KIT Magazine - Winter 2020

RETIRED TEACHERS’

ASSOCIATION OF MANITOBA

Vol. 32 | No. 3 | Winter 2020 206 - 1555 St. James St. Winnipeg, MB R3H 1B5 | 204-889-3660 | Toll Free: 1-888-393-8082 | info@rtam.mb.ca | www.rtam.mb.ca

1st Place

Category: Nature

By Roland Chartier

2nd Place

Category: Nature Top: Sonia Szaura Bottom: Norma McDonald

1st Place

Category: Lines

By Lorne Billinkoff

2nd Place

PN 40037581

Category: Lines Top: Donna Gamache Bottom: Linda Boughton

KEEP IN TOUCH Vol. 32 No.3 • Winter, 2020

Published by

RETIRED TEACHERS’

Photo Contest Entry - Summer 2020

ASSOCIATION OF MANITOBA

CONTENTS President's Message............................................................................................................................... 3 Contest to Build an Electronic RTAM Membership List by May, 2021...........................4 ACER-CART.................................................................................................................................................5 Membership & Chapters Committee........................................................................................... 7 Wellness Advocacy Committee........................................................................................................ 7 Understanding your life in a digital world ................................................................................. 7 Remote Learning Support Center (RLSC) Teacher Applications......................................8 ACER-CART November Update......................................................................................................10 Public Relations Committee............................................................................................................10 Communications Sub-Committee (KIT Report).....................................................................11 What’s Up With Pensions?.................................................................................................................11 Dear Prestige Travel customer:.......................................................................................................11 Benefits Committee Report............................................................................................................. 12 Lest We Forget........................................................................................................................................ 13 Orange Shirt Day.................................................................................................................................... 13 Student Award Winners.....................................................................................................................14 Trip Merchant..........................................................................................................................................18 Manitoba Alpha Delta Kappa Biennial Recognition Award of Excellence 2020..........19 DARTA - Re-organization Report.................................................................................................. 21 Swan Valley Retired Teachers' Association Chapter Report............................................ 21 Life Re-Zooms in WREA.....................................................................................................................22 RTAM Photo Contest............................................................................................................................23 The RTAM Photo Contest: A History...........................................................................................30

21

04

DARTA Re-organization

Send Your Email

Dauphin Area Retired Teachers’ Association held their re-organization meeting on Tuesday, October 20 at the Watson Art Centre.

RTAM Board of Directors is sponsoring a contest to solicit email addresses from 100% of our members.

All materials for the next issue of KIT must be emailed with no formatting to dsage@mymts.net and received by February 17, 2021, 5:00 p.m.

Materials published here do not necessarily represent the policies or views of RTAM. The Editorial Committee reserves the right to print, reject and/or edit for clarity, all materials received.

2 n

RTAM KIT Winter 2020

206-1555 St. James Street Winnipeg, MB R3H 1B5 Phone 204-889-3660 • 1-888-393-8082 Email: info@rtam.mb.ca • www.rtam.mb.ca Editor-in-Chief: Doreen Sage Box 252, Neepawa, MB R0J 1H0 Email: dsage@mymts.net Executive Director: Gordon Fardoe Email: gfardoe@rtam.mb.ca Office Administrator: Denise Bellesia Email: dbellesia@rtam.mb.ca Member Services Coordinator: Dianne Casar Email: dcasar@rtam.mb.ca Board of Directors 2019-2020 President: William Cann Vice -President: JoAnne Hoyak Secretary: John Sushelnitsky Treasurer: Pat Bowslaugh Past President: Peggy Prendergast Directors-at-Large Linda Blair Joan Dawson Jack Fraser Guy Hansen Alison Logan Ken Malcolm Brian Paterson Doreen Sage Linda Scott Beth Smith Design: Gayl Punzalan Creative Director, Blue Ink Media Email: gayl@blueinkmedia.ca Website: blueinkmedia.ca Images : Adobe Stock, freepik.com and pixabay.com, except the ones provided by the contributors.

Copyright © 2020 by RTAM All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: RTAM, 206 - 1555 St. James St. Winnipeg, MB R3H 1B5

President's Message

T Bill Cann RTAM President 2020 - 2021

RETIRED TEACHERS’

ASSOCIATION OF MANITOBA

here have been several important developments since the beginning of October. Thankfully, the cooperation and support of the executive, the office staff and individual directors have provided valued assistance in successfully addressing emergent issues and moving our organization ahead.

1. Upon the recommendation of the executive committee, it was agreed in principle to increase to 40 hours per week the employment of the executive director, office manager and member services co-ordinator. The executive director was tasked to outline a proposed benefits package to reflect the staff changing from hourly pay rates to annual salaries as full-time employees and report back to the board. To improve office communication efficiency, Shaw has been contracted to be our new internet provider. My strategy for recruitment of new committee members and directors was passed in principle at the October 22, 2020, board meeting. Essentially, the plan recommends a commitment for each chapter to nominate committee members and directors on a rotational basis over 5 - 8 years. This will assist with increasing involvement in our organization by chapter members. I will review this plan with chapter presidents during a November 12, 2020, Zoom meeting.

Finally, I am pleased to announce that all the remaining policy changes advertised in the Spring, 2020, KIT, were approved by the board and will be forwarded to the 2021 AGM for approval.

2. Our relationship with The Manitoba Teachers’ Society continues to improve and bear fruit. After requesting input from directors, a special Executive Zoom meeting was held on October 5, 2020, to develop RTAM’s position on retired

teachers who volunteer as substitutes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pat Bowslaugh and I presented RTAM’s recommendations during an October 9, 2020, meeting at McMaster House. As a result of the meeting, elements of a joint MTS-RTAM proposal were presented to the deputy minister of education and other education stakeholders. While RTAM does not have a seat at that table, it is a significant step forward to be working collaboratively with MTS and knowing that MTS will give voice to our concerns.

It is hoped that our common concerns will be addressed through letters of understanding with MASS, MSBA and MASBO. The major points raised were: 2.1 That retired teachers become MTS members the moment their workday begins.

2.2 Create a template Memorandum of Understanding (MTS & MSBA) that school divisions, along with their respective local teacher, associations could sign.

This memorandum would increase the daily pay rate of substitutes to the teacher per diem rate. (This is not a new calculation and is currently in place when a substitute reaches five consecutive days in an assignment. End date TBD. 2.3 If a substitute is requested by public health to be tested, quarantine or to selfisolate due to an exposure or close contact at a school, a substitute would be granted paid sick leave during that period. Unfortunately, our recommendations were rejected.

3. JoAnne Hoyak and I concluded a satisfactory evaluation of the executive director’s probationary period which was extended to include January through September, 2020. The evaluation process and report were shared with the executive committee at their October 14 and November 10 meetings. To provide the executive director with adequate time to address areas of growth, JoAnne and I recommended that the second evaluation

Next page →

RTAM.MB.CA n 3

COMMITTEE REPORTS President's Message . . . continued from previous page period be extended to the June 30, 2021.

4. On November 9, 2020, JoAnne Hoyak, the executive director and I participated in our second meeting with the TRAF executive officers. Our purpose was to negotiate improvements to the TRAF Pension application form as well as a process of introducing our offer of free first year membership to new retirees.

5. The November 2, 2020, Website Committee meeting raised concerns about the lack of current and engaging content as well as confusing organization of information on our website. In conjunction with the executive director and office manager, steps have been put in place to make weekly content checks, enforce a take down policy after one month and to have each committee chair provide monthly highlights reports for the website, chapter presidents and KIT.

6. RTAM has been investigating ways to build an electronic membership list which would allow us to contact all members quickly in response to emergent issues. To finally solve this problem, the RTAM Board of Directors is sponsoring a contest to solicit email addresses from 100% of our members. RTAM will invest $1000 to purchase 20 x $50 Visa gift cards. Members who submit their current email address to info@rtam. mb.ca will have their names entered into a draw for 1 of these 20 gift cards. The draws will be made at the January 20, 2021, board meeting and the winners will be notified after the meeting and their names will be posted on the RTAM website and will be published in the Spring (March 2021) edition of KIT. Each winner will receive their gift card via registered mail. 

