The UGRA Constitution reminds us that “All persons retired from the University of Guelph and their surviving spouses are considered members of the Association”. As 2016-17 President, I look forward to an active year focusing on the Association’s Objectives. To foster a mutually beneficial relationship with the University of Guelph, and To promote the welfare of retirees in such matters as University and pensions and health benefits, and access to the University and its facilities. The UGRA Executive Committee takes a break over the summer but we’ve had two delightful member events in August. About 50 members enjoyed a river cruise on the Grand River near Caledonia and about 75 enjoyed the Retirees’ Social at the newly renovated MacDonald Hall sponsored by the University President’s Office. The monthly Executive Committee meeting, starting in September, will plan and deliver UGRA activities through the next year. As usual this will include the Fall and Spring Forums at the Arboretum Centre. The Exec will continue to improve the use of direct messaging to our members using email (if you aren’t getting email from the UGRA, let us know your current email address) and our website, www.UGRA.ca. In support of the objective to foster a relationship with the University, Peter Kevan and I will be enhancing our meetings with the University Executive team. Our objective is to improve communication and document somewhat ad hoc retiree benefits and services provided by the University. The goal is to ensure retirees can access these services and obtain timely help with problems. It will also inform new retirees (our future members) of those benefits and services in a timely manner. This past spring, the UGRA worked with CCS to ensure that retirees with University email addresses were informed and supported during the transition to the new Office365 email system. Thank you to retiring members of our 2016 Board. A big thanks to Janet Kaufman, last year’s Past President, who has tirelessly helped plan and organize many activities over the last few years, including our support of the 2016 University’s United Way campaign and our upcoming Fall forum. Thank you to retiring members, John Van Esch, who has served for many years, and Judy O’Donnell for their contributions to the work of the UGRA. And a welcome to Roselynn Stevenson, Betty Clyde and Dana Paramskas. Dana returns, continuing as maintainer of our membership database. Finally, a thank you to Robin Davidson- Arnott, Past-President for getting me started on the role of President – I look forward to his continuing guidance with the Executive Committee. I’m interested in your suggestions about how the UGRA can support and engage its members through activities and communication. Do you have concerns about University benefits and services for retirees? Would you be interested in more UGRA social events such as our Grand River cruise? Email me your ideas at [email protected]. Kent Percival, President, UGRA Fall 2016 UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH RETIREES ASSOCIATION UGRA UGRA www.ugra.ca In this issue P2 2016-17 Executive Committee 2016 Annual Meeting P3 CURAC Report UGRA Fall Forum 2016 P4 Annual Retirees’ Social United Way Campaign Passings P5 Grand River Cruise Recent Retirees P6 Third Age Learning Lecture Series Fall 2016 Travel Health Benefits P7 Be a Contributing Member of the UGRA P8 Remembrance Day Service The UGRA Executive Needs Feedback Editor: Jamie Snell PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Transcript
The UGRA Constitution reminds us that“All persons retired from the University ofGuelph and their surviving spouses areconsidered members of the Association”. As2016-17 President, I look forward to an activeyear focusing on the Association’s Objectives.
To foster a mutually beneficial relationshipwith the University of Guelph, and
To promote the welfare of retirees in suchmatters as University and pensions andhealth benefits, and access to theUniversity and its facilities.
The UGRA Executive Committee takes abreak over the summer but we’ve had twodelightful member events in August. About50 members enjoyed a river cruise on theGrand River near Caledonia and about 75enjoyed the Retirees’ Social at the newlyrenovated MacDonald Hall sponsored by theUniversity President’s Office.
The monthly Executive Committee meeting,starting in September, will plan and deliverUGRA activities through the next year. Asusual this will include the Fall and SpringForums at the Arboretum Centre. The Execwill continue to improve the use of direct
messaging to our members using email (if youaren’t getting email from the UGRA, let usknow your current email address) and ourwebsite, www.UGRA.ca.
In support of the objective to foster arelationship with the University, Peter Kevanand I will be enhancing our meetings with theUniversity Executive team. Our objective isto improve communication and documentsomewhat ad hoc retiree benefits and servicesprovided by the University. The goal is toensure retirees can access these services andobtain timely help with problems. It will alsoinform new retirees (our future members) ofthose benefits and services in a timelymanner. This past spring, the UGRA workedwith CCS to ensure that retirees withUniversity email addresses were informed andsupported during the transition to the newOffice365 email system.
