Approved RTAM
Board of Directors’ Meeting
September 24, 2009
A meeting of the 2009-2010
Board of Directors of the Retired Teachers’ Association of Manitoba was held on
Thursday, September 24, 2009 in McMaster House, Winnipeg.
Board Members Present: Richard Benoit; Rosalie Bornn; Pat
Bowslaugh; Bill Cann; Guy Hansen; Wayne Hollier; Wayne Hughes; Jim Johanneson;
Ron Kalinchuk; Vel McAdam; Jag Malik; Anne Monk; Mary Pankiw; Brian Paterson;
Peggy Prendergast; Maureen Recksiedler; Doreen Sage; Ray Sitter; John
Sushelnitsky.
Regrets: Lynn Land
1. Call to Order
Richard Benoit called the
meeting to order at 9:10 am
2. Approval of Agenda
The “Officers’ Report” was
added to the Agenda as a Timed item.
Motion: Bornn/Paterson – That the Agenda,
as amended, be accepted.
Carried.
3. & 4. Approval of June 2, 2009 Minutes &
Business Arising
Will be dealt with at the
October Meeting.
Timed Item: 8. Officer’s Report
The first Order of Business
changed the 11:00 am timed item to this time so that Mary’s Officers’ Report
could be dealt with before she had to leave to attend another meeting. Mary shared information from the “rough
draft” of the minutes with Directors present.
Wayne Hughes asked if
Officers planned to review Officers’ duties as they now related to the By-Law
changes. Richard replied that
“yes, the matter will be discussed carefully.”
Motion: Hughes/Prendergast – That the
Officers’ Report become part of the Committee Reports on the agenda and that it
be the first committee report on the agenda. Carried.
Timed Item: 9:45 am 9.01 Wellness
Report
Peggy circulated a poster
outlining the October 21, 2009 Wellness Seminar and spoke to some of the
highlights. She reminded us that
it will be happening the day before our October Board of Directors’ Meeting and
encouraged members present to become involved.
Wayne Hollier inquired
whether or not it would be possible to offer such a seminar in any other
area/region of the province. The
answer was “yes” – financial implications being taken into consideration. Past practice has been to do just that.
She also requested feedback
concerning whether or not Board Members would like lunch brought in to Board of
Directors Meetings. The consensus was that, as long as we stay within our
financial guidelines, it was an expedient way to take care of our lunch needs.
Peggy also circulated seminar
information from the Canadian Association of Gerontology for information.
Motion:
Prendergast/Recksiedler – That Barbara McDole be named to the Wellness
Committee for the 2009-2010 year.
Carried.
Timed Item: 10:00 am 9.02 Pension
Report
Anne Monk spoke to her
written report. Re: #1 - #5. Anne will email an updated version to Board of Directors
members.
Motion: Monk/Hughes – That we move in
camera. Carried.
Motion: Hollier/Bowslaugh
– That we move out of camera.
Carried.
The report of the Pension
Committee was received.
5. The revised schedule of dates for the Board of Directors meetings for 2009-2010 was
circulated and agreed on.
6. President’s Report
Richard spoke to his written
report and asked if anyone had any questions. Richard spoke to the need for all Officers and Directors to
please respect the security procedures presently in place here in McMaster
House.
Motion: Bornn/Cann – Moved
receipt of the President’s report.
Carried.
7. Treasurer’s Report
Jag presented the Treasurer’s
Report. The auditor’s Financial
Statement has also been received and it was reviewed by the Officers who then
had a teleconference with the auditor (Gossen Accounting).
Motion: Malik/Cann – That the over
expenditure items (#41 -#45) be approved. Carried.
Jag has agreed to research
appropriate cost(s) for auditing the books for RTAM and report back.
Motion: Malik/Bowslaugh – Approval of the
Financial Statement as circulated.
Carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
9.03 Educational Advocacy
Motion: McAdam/Sage – That Pat Bowslaugh,
Peggy Prendergast and Mary Pankiw be named to the Educational Advocacy
Committee. Carried.
Vel spoke to the possible
printing of a 3rd edition of “A Child’s Message to My Parents” and
of how best to promote its positive ties with RTAM.
Motion: McAdam/Bowslaugh – That the report
of the Educational Advocacy be received.
Carried.
9.04 Group Benefits
Brian Paterson elaborated on
his written report and fielded questions.