Contest to Build an Electronic RTAM Membership List by May, 2021

A

ccording to the latest TRAF statistics, as of October 31, 2020, RTAM has 10,160 members, of which 297 are Honorary Members who are 90 plus years of age. The number of members who have provided their email address to the RTAM office is 6,617 or 66.61% of our total membership.

Currently, the only means of communication with our entire 9,933 members is through our quarterly Keep In Touch (KIT) magazine.

For the last three years RTAM has been investigating ways to build an electronic membership list which would allow us to contact all members quickly in response to emergent issues. To finally solve this problem, the RTAM Board of Directors is sponsoring a contest to solicit email addresses from 100% of our members.

RTAM will invest $1,000.00 to purchase 20 x $50 Visa gift cards. Each member who submits their current email address to info@rtam.mb.ca will be placed in a draw for 1 of these 20 gift cards.

The draws will be made at the January 20, 2021, Board meeting and the winners names will be immediately and posted on the RTAM website as well as published in the Spring (March 2021) edition of KIT. Each winner will receive their gift card via registered mail. 

4 n

RTAM KIT Winter 2020

COMMITTEE REPORTS

ACER-CART Marilyn Bossert, ACER-CART West Representative, ACER-CART Communications Chair

T

he increase in COVID numbers in the West is very concerning, especially over the past week. It is my sincere wish that all of you are safe and are remaining well.

The majority of the Western Members conducted their Annual General Meeting in October via Zoom.

The following list includes both the new and continuing: • RTAM – President Bill Cann, ACER-CART Director; JoAnne Hoyak, Executive Director; Gordon Fardoe • STS – President Sunil Pandila, ACER-CART Director Marie LeBlanc, Executive Director Murray Wall • ARTA – President Lorna McIlroy, ACER-CART Director Lawrence Hrycan, CEO/ED Daniel Mulloy • BCRTA – President Grace Wilson, ACER-CART Director Steve Bailey, Executive Director Tim Anderson • Yukon – President & ACER-CART Director Edith Healy The following are highlights from the ACER-CART Executive Meeting held in October: • A Vision for Canada, the brochure created in 2013 for the 2015 Election will be reviewed and updated.

• Notices were sent to the Members requesting membership fees and an update of personnel.

(For privacy reasons, Contact information is available only on the Members Only section of the website.)

• Committee members were approved. It is wonderful to see the strong representation from the West. Thank you!

• Pension & Retirement Income Committee (Martin Higgs) – Monitoring closely for any indications of the resurgence of Bill C-27, especially in view of the huge Federal debt – Compiling a survey to collect Member information on (1) current COLA, (2) any

–

concerns re: pension security, (3) information showing the number of people drawing different amounts of pension Recommendation: ACER-CART write a letter supporting the federal proposal to increase the OAS amount.

• Communication Committee (Marilyn Bossert) – The redesigned website went live in October following many long hours. Reminder to those who are having computer issues: Delete cookies and temporary files. Computers will remember the old, it appears.

– w – JoAnne Lauber has shared with us a summation of the ongoing saga of the attack on the public health in British Columbia. It will be posted in the coming weeks.

– Maintaining a website is never ending, and the challenge will be to keep it current.

– There will be no newsletter; instead, we are encouraging visits to the website.

• Health Services Committee (Margaret Urquart – The committee was unable to meet prior to the Executive meeting (Seniors are busy, even in times of a pandemic or as my husband says, it doesn’t take as much to keep us busy.)

Since that time, they have reviewed the Wellness websites and have recommended some adjustments that will be added in the near future.

• Legislative Committee (Bill Berryman) – Review of Protocols and Bylaws – Bylaw allowing the ACER-CART AGM to be held via teleconferencing – Protocol to set guidelines for website content RTAM.MB.CA n 5

COMMITTEE REPORTS –

Review of current Bylaws & Protocols

• Political Advocacy Committee (Martha Foster) – Proposed topics of advocacy: • Long Term Care – a critical area for advocacy that requires a stated position.

• Pharmacare – need to continue with advocacy in this area because headway is being made.

• Pension Stability – continue to advocate for defined benefits.

• Elder Abuse – a continuing problem that affects members nation-wide and needs to be addressed.

• Age friendly communities – another area where some headway is being made but deserves continued attention.

Our ACER-CART Priorities are ambitious, and the need is evident that we need to focus the direction of our efforts, while remaining vigilant on all fronts.

Consensus by the Executive was to focus on the issues of ageing (long term care issues, ageing in place, national pharmacare).

The next ACER-CART meeting is January 14, and I will be contacting you for your Member report shortly after Christmas. Please feel free to share your publication or meeting deadlines with me, and I will try to respond accordingly.

In the meantime, encourage all to visit the ACERCART website and the Member websites.

Even more important, do what you need to do to stay well. 

Highlights of the October 22, 2020, Board Meeting à The RTAM President stated that our joint position with the Manitoba Teachers’ Society has been taken seriously by the upper echelons of education and some progress has been achieved.

Letters of understanding are being undertaken. à The RTAM President asked for feedback on his proposal to have the chapters responsible for putting forward a representative on a five-year rotating basis. à The RTAM President has called on three committees (Benefits, Membership & Chapters, and Public Relations) to “brainstorm” possible

solutions to recruiting new retirees effective January 1, 2021. The Zoom meeting will be October 29 from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. à The status of an AGM independent chair is current Policy. The AGM Committee will provide the rationale for continuing with an independent chair within its report to the 2021 AGM. à The Independent Chair ruled that the September 30 registration was sufficient for a quorum due to emergent conditions created by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Executive Committee November Highlights The RTAM Executive continued to develop closer ties with the Manitoba Teachers’ Society.

Over the last month we have met with MTS President and Vice President to develop a joint proposal on improving working conditions for substitute teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unfortunately, our proposals were rejected by the Deputy minister’s committee of Educational stakeholders which includes representatives from the Manitoba School Board Association (MSBA) and the Manitoba Association of School Superintendents (MASS).

The RTAM president, Vice President and Executive Director are also currently negotiating with TRAF 6 n

RTAM KIT Winter 2020

executive officers to improve the Pension application form and to introduce a free first year membership recruitment initiative to new retirees.

A satisfactory evaluation of the Executive Director’s probationary period has been completed.

In order to build an electronic membership database by May, 2021, the executive approved a contest in which all RTAM members will be asked to send their email address into the office. As each member’s electronic response is received, their name will be entered into a draw for one of twenty $50 Visa gift cards. The draw will take place at the January 20, 2021 Board meeting and winners names will be posted on the website and in KIT. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Membership & Chapters Committee Beth Smith, Chair 1.

2.

3.

RTAM brochures have been sent to MTS to distribute at their Pre-Retirement Seminars.

Two RTAM Directors have been invited to attend these MTS Pre-Retirement Seminars.

Two virtual Pre-Retirement seminars have been planned for 9:30 am on March 6 and March 20, 2021.

Chapter Initiative Grants (CIG) are available for Chapters to help with member engagement. If your Chapter has not used the money from last year, you are invited to use the money this year

and still apply for one this year.

4. Wellness Initiative Grants (WIG) are available for Chapters to help with member engagement, as well as the CIG. You are welcome to apply for both grants and are able to use these monies to help your members keep in touch during this difficult time of COVID 19.

5. A new initiative for new RTAM members to have their first year of membership covered by RTAM is being investigated. 

Wellness Advocacy Committee Linda Blair, Chair

T

he Wellness Advocacy Committee focuses on improving communication on health, wellness, and economic security issues for the RTAM membership. During COVID-19 times, the committee is focusing on using online presentations and on using the RTAM website for communication.

Presently, we are working towards providing a Frauds and Scams presentation on Wednesday, December 9 at 1:30 p.m. Also, we are planning a Wills, Power of Attorney, Health Directive to prevent Elder Abuse

presentation for late in January. As information on health issues are communicated to us, we provide them to the membership through the RTAM website.

We welcome input from our membership as to types of presentations that we can provide. Evaluation forms are one of the means that we use to obtain communication from our membership. Posters of events are emailed to Chapter Presidents as well as Directors. The RTAM website is our up-to-date means of communication to our membership. 

