 We applied for and received a Chapter Initiative Grant and a Wellness Grant, both of which will facilitate bringing our group together again, hopefully in person, when circumstances permit later in 2021. Thank you to RTAM and the committees for the grants.
FEBRUARY 28, 2021 An executive Zoom meeting was held and discussions centered on ideas for a wellness event. MARCH 5, 2021
Our RTAM – Okanagan Chapter AGM was conducted by email and approved the re-election of the current executive.
RTAM – OKANAGAN CHAPTER EXECUTIVE 2021 – 2022
Co-Presidents: Lorna Rothwell lrothwell@me.com Lorne Lisik lornelisik@gmail.com
Vice-President: Ken Ferg Treasurer: Roy Lycar
Secretary: Nancy Kostiuk
Member-at-large: Susan Forsyth
Portage la Prairie Retired Teachers’ Association
The past year was governed by regulations regarding COVID-19, and to a large extent, they determined how we would relate to each other. For many of us, we relied on KIT and Zoom to communicate with each other. We have appreciated KIT and President Bill Cann’s chapter president meetings. It was good to hear what other chapters were doing and what the board of directors, executive, committees and staff were doing on our behalf.
We, of course, did not have any in-person meetings. We tried phoning as a means of contacts. We kept thinking and hoping that things would change in the regulations but COVID-19 really dictated how the year would go. A lot of everyone’s attention was directed to following regulations, staying safe and keeping ourselves healthy.
One thing the COVID-19 has reinforced in me is that teachers, past and present, are a resilient and creative group of people. It is these qualities that helped us deal with the stressors and challenges that teaching presented and presents. They also created character which has done us in good stead. Still I can’t help but wonder how we would have coped if this had happened 25 years ago, before we had the advancements in technology that we enjoy today?
Even with COVID-19, many of our members are still involved in the community as individuals or through other organizations. People do see our organization as one with a great deal of expertise and energy. We have about 130 RTAM members in the Portage area. Not all are active or supportive of the organization, but all are happy to have the organization (particularly at the provincial level) look after their interests and be a voice for them.
It is interesting to see the number of members that have decided to get involved with the education system because of the need created by COVID-19. It is also interesting how retired teachers are very interested in the implementation of the “Education Review”, which has recently been released.
We are looking forward to being able to have in-person meetings and being able to communicate in a more personal way.
Retired Teachers of Winnipeg (RTW)
No report.
Retired Women Teachers’ Association
The Retired Women Teachers’ Association provides a forum whereby retired women teachers can meet to enjoy uplifting programs and entertainment, make friends and continue their social relationships formed during their teaching careers. We hold luncheons at the Masonic Centre in Winnipeg to accomplish these objectives.
This year 2020-2021, RWTA’s sixty-ninth year, has been unprecedented. The COVID-19 Pandemic curtailed all luncheons planned for our 267 members. Since we were not able to meet, the RWTA membership of $8.00 per member was waved or extended through to September 2021. The executive agreed to continue on until it is safe to hold a luncheon meeting and AGM.
The executive and phoning committee continue to phone their list of members every few months to see how each member is doing in these challenging times. We have connected with members via phone, email and regular mail. Our Visiting Committee has not been able to visit our shut-ins but have chatted by phone with members and sent thinking of you cards and cards for various occasions such as Christmas, Valentines and Easter. Notes of appreciation have been received from members.
We continue to collect and distribute items generously donated by our members. These donations include soaps to Harvest Manitoba, eyeglasses to Lions Eye Bank, and toiletries for women’s shelters and drop-in centres. Cards indicating that these contributions were made by RWTA members were enclosed with each donation. Some centres have sent us thank you cards and some continue to keep in touch with us by requesting more items. We thank our members for their donations to help others.
As RWTA president I wish to thank our RWTA Executive and members for their friendship, support and help. On behalf of the RWTA Executive and members, we thank RTAM for the financial support (2020 Initiative Grant) received March 2020. We would love to have more retired women teachers in Manitoba join us for fun and friendship.
Retired Women Teachers’ Association Executive 2020 – 2021
Pat Opalko............................................................................. President Cecile Alarie-Skene.......................................................Past President (Vacant)..........................................................................Vice President Phyllis Arnold-Luedtke...........................................................Treasurer Cécile Alarie-Skene..........................................Membership Convener Isabelle Garand....................................................Recording Secretary Brenda Zebrynsky .........................................Corresponding Secretary Brenda Zebrynsky ............................................................Club Notices Louise Burton ................................................... Social Committee (Ch) Lynda Tunny......................................................Luncheon Coordinator Arlene Billeck............................................................ Social Committee Laura McFarlane ...................................................... Social Committee Birdielyn Gray............................................................................ Tickets Barbara Haddow........................................................................ Tickets Emily Williamson .....................................................Visiting Committee Lenore Butler...........................................................Visiting Committee Helen Norrie ............................................................................Publicity Peggy Prendergast....................................................RTAM / Pensions Jacquie Field ...........................................................................Archivist Charlotte Stech...........................................................................Pianist
Phoning Committee: Vi Hultin, Kathy Deyman, Alice Oswald, Shirley Hampton, Patricia, Graefer and Beverley Wilkinson
Riel Retired Teachers Association
Respectfully submitted by Jack Fraser, President
The Louis Riel Chapter mainly includes the retired staff from the legacy divisions of St. Boniface, Norwood, and St. Vital. We have members who were once employees in those divisions, but who left and retired from other jurisdictions or who physically live in our area as well. We are always open to new membership, and welcome anyone who is interested in joining us.
All our Chapter’s major activities, our luncheons, scholarship fundraising, and golf tournaments, have unfortunately been curtailed during COVID-19. This year, we were only able to get one paper newsletter out but have kept in touch with our members for whom we have emails using our “Between Newsletters”. If you are a chapter member and have not been getting these emails, please send your email address to jcfraser142@gmail.com and we will gladly add you to our emailing list. We try to be selective and limiting in the number of emails we send, but we have sent out a few more than usual during this COVID time. Over 300 of our members are on this email list and over 900 are on our postal list.
For the last few years, I have tried to meet in person with all our retiring teachers in June. Sadly, this was not possible this past June and December. If you were one of those retirees, please drop me an email and I will happily send you our chapter membership application. It is a five-dollar, lifetime membership fee, and it comes with a few perks.
With the Government’s recent impending dismantlement of our entire education system structure, we may be faced with great challenges as a Chapter. The Division has supported our emailing of our newsletter, provided us with meeting space and has been supportive of our work. In turn, we have supported their foundation (RIELEVATE) and its work. The MTS local has been supportive of us as well and has been helpful in connecting us to our retiring cohorts.
St. James – Assiniboia Chapter
Respectfully submitted, Lynn Land, Chairperson
Officers 2020 - 2021
Chairperson:Lynn Land Vice Chair: Shelley Herbert Treasurer: Emily Williamson Secretary: Rudy Peters Membership/Communications: Dorothy Young Members at Large: Marj Bilous, Will Peters, Linda Scott, Garry Winfield
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 also colleagues still actively teaching in Manitoba. Membership is 341 and includes retired teachers, administrators, and superintendents.
We were pleased that Bill Cann was elected the President of RTAM for 2020-21. Also elected to the Board from our Chapter were Allison Logan and Linda Scott. Arlene Billeck, Lynn Land, Pat Opalko, Lynda Tunny, Emily Williamson, and Dorothy Young serve on RTAM Committees. Congratulations to our members for working on our behalf!
Congratulations to Connie Newman and Tom Dercola, two outstanding retired teachers from our Chapter, who were named two of the 150 Manitobans recognized in Manitoba’s 150th Celebrations!
2020-21 has been an interesting year for all of us. Hopefully by the time you read this report you will have received the Covid-19 vaccine. Our AGM was held via email on September 26, 2020 where our Officers were elected.
During this unique year we have kept in touch with our Chapter’s members via email and provided them with information on webinars of interest, scams directed at seniors, virtual plays at RMTC, and the paperwork needed for the Covid-19 vaccine.
We appreciate the financial support we receive from RTAM and hope to use it to hold our extremely popular coffee house in the fall of 2021.
In the last year we have shared information on the following colleagues who have departed this life: Roger Cathcart Lorne Dion Leo Horodyski Dennis Kozier Ben Remillard Morley Rowe Paul Stein Gordon Tovell David Frye James Friesen Marie MacDonald Raymond Magel Lorraine Smith Eileen Sokalski May 2021-2022 be a good year for all of us.
Southwest Assiniboine Chapter of Retired Teachers
Respectfully submitted by Joan Veselovsky, President Past President: Lorraine Scott
President: Vice President: Secretary: Treasurer: Friendship: Phoning chair: Grants/Outings: Members: Joan Veselovsky Kelvon Smith Kathy Welsh Glen McKinnon Pat Wolfe Mary Ellen Roach Kelvon Smith, Beth Allison 30 to 40
Unfortunately, we have lost some members due to changes in residence. However, we are working to obtain new members through phone calls, emails and Zoom. Several of us have participated in webinars via Zoom provided by the Wellness Advocacy Committee.
Every attempt is made to link old and prospective members with emails provided by the Provincial Executive. These emails are largely well received.
Due to Covid-19, the SWAC executive were not able to apply the Cultural awareness grant event which had been well planned, but are pleased to obtain another wellness grant for 2021. A wellness event is being planned at this time, depending on the easing of restrictions. We wish to sincerely thank the RTAM executive for these grants.
An informational meeting of SW Assiniboine chapter is currently being planned for April 13 via Zoom. We wish to thank the office staff and Pres. Bill Cann for their assistance throughout the year.
Swan Valley Retired Teachers
We washed our hands, a lot. We socially distanced, we wore our masks, more to protect others than ourselves. Although we are a small group, our chapter did not meet since our delayed AGM of October 2020.
The situation gave us pause to reflect.
As teachers, we are keenly aware that rules and order are prerequisite for effective teaching and learning. Hence, we probably had less difficulty than most, accepting restrictions and rules imposed on us by government to curb the devastation of the pandemic. We may have thought we were all asked to sacrifice a lot for the sake of the greater good. Whatever our sacrifice, however, it pales in comparison to the sacrifices made by previous generations through times of wars, depression, epidemics and pioneer life.