Motion: Cann/Monk – That the Group Benefits
Committee study and report, at the earliest opportunity, the implications of
joining other benefit plans.
Carried.
Motion:
Paterson/Recksiedler – That the report of the Group Benefits be
received. Carried.
9.05 Membership
Ray Sitter indicated there
has been no meeting to date, but they will be meeting soon to discuss and
establish priorities for the year.
9.06 Political Action
Wayne Hughes spoke to his
written report. He suggested a
letter of recognition be sent to Dave McDowell, Linda McDowell, Dick Marshall
and the St. James Chapter for their respective “special” assistance. He also recognized the outstanding
contribution of Carol Gillis and the valuable assistance to himself from Guy
Hansen. As well, he recognized
John Sushelnitsky for his ongoing liaison with Mr. Schreyer and for his PR work
in conjunction with the event.
Wayne reported that he and
President Richard will be attempting to meet with prospective Premier candidates
to gain their attitude/perspective regarding teacher pensions.
Motion: Hughes/Cann – That
the report of the Political Action Committee be received. Carried.
9.07 Public Relations
John Sushelnitsky reported
that he will be producing a DVD regarding the Schreyer Tea for possible
circulation. He also reported that
Guy Hansen attended a PR Seminar and returned with much valuable
information. He will be forwarding
a written report to Carol Gillis shortly.
Motion: Sushelnitsky/Hollier – That the report
of the Public Relations Committee be received. Carried.
9.08 Travel
Maureen Recksiedler reported
that her committee has begun the work for an event to be held in April. Watch for further information.
Motion:
Recksiedler/Kalinchuk – That the report of the Travel Committee be
received. Carried.
9.09 Website
Ron Kalinchuk reported his
concern re: what should/should not appear on the website. Richard replied that it is his plan to
bring in resource persons from our Liability Insurance firm and from the SIPPA
office to speak to us about these concerns at future meetings.
Motion: Kalinchuk/Bowslaugh
– That the Website report be received.
Carried.
9.10 By-Laws and Policy
Rosalie Bornn reported that
the Committee has received the report from the law firm, Johnston & Co.,
and they will be conducting a review of these materials soon.
Motion: Bornn/Bowslaugh
– that the report of the By-Laws and Policy Committee be received. Carried.
9.11 Chapter Formation and Liaison
Motion: Hollier/Bowslaugh
– That Rosalie Bornn be a member of the Chapter Formation and Liaison
Committee. Carried.
Wayne reported they will be
having a joint meeting with Membership.
He requested feedback on Seminars held for potential retirees by
RTAM. He will be submitting a written
report to Carol Gillis.
Motion: Hollier/Bornn
– that the report of Chapter Formation and Liaison Committee be received. Carried.
9.12 Editorial
Doreen Sage circulated a
printed report and advised those present that she will have an item for discussion
at the October meeting.
9.13 ACER-CART
Pat Bowslaugh spoke to the
items she received from the ACER-CART meeting. The ”Information Kit from the Retired Teachers of Ontario”
was referred to membership.
9.14 2010 AGM Elections
Referred to the October Board
Meeting.
9.15 2010 AGM Committee
Wayne Hughes will chair this
Committee.
Motion: Hughes/Cann – That the Treasurer be authorized to pay lunches
for Board of Directors’ meetings when they exceed $12.00 per person as long as
the total cost of regularly scheduled Board Meeting lunches do not exceed
$12.00 x 8 meetings, per person, per budget year. Carried.
10.01 Tax Brackets
The topic of “Tax Brackets”
was referred to the October meeting.
Paterson moved closure of
meeting at 3:40 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Vel McAdam
Secretary
******************************************************************************************************************* FINAL RTAM Board of Directors’ Meeting October 22, 2009 A
meeting of the 2009-2010 Board of Directors of the retired Teachers’
Association of Manitoba was held on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at McMaster
House, Winnipeg. All
Board members were present, except regrets and apologies received from Lynn
Land and Peggy Prendergast. Richard
Benoit called the meeting to order at 9:10 am. Timed
Item Richard
introduced Shannon Patershuk from Johnson’s Inc. and turned the floor over to
Shannon and Brian Paterson (Benefits Committee Chair). Brain
reported verbally on the feedback received concerning “….the implications of
joining other benefits plans.”