Understanding your life in a digital world With Sharon Hartung, sponsored by Richard Rosin Linda Blair, Chair, Wellness Advocacy Committee

O

n Tuesday, October 27, a very successful webinar was held via Zoom. RTAM Executive Director, Gordon Fardoe, assisted in signing everyone into the presentation and facilitating the smooth coordination between speakers, especially during the question and answer portion. Our first webinar was attended by 32 members.

Sharon Hartung provided us with a lot of information surrounding our digital presence both now and when we pass. We can plan ahead so our executors are able to execute their duties in an expedient manner. Sharon provided RTAM with enough copies of her book that we were able to mail

out a copy to each attendee.

Thanks to our sponsor, Richard Rosin, there were no registration costs.

If you would like further information regarding the content of this presentation and/or copies of Sharon’s book, please email her at: info@ yourdigitalundertaker.ca Her book is available at: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/BO7MY61B67 To view her book, www.yourundertaker.ca Hope to “see” you all at our next webinar event on Wednesday, December 9 at 1:30 p.m. via Zoom. Check our website www.rtam.mb.ca for up-to-date details.  RTAM.MB.CA n 7

Remote Learning Support Centre (RLSC) Teacher Applications Bill Cann, RTAM President

A

t a meeting on November 20, with representatives from the Manitoba School Boards Association (MSBA), the Manitoba Teachers’ Society (MTS), the St. James-Assiniboia School Division (SJASD), and the Retired Teachers’ Association of Manitoba (RTAM), the following assurances were provided for retired teachers who have the required skills and interest to apply: 1. The application deadline has been extended to December 2, 2020. It should be noted that applications may be accepted after the deadline should not all positions be filled.

2. The majority of teaching will be done from home.

Some teacher training will be done virtually.

3. The MSBA is working with the government to address the concerns retirees aged 55 to 65 have regarding the 120 day limit on teaching impacting their TRAF pensions.

4. The RLSC will be a virtual K-8 school, focusing on the teaching of Math, Science, Language Arts and Social Studies with some Art and Physical Education/Health components. The RLSC will provide instruction in both English and French.

In addition to 100 teachers, there will be a

5.

6.

principal, resource teacher, special education teacher(s), and 20 educational assistance who will be dedicated to after-hours tutoring. The target population is a teacher-facilitated homeschool-audience.

Successful applicants will be hired on a term contract with full pay on the salary grid and benefits as of day one, according to the Collective Agreement between the St. JamesAssiniboia School Division and the St. JamesAssiniboia Teachers’ Association.

Teachers will be supplied with identical preprogramed laptops to facilitate consistency of communication and software platforms.

RTAM is circulating this job application as information to which many of you may not have had access. The RTAM executive is satisfied that this job opportunity meets the safety standards set out in our joint proposal with the Manitoba Teachers’ Society on substitute teachers' working conditions during the coronavirus pandemic. RTAM also recognizes that it is the individual choice of each member whether or not to apply. 

RTAM WELLNESS ADVOCACY UPCOMING ACTIVITIES Frauds and Scams Presented by Cst Garnie Mcintyre

Mark your Calendar!

May 4/5, 2021 Retired Women Teachers' Association (RWTA) to host RTAM's AGM When: May 4/5, 2021 Where: Holiday Inn Winnipeg-Airport West 2520 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba The Retired Women Teachers' Association is pleased to invite all members to register and join us for this important event.

8 n

RTAM KIT Winter 2020

• Wednesday, December 9 at 1:30 p.m. on Zoom • Registration deadline is Friday, December 4, noon • Cst Mcintyre is a Winnipeg Police officer who deals with frauds and scams.

He brings recent experiences to assist us as Older Adults in dealing with these sometimes very intricate proposals that can cause us problems.

• Members and non-members are welcome to register for this event.

Photography Workshop via Google Meet

• For Novice and Intermediate Photography Enthusiasts, coming this March 2021.

• Details will follow on the website, rtam.mb.ca

Wills, Power of Attorney, Health Directive

Wills, Power of Attorney, Health Directive to help prevent Elder Abuse presentation by Sharon Tod using Zoom on Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. Contact the RTAM Office to register by noon on Friday, January 22.

Members and non-members are welcome to register. 

ST. JAMES-ASSINIBOIA SCHOOL DIVISION "Great Schools for Growing and Learning"

Teachers - Remote Learning Support Centre Approximate Term: December, 2020 to June, 2021 St. James-Assiniboia School Division, in partnership with Manitoba Education and school divisions from across the province, is hiring teachers who will work as part of the remote learning support centre.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: • Collaborate with Consultants on the implementation and delivery of remote teaching and assessment practice (including online and print-based), • Create and provide cross-curricular student assignments and independent work tasks that incorporate the learning outcomes in various curricular areas, • Create print material and learning resources to support lesson delivery, • Work as part of a team to provide instruction to students in online learning platforms through direct teaching, • Differentiate instruction based on student’s prior learning, needs and interests, • Assess, monitor and report on student progress based on learning outcomes, • Collaborate and communicate with parents to facilitate continued student growth and monitor engagement in learning instruction delivery, and • Create and maintain a safe, caring and effective learning environment setting high expectations for student learning.

Requirements: • MB Teaching Certificate, • Strong knowledge of current pedagogies and curriculums in a range of grades and curricular areas; • Capable of leveraging digital for student success, demonstrated technical aptitude and specific knowledge of Google, Microsoft Teams and Seesaw as remote learning platforms, and • The ability to speak French and/or other languages would be considered an asset.

To apply for this position please visit www.sjasd.ca/employment/teachingvacancies Application deadline: 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 2, 2020

All applicants are thanked for their interest; however only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Employment is contingent upon the provision of clear Criminal Record and Child Abuse Registry checks.

The St. James-Assiniboia School Division is proud to employ staff who represent the diverse community it serves.

RTAM.MB.CA n 9

COMMITTEE REPORTS

ACER-CART November Update JoAnne Hoyak, RTAM Vice President and ACER-CART Director

F

irst, please view the newly revamped ACERCART website (https://acer-cart.org/) which shares the strategies for joint action on issues of concern for retired teachers, as well as those facing public education currently.

Despite the current demise of the Federal Bill C-27, the protection of our defined benefit pension plan needs to be ongoing. Several provinces, including our own, have suggested the move to a Target benefit plan and the transfer of government employees’ pension assets to a single government controlled investment board.

The pandemic has pushed several issues to the forefront, not the least of which are the inhumanely unacceptable conditions found in private, for profit long-term care facilities and the dire need for a universal pharmacare plan.

Last, our current COVID-19 situation has prompted the push for a strong national system whose standards would provide adequate and complete home care to allow seniors to remain safe and secure in the comfort of their own homes and out of long-term care facilities. 

Public Relations Committee Guy Hansen/Ken Malcolm, Public Relations Committee

NEARLY 60 YEARS AGO If you have ever taught, then for sure you have embedded in your collection of teaching memories . . . a few special moments that you should submit to our “TEACHERS’ ANTHOLOGY".

This could be about the first apple on your desk, ponytails in inkwells, teaching at age 17, having to tell your superintendent of your pregnancy, how you spent your first pay cheque.

The possibilities for these stories are as endless as our memories of teaching. Submit your stories, there are so many which need to be written down.

Enter as many as you want, your students and children will thank you.

So PR needs your stories, and PR also needs more committee members. It’s kind of fun. Consider. Ken Malcolm, for the Public Relations Committee Here are two cheerful submissions from Dennis Storozinski, Dauphin.

1963 - 1964: Armit School In my one room school the janitor came in early in the evening to clean the school and to bring water for the school and my teacherage. In September, the library and paper storage cupboards soon showed evidence of a mouse problem. The janitor

10 n RTAM KIT Winter 2020

and I would set out bait and gather up blackboard brushes on the front desks and wait quietly. Our targets soon came out for a snack and we had a friendly competition to see who could hit the most mice with the brushes.

Traps were later set in the cupboards and early next morning it was my job to check our trapline before the students arrived for classes.