We are grateful and blessed to have pension income due to the foresight of teachers of past generations for striving for and establishing TRAF, and for government pensions of CPP and OAS.
We became more mindful of our neighbours whose income was either lost or diminished. We were moved with compassion, helping where we could and contributing to charities with even greater generosity.
We took our turn as a chapter and delivered meals in our community for two weeks in February. This brought considerable joy to the oft lonely recipients. It brought greater joy to us.
We made a greater effort to support our local businesses. We ordered takeout to support our restaurants, tipping a little more generously.
We watched news in horror as infection and death numbers rose daily. We were overwhelmed and numbed by the numbers while names of victims and personal stories were shared.
We were grateful for the front line workers, who at great personal risk, cared for the sick and dying. Also grateful that our health system did not get overwhelmed and that we were still able to access health care as needed. Grateful for the universality of our Canadian health care system.
We were grateful for our essential workers who provided an uninterrupted food and medicine supply, grateful for police, firefighters, municipal employees and all others who continued to diligently execute their duties.
We were grateful for old friends who called to see how we were and for friends we were able to call.
We zoomed into a new reality, visiting children, grandchildren and friends virtually. While it provided some measure of joy, we long for the real live visits.
We enhanced our online skills in banking, commerce and information gathering.
Reserved for our retirement and now with even more available time, we undertook pent up projects and activities, we ventured outdoors and into nature a little more.
We learned of alternate news, alternate truth, alternate facts and alternate reality. It reminded us of a few of the students we encountered over our careers in education.
As in any crisis, we witnessed the tension between good and evil, selflessness and selfishness, the heroic efforts of those seeking and delivering solutions contrasted by those seeking to pervert and undermine.
We saw our neighbour nation, the greatest democracy in the world, shaken to its core and yet survive. We realized, as Canadians, to more appreciate our own great nation of Canada and to never take our institutions, rights, liberties and responsibilities for granted, but to be vigilant in our striving for their endurance.
We feel a great deal of empathy for our teachers and all who work in our schools, working in unprecedented conditions, providing learning opportunity in unique and novel ways, often under resourced and seldom fully appreciated.. We admire their tenacity and commitment, but we are not surprised by it.
I live within earshot of our local school, and derive great pleasure in hearing the children outside at play or in their physical education class throughout the day. In spite of the anxiety created by this unprecedented circumstance that confronts them continually, their shouts of joy and squeals of delight as they play are delightful, and in those moments, the innocence of childhood emanates, even if only momentarily. As I yearn for a return for normalcy, it gives me hope, even in knowing that normal will never be as it was, as our world has forever changed.
We applied for Chapter Initiative and Wellness grants with the hope of engaging more of our colleagues.
We look forward to the resumption of our chapter meetings and gatherings, hopefully with a greater appreciation of each other and a greater enthusiasm for our purpose and our mission.
The Pas Retired Teachers’ Association
No report.
Thompson Association of Retired Educators (TARE)
Joan Goble, President
Vice President: Terry Nychuk Secretary-Treasurer: Kate Roth
We, like all other groups, experienced the negative effects of the Covid pandemic which struck last spring. The idea was that it would not last and that life was soon returning to normal but that was not to be. We cancelled our AGM and left the directors in place for another year. Now we are still in pandemic mode but will try to hold a Zoom meeting AGM.
We continued with our Garden Project at the local Public Library. The four large pots with flowers, herbs and vegetables were spectacular. Library users and staff commented favourably as did passers-by when we were working there. We now plan improvements for the front flower beds and cleaning up the brick sidewalk. Currently we are in the planning stages and thanks to the Grant received from RTAM which we can add to the money from the Library, there should be enough to bring in fresh soil, new shrubs and some perennials as well as fill the four planters. We have an annual Saturday morning plant program with younger children but Covid cancelled that last year. This year we are trying to make it a take-home project as Covid is still with us. We started this project years ago with a Chapter Initiative Grant and were pleased to receive another one to get us started on this second stage. Our efforts are appreciated by both staff and the public. We place an RTAM/TARE placard in one of the big planters.
TARE will complete its Memory Project started a few years ago with another Chapter Initiative Grant. We are hoping that more of our former teaching staff will write in with memories of their years spent teaching in the School District of Mystery Lake #2355. We have three binders containing stories ready to be presented to the School District, the Thompson Public Library, and the Museum when Covid permits us to meet, share cake and coffee, and chat.
Because we could not meet in person, we had a lunch on the lawn in the backyard of the president. In the spring, Executive Director Gordon Fardoe hosted TARE on a Zoom meeting and we will set up another shortly for the AGM and election of officers. Our Secretary, Kate Roth, hosted a Zoom social hour. We plan to have another. Our summer picnic at the home of a member will also occur somehow this summer within the COVID rules.
We do miss being able to meet in person. Several of our members do not have computers and some others have very poor connections so Zoom does not work for everyone. However, we do keep in touch.