Shannon has provided numerous handouts in order to better understand
some of the implications. Shannon
spoke to her handouts and answered several questions. Further information has been promised concerning group Home
Insurance plan(s). The Stand
Alone Trip Cancellation/Interruption policy also comes highly recommended. It is competitively priced; after age
59 a 12 month pre-existing condition clause does apply. (See ARTA pamphlet for a detailed
explanation regarding Pre-Existing Condition(s).) Richard
thanked Shannon for her presence and detailed study and report to the Board of
Directors. Liaison
with COSL/Executive/Board of Directors was added as #9.03 Motion: Malik/Bowslaugh – That the
Agenda, as amended, be accepted.
Carried. Motion: McAdam/Bornn – That the minutes
of the June 2, 2009 Board of Directors’ Meeting be approved as circulated. Carried. Motion: McAdam/Bornn – That the minutes
of the September 24, 2009 Board of Directors’ Meeting be approved as circulated. Carried. Any
business arising will be dealt with under other agenda items. Carol circulated
a copy of Richard’s Report.
Richard spoke to his written report. Richard and Lucille extended an
invitation to attend a “Yuletide Reception” on the evening of November 26,
2009. Pat
Bowslaugh spoke briefly to her attendance at the political meeting in Brandon. The
matter of the Role of the Officers and what items should be included on the
agenda for Officers’ Meetings were discussed and Richard advised that this
matter should/will appear as an agenda item at the November Board of Directors’
meeting. Motion: Hollier/Kalinchuk – That we hold
a Chapter Presidents’ Meeting on Friday, November 27, 2009 at a location to be
determined. Carried. Suggested
additional topics: i.
additional possible
Johnson Inc. insurance plans ii.
Website promo iii.
Political Action activities iv.
revised By-Laws and Policy
status/implications v.
Membership vi.
potential nominees for the Board
of Directors vii.
specific Local/Chapter needs -
these
in addition to those items listed in the President’s Report. The value of a FIPPA presentation was
questioned and will not appear on the agenda. Motion: Bowslaugh/Bornn – That the funds
for the proposed meeting of Chapter Presidents come from contingency. Carried. Motion: Malik/Hollier – That the report
of the President be received.
Carried. Jag
spoke to his written report. Motion: Cann/Recksiedler – That the
Treasurer be authorized to over-expend line item #57 (auditor) by up to
$700.00 Carried. Motion: Malik/Pankiw –That the report of
the Treasurer be received.
Carried. COMMITTEE
REPORTS 8.01 Officers’ Report Mary
spoke to the minutes of the October 20, 2009 Officers’ meeting as circulated. Motion: Pankiw/Bowslaugh – That we set
up an ad hoc committee to look into the feasibility of archiving select RTAM
materials with pertinent cost estimates to be included. Carried. Motion: McAdam/Bowslaugh – That we
accept the invitation from the Hanover Association of Retired Teachers to host
the 2011 AGM in Steinbach. Carried
unanimously. Richard
requested the Treasurer to research related costs regarding the matter of bonding
the Treasurer. Motion: Pankiw/McAdam – That the report
of the Officers be received.
Carried. 8.02 Membership Ray
spoke to his written report, Motion: Sitter/Hollier – That the report
of the Membership Committee be received.
Carried. 8.03 Chapter Formation and Liaison Wayne
gave a verbal report – written report to follow. He reported that Chapter Formation and Liaison had met with
the Membership Committee and that this meeting was a very productive one. Future liaison, when appropriate, will
be pursued. They
are recommending that we look at combining Membership/Chapter Formation (not
Liaison) and that this be a matter for discussion at the By-Laws and Policy
Committee level. Motion: Hollier/Cann – That the report
of the Chapter Formation and Liaison Committee be received. Carried. Motion: Sitter/ Hollier – That the
Chapter Formation and Liaison Committee develop an information package for
potential retirees. Carried. 8.04 Political Action Richard
recognized Wayne Hughes for his able assistance when preparing his presentation
for the Legislative Hearings re:
Bill #8. Wayne spoke to his
written report. He solicited
ideas/issues for his committee and encouraged members of the Board of Directors
to submit ideas to him ASAP. Wayne
acknowledged Ron Kalinchuk for providing us with a slide presentation of
pictures from the Schreyer Salute. Motion: Hughes/Sage – That the report of
the Political Action Committee be received. Carried. 8.03 Editorial Doreen
spoke to her written report. Motion: Sage/McAdam – That David
Dawson’s letter to the Editor be printed in the winter issue of KIT. Defeated. Richard Benoit, Ron Kalinchuk and Mary Pankiw requested
their “No” vote be recorded. Motion: Bowslaugh/Bornn – In reference
to the letter on Euthanasia – that we not publish the “Letter to the Editor”,
but rather seek permission of the author to have his name, contact information
and topic reported in KIT with the invitation to readers to contact him
personally if each so desires.