Thank you to retiring members of our 2016Board. A big thanks to Janet Kaufman, lastyear’s Past President, who has tirelessly helpedplan and organize many activities over thelast few years, including our support of the2016 University’s United Way campaign andour upcoming Fall forum. Thank you toretiring members, John Van Esch, who hasserved for many years, and Judy O’Donnellfor their contributions to the work of theUGRA. And a welcome to RoselynnStevenson, Betty Clyde and DanaParamskas. Dana returns, continuing asmaintainer of our membership database.Finally, a thank you to Robin Davidson-Arnott, Past-President for getting me startedon the role of President – I look forward to hiscontinuing guidance with the ExecutiveCommittee.
I’m interested in your suggestions about howthe UGRA can support and engage itsmembers through activities andcommunication. Do you have concerns aboutUniversity benefits and services for retirees?Would you be interested in more UGRAsocial events such as our Grand River cruise?Email me your ideas at [email protected].
Kent Percival, President, UGRA
Fall 2016
U N I V E R S I T Y O F G U E L P HRETIREES ASSOCIAT ION
UGRA
UGRA
www.ugra.ca
In this issue
P2 2016-17 ExecutiveCommittee
2016 Annual Meeting
P3 CURAC Report
UGRA Fall Forum 2016
P4 Annual Retirees’ Social
United Way Campaign
Passings
P5 Grand River Cruise
Recent Retirees
P6 Third Age LearningLecture Series Fall 2016
Travel Health Benefits
P7 Be a ContributingMember of the UGRA
P8 Remembrance DayService
The UGRA ExecutiveNeeds Feedback
Editor: Jamie Snell
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
2016 Annual MeetingAfter some pleasant time meeting andgreeting over coffee, the Annual Meetingbegan with a presentation by MarthaHarley, Associate Vice-President, HumanResources at the University of Guelph.The talk was entitled “Update onPensions in the University Sector”.
Ms. Harley began with a general sector-wide discussion of Ontario universitypensions. For those universities withdefined benefit plans, the basic tests forviability centre on two issues. One, is thepension plan viable as a “going concern”,i.e., is it viable assuming the plan willcontinue to operate? Two, is the planviable on the basis of “solvency”, i.e.,could it meet all its commitments if theplan were to be folded immediately? It ison the basis of this second test that theUniversity of Guelph pension plans andthose at other universities fall short, thusraising serious concerns.
The solvency shortfalls led the provinceto provide a temporary solvency reliefprogram, beginning in 2009 and extendedin 2012. A new actuarial evaluation ofthe Ontario plans is scheduled in August2016. In other Canadian provinces,universities have been offered relief fromthe solvency funding requirements, butthe Ontario government has to date beenunwilling to adopt this idea.
In their Fall 2015 Economic Outlook theOntario government responded to theissue by announcing the Ontario PensionSolvency Funding Framework Review, ledby David Marshall advisor for the OntarioMinistry of Finance. The detailed resultsof this review are uncertain to date.There will not likely be a full exemptionfrom the solvency requirements. There isalready enhanced “going concern” fundingrequirements in many plans.
Mediation meetings to discuss a possiblejoint pension plan began in February2015. This led to a report to the COUand to a pause in discussions, as theindividual universities contemplated thepotential problems. The mediation talksare expected to resume in the Fall of 2016,subject to Mr. Marshall’s review. SixOntario universities are currentlyinvolved in the joint pension plandiscussions, including Toronto, Queen’sand Guelph.
The meetings are designed to study anddevelop a voluntary, multi-employer jointpension plan. The intended plan will be adefined benefit plan. As with mostexisting local pensions plans, the jointplan will be based on 50/50 contributionsby employers and employees. The jointplan would also be jointly administered byboth sides as to both terms and changes tothe proposed plan.
A new joint plan would requireparticipating universities to merge theterms of existing plans (in itself a verydifficult requirement – Guelph alone hasthree separate pension plans). The resultis, in Ms. Harley’s terms, a “dynamicenvironment”. Ms. Harley emphasizedthat none of the discussions on a proposedjoint pension plan will affect the pensionsof any current retirees.
After Ms. Harley’s talk, the business of theAssociation was discussed by those inattendance. The UGRA ScholarshipFund was discussed, centring on theNotice-of-Motion published in the SpringNewsletter. The motion was carried, asdiscussed elsewhere in this Newsletter.The retiring members of the Executivewere congratulated and thanked for theirconsiderable service and the new
Executive was duly elected, followed byadjournment.
The AGM was then followed by a veryenjoyable lunch for those who chose tojoin some of their colleagues for a pleasantand relaxed social occasion.
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UGRAFall 2016
2016-17 ExecutiveCommitteeKent Percival, PresidentRobin Davidson-Arnott, Past
The 2016 AGM authorised theExecutive to follow a series ofprescribed actions regarding the UGRAScholarship Fund, which is designed tosupport a close relative of a retired U ofG employee with an award of $1500,provided the recipient is currently anundergraduate with at least a 75%average. The motion instructed theExecutive to explain to themembership the current financial statusof the Fund and to mount “a vigorouscampaign” to raise further funds, atleast to the $30,000 threshold neededfor the Fund to become endowed. Ifthat amount in pledges and actualdonations has not been reached by 1February 2017, the Fund is to be drawndown in further awards and thescholarship withdrawn.
The sense of the AGM attendees wasthat the Scholarship was worthwhileand helped to meet a need amongGuelph undergraduates. UGRAmembers can expect to hear furtherfrom the Executive in the comingmonths as the AGM instructions arepursued.
There will be more exciting news to bereleased shortly. Please check thewebsite www.ugra.ca/scholarship/donation. A generous donor is makingit possible for us to donate matchingfunds.
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Fall 2016UGRA
CURAC (College and University Retiree Associations ofCanada) is, as its name indicates, is a National organizationwhose members consist of retiree associations from postsecondaryinstitutions across Canada, such as UGRA. Among its manyfunctions, CURAC conducts surveys on benefits and pensions,offers travel opportunities and insurance through affiliatedindustrial partners. CURAC issues Bulletins, policy papers andother interventions with various levels of government ministrieswhich impact seniors. Its activities, surveys and policystatements are described through its web pages:http://www.curac.ca and it is also on Facebook at “CURAC”.CURAC has an annual awards program, which is described inthe web pages and on Facebook/CURAC. Dave Swayne, a priorPresident of UGRA, is currently Vice-President of CURAC.Dave can be reached at [email protected].
David SwayneUGRA Representative
CURAC Report
Topic: Brain Health
Date/Time: Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016, 2 to 4 p.m.
Place: Arboretum Centre, University of Guelph
Refreshments will be available at 1:15 pm followed by ourprogram from 2:00-4:00 pm
Program: What research tells us about how to maintain brainhealth; the impact of physiological changes in the aging brain;safe and appropriate use of prescription and non-prescriptionmedications; and community services and supports available forseniors experiencing a range of issues that may include moodchanges, dementia, depression and/or anxiety.
Our speakers are:
Beth Kaufman, Certified Geriatric Pharmacist andCertified Diabetic Educator, Prime Care PharmacyArboretum
Jane McKinnon Wilson, Waterloo Wellington GeriatricSystem Coordinator, Canadian Mental HealthAssociation, Waterloo Wellington
Kim Wilson, Assistant Professor, Adult Development &Aging, Dept. of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition,University of Guelph
There is no fee for this event, but we will have a table set up toreceive membership contributions.
UGRA Fall Forum 2016
Kent
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Kent
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On Wednesday, 31 August the retirees’social was held in the newly renovatedMacdonald Hall, now the new home ofthe College of Business and Economics.The stately red-brick building had firstbeen opened over 100 years earlier as theresidence for women students on campus,particularly those who were part of theHome Economics/Domestic Sciencediploma and degree programs.
The renovations aimed at providing anew home for the College of Business andEconomics, which had been foundedsome ten years ago, combining Economicswith the various programs in the Hoteland Food school. The interior of thebuilding has been almost completelyrebuilt with a view to modernizing andupdating the learning environment forthe students. While some olderarchitectural features were uncovered andretained, much more (such as the classicspiral staircase at the entrance andstretching up three floors) has beenreplaced by more open and efficient
spaces. Old residence rooms have beenturned into offices or meeting rooms. Theoverall effect of the very flexible and openspaces is quite impressive.
Don O’Leary, Vice-President (Finance,Administration and Risk) briefly reviewedthe current status of the University,something that most retirees are alwaysinterested in. The incoming class of 5300undergraduates is the largest in the historyof the University, making for a totalundergraduate student population of21,000 (in addition to some 2600graduate students and over 4000undergraduates at Guelph-Humber). Healso pointed to a number of other physicalchanges on campus, led by the new wingof the athletic centre. Also, theUniversity has announced a federal andprovincial governments grant of$30,000,000, more than matched by theUniversity, for major upgrading oflaboratories on campus. After somefurther words from the Dean and theUGRA President, the assembled retireesbroke up into several smaller groups andtoured the building. Passings
Vera McDougall April 13 2016
Barbara Hodsdon April 18 2016
Cal Swegles April 22 2016
Robert Hillson April 26 2016
Arnold Holmes May 22 2016
Joyce Henderson June 13 2016
Wade Montminy June 21 2016
Thomas Lane June 28 2016
Wilma Suderman July 5 2016
Neal Stoskopf July 12 2016
Mary Rogers July 15 2016
John Derbyshire July 16 2016
Yvonne Ensing July 16 2016
David Sparling July 31 2016
John Summers Aug. 2 2016
Elaine Semple Aug. 3 2016
�UGRAFall 2016
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U of G’s 2016 United Way Campaignslogan, $600,000 and Beyond, wasrevealed at the campaign kick-off on Sept.22. The University community is one ofthe biggest supporters of United WayGuelph Wellington Dufferin with U of Gretirees contributing over $63,000 in2015. Contributions to the United Waystay in the community and support over95 local programs and services. When youdonate to United Way you are supportingthousands of people in our communitywho use the services of organizations likeHospice Wellington, the Canadian RedCross, the Guelph Wellington Seniors
Association and Big Brothers, Big Sisters.Accessing long-term funding from UnitedWay means these agencies can spend theirvaluable time with people in ourcommunity who need their assistance.
Please consider making a donation. Mostretirees receive a pledge form in the mail,which can be used to donate directly witha deduction from your monthly pensionpayment. Pledge forms can also bedownloaded from the University’scampaign website atwww.uoguelph.ca/unitedway. Localvolunteers thoroughly review programs toensure they are meeting their goals. Thatmeans you can be sure your United Waydonation is working hard where it isneeded most.
Janet Kaufman
(Retiree representative on the U of GUW Campaign Steering Committee)
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Fall 2016UGRA
Recent RetireesApril 1 2016Raymond Lee Plant Ag.May 1 2016Nicholas Bray KemptvilleHeather Buck KemptvilleCheryl Devries KemptvilleKathleen Doerner Miller Continuing Ed.William Graham KemptvilleDeborah Jones LSD — ChemistryDoris Lerch Hospitality ServicesSusan Lewis School of EngineeringLorna Reid Child Care ServicesPatricia Remillard KemptvilleAndy Sleeth KemptvilleClaude Smith KemptvilleRon Van Schyndel KemptvilleBeverley Vandervelde KemptvilleJune 1 2016Loo-Sar Chia Plant Ag.Mary Dolderman Envir. Design/Rural Dev.Debbie MacDonald Envir. BiologyPeggy Pritchard Office of CIOJames Purdy Phy. ResourcesJuly 1 2016Walter Andres Plant Ag.John Brooks RidgetownNorman Catchpole RidgetownCobi Demmers LSD – AnalyticalJoan Dunbar Student HousingBrenda Foster Student HousingNorman Saunders Phy. ResourcesLouise Spilsbury LSD – ChemistryAlain Thomas Languages & LiteraturesAugust 1 2016Robin Cooper LibraryKerry Daly CSAHS Dean’s OfficeSusan Ferguson Financial ServicesSuzanne Hall Envir. Design/Rural Dev.Bonnie Jeffords RidgetownCarol Jones AVP AgrifoodJanet Lloyd Hospitality ServicesSandra McDonald Student FinanceCarol Schlaht Mollecular/Cellular
BiologyCathy Tutton SchedulingPhilip Wong Real EstateKaren Zago Provost & VP Academic
In mid-August the Executive took a leadfrom Peter Kevan who suggested and thenorganised (along with Cathy Ralston), adinner-time cruise of the Grand River inthe area around Caledonia. Over fiftymembers chose to take advantage of thisopportunity to see a part of the localenvironment that they might not haveseen previously as well as a time tosocialise with long-time friends andcolleagues. The event went off without ahitch and those involved seemed to enjoy
themselves very much. There was anopportunity to witness some of thewildlife that inhabit the river, and it wasstriking to see the contrasts between thedeveloped/commercial (eastern) side ofthe river with the undeveloped, ‘natural’(western) side of the river which is part ofthe Six Nations Reserve. The weather wasexcellent for a refreshing, pleasant outing,including some spectacular sunset viewsfor those on the bus travelling back toGuelph.
Grand River Cruise
6
UGRAFall 2016
Travel Health BenefitsSun Life Financial has announced on itswebsite that, as of 3 October 2016, therewill be a new provider for emergency out-of-country and out-of-province travelassistance. There are no changes to U ofG subscribers’ coverage, but there will besome changes to the procedures forcommunicating with Sun Life Financialand its new partner, Allianz GlobalAssistance. Members who subscribe tothe University health plan are advised tocheck the website of Sun Life Financialfor further information.https://www.sunlife.ca/static/canada/Sponsor/About%20Group%20Benefits/Focus%20Update/2011/310/Member_AmendmenttoEHCBenefitContracts.pdf
Third Age Learning,GuelphThese very informative and popularlectures are offered for the Fall 2016 atthe Arboretum, beginning Wednesday, