Finance Committee Report

Insurance for some 2500 WTA retirees. Starting in March 2021, Dave Najduch and myself began a series of seven meetings with Robert Dowden (Johnson Inc. VP, Group Benefits) and Jessica Simpson to develop an alternative plan for WTA retirees. With the collapse of Bill 64, we pivoted our approach to develop stronger ties with the WTA and promote the Prestige Travel Insurance plan.

I am delighted to report that RTAM’s first group travel tour sold out in three weeks and has a 16-person waiting list. The Group Tour to Haida Gwaii was so popular that a second trip is tentatively scheduled for a June 12th departure. I hope this experience will encourage more of our members to engage with Trip Merchant when making travel plans.

I have requested the KIT Editorial committee to consider ways to significantly increase the number of digital/electronic subscribers. Past efforts have been unsuccessful and currently only four hundred of our 10,000 members receive an electronic copy of KIT.

On behalf of our 10,000 members, I would like to thank our amazing staff for managing the move to the new RTAM office so efficiently and under challenging circumstances. Special commendations are due to Denise Bellesia and Dianne Casar for completing the packing, unpacking, and organizing of the move into this new and smaller office space. Gordon Fardoe is arranging for proposals for the best equipment options to run effective hybrid meetings from the new office. n ~Edited by the KIT Editorial Committee.

Pat Bowslaugh, RTAM Treasurer

Handling the coffers on behalf of you, our over 10 000 members, has involved several changes during the last several months. The purpose of these changes is to manage our financial practice in an updated business manner. We have included advertising and/or using a tender system in securing the supports we need. For example, we had four responses as we explored the position of auditor. From these submissions your RTAM Board members were able to make a recommendation based on availability, competency and cost. Your approval will be sought by motion at the AGM in May. With our “Manitoba 150” book project we received three tenders based on the same kind of detail. We have also employed part time support services for the preparation of KIT, managing the RTAM web page and the repair and update of our computer systems. Each of these services is secured with a contract which defines details of the scope of the tasks and the wages involved.

In the handling of our funds it is to be noted that over the years our organization has money reserved in five GIC investments with Cambrian Credit Union where we also operate with both savings and chequing accounts. In spite of enduring the current COVID pandemic our financial situation is solid.

We trust that these modifications ensure that our finances continue to meet the goals of our organization. We continue to encourage every retired teacher to join the RTAM organization. n