FALL 2017 PRESIDENT’S REPORT ~Submitted by Maureen Wilson~ I am hoping that everyone enjoyed the hot summer, and were not inconvenienced by the horrible fires that decimated so much of our beautiful landscape. I’m also hoping that everyone’s friends and family members who were affected by the fires (as was my cousin and family from 100 Mile House), are back home safe, and are able to get their lives back together. We should be thankful for all of the firefighters and volunteers who spent countless hours fighting to keep the fires under control. I have enjoyed my last three years as president of the Langley Retired Teachers’ Association, having worked with an amazing executive. As I begin my last year in my second two-year term, I look forward to another year filled with interesting times. LRTA Luncheons for 2017-18 Please mark the following dates on your calendar. Please note that the doors will open at 11:15 AM, and lunch will be served at 12:00 noon. Venue: Newlands Golf and Country Club Cost: * $15 * -- We are subsiding the luncheons as long as we have funds to do so. *Please take note that the November SILENT AUCTION/luncheon will be held on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14 rh (not Nov. 21, as previously stated) in the larger Regency Room, which is a little further down the hall. • November 14, 2017 (in Regency* Room) • February 20, 2018 (in Copper Room) • May 29, 2018 (in Copper Room) CALLING ON RETIRED TEACHERS WHO WISH TO GO BACK TO WORK If you are interested in going back to work as a TTOC, please contact the Langley School Board office at 604-534-7891. They are in DESPERATE need of qualified teachers, at the moment. Contact: 604-916-0653 or [email protected]Note Date Change*
Transcript
FALL 2017
PRESIDENT’S REPORT ~Submitted by Maureen Wilson~
I am hoping that everyone enjoyed the hot summer, and were not inconvenienced by the horrible fires that decimated so much of our beautiful landscape. I’m also hoping that everyone’s friends and family members who were affected by the fires (as was my cousin and family from 100 Mile House), are back home safe, and are able to get their lives back together. We should be thankful for all of the firefighters and volunteers who spent countless hours fighting to keep the fires under control. I have enjoyed my last three years as president of the Langley Retired Teachers’ Association, having worked with an amazing executive. As I begin my last year in my second two-year term, I look forward to another year filled with interesting times.
LRTA Luncheons for 2017-18
Please mark the following dates on your calendar. Please note that the doors will open at 11:15 AM, and lunch will be served at 12:00 noon. Venue: Newlands Golf and Country Club Cost: * $15 * -- We are subsiding the luncheons as long as we have funds to do so. *Please take note that the November SILENT AUCTION/luncheon will be held on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14rh (not Nov. 21, as previously stated) in the larger Regency Room, which is a little further down the hall.
• November 14, 2017 (in Regency* Room) • February 20, 2018 (in Copper Room) • May 29, 2018 (in Copper Room)
CALLING ON RETIRED TEACHERS WHO WISH TO GO BACK TO WORK
If you are interested in going back to work as a TTOC, please contact the Langley School Board office at 604-534-7891. They are in DESPERATE need of qualified teachers, at the moment.
BCRTA AGM 2017-18 Report Submitted by Sue Mackenzie and Annette O'Connor
Summary of the BCRTA AGM - September 21st to September 23, 2017
Delegates from LRTA - Annette O'Connor, Judy DeVries (R.R.Smith), Sue Mackenzie The theme for this year's AGM was "Well-being". We started the session on Friday morning with a presentation by Diana Steele, a registered dietician (who many recognized from Global news) entitled "Nutrition for Active Living". She discussed the health benefits for all with following the 80/20 rule of balancing healthy eating 80 % of the time and allowing other choices 20 % of the time and the negative impact on one's health when neglected. She stressed the importance of eating 6 to 7 servings of vegetables and fruit per day and including protein as well as healthy carbohydrates in your daily diet. Diana also provided information on taking different supplements. Following Diana's presentation was an activity break led by Lydia Francescutti, who leads classes at the Brookswood Seniors Centre. Locating and stretching muscles from all areas of our body was the focus of this activity. Hilde Deprez, a qualified and experienced notary, provided an enlightening presentation about "Protecting Yourself from Elder Abuse". Hilde has a special interest in her private practice on both estate and incapacity planning. She clearly recommends getting professional advice when planning ahead, looking into having enduring power of attorney for financial and legal matters as well as a representative agreement for personal care issues. Hilde described many precautions to consider when making decisions. Linda Fawcus, from GLUU Technology, provided information on "Technology Seniors Should Embrace". She stressed the need for seniors to understand the concepts of text messaging, making appointments online, and the use of apps for a variety of useful tasks. Linda discussed the many changes taking place in our lifetime that will require this understanding. One of the "Golden Star" awards this past year went to Jason Proulx, a teacher from Belmont Elementary for his excellent woodworking program that benefitted both students and seniors. Steve Bailey presented the LRTA with a trophy and gift bag from Roger's Chocolates for having the most new members in a medium sized branch. For the purpose of looking at some new and proposed initiatives to increase membership and improve services check out the new website for the BCRTA - and look at the BCRTA Advantage program. Saturday AGM's - Judy presented the R.R.Smith Memorial Fund Foundation annual report and financial statement. Election Results as follows: President - Patricia Clough, 1st Vice President - Gerry Tiede, 2nd Vice President - Grace Wilson, Directors Inside Lower Mainland - Floyd Smith and Barb Mikulec, Directors Outside Lower Mainland - Terry Green and Stefan Cieslik for 2 year terms, Sterling Campbell and Margaret Sutton for 1 year terms. Motion to decrease number of delegates to BCTF AGM from 26 to 21 people since there is a perceived lack of issues raised that have direct relevance to retired teachers. The Pensions report showed a return on the fund for 2016 of 6% which gives a 5 year average of 10.4% . There was considerable discussion around the concerns regarding proposed Bill C27 (allowing some employers to convert to a Target Pension Plan) introduced in October of 2016. More information is available on the BCRTA website and outlines some of the "potential" risks for those with Defined Benefit Pension Plans such as ours. There was discussion around the revised BCRTA by-laws. The new language and organization was in keeping with the new Societies Act. The proposed budget for 2017 - 2018 was presented. After considerable clarification and debate the by-laws and budget were passed. AGM was adjourned at 1:00.
LET’S GO GROUP ~Submitted by Judy de Vries~
Let’s Go members gathered in September to discuss trips, plan events and go for lunch. If you are interested in what is coming up, please let me know and I will put you on the Let’s Go list.
Everyone is welcome to attend our next gathering on October 25th, 2017 in Room 128 Langley School Board Office at 10:00 a.m.
SUNSHINE REPORT ~Submitted by Jacquie Hollybow~
As your Sunshine person, I am available to send cards to members to recognize significant events, or if they are experiencing a serious illness themselves or have lost a family member. If you know of such a situation in the life of a Langley Retired Teachers' Association member you can notify me by phone: (604) 888-7020 or e-mail: [email protected] or any of the executive and a card will be sent.
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT ~Submitted by Cindy Silen~
Invitations go out through email to 321 LRTA members and 35 to new retirees. We also have two volunteers, Trixie Martyn and Lois Comerford, who notify members who have requested to be contacted by phone. The luncheon dates are also always available on our website: http://www.langleyrta.ca/ It is our goal to make sure that everyone is contacted, so please let me know if you would like to be added to the invitation group. I’d also like to thank so many of you for your quick response to let us know that you wish to attend. This helps us to confirm numbers with Newlands in advance. We also appreciate your notice to us when plans change which keeps us accurate with our numbers. Our next event is our Silent Auction on November 21st. We hope to see lots of you then! Cindy Silen [email protected]
UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Again, this year, we have an opportunity to help raise money for our LRTA scholarship fund by volunteering to wrap Christmas presents at the Willowbrook Mall Christmas Gift Wrap Centre, which operates from December 6 to 24, three shifts per day Monday to Saturday and two shifts on Sundays. I am hoping that we show enough interest from our group so that we can volunteer for two shifts. I don’t have any fixed dates, at the moment, but, as soon as I do, I can let those interested know which dates and times are available. Training is provided at Willowbrook at a date to be determined. If you are interested in helping out, please phone me at 604-916-0653 or e-mail me at [email protected].
2017 Retirees!
We had a good turnout of recent retirees at our No Bell Brunch on September 5th. Our colleagues had a great opportunity to re-connect and to congratulate our new retirees. The following is a list of retiring teachers and administrators (A), as of this newsletter. I apologize, in advance, if I have left anyone off the list. We look forward to many of them joining our group.
Cathy Anderson (A) Catherine Gillion Kristine Mattson Frank Roberto (A) Cindy Barwin Cathy Gloch Anne McGoran Val Robinson Sarah Bauder Rob Goddard Anne Midzain Sandy Rutter George Bergen Marg Gowans Paul Milette Christine Senften John Blaauw Gordon Grant Karen Morrison Vicki Sjoerdsma Bob Boyd-Whitley Annette Gray Janet Neff Jim Sparks Neil Brown Dave Hetherington Paul Munnalall Jennifer Starr Paul Buchin Cam Inglis Russ Newby Mimi Sypal-Kahout Robert Butler Michelle Jeter-Krasnikoff Donna Nyland Sandi Takasaki Tom Carson Rebecca Kennedy Sharon O’Connell Mike Ward Gail Chaddock-Costello Jeannie Knight Kelly Paddock (A) Chris Watson Deb Cowland Iris Kuehn Angelo Pandolfo Connie Whitrow David Duke Phillippe Legentil Maureen Paterson Linda Wiens Tammy Farrer Lucy Lenko (A) Elaine Paulson Shirley Wong Linda Flannagan (Daniz) Laurie Lewis Kristine Pilgrim Doug Yorgason Clare Fuller Debbie Maclean Yole Prosperi-Porta Pamela Garcha Kerry Maines Elaine Regier Colleen Giddings Mark Maines Rob Richardson
HERE’S YOUR CHANCE -- ONE YEAR FREE MEMBERSHIP!
Join the BCRTA, and receive your first year FREE!! You may also be one of 10 mini-iPad 4 winners! Go to the Membership page of the BCRTA. Here is a direct link http://www.bcrta.ca/membership (you can copy and paste the URL into your browser window). This offer is for anyone who has never joined the BCRTA, not only for new retirees. So, if you know a teacher who has retired in previous years, but has not yet joined the BCRTA, please let them know of this unique opportunity.
COSCO REPORT
~Submitted by Annette O’Connor ~
In September COSCO delegates had Steve Morgan a Professor of health policy in the School of Population and Public Health at UBC as a guest speaker. An expert in pharmaceudical policy, Dr. Morgan’s research helps governments balance three sometimes-competing goals: providing equitable access to necessary Medicines, managing health care spending responsibly, and providing incentive for valued innovation. Dr. Morgan broke down the patchwork of coverage in Canada and showed us how Canada could save billions of dollars with a single payer, even BC could provide coverage for a limited list that would be cost effective and provide better coverage. What we can do? Get informed! Canadian Doctors for Medicare Pharmacare 2020 (The future of Drug care in Canada) Citizens reference panel on pharmacare in Canada report Canadian Health Coalition Canadian Labour Congress – Pharmacare a plan for everyone Then speak up! COSCO is also supporting the BCRTA campaign opposing Bill C – 27 Target Benefit Plans. Check the BCRTA website for more information about this.
TREASURER’S REPORT
~Submitted by Mary-Jo Hall~
General Funds $3392.32 Advocacy 1645.00 Contingency 5791.92 Bank Balance $10829.24
WHAT IS THE LRTA ALL ABOUT? ~Submitted by George Main~
For those of you who are new to retirement, George Main, one of our past presidents, and current webmaster for our LRTA website, gives an excellent explanation. The underlined words in blue are live links, if you are reading this online. Every two years we have elections, and this is an election year. Although most of what we do is fun and our four of five executive meetings are a pleasure to attend, we do have a focused side covered in our Policies and Procedures WE ARE: an organization of retired educators: teachers, administrators, and superintendents. OUR MISSION: to maintain and enhance the quality of life of our members and that of other seniors. We work to encourage all retired educators to become members of the BCRTA. OUR AIMS: • To promote the interests and safe guard the welfare of our members. • To provide information and advice to individual members and their beneficiaries regarding retirement
programs and benefits. • To communicate to members regarding the activities of the Association and issues of common
interest. • To promote excellence in education, past and present, in the Langley School District. • To support the recording of the history of education in our branch and the preservation of school
properties of historical value. Being part of the LRTA Executive opens many doors into retirement activities. We are part of COSCO, The Council of Senior Citizens Organization and we are also members of the Langley Chamber of Commerce. Being part of both these organizations helps fulfill our aims. Unique to the LRTA is the Let’s Go Group - one that I have enjoyed taking part in some of their outings, my trip to Cuba was fantastic and local trips are inexpensive and great outings. View the Let’s Go Group on our web site. New members to our executive are not thrust into positions but spend time working alongside others. For example, I need help with the web site, mostly proof reading and help with editing and gathering information for the History of Langley Schools. As a branch of the BCRTA we work with other Branches in protecting our pensions and benefits. Many of our executive are on BCRTA Committees. Please see the new BCRTA web site and on the home page - Whose the Target! Annette O’Connor and I are on the BCRTA Communications Committee and trust me when I say our PENSIONS ARE UNDER A SERIOUS THREAT and only a strong BCRTA with a growing membership will save our plan. Don’t sit back, get involved and become part of the BCRTA Langley Branch executive. If you would like more information about roles on the LRTA executive please contact Maureen Wilson or George Main, indeed any member of the executive. For contact information, telephone and email, click here.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT ~Submitted by Maureen Pepin~
The Langley Retired Teachers’ Association scholarship committee reports that we have raised enough money to provide nine awards of $800 for the graduates of Langley schools, in 2017. Students who won scholarships this year are:
We are now collecting money for the 2018 awards and need your help. The Silent Auction in November usually provides about $700 to the fund, while the Direct Ask program collects about $1800. We are still rather low for the Direct Ask fund, so please send your donation of $50 or $100, as soon as possible, to Maureen Pepin (25323 - 12th Ave, Aldergrove, V4W 3N2), or bring it to the meeting in November. Cheques should be made out to the Langley Foundation. The bulk of the funds come from the trust, which is with the Vancouver Foundation. Hopefully, we can again have enough money to pay out $800 per school as we have done the last few years.
MEMBERSHIP/BCRTA WEBSITE LIAISON REPORT ~ Submitted by Susan Preast~
The Langley Branch of the BCRTA is one of the largest and most actively supported branches in the province. This year we added 25 new members, and now have a total of 453 members. We are pleased to welcome our newest members: June Amano, Jeffrey Armstrong, Neil Brown, Alison Hewitt, Robert Boyd-Whitley, Ruth Hodgins, Alex Holm, Ann Marie Kirby, Leslie Klein, Jean Knight, Joan Knox, Iris Kuehn-Guriel, Wando Madokoro, Debbie Maloway, Janet Maynes, Bonnie McCaw, Claire Morriss, Maureen Paterson, Kathryn Pinkerton, Christine, Senften, Leslie Sim, Mimi Sypal-Kohout, Jill Wight, Kathie Wilkins and Shirley Wong.
Our branch is represented on the web at www.bcrta.ca and on our very own web page at http://www.langleyrta.caBy investigating these sites you will be able to find an abundance of information about our branch! All executive members’ names and contact information are listed on both sites. As Membership chair, I encourage both members and non-members to contact me with any membership questions or concerns. This year BCRTA is encouraging all retired teachers to fill in a registration form in order to receive a year of free membership in both the BCRTA AND Langley branch. Here’s a direct link to the BCRTA membership page - http://www.bcrta.ca/membership - where you can either download a BCRTA membership application, fill it out and mail it in, or fill one out online and e-mail it to [email protected] Don’t forget to note that you would like to join the BCRTA AND the Langley Branch. Belonging to the BCRTA provides us all with benefits and privileges that would otherwise not be possible. Yearly dues are necessary to support the effort of those that advocate for the rights and interests of retired teachers. At the branch level, the yearly fee is important as it allows the executive to plan luncheons, pay speakers and organize special activities. In addition, we provide $800 scholarships each year to 9 Langley graduates planning a teaching career.
We are trying to be environmentally aware, as well as save on printing and mailing costs, by sending electronic copies of our newsletters, wherever possible. If we do not have your current e-mail address and you would like to be part of our ‘green team’ and receive your newsletter via e-mail, please let us know by e-mailing us at: [email protected]
Thanks,
Maureen Wilson ~ editor of ‘Open Road’, the LRTA newsletter
