RTAM 

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

The Brass Lantern Restaurant and Banquet Centre

Steinbach, MB

1.  Call to Order

President, Richard Benoit, called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

2. O Canada

Communications Chair, John Sushelnitsky, led the singing of the National Anthem in English and in French.

3.  In Memoriam

In memory of their educational service to Manitoba’s children and youth, Vice President Mary Pankiw read the names of one hundred and thirty former colleagues.  (March 1, 2010 to April 27, 2011)

4.   Greetings

Steinbach Mayor, Mr. Chris Goertzen, Deputy Conservative Leader and MLA for Steinbach, Mr. Kelvin Goertzen, and President of the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Keith Unger, each welcomed the group to Steinbach. They spoke of the growth and prosperity in the area and promoted it as an excellent place to retire.

Education Critic, Mr. Cliff Cullen, brought greetings from the Conservative Party and spoke of his upcoming motion in the Legislative Assembly regarding RTAM representation on the TRAF board. 

Education Minister Nancy Allan, and Liberal Leader Dr. Gerrard were also invited but were unable to attend.

5.  Introductory Remarks

Richard Benoit welcomed everyone. 

He congratulated RTAM Vice - President, Dr. Mary Pankiw, on being the 2011 recipient of the Eira “Babs” Friesen Lifetime Achievement Award. He noted also the attendance at AGM of Valdine Johnson, RTAM President 1990-1991.

6. Adoption of the Agenda

MOTION: Goble/Bornn That the agenda be adopted as amended (Item 13 was moved to follow Item 10).   Carried.

7.  Election

Past President Pat Bowslaugh announced the nominees and drew attention to the election rules as laid out in Bylaws and in Policy.

Candidates whose nomination papers were received before the deadline:

President:  Richard Benoit and Dr. Mary Pankiw

Vice President: Wayne Hughes

Treasurer: Jag Malik

Directors at Large: Any of the four officer nominees who are unsuccessful in the election of officers; nominations received before the deadline: Ron Kalinchuk, Barbara McDole, Dolores Hebert, Anne Monk, Carol Pelton, Ted Poulter, Peggy Prendergast, Doreen Sage, John Sushelnitsky and Norman Wiebe; and those nominated from the floor: Judy Olmstead and Val Smyth.  Guy Hansen withdrew his nomination.

Bill Taylor, Maureen Reckseidler and Carol Gillis were named as ballot counters.

The window for further nominations was set to close at 10:15 a.m. (30 minutes)

8. Minutes of the 2010 AGM

MOTION: Taylor/Reckseidler That the minutes of the 2010 Annual General Meeting be adopted as printed.    Carried.

 a. There was no business arising from the minutes.  Notice of Motions were not brought forward.  All other action and policy-related motions in the motion tracker were reported as either having been completed or in progress.

9.  President’s Report

The President spoke to his written report.

MOTION: Pankiw/Wiebe That the President’s Report be accepted as edited.  Carried.

10. ACER-CART Report

The President spoke to his written report.

MOTION: Prendergast/McAdam That the ACER-CART report be accepted as presented.  Carried.

­Elections, continued

The Past President announced the election results:

President: Richard Benoit

Vice President: Wayne Hughes

Treasurer: Jag Malik

Secretary: no nominations

Directors: Dolores Hebert, Ron Kalinchuk, Barbara McDole, Anne Monk, Judy Olmstead, Carol Pelton, Ted Poulter, Peggy Prendergast, Mary Pankiw, Doreen Sage, Val Smyth, John Sushelnitsky and Norman Wiebe.

The Past President reminded those present that, since there will not be a past president, Bylaw 7.03 b will apply: the Board may appoint a member of RTAM to assume all the responsibilities of the position for the remainder of the term. If no such appointment is made the Board shall appoint a Director to the chair of the Elections Committee.

MOTION: Hughes/McAdam That the ballots be destroyed.

11. Provincial Election and Participation

Political Action Chair Wayne Hughes and Pension Chair Anne Monk spoke to their reports.  The MLA Campaign is over and preparations are beginning for a Candidates Campaign.  Chapter representatives at the Chapter Presidents’ meeting on May 10, 2011 strongly endorsed a plan to have members of Chapters meet individually with the election candidates in their constituencies.