Defeated. Motion: Sage/McAdam – That the report of
the Editorial Committee be received.
Carried. 8.06 Pensions Anne
spoke to her written report. Motion: Monk/Cann – That Donna Goodman
be a member of the Pension Committee.
Carried. Motion: Monk/Bowslaugh –That we move in
camera. Carried. Motion: Pankiw/Paterson – That we move
out of camera. Carried. Motion: Cann/Hughes – That the Board of
Directors concurs with the Report of the Pension Committee regarding a
communication approach to inform members about the Board of Director’s response
to the 2008 AGM motion #11 concerning legal action. Carried. Motion: Monk/Cann – That the report of
the Pension Committee be received.
Carried. 8.07 2010 AGM Elections Pat
reported that she and Brian Paterson have discussed previous election
issues. Information will be
forth-coming to Presidents at their meeting and an article will be submitted to
KIT. Motion: Bowslaugh/ Hughes – That the
report of the 2010 AGM Elections Committee be received. Carried. 8.08
By
Laws and Policy Rosalie
spoke to her written report.
Richard requested that the recommendations as outlined in the Committee
Report minutes be included in the Board of Directors’ minutes. They are as follows – Motion: Bornn/Pankiw –That the report of
the By-Laws and Policy Committee be received. Carried. 8.09 Public Relations John
spoke to his email report. He
voiced his disappointment over the lack of media coverage of the Ed Schreyer
event. He also reported on a lunch
meeting with Don Reese, Director of Information Technology for Pembina Trails
School Division and Board member Vel McAdam at which time Don proposed an issue
in the ever diversifying world of technology in which retired teachers may be
interested. It was suggested that we invite Don to
our next meeting as a timed item to speak with Board Members. John will arrange for a time mutually
agreeable to both parties. Motion: Sushelnitsky/Cann – That the report
of the Public Relations Committee be received. Carried. 8.10
Website Ron
gave a verbal report in which he reported that he has placed responses from
both potential Premier candidates on the website. The matter of whether or not there should be follow-up
explanatory remarks concerning some of the comments was discussed. Motion: Kalinchuk/Bornn - That the
report of the Website Committee be received. Carried. 8.11
Travel Maureen
reported that plans continue for the April Travel Fair. Motion: Recksiedler/McAdam - That the
report of the Travel Committee be received. Carried. 8.12
Educational
Advocacy Vel
reported that she has been in contact with Carolyn Duhammel and that Carolyn
will pursue the matter of potential sponsors for a third printing of “A Child’s
Message To My Parents.” Motion: McAdam/Bowslaugh – That the
report of the Educational Advocacy be received. Carried. 8.13
Wellness Maureen
reported on Peggy’s behalf that 40 participants took part in the October 21,
2009 Wellness Seminar and that evaluations of the event were generally very
positive. Motion: Recksiedler/Paterson - That the report of the Wellness
Committee be received. Carried. 8.14
2010 AGM Richard
reported that the search is on for a host hotel. 9.01
Tax
Brackets Pat
spoke to her timely and well researched paper regarding deduction(s), tax
rates, etc. Wayne Hughes agreed to
take this information to the Political Action Committee for study and
direction. 9.02
Proposed
Yuletide reception See
#10. 9.03
Liaison
with COSL Executive/Board of Directors Bill
reported that COSL has expressed an interest in having a presentation from
RTAM. The matter of whether or not
this was politically wise was discussed.
It was agreed that Bill should pursue gathering further information
concerning what exactly it is that they might be interested in receiving more
information on. (Political RED
flags were raised.) 10.
Closure Richard closed the meeting with words of
high praise for members in attendance and with an amusing little story. He highlighted the importance of Board
Member presence at the Presidents’ Meeting in November. He reminded members of the Yuletide
Reception he and Lucille have planned for us. Motion: Kalinchuk – That the meeting be adjourned at 4:05 pm. Respectfully submitted, Vel McAdam Secretary