AGM 2010
AGM 2010 was completed successfully in Winnipeg and was a very well-run event. Congratulations to the President for a well-run meeting. It was a pleasure to hear from all participating. Some of the highlights to watch for, which will be accompanied with pictures, were the granting of the charter for the newest chapter of our association (RTW - Retired Teachers of Winnipeg), greetings presented by Pat Isaak from the Manitoba Teachers' Society, greetings from some provincial politicians and the annual report from TRAF. Many parts of the event were recorded on video with the intent of producing a DVD for distribution to all of the chapters. (Copies have been sent to Chapter Presidents.) It was a pleasure to see new members of the board elected and we all look forward to working with these new people.
Remember, there is still opportunity to share your skills and expertise for the benefit of all retired teachers by getting involved and serving on the various committees of the board. You may apply to be on committees by contacting the RTAM office or by filling out the committee form here (bottom of the page) and emailing it or sending it to the RTAM office.
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DRAFT – will be approved at the 2011 AGM
Annual General Meeting
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Viscount Gort Hotel, Winnipeg
!. Richard Benoit, President, called the meeting to order at 9 o’clock.
2. O Canada was sung.
3. Richard introduced Mary Pankiw, Vice President, who read the necrology followed by a moment of silence.
He then introduced Pat Isaak, President of the Manitoba Teachers’ Society. Pat spoke to the group and introduced Kirsten Anderson, the recently appointed Assistant General Secretary of the Manitoba Teachers’ Society.
Pat agreed to field a few questions before having to leave for a media engagement concerning the topic of “retired teachers working as substitute teachers,” which is one of the educational issues of the moment. This appears to be a topic of mutual interest and one on which we might be able to work collaboratively.
Richard thanked Pat for her message and her greetings. He identified communication and dialogue as being very important issues. “…. your important gesture…” in attending our meeting today has been noted, is appreciated and has hopefully opened a door for future meetings.
4. Elections – Richard introduced Pat Bowslaugh who spoke to the new “Elections Procedure.” She announced the list of nominees as received by the due date.
i.
President
- Richard Benoit
ii.
Vice
President – Dr Mary Pankiw
iii.
Treasurer
– Jag Malik
iv.
Secretary
Motion: Bornn/Sliworsky: That Rita Warrian be nominated as a
candidate for Secretary of RTAM, 2010 – 11. There were no further nominations
v.
Past
President – Pat Bowslaugh
vi.
Directors
– Rosalie Bornn Guy
Hansen
Wayne Hughes Ron
Kalinchuk
Barbara McDole Anne
Monk
Peggy Prendergast Maureen
Recksiedler
Doreen Sage Ray
Sitter
John Sushelnitsky William
Taylor
Terry
Clifford shared his interpretation of the new policy and a half hour recess to
complete the “Elections Procedure,” as it was intended, was called for.
6. AGENDA Motion: Clifford/ Marshall: That the Agenda be adopted as printed. Carried.
7. Greetings: Richard welcomed the new Retired Teachers’ of Winnipeg Chapter. Dick Marshall and Vic Pruden accepted the Charter from President, Richard Benoit, and Secretary, Vel McAdam.
Richard conveyed apologies from the Minister of Education, Nancy Allen, for her inability to address the group.
8. MINUTES Motion: Bornn/Marshall: That the Minutes of the 20th AGM be approved as circulated. Carried.
a.
Business Arising – There was no Business Arising
9. President’s Report Richard referred to his written report as contained in the kit. He highlighted several items contained in the report. He encouraged everyone to make appropriate use of KIT and of our website. He once again, extended a hearty welcome to the new RTW Chapter.
Motion: Clifford/Pruden: That the Report of the President be received. Carried.
Elections
were resumed (for Directors)
Motion: Rink/Switzer That Tom Cameron be nominated for a
Director at Large
Motion: Bornn/Warrian That Vel McAdam be nominated as a
candidate for Director of RTAM 2010-11.
T here are
now a total of 19 retirees to serve so there was no need for balloting. Past President, Pat Bowslaugh,
introduced those candidates who will serve as Directors for the 2010 – 11 year.
Pat
Bowslaugh called attention to the “Invitation to be a Committee Member” form
included in our handouts and encouraged those present to seriously consider
filling one out.
Richard thanked Pat and her committee for a job well done.
Richard asked Wayne Hughes to share a taped interview given on CBC Radio this morning concerning the topic of retired teachers acting as substitute teachers. Wayne gave a bit of background information and then shared the interview.
Motion: Clifford/Pankiw: That this assembly disassociate itself from the comments made by the retired teacher on CBC radio today (May 12, 2010).
Motion to refer: Marshall/Rinn That this motion be referred to the Board of Directors. The motion to refer Carried.
10. Financial Report – Richard introduced Jag Malik, Treasurer, to deal with the Financial Reports.
a. He spoke to the Auditor’s Report
b. He
explained Income and Expenditures to date.
Motion: Malik/Krawec: That the Report of the Treasurer be received. Carried.
Motion: Malik/McAdam: That the RTAM AGM 2010 receive the Auditor’s Report for the fiscal year 2008 – 09. Carried.
Motion: Malik/McAdam: That Goossen Accounting of Gilbert Plains, Manitoba be appointed as auditor for the 2010-11 fiscal year. Carried.
11. Report on Interim Policy changes – Richard introduced Rosalie Bornn, By Laws and Policy chair, to facilitate the discussion of this agenda item.
Motion: Bornn/Pankiw: That the RTAM Interim Policy 2010 as amended by approved. Carried.
Notice of Motion - Terry Clifford served Notice of Motion concerning deletion of Policy 2.07.