MOTION: Rinn/ Pelton  Be it resolved that this assembly publicly denounces the actions of the present government of Manitoba in regard to a COLA for retired teachers. Further, be it resolved that, as an organization, RTAM refuses to endorse or support candidates from the New Democratic Party in the October 2011 election.  Defeated

MOTION: Monk/Bowslaugh  Be it resolved that RTAM expresses concern and dissatisfaction with the lack of support by the NDP Government for COLA improvement for retired teachers and that RTAM urges all parties to focus as a priority upon COLA improvement for a fair COLA resolution for retired teachers. Carried.

MOTION: Sitter/McAdam That the above motion, the background to the motion, and the Government’s response be disseminated as widely as possible, and as soon as possible, to our membership.  Carried.

RECOMMENDATION: A member from Boyne recommended that the Board request the Political Action Committee to retool the constituency boundaries for the Candidates Campaign as there was an overlap of assignments during the MLA Campaign.

Timed Item: (11:30 a.m.) Greetings, continued

MTS President Pat Isaak brought greetings on behalf of the Manitoba Teachers’ Society.  She reflected on her eight year involvement with McMaster House during which she saw successes in some areas: a reversal of the trends in funding cuts, the loss of teaching positions and the freezing of salaries; more say in the evaluation, promotion and retention of students; improvements to the teachers’ pension plan. There is still much to be done in others: teacher-workload continues to increase due to changing demographics, increasing diversity of languages and cultures, new technology, additional reporting, etc. She appreciated the letters of support from RTAM on education issues.

Speaking of teachers’ pensions, Ms. Isaak stated that the biggest goal of MTS in this regard is a 2% increase in contributions which would not only improve sustainability of the Plan but would result in more money for COLA grants. 

She accepted the President’s invitation to stay for lunch. A copy of her speech is on file.

Timed Item 1:15 p.m.  TRAF Report

Jeff Norton, TRAF President and Chief Executive Officer; Brenda Venuto, V.P. Member Services; and David Asselstine, V.P. Finance, attended to present information on the Teachers’ Retirement Allowances Fund and to answer questions. Their report is available from TRAF.

11. Financial Report

Treasurer, Jag Malik, presented the Auditor’s Report.

MOTION: Malik/Warrian That the RTAM AGM 2011 receive the Auditor’s Report for the fiscal year 2009-10.   Carried.

MOTION: Malik/Warrian That Goosen Accounting of Gilbert Plains, MB, be appointed as auditors for the 2010-11 fiscal year.   Carried.

The Treasurer presented a detailed report of assets, income and disbursements, until March 30, 2011, and drew attention to some printing errors. 

MOTION: Malik/Bowslaugh That the 2010-2011 financial report be accepted as corrected.  Carried.

12.  Policy Changes

Bylaws and Policy Chair Rosalie Bornn brought for disposition nine changes in policy that were recommended by that committee and approved by the 2010-2011 Board. She gave the rationale for each.

MOTION 1: Bornn/Malik  (Carried)

That SECTION 2 – PRINCIPLES OF RTAM be included in the Policy Manual as follows:

SECTION 2 – PRINCIPLES OF RTAM

2.01    Liaison with MTS           

RTAM advocates:

a)             That it be represented at the AGM of MTS.

b)             That the RTAM representative(s) there have the right to speak to any motion that might             affect retired teachers.

c)             That the Association may submit resolutions to the AGM of the Society for consideration.  

2.02    Representation on the TRAF Board           

RTAM advocates:

a)             That RTAM be represented on the TRAF Board.

b)             That any member representing RTAM be named by RTAM.

c)             That any representation on the TRAF Board and its committees be proportional based on             TRAF pension assets.

 2.03   Role of ACER-CART                       

RTAM advocates that ACER-CART:

a)             Take a leadership role in the public discussion of national issues.

b)             Speak for all retired teachers on national issues affecting them.

c)            Facilitate and promote liaison and mutual assistance among its member organizations.

d)            Promote the interests of its member organizations.

e)             Develop strategies for joint action on matters of common concern to member             organizations.

f)             Co-operate with other organizations on matters of common concern.

g)             Promote and support public education.

2.04   Representation with Other Agencies                       

RTAM advocates:

a)             That it be represented on any Provincial Government or MTS committee             whose             objectives affect the economic welfare of, or services to, RTAM members.

b)             Co-operation with other organizations on matters of common concern.

2.05   Health Policy

RTAM advocates:

a)            Support of the following general policy on national health care:

              i)              Acceptance of the five core principles of the Canada Health Act

              ii)               Adherence to national standards

              iii)               Establishment of a funding formula

              iv)               Meeting the demands for home care

              v)               Supporting a national Pharmacare program

              vi)       Providing accessible, affordable and timely health care to the elderly and b) Opposition to any legislation that would introduce user fees for medical care.

2.06   Retirement Income                        

RTAM advocates:

a)             That a teacher is entitled to receive adequate retirement income.           

b)            That inflation protection be provided to enable retirees to maintain their standard                                     of living.

c)            That full inflation protection be the goal of the TRAF Cost of Living Allowance.

2.07   Five Year Pension Averaging           

RTAM advocates:

a)            That teacher pensions be based on a five-year average for both active and retired             teachers;

b)            That the following be the basis of calculations for those with service prior to 1980:

             i) Active teachers who bought back to achieve a five-year average shall             receive             reimbursement of the cost of buy-back plus accrued interest.

            ii) Retired teachers whose pension is based on both a seven-year average and five-year             average shall receive a pension based on a five-year average.

            iii) Retired teachers who bought back their pension to achieve a five-year average for all             years of service shall receive an actuarially based pro-rated amount of the cost of the             buy-back plus interest.

2.08   Pension Surplus           

RTAM advocates:

a)             That, in decision-making regarding the use of teacher pension plan surplus, RTAM is             recognized by government as the representative of retired teachers.

b)              That the Teachers’ Pension Act contain provisions for determining allocation of pension             plan surpluses.

2.09   Pension Fund Investing

RTAM advocates that:

a)             The first principle of management objectives should be to seek maximum returns for the             benefit of the pension plan.

b)             Investment portfolio management decisions should be based solely on economic             merit.

2.10    Advertising in RTAM Print and Electronic Publications

a)             RTAM and Chapter sponsored events may be promoted free of charge.

b)            Not-for-profit organizations that wish to place public service announcements, school or             teacher reunion notices, or information on volunteer opportunities with service groups             may do so free of charge. These may be promoted at the discretion of, and for a period             as determined by, the Editor and/or Webmaster, based on criteria developed by the             Communications Committee and approved by the Board.

c)            Commercial advertising that does not compete directly with an RTAM program or service             may be included at the discretion of the Editor and/or the Webmaster at rates suggested             by the Communications Committee, approved by the Board and published in RTAM             print and electronic media.

d)             All advertisers should be informed that RTAM does not endorse or promote any products,             services, or events presented in paid advertisements, the announcements, or other             sections of its publications unless specified.

e)            The Editor, Webmaster and/or Board of Directors of RTAM accept no responsibility or             liability for failure to insert an advertisement for any reason. In such instances, a full             refund will be given.

f)            Where space permits, classified advertisements may be accepted.

MOTION 2: Bornn/Pankiw That Policy 2.11 be deleted. (It is now included in 3.01 c)  Carried.

MOTION 3: Bornn/Sitter That Policy 3.01 c) be amended to read:  

When in the discretion of the Board of Directors of RTAM, it is consistent with the interests, aims and objectives of RTAM to cooperate with an external or commercial venture in distributing information to RTAM members then, where practical and with all costs being borne by the requesting group, such information may be distributed through 1) RTAM print and electronic media or 2) a bonded mailer to which RTAM will provide a single-use mailing list.   Carried.

MOTION 4: Bornn/Pankiw That the following change be made to SECTION 6 – BOARD OF DIRECTORS of the Policy Manual, with appropriate re-numbering.   Add:

6.02 Duties of Directors

a) Each director shall be a member of at least one standing committee.    Carried.

MOTION 5: Bornn/Sitter That the following changes be made to SECTION 8 – COMMITTEES of the Policy Manual, with appropriate re-numbering:

i) That Policy 8.02 read:

8.02 Committee Formation

 An Ad Hoc Organizing Committee consisting of the President, Vice President and Past President shall:

 a. Be established each year at AGM soon after the elections have been completed.

 b. Be responsible for recommending to the first meeting of the Board the membership of Board committees as well as their chairs.

 c. Make these recommendations from a list of names gathered by the AGM and Election Committee by inviting applications from the Board, from readers of KIT and the Website, from Chapters and from attendees at AGM. 

 d. Give consideration to committee membership diversity where possible.  Carried.

MOTION 6: Bornn/Warrian  

ii) That Policy 8.02 be re-numbered as 8.03 and be amended to read:

8.03 Committee Make-up and General Responsibilities

Each standing committee shall:           

a. Consist of a chair and a maximum of five (5) members (exclusive of the President), a majority of which shall be directors, appointed by the Board of Directors at the first meeting of the Board from a list recommended by the Ad Hoc Organizing Committee. Additional members, if required, may be added by resolution of the Board.  Carried

MOTION 7:  Bornn/Warrian That Policy 10:02 (5) c) be added to read:

Board members and Chapter representatives traveling from outside of Manitoba to attend RTAM approved activities shall be reimbursed at the approved reasonable rates for the portion of their travel within Manitoba.  Carried.

MOTION 8: Bornn/Malik That Policy 10.02 (6) be re-numbered as 10.02 (7) and that 10.02 (6) now read:

When on RTAM business out of Winnipeg, and when accommodation rates exceed the approved RTAM rate, all reasonable accommodation costs will be reimbursed.       Carried.

MOTION 9: Bornn/Malik That, in response to the motion passed at AGM 2010 with respect to the study and report of the future need for receipts for all meal expenses, the Board recommends to AGM 2011 that RTAM continue with the current practice regarding reimbursement of expenses.  Carried.

MOTION: Bornn/Sitter That the AGM authorize the 2010-2011 Bylaws and Policy Committee to:

            1) Send the 2011 AGM approved policy and bylaw changes for printing in the upcoming issue of KIT and

            2) Update the Policy Manual to reflect the approved changes.   Carried.

The updated Policy Manual will be posted on the RTAM Website.

 Notice Of Motion for AGM 2012

Bylaws Article 6- Board of Directors

6.04 Election and Term of Office

      b) The term of office for a Board shall be from July 1^st to June 30^th.

14. Committee Reports

MOTION: Brockman/Goble That the Committee Reports be received as printed.   Carried.

15. Chapter Reports

MOTION: McAdam/Bornn  That the Chapter Reports be accepted as printed. Carried.

16.  Budget

Treasurer Jag Malik presented the budget for 2011-2012 as proposed by the Board.

MOTION: Malik/Warrian  That the rate of reimbursement for mileage be $0.49 per KM, beginning July 1, 2011.  Carried.

MOTION: Malik/Warrian   That the rate of reimbursement for meals be $42.00 per day and that the lunch rate not exceed $15.00, beginning July 1, 2011. Carried.

MOTION: Malik/Warrian   That the rate of reimbursement for hotel be up to $130.00 per day beginning July 1, 2011.  Carried.

MOTION: Malik/Warrian  That 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, 2011.  Carried.

MOTION: Malik/Warrian  That the budget proposed by the RTAM Board of Directors be approved.   Carried.

MOTION: Malik/Warrian  That the annual membership fee for Regular and Associate Members be $27.00.  Carried.

MOTION: Malik/Warrian  That the membership fee for Life Members be waived.  Carried.

17.  Acknowledgment of Retiring Directors

On behalf of RTAM, the President expressed appreciation for the work of those directors who were not returning to the Board: Rosalie Bornn, Pat Bowslaugh, Guy Hansen, Vel McAdam, Maureen Recksiedler, Ray Sitter, William Taylor and Rita Warrian.

18.  Welcoming the New Board

The members of the incoming board who were present stood to be welcomed.

19.  Closing Remarks

On behalf of the group, Pat Bowslaugh expressed appreciation for the work of the Hanover Chapter planning committee, President Brian Gadsby, Denis Fontaine, David Giesbrecht and Abram Wiebe, in organizing a wonderful AGM. The warm welcome, the facilities, the food and the Mennonite Men’s Choir that entertained at the reception, were all spectacular.

President Richard added his thanks saying he looked forward to the year when it would again be HART’s turn.

AGM 2012 will be held in Winnipeg on May 8-9, and AGM 2013 in Dauphin on May 7-8.  He looked forward to a large attendance at each.

20.  Closing

President Richard Benoit closed the meeting at 4:00 p.m.