1964 - 1966: Amaranth School I moved to Amaranth School for the next two years. This school had a very talented janitor with a unique lifestyle. He appeared to be semi-homeless; he would make his home in the staff room of the school for the cold winter months. After he had completed his cleaning duties, he had his supper and then got out his fiddle.

When the teachers discovered his routine they would go over to the school after dark, leave the hall lights off and quietly prepare their lessons for the next day. They worked while they listened to the beautiful fiddle music echoing through the halls. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Communications Sub-Committee KIT Report Doreen Sage, Editor-In-Chief

T

he September issue of KIT was published on time and had more pages than usual, thanks to some very interesting submissions from Committee Chairs and Chapters. These submissions dealt with their expeiences dealing with COVID-19. Since I was not able to meet person-to-person with the publisher, editing and arranging the issue took many hours extra hours on

a laptop and phone.

The photo contest had a good number of entries and the results are in this issue.

At my request, Denise sent out reminders to Committee Chairs and Chapter Presidents reminding them of the next deadline for KIT and encouraging them to submit material for publication. 

What’s Up With Pensions?

Alison Logan, Chair

T

he RTAM Pension Committee has met, via Zoom, twice, since our AGM. The continued monitoring of our Pension drives our agenda.

To that end, plans are going ahead to reach out to all three leaders of Manitoba’s political parties.

Our pursuit of an RTAM representative on the TRAF Board remains steadfast. In conversation with

The Manitoba Federation of Labour, our attention was drawn to their website where a presentation regarding pensions that was made to Government is available for reading. The federal ACER-CART organization also unveiled their new website on October 15, 2020. 

Dear Prestige Travel customer:

W

e are pleased to announce that effective October 1, 2020 medical coverage under your Prestige Travel policy will include COVID-19 for the remainder of your current policy term and with your new Prestige Travel policy beginning April 1, 2021.

Although coverage for eligible medical expenses is now available, we strongly encourage customers to review the Government of Canada travel advisories before booking and travelling. Return transportation options and availability of medical care may become very limited outside Canada.

Your Prestige Travel policy now provides coverage for travel to areas outside Canada where travel advisories due to COVID-19 may still be in place. Please carefully review the details of the modifications to your Prestige Travel policy, which can be downloaded, printed and saved by going to www.johnson.ca

Trip Cancellation and Interruption coverage remains in place, and is currently available for COVID-19 related cancellations if your trip was booked prior to the travel advisories being issued.

However, as of April 1, 2021, Trip Cancellation and Interruption coverage related to COVID-19 will not be available for any travel bookings made since the March 2020 travel advisories. Customers who have not made a trip cancellation claim for bookings made prior to the pandemic should refer to their policy to understand timelines to submit a claim, as travel advisory changes by the Government of Canada may impact claim eligibility.

We value your patronage and hope that you and your family are staying safe and well.  RTAM.MB.CA n 11

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Benefits Committee Report Pat Bowslaugh, Chair

A

s Chair of the RTAM Benefits Committee I am thrilled to report that our committee of six includes two brand new retirees. We welcome Shannon Culbertson and Dave Najduch with their lists of new perspectives as well as Joan Rink who is a veteran having served on other RTAM committees. Brian Paterson, Bill Cann and Pat Bowslaugh round out our contingent which has been very busy operating via the zoom platform.

At our two meetings we have endeavoured to forge forward in spite of COVID-19. It is easy to see that COVID-19 has had a very negative impact on some of our benefit packages.

For example, when COVID-19 started its scourge in March many of our Snowbirds were in the sunny south!

Johnson, Inc. worked hard to encourage our travellers to hasten home to safety. In addition Johnson staff was faced with hundreds upon hundreds of trip cancellation claims.

Thank you to those who maintained patience as Johnson’s overloaded staff waded through the mounds of claims. Our contact , Jessica Simpson, reported that it was early June when the surge of claims were close to being completed.

The next situation was the recognition that the borders were closed and travel had virtually ground to a haunt. Again, on our behalf, Johnson Inc. arranged for our Prestige Travel premiums to be suspended; Prestige Travel plan members were excused from their premiums for four months beginning with September and ending in December.

Premiums will start again on January 1, 2021.

It is important to note that Johnson has

updated its policies regarding COVID. You are strongly encouraged to read your contracts and if you have any questions please call Johnson at 1-877- 989- 2600. It is imperative that you have the correct information.

We have just completed our discussions with Johnson regarding our premiums for Extended Health Care, Dental and Travel which will begin with the renewal date of April1, 2021. While the details have to be confirmed with our insurance carriers before we can disclose the details, your committee feels very strongly that you will be pleased with the upcoming rates.

We had been very excited during our last term to introduce Trip Merchant to you. Again, with COVID weaving its nasty web travelling has been negatively impacted. Please check the RTAM web pages to participate in the Trip Merchant offerings. They are trying to maintain our hopes while attempting to gauge when travel will once again be viable.

Our plea to you, our precious 10 000 members, is to help us find another 7000 retirees who are not our members. We know that our brochures and other information to raise awareness of this organization was compromised this year because of COVID. So we beg of you to please try and check with former colleagues to verify if they are members and encourage them to join. The annual fee is $36.00 or $3.00 a month. It is deducted at source through TRAF. Non TRAF members are invoiced from our office.

As we enter this Red Level of COVID we pray for your safety throughout these very stressful times.

Take care! Stay safe! 

Your RTAM Benefits Committee works hard to listen to your needs in order to create our packages. While we have several plans the most popular/most used plans are Extended Health Care, Dental Care and Prestige Travel. We also have home insurance. You will find these packages to be very eclectic in coverages and very competitive in premium costs. Check us out and call Johnson, Inc to join any one of these options and to ensure your coverages.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Lest We Forget Pat Bowslaugh, On behalf of Public Relations Committee

I

t has been the habit of Westman Retired Educators’ Association to annually participate in the very large Remembrance Day Service at our Keystone Centre in Brandon. Due to COVID-19 and its accompanying threats, planners had to forgo this event of respect and remembrance. As an alternative our Legion held a private, by invitation only, event.

Fortunately it was televised to allow thousands to participate in the virtual program.

Westman Retired Educators Association

arranged with RTAM’s Public Relations Committee to continue participating in this Remembrance Service by having a wreath laid in memory of those lives sacrificed throughout the many wars that have resulted in allowing us in Canada to enjoy the freedoms which are ours.

Accompanying this explanation is a copy of the program created by the Legion.

Please note that the RTAM PR Committee is prepared to support all Chapters in participating in such a Remembrance Event in future years. 

Orange Shirt Day Pat Bowslaugh

O

ne of the stories, seemingly minor to some, has become a significant benchmark in understanding the indiscretions of situations from the distant past.

The specifics of this story hinge on items from the days of the Residential Schools. In this particular story a little girl, Phyllis Webstad, was about to be taken to begin her life in such a facility.

Her Grandmother, whom she loved dearly, and who was feeling bereaved with the pending departure of her precious grandchild, had chosen a beautiful bright orange shirt as a gift for her to wear and remember her Grandma’s love.

The story could have ended here but that did not happen. Upon her arrival at the St. Joseph’s Mission in B.C. proudly wearing Grandma's lovely orange

shirt, the staff of the facility quickly ripped from her body her precious belonging which was never to be seen again.

Each of us go through life with memories that are a challenge to bear. We try so hard to forgive those transgressions made upon us as well as hope for forgiveness for the transgressions we have created.

From this situation of recognizing past incidents, an act of reconciliation, beginning in 2013, has come the creation of Orange Shirt Day. We cannot change the past but with empathy and understanding we can protect ourselves from future transgressions. We are blessed with one of our reminders each September 30, when schools across Canada participate in an Orange Shirt Day. This day is a reminder that “every child matters.”  RTAM.MB.CA n 13

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Student Award Winners Peggy Prendergast, Chair, Student Awards Committee

T

RTAM members with a passion for education have sponsored these future leaders of our country.

14 n RTAM KIT Winter 2020

he RTAM Endowment Fund that was established with $50,000 in 2013 at the Winnipeg Foundation provided four $500 awards that year. This year, four $1000 awards were presented to four Grade 12 graduates who are relatives of the RTAM members who were their sponsors. Scholarship, school involvement and community volunteer endeavours were the criteria used by the committee that evaluated the sixty applications that were received this year.