Notice of Motion – Terry Clifford served Notice of Motion to amend Policy 2.07 by adding (b) ii retroactive, with interest, to the date of retirement.
Motion: Clifford/Marshall That 5.03 (b) be amended to read – Members may cast votes for;
i.
One
candidate for each officer position and
ii.
Vote
for at least seven candidates and not more than fifteen candidates for
directors at large. Defeated.
Motion: Marshall/Clifford That 8.05 (4) d) be amended by deleting “…or their representatives.” Defeated.
Motion: Clifford/Marshall That 8.06 (d) be amended by deleting “or until the task has been completed.” Carried.
Motion: Clifford/Cann That 8.07 Removal of Committee Members be referred back to the Committee for further consideration. Withdrawn.
Following a Lunch Break Richard introduced Jeff Norton, President and CEO of TRAF and Brenda Venuto, Vice-President, Membership Services, who presented the TRAF Report. Two handouts were circulated.
i.
Teachers’
Retirement Allowances Fund (as presented to AGM, May 12, 2010)
ii.
ii.
Teachers’ Retirement Allowances Fund – 2009 Overview
Jeff spoke to the handouts and answered several questions. He encouraged members with questions and/or concerns to contact the TRAF Office at any time. Richard thanked Jeff and Brenda for their attendance and their informative presentation.
The discussion RE: #11 – Report on Interim Policy changes resumed (on P.12).
Motion: Marshall/Pruden: RE: 10.02 Be it resolved that it be a requirement that all meal expense claimed be accompanied by official receipts.
Motion to Refer: Clifford/Acason: That the motion be referred to the Board of Directors for study and report at next year’s AGM. The Motion to Refer Carried.
Terry Clifford commented on the need for receipt of AGM materials ahead of time, also the availability of minutes, etc. on a regular basis. Relevant members of the Board responded that every effort will be made to address identified concerns.
12. Pension Report
Richard introduced Anne Monk who gave a verbal report. She reminded participants of the
handout available at the entrance to the meeting room and encouraged all to
become familiar with the information it contains.
Reporting on behalf of the Board, Anne Monk made a final report regarding the Board's response to the 2008 AGM motion #11, a motion referred to the Board to investigate possible legal approaches as a remedy to the COLA problem.
She reminded the assembly that an interim report had been made at the 2009 AGM. She reported the Board had completed its deliberations and decision making regarding this motion. She indicated the Board had engaged in an extensive and thorough examination process, including consultation with several lawyers. Based on the information currently available, the Board has decided to not proceed further with a legal action route, at this time, as a possible remedy to the COLA problem. She noted that the decision had been conveyed to members in the Winter 2010 edition of KIT and to the Chapter Presidents at their November, 2009 meeting.
Her concluding comments reaffirmed the Board continues to believe that fair and equitable treatment of retired teachers is our strongest argument with respect to the COLA problem and it will continue with this moral argument in the political arena.
Richard thanked Anne for her comprehensive report.
14. Reports of Standing Committees
Motion:
Clifford/Marshall That
we receive the Reports of the Standing Committees. Carried.
Motion: Sitter/Sushelnitsky: That ACER/Cart should actively and aggressively pursue other seniors’ groups to collectively “lobby” the government regarding pension and investment fraud targeting seniors. The lobbying to promote and address greater punishment of offenders and the development of a process of restitution. This might be based on fees charged to those engaging in this business or in insurance for such sales people. Carried.
Motion: Acason/Marshall That the Chapter Reports be received. Carried.
Motion: Paterson/Bowslaugh That the updated report of the Benefits Committee be received. Carried
15.
New
Business
Jag Malik spoke to the process by
which the Proposed Budget document was generated. He then went through the Proposed Budget high-lighting
pertinent items.
Motion: Malik/McAdam That the rate of reimbursement for mileage be $0.47 per Km. beginning July 1, 2010. Carried.
Motion: Malik/McAdam That the rate of reimbursement for meals be $41.00 per diem and that the lunch rate not exceed $14.00. Carried.
Motion: Malik/McAdam That the rate of reimbursement for hotel be up to $125.00 per day beginning July 1, 2010. Carried.
Motion: Malik/McAdam That the accommodation with family or friends in lieu of hotel may be claimed at a rate of up to 50% of the hotel rate per day beginning July 1, 2010.
Motion to amend: Clifford/Marshall – that 50% be amended to read 35%. Defeated.
The motion as printed Carried.
Motion: Malik/McAdam That the 2010-2011 RTAM Budget be recommended as proposed to the RTAM Board of Directors. Carried.
Motion: Malik/McAdam That the Regular and Associate
membership fees be $27.00 for the fiscal year 2010-2011. Carried.
Motion: Malik/McAdam That the membership
fee for the Life Members be waived.
Carried.
New Business c. Other
Motion: Marshall Acason That the RTAM Board develop a
presentation for use at pre-retirement seminars. Carried,
Peggy Prendergast suggested that this work could possibly be done in conjunction with an MTS representative.
Ken Malcolm suggested that perhaps such a presentation may be made available to potential retirees via the website.
John Sushelnitsky suggested that we do already possess technology that will help to facilitate DVD and other technological dispersal of such information.
Richard acknowledged the contribution of all 2009-10 Board Members. He thanked his Secretary and then went on to acknowledge the valuable contributions of the following retiring members:
Bill Cann
Wayne
Hollier
Lynn Land
Brian Paterson
ALL will be sincerely missed!
Richard acknowledged Carol Gillis for all her hard work throughout the year and especially in preparation for the AGM.
Richard acknowledged his wife Lucille for her love and support throughout his presidential year.
Alfred Phaneuf moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:05 PM.
R
espectfully submitted,
Vel McAdam
Secretary