The seeming magic of compounding has increased the fund over the past seven years as well as the generosity of RTAM members who have donated to the fund, often in memoriam for a friend or relative, or who have chosen to remember RTAM with a donation in their will. A total of thirty four young people with life and education goals for their future have benefitted financially from this RTAM endeavor over the past seven years. However on average 50 students a year, or at least 350 students have benefitted from the interest their parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle has shown them in believing in them enough to sponsor them for this award and encouraging them in their quest for further knowledge. RTAM members with a passion for education have sponsored these future leaders of our country. Congratulations! You are leaving a “Legacy of Learning.” Our website www.rtam.mn.ca will give anyone interested in joining this group of our membership with this vision, direction on how to donate. All donations are tax deductible.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

RTAM 2020 Student Award Winners RTAM is pleased to congratulate the following winners and their sponsors for 2020: Award Winner

Location

Sponsor

Relationship

Toni Koshowski

Dauphin

Nadia Yakielashek

Grandmother

Shanaya McMillan

St. Francois Xavier

Sylvia E. Sweetland

Grandmother

Serena Werbowesky

Winnipeg

Yvonne Crampton

Grandmother

Mollie Wheeler

Morden

George O. Turner

Grandfather

Toni Koshowski

Shanaya McMillan

Serena Werbowesky

Mollie Wheeler

Toni Koshowski

Serena Werbowesky

I am attending the University of Calgary and my plans include, completing my Bachelor of Science Honours with a major in Neuroscience and then continuing on to study medicine. I am hoping to explore more educational opportunities while completing my undergraduate degree. I hope to continue to be involved in volunteering through sport in some capacity, continue playing hockey as well as become involved in student groups on campus.

Having completed my IB Diploma at Miles Macdonnell Collegiate, I have chosen to do my first degree in my home city of Winnipeg, in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Manitoba. I plan to explore different areas of mathematical research with summer jobs, and I have already completed one summer experience researching non-standard base systems and matrix operations, under Dr. Robert Craigen. After completing an Honours degree in Pure Mathematics, I plan to continue on with graduate studies in mathematics at another university, one possibility being the University of Waterloo.

Shanaya McMillan Over the next four years, I plan to complete an Honours degree in Computer Science at the University of Manitoba while maintaining involvement in extracurricular activities. After graduation, I am not yet certain of my career path, but I am interested in working with artificial intelligence or software development. I’m thankful to the teachers in my life who helped me accomplish the things that I have. There were a few of them who made a large impact on my decisions in high school that will carry into university.

Mollie Wheeler I am enrolled at the University of Lethbridge in a combined degree program. This next year I am doing my courses online from my home in Morden, MB, but look forward to moving west next fall! My plan is to graduate with a Bachelor of Science, with a major in Mathematics, as well as a Bachelor of Education. The combined degree program will allow me to graduate to teach high school math and physics courses. I am so thankful for this opportunity from the Retired Teachers’ Association and for my grandpa for helping me apply.

RTAM.MB.CA n 15

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Responses we received from the RTAM members who sponsored the 2014 Award winners and what they are doing after graduating from University.

Alexandra Magas Submitted by Shirley Augustine (grandmother) After graduating from River East Collegiate in 2014, Alexandra enrolled in a first year program of studies preparatory to studying to be a psychologist.

The monies received enabled her to finance her university year; she did very well. After her first year Alexandra decided to take a year off from studies to travel – travelling to Spain, Portugal and Morocco. In August 2016, Alexandra started a position as a nanny in Melbourne, Australia; once the position ended she worked at other jobs to finance a trip around Australia. Alexandra also travelled to New Zealand, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.

Returning to Canada in November 2017, Alexandra enrolled in a beginner French language course; in January 2020 she was enrolled in an intermediate level at UBC. In April 2018 Alexandra travelled to Antwerp, Belgium to work and immerse herself in the culture.

She enrolled in a course to learn Dutch through a government grant program. After completing two levels and using what she learned she worked as a waitress; she also progressed to reading books in Dutch and watching Dutch films.

Because of the experiences learned from her sampling of the world, Alexandra has chosen to change her focus of study to International Relations.

She is currently enrolled in a four year program of Global Relations at UBC. Upon completion of this degree, she plans on taking a Masters Program at some university yet to be decided.

Shirley Augustine (grandmother) sent a further letter dated January 14, 2020 after contacting her granddaughter Alexandra Magas asking her for “a chronological order of the happenings in her life since here graduation from high school.” The following is the account sent.

My grand daughter, Alexandra Magas, has been on

16 n RTAM KIT Winter 2020

a very interesting and exciting life journey since her graduation from River East Collegiate in June of 2015.

She was a very fortunate young lady to be the recipient of one of the RTAM Scholarships. She received other scholarships that year as well, including an entrance one for the U of W. In September of 2015, she enrolled in ta first year program of studies preparatory to studying to be a psychologist. The monies received enabled her to finance her university year. She did very well.

At the end of term, however, she decided to take a year off from studying and do some travelling.

It began with a two week adventure tour of Costa Rica. Then it was a longer tour of Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. In August of 2016, she applied for a position as nanny to a family in Melbourne, Australia. She was granted a work visa for one year. When the six month nanny term ended, she worked at many and various jobs to finance the next part of the plan. She wanted to explore Australia extensively and managed to circumvent the continent in a camper van. We, her family, back home in Canada, followed the progress of this trip closely by means of maps and texting. Next she visited and explored New Zealand, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and spent an extensive period of time in Sri Lanka and Myanmar.

Returning to Canada in November of 2017, she enrolled in a beginner French language course with Alliance Francaise du Manitoba. She is currently taking the intermediate level at UBC. In April 2018, she travelled to Antwerp, Belgium to work and immerse herself in the culture of that country. She was enrolled in a course to learn the Dutch language through a government grant program called Atlas Integrate en Invurgering Antarrpen. After completing two levels she was able to work in a restaurant as a Dutch speaking server. She progressed to reading books in Dutch and to enjoy watching Dutch films.

COMMITTEE REPORTS The experience of travel and immersion in Dutch language courses and culture sparked an interest and desire to learn more about the world and its people beyond the borders of her home country Canada.

She say: (quote): “There is so much to see, and to learn, and to do, out there!” She believes that it is the responsibility of all world citizens to make this world of ours a better, safer, and healthier place to live.

Because of the experiences learned from her sampling of the world, Alexandra has chosen to change her focus of study to International Relations. She says (quote): “I want to promote ethical values, perspectives, and practices to enable all people to have better living conditions with a safe and sound future. I have learned so much but I want to learn more.”

Alexandra is currently enrolled in a four year program of Global Relations at UBC. Upon completion of this degree, she plans on taking a Masters Program at some university yet to be decided. It was not an easy journey since that decision in the spring of 2016 to take one year off from studying. That one year turned into three eventful years. She had to work long hours to finance the travels, but, in her words, (quote): “It was all worth it!” It won’t be an easy journey either over the next four years but I am sure in the end she will conclude that it, too, was all worth it!

Alexandra has grown into a mature young woman who thrives on the love of learning. Graduation day in June of 2015 marked the beginning of a new path of learning. Our entire family has supported her choices and celebrated her many accomplishments and will continue to do so as she “travels” into a promising future.

As the Student Award Committee Chair, I would like to add that I am sure all of RTAM also celebrates this family’s success in encouraging this love of learning in this young person’s life. Isn’t that what we wish for all our former students and all our young relatives?

Taneisha Dumas Submitted by sponsor Elizabeth Michalot (grandmother) My granddaughter, Taneisha Dumas, found her award beneficial as it helped her achieve her dream

of becoming a nurse.

Taneisha graduated from the University of Manitoba in June 2019 with a Bachelor of Nursing degree and wrote her national exam (NCLEX) getting her Registered Nursing status. She is currently working at the Children’s Hospital in Winnipeg and thoroughly enjoying it.

Nicholas Bonin Submitted by sponsor Pat Vandal (grandmother) Nicholas went on after school to become a Page in the House of Commons. At that time he completed an Arts degree. Upon returning to Winnipeg he attended St. Boniface University and completed a Bachelor of Education. He graduated in June 2019 and is presently teaching Grade 6 in a full time position.

The RTAM Student Awards fund allowed him to pursue his education and achieve his goal of becoming a teacher.

Halle Hayhurst Submitted by sponsor Al Robertson Since receiving the RTAM Student Award, my granddaughter Halle Hayhurst has graduated from the University of Manitoba and is currently attending law school at the University of Nebraska College of Law. With the help of scholarships, Halle was able to avoid much of the financial stress associated with attending post-secondary education and focus on her studies. Because of that, she was able to receive a Bachelor of Science General degree with focuses in Biology and Microbiology in 2019. While completing her science degree, Halle determined that she wanted to pursue a legal career. Once on that path, she completed the LSAT and applied to three schools: the University of Manitoba, the University of Saskatchewan, and the University of Nebraska. She was accepted to all three programs but ultimately decided to leave her alma mater and join the University of Nebraska, which offered a scholarship to cover her tuition. Currently, in her second of three years, she is enjoying her courses and has completed one summer as a law clerk with Baird Holm LLP in Omaha, also accepting the same position for next summer. 

RTAM.MB.CA n 17

Trip Merchant Ryan Mikucki

RTAM members are reminded to sign up to the RTAM/Trip Merchant Travel Newsletter which comes out quite frequently. It can be found on the RTAM Website or on the RTAM/Trip Merchant website (rtam.tripmerchant.ca). The newsletter always features the latest in travel options and offers, for when travel is safe to do so and based on your comfort level. Travel is still allowed within Canada and even for some destinations

internationally; however, with its restrictions.

Upcoming Webinars are also featured in the Newsletter. The password to enter your RTAM Travel site is RTAMTM18. Book with confidence options are available with flexible/refundable deposits for some travel destinations with various Trip Merchant supplier partners. Even if you are not a traveller, it is something to do during these days of 'red' lockdown in Manitoba.

Win A 7-Night Beach Getaway In Placencia, Belize With Trip Merchant!

T

rip Merchant provides RTAM members with a variety of travel options with exclusive travel savings and additional benefits, such as their Loyalty Program and Trip Contests!

You better Belize-it! Belize is growing in popularity and has opened it doors for tourism once again (with certain health & safety protocols of course)! The culture, Mayan ruins, the beaches, the islands, the biodiversity, the jungle landscape - there are many reasons why you would want to travel to this beautiful destination.

Trip Merchant has partnered with Muy’Ono Resorts and The Placencia Resort in Belize to provide you with the opportunity to win a 7-Night Beach Getaway in Placencia, Belize! For more information about The Placencia Resort, type in this link https://rtam. tripmerchant.ca/the-placencia-resort-belize/ This Belize contest closes on January 31st, 2021.

In order to enter the contest, you must be an RTAM member and an RTAM/Trip Merchant Travel Newsletter Subscriber. Visit the contest page below to enter, including where to sign up for the travel newsletter.

Type in this link https://rtam.tripmerchant.ca/

18 n RTAM KIT Winter 2020

the-placencia-resort-belize-contest/ Interested in staying at this resort? Trip Merchant has negotiated a 15% savings for members to take advantage of for future travel. Visit The Placencia Resort, Belize page above for more information.

COVID-19 Update: Trip Merchant has been providing consistent updates as it relates to COVID-19. For the most current updates, please visit your RTAM travel site. Health and safety of Trip Merchant’s travellers is their number one concern.

While we understand the seriousness of COVID-19, eventually we will be able to travel again. It is not a matter of if we will, but more so when and how we will travel going forward. We recognize that there is hesitation when it comes to booking travel at the moment and they are continuing to work behind the scenes to provide great opportunities and deals for future travel experiences.

For more information, visit your RTAM/ Trip Merchant travel site today at https:// rtam.tripmerchant.ca// (Password for Access: RTAMTM18) or contact Trip Merchant at info@ tripmerchant.com / 1-800-481-9739. 

Manitoba Alpha Delta Kappa Biennial Recognition Award of Excellence 2020 The Manitoba Alpha Delta Kappa Biennial Recognition Award recognizes achievement, contribution to education and benefits to school and community.

Submitted by RWTA members Arlene Billeck & Pat Opalko for Sheila Stark-Perreault, MB Alpha Delta Kappa President 2020-2022

O

n behalf of all Alpha Delta Kappa sisters in Manitoba, we are honoured to award Sue Marlatt, Manitoba AΔK President-Elect for 2020 - 2022, the Manitoba Provincial Biennial Recognition Award of Excellence for 2020.

Sue is a dynamo. She is talented, creative, positive, caring, full of energy, a sister and leader. She is a loving wife, a protective mother to three adult children, a devoted daughter, a caring sister, a warm friend and an inspirational mentor and educator.

A little about Sue, let me add that she is a multitasker. Presently, Sue is a Faculty Advisor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Winnipeg. She has a Master’s Degree in Education with the focus on Inclusion. She is a strong advocate of parent-child connection with school, a strong believer in inclusive education, multiage learning, restitution, with a strong belief in the reading writing connection tied to authentic experiences. Regie Routman, North American author and educational leader and literacy coach, spent a number weeks in residency a few years back mentoring and guiding Strathmillan teachers and principal Sue. In quoting from Regie’s book “Literacy Essentials” Regie writes “It was a great privilege to teach, coach, and lead alongside Sue.” Regie continues, “An exceptional and visionary principal, Sue Marlatt and staff established an intellectual, trusting and joyful school culture.”

In St. James-Assiniboia School Division, Sue started her career working with special needs students and continued on as a Special Needs Integration Resource Teacher, a grade two teacher and a PIA. She has been the Division’s Math Coordinator, the Language Arts Coordinator establishing Learning Communities surrounding literacy development and assisted schools in establishing Literacy Labs, a vice principal at

Strathmillan and principal at Brooklands and Strathmillan Schools Her awards include: • “Yes, I Can Outstanding Teacher Award” 1995 • Nominated for the Lieutenant Governor’s Outstanding Teacher Award in 1997 • “Canada’s Outstanding Principal, Learning Partnership Recognition” 2009, • and named “Outstanding Principal of the Year” across Canada in 2013.

Sue has led professional development workshops locally & internationally. She presented in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2016, for the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Her topic was “Achieving the Unexpected: Creating Schools where all Learners thrive.”

Sue is a leader in her global community. As principal she, along with her staff, encouraged/ inspired the students and, I might add, parents to care for their community at home and abroad.

An example I remember was when her student leadership group chose to fundraise to buy a goat for a village in Africa. The idea was that students would donate coin for this project and each classroom would be represented on a bar graph.

Each day the students would check the graph in the front hall near the office and go home to tell their family they needed more coin so their classroom on the graph would be the ‘tallest’. In the end, to everyone’s surprise, when the coins were counted, they had enough money to buy 12 goats.

As a leader in the community, Sue is very involved in her church. Presently, she is president of the altar guild at St. Andrews Anglican Church.

She and her church group have organized and participated in Souper Sundays, fun Old Fashion Next page → RTAM.MB.CA n 19

Manitoba Alpha Delta . . . continued from page 19 Hoedown Evening, Fun at Halloween Days, and Hamper projects.

She is conscious of keeping well and fit. I experienced that the first day I ever taught at Strathmillan when at one minute after 12 she rolled the television out from her classroom to the hall, put on a video tape and did her yoga or exercised for 30 minutes! Now, during her days, you will find her walking with her husband and grand dogs her ten thousand steps.

Sue has many hobbies . . . learning to quilt with her close friends, crafting and making cards weekly with

her mom and sisters, photography and gardening.

Did I mention she is also an art collector!

Sue has stepped right up to take a leadership role in Alpha Delta Kappa and all sisters are benefitting from her ideas and kind leadership. She is a member of MB AΔK Beta chapter, is a past president of Beta chapter and presently is Manitoba President Elect and Membership Consultant for Manitoba Alpha Delta Kappa. On behalf of all sisters in Manitoba, may I present Sue with the Biennium Award of Excellence for 2020. 

Editor's note: Sue is a member of RTAM.

In Memoriam February 2019 Catherine Thexton – Winnipeg, MB December 2019 Sharon Freed – Winnipeg, MB The above RTAM members who passed, were regretfully missed from previous editions of KIT. We sincerely apologize to the families.

May 2020 Lorraine Genaille – The Pas, MB July 2020 Norma Jonasson - Brandon, MB

Life Members August 2020 Lois Anne Forsberg – Brandon, MB Janet B. Lundman – Victoria, BC Joan M. L. Madden – Winnipeg, MB Janyt Zemlak – Surrey, BC September 2020 Phyllis Briercliffe – Pinawa, MB Myrtle Hughes – Portage la Prairie, MB 20 n RTAM KIT Winter 2020

August 2020 Marie E. Brasher – Winnipeg, MB Lawrence G. Carriere – Winnipeg, MB Roger E. Cathcart – Winnipeg, MB Vona E. Cochrane – Brandon, MB Alvin N. Cooper – Winnipeg, MB Shirley M. Cummins – Brandon, MB David W. Frye – Winnipeg, MB Peter J. Klewchuk – West Kelowna, BC William M. Kotelko – Stonewall, MB John D. Maw – Brandon, MB Elizabeth M. Nathu – Winnipeg, MB Patricia H. Ojah – Winnipeg, MB S. M. Wasi Rizvi – Oakville, ON Mark R. Singleton – Winnipeg, MB Doris M. Stone – Brandon, MB Joan V. Trump – Winnipeg, MB

September 2020 Barbara A. Sarson – Winnipeg, MB Carolyn L. Crippen – Victoria, BC Keith P. Tataryn – Winnipeg, MB Mary Ann Monkman – Woodmore, MB Mary C. Lutes – Winnipeg, MB Alex Kreshewski – Swan River, MB

(Presented at age 90 to RTAM members)

Sheila Purvis – Red Deer, AB Kenneth B. Tully – Parksville, BC October 2020 Elizabeth F. Brownlee – Winnipeg, MB Mary E. Cartlidge – Selkirk, MB Martha P. Colquhoun – Winnipeg, MB Herbert H. Hoehne – Minitonas, MB Surendra M. Mehta – Toronto, ON

Rudy Pauls – Winnipeg, MB S. Saul Rifkin – Winnipeg, MB Marie T. Vigier – Winnipeg, MB Norma V. Wiebe – Brandon, MB

CHAPTER REPORTS

DARTA - Re-organization Report Joyce McGinnis

D

auphin Area Retired Teachers’ Association held their re-organization meeting on Tuesday, October 20 at the Watson Art Centre. This was a new location for our group as our former home, the Mountain View School Division Office, was no longer available to us. With social distancing, face masks, and hand sanitizer in place we were able to accommodate 25 people at our meeting.

Since Covid-19 has changed everyone’s life, so too did our breakfast buffet have to change to individually wrapped cinnamon buns or muffins and coffee served by one person.

Those present at our meeting felt safe and agreed this would be our new normal for the time being.

We have had to cancel our November meeting since being put into the orange zone. The number of meetings we will be able to hold will depend on what our zone rating is each month. 

Swan Valley Retired Teachers' Association

Chapter Report Henry Barkowsk, President

O

ur AGM, generally held in March, was finally held in October. We received reports and elected our executive as follows: Past President: Aldrich Novotny; President: Henry Barkowski; Vice Presiden: Ed Richenhaller; Secretary: Jean Keillor; Treasurer: Aldrich Novotny We average about 20 members annually. Some of our usual activity was suspended due to the pandemic. We continue to volunteer to deliver Meals on Wheels in the community. Our annual Northwest Roundup and Fair was cancelled but we continue to support funding for prizes of student artwork as well as judging Remembrance Day posters and poems. We will lay a wreath in a much scaled back Remembrance Day Service. We are planning our annual Christmas luncheon which will be held at Wellman Lake Resort in the Duck Mountain Provincial Park.

Our regular meetings for 27 years were hosted at Walter and Myrna Zinkiew's home which has a nice scenic setting overlooking the Swan River and has the capabiity of accommodating groups for meals

and meetings. Walter, a retired teacher, would asist Myrna, a retired nurse, in the meal preparation which had great variety of offering and home cooked flavour.

This was a labour of love as we were the only group for which they catered to in the last few years. Walter is soon 90 years old and Myrna is somewhat more youthful. They wanted to continue this service for our chapter, but their children persuaded them to retire from this enterprise.

As we enter a new era, we extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to Walter and Myrna for the many years of hosting and catering excellent meals to us. As our gatherings are open to our spouses, they will both be able to participate in a much more relaxed manner.

As a chapter, we continue to monitor the welfare of our retired teachers, update them with RTAM communications and other matters of interest, and look for ways of contributing to our communities collectively or individually.

We continue to seek ideas and ways to engage more of our retired colleagues.  RTAM.MB.CA n 21

CHAPTER REPORTS

Life Re-Zooms in WREA Rick Oakden, President, Westman Retired Educators’ Association 2020-21

T

he Westman Retired Educators’ Association, like other RTAM chapters, has struggled to maintain the organization during the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the last eight months, or so, we have used the online Zoom platform to host our Executive and planning meetings and have adapted to Zoom with some success. Hopefully, other chapters are already using Zoom, but if not, we encourage you to try it out.

We have learned a few things about Zoom that I will share. Yes, it is ‘free’ and can be used without fees, but that requires reconnecting after the forty minute limit for meetings held gratis. Once all members have re-Zoomed, you can continue the discussion. Currently, if cut-off after forty minutes, members can re-enter the meeting by clicking again on the invitational link they received to enter the first time. It is likely best to have a paid, Zoom membership which allows meetings of any length.

Some tips: Before the meeting • email your agenda to participants before the meeting • stay close to your Wi-Fi router for best results • turn off nearby radios, TV’s, cellphones or other noisemaking devices • turn up the speaker volume and the microphone volume on your device before you start • place your camera carefully to show you squareon (like the CNN hosts & guests) • sit in lighting that allows your face to be clearly seen • use a device with the largest screen you can (to see more people at the meeting) • schedule at least one ‘comfort break’ • During the meeting • use either your own hand-wave to signal you want to talk or use the Zoom on-screen hand symbol • wait for your host to cue you to speak • remember to unmute yourself before speaking • expect some odd pauses and slight delays in transmission

22 n RTAM KIT Winter 2020

• be brief • stay on topic • help your leader to keep the discussion relevant and flowing The Host of the Zoom meeting, likely the chapter President, will need to become familiar with Zoom.

If hosting a meeting for the first time, you may want to try a test run by hosting a mini-meeting with one friend to work out the kinks. If you are using the ‘Waiting Room’ feature, remember, the host has to let the invitees in by ‘Admitting’ them one at a time.

The host should also learn how to mute and unmute all participants.

Curious? Start by Googling ‘Zoom.ca’ and register for an account. Then open your account, find the “Meeting” tab, click, find the “Personal Rooms” tab, click, and then find “Start”, click. Wait a few seconds for it to load and then start exploring the features of Zoom. You are in a private meeting with yourself, but could invite someone to join you by sending them an ‘invitation’. Explore … you will figure it out.

WREA is planning to hold its first ever “WREA Christmas Concert” in December 2020 by using the Zoom platform! The initial planning was done at a Zoom meeting in early November, and, hopefully, when you read this many of WREA’s members will have enjoyed sharing Christmas stories, anecdotes, songs and even a visit from Santa, all while Zooming at home and being COVID-cautious! 

RETIRED TEACHERS’

ASSOCIATION OF MANITOBA

P HOTO G RAPH Y CONT EST S UMMER 2020

JUDGES Chairman: Gayl Punzalan John Mark Aquino Shyrill Aquino Marie Yasmin Concepcion Elianna Grace Santos

The "NATURE" category will be showcased in the Spring 2021 issue of KIT.

24 n RTAM KIT Winter 2020

CATEGORY: LINES

RTAM.MB.CA n 25

26 n RTAM KIT Winter 2020

RTAM.MB.CA n 27

RTAM

Photography CONTEST KIT Editorial Committee

WINTER 2021 PHOTO CONTEST The two categories are:

• Tell A Story Using Small Toys (or pets) and Snow: You can use small toys or your pets to tell your own stories. Whatever you do, find ways to make the toys interact with the surrounding snow. If your pet loves spending time outdoors in the winter, you’re in luck!

Adorable pet photos are always in demand.

You can turn your pet portraits into stunning works of art every time you go out. You can use colourful outfits and accessories to make your photos stand out. See samples at https://rtam.mb.ca/samples

• Make the Most of Christmas Photography Using Items You Love: For many people, one of the highlights of winter is Christmas. All the reds and greens are a breath of fresh air during this gloomy season. Even if you’re not a fan of shooting in the cold weather, you’ll love taking Christmas-themed photos. Take photos of the things you love about Christmas! This can be your favourite seasonal beverage, your family’s decorating skills, a childhood memory, etc. See samples at https://rtam.mb.ca/samples

PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS The contest has two categories, with a first and second place being awarded in each category.

First place winners receive $25 and second place winners receive $15.

An overall winner will also be picked, with a prize of $40.

Judging by Gayl Punzalan Creative Director of Blue Ink Media and a team of photography enthusiasts Full contest rules and entry forms available at www.rtam.mb.ca and at the RTAM office.

All entries to be sent by mail, email, or delivered to RTAM no later than Friday, April 2, 2021,4:00 p.m.

28 n RTAM KIT Winter 2020

RETIRED TEACHERS’

RTAM Winter 2021 Photo Contest Official Entry and Release Form

ASSOCIATION OF MANITOBA

A copy of this form must be completed for each entry submitted to the photo contest. Photos cannot be entered into more than one category. Complete Photo Contest Rules are posted on the RTAM Website (see below).

NAME ADDRESS CITY

PROVINCE

POSTAL CODE

TELEPHONE

EMAIL

PHOTOGRAPH TITLE Please check:

❏ Tell A Story Using Small Toys (or pets) and Snow

❏ Make the Most of Christmas Photography Using Items You Love

You can use small toys or your pets to tell your own stories.

Whatever you do, find ways to make the toys interact with the surrounding snow. If your pet loves spending time outdoors in the winter, you’re in luck! Adorable pet photos are always in demand. You can turn your pet portraits into stunning works of art every time you go out. You can use colourful outfits and accessories to make your photos stand out.

For many people, one of the highlights of winter is Christmas.

All the reds and greens are a breath of fresh air during this gloomy season. Even if you’re not a fan of shooting in the cold weather, you’ll love taking Christmas-themed photos. Take photos of the things you love about Christmas! This can be your favourite seasonal beverage, your family’s decorating skills, a childhood memory, etc.

I hereby grant permission to the Retired Teachers’ Association (RTAM) to use / edit / reuse my photograph in any and all of its publications and on its website.

• •

•

I agree to abide by the RTAM Photo Contest rules as set forth by RTAM and posted on the RTAM Website and in KIT.

By signing this release form, I acknowledge that I have completely read and understand what this permission signifies.

There is no time limit on the validity of this release.

I confirm that I am a member in good standing of RTAM.

ENTRY DEADLINE

Name in Print / Signature / Date Signed

April 2, 2021 at 4:00 P.M.

RTAM Photo Contest Rules Submission Requirements: Print Entries: • All entries sent must have an image which is no smaller than 5” x 7” or larger than 12” x 12”. Square formatted images will be accepted provided that they are not smaller than 7” x 7” or larger than 12” x 12”. Panoramic photos will not be accepted.

• Matted or framed photos will not be accepted.

• Photo titles are mandatory, must be written on the back of prints and match the title on the Contest Official Entry Form.

• Send to 206-1555 St. James St., Winnipeg, MB R3H 1B5

Electronic Entries: • Electronic photos can also be emailed to office@rtam.mb.ca. The covering email or file name must include the photo title which must match the title on the Contest Official Entry Form. Electronic photos will be printed by RTAM for judging purposes.

Please read the full contest rules at https://rtam.mb.ca/rtam-media/ photo-contest

RTAM.MB.CA n 29

NOTICES & COMING EVENTS

The RTAM Photo Contest:

A History Joan Dawson, Member, RTAM Board of Directors

T RETIRED TEACHERS’

ASSOCIATION OF MANITOBA

RTAM Presents

PRE-RETIREMENT SEMINARS Two Virtual Pre-Retirement Seminars will be held, via Zoom: Saturday March 6, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. and Saturday March 20, 2021.

To register for a seminar, please contact RTAM at: Phone: 204-889-3660 Toll Free: 1-888-393-8082 Email: info@rtam.mb.ca

We look forward to your attendance at one of these seminars.

Winnipeg Normal School Class of '54

Hold the Date: Friday, September 17, 2021, 11:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. at Canad Inn Polo Park, Winnipeg Celebrating 67th Reunion. This will be the 12th Reunion for this class. For further information contact: Mary Starodub, Winnipeg: 204-889-6046 Morris Demkiw, Winnipeg: 204-832-5413. Also watch KIT for further information. - Mary and Morris

McCreary Homecoming August 2021

Former teachers and students of McCreary School are invited to attend a Tea at the school, the long weekend of August 2021, in the afternoon. School tours will be available.

30 n RTAM KIT Winter 2020

he Photo Contest was first introduced in the Spring KIT 2016. The contest was initiated by Doreen Sage (KIT editor) to encourage member involvement in KIT and possibly to create a library of photos that could be used in KIT. A subcommittee of the KIT committee has responsibility for the management of the Photo Contest. There have been two contests a year since then with varying levels of success. One contest is announced as the Winter Contest and the other one is the Summer Contest. They have had 2 categories with a first and second place being awarded in each category. First place winners receive $25 and second place winners receive $15. The committee is adding a new award category of Overall Winner with a prize of $40.

Contest participation has varied over the years. The 2020 Summer Photo Contest received 115 entries, the largest participation so far. Our judge, Gayl Punzalan, has noticed that the quality of the photo entries has been improving with every contest. The photos in the latest contest were extremely difficult to judge due to the many wonderful photos sent in. She is very impressed and is looking forward to the next contest where our themes will be Snow and Christmas.

She says that the snow category will be challenging as it is difficult to get the right lighting to show off the many shades that snow can be and to get the contrast just right. This could be a picture of snow on items, snow falling, snow at any time of the day or night or whatever you like as long as it’s snow.

One of the highlights of winter is Christmas. All the reds and greens are a breath of fresh air during this gloomy season.

Gayl challenges us to take photos of the things we love about Christmas. This can be your favourite seasonal beverage or food, your decorating skills, a childhood memory, etc.

One of the challenges of the twice yearly contest is the choosing of new and different themes. We are asking for help from all of you with this. Please send in your ideas for themes that you would like us to feature. Your suggestions will be compiled into a list that we can select from for future contests.

Please send in your ideas to info@rtam.mb.ca under the heading of Photo Contest Suggestions.

We are looking forward to seeing your wonderful photos and reading about your great ideas for new themes for future contests.

U

E BL

TAM K IT RR

OW M O RE LE- ADA BI

N IS

YO

To receive your digital copy of KIT instead of a paper copy, send your e-mail address to dsage@mymts.net including your Canada post mailing address.

Please do not send your information to the RTAM office.

Not available for non-RTAM members.

RTAM.MB.CA n 31

Voluntary Benefits for RTAM Members. the insurance needs of the majority of retired teachers. Since 1998, we achieved this through RTAM’s sponsorship of an increasing range of voluntary insurance A variety of voluntary insurance options are available to RTAM members and their eligible dependents including: • • • •

Extended Health Care Dental Care Prestige Travel with Trip Cancellation Additional Stand Alone Trip Cancellation

• Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance • Term Life Insurance • Home Insurance

For more information please contact the plan administrator, Johnson Insurance.

1.877.989.2600 | pbservicewest@johnson.ca www.johnson.ca/rtam #100, 17203 – 103 Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB. T5S 1J4

GROUP BENEFITS

RTAM sponsors pre-retirement seminars for teachers.

0210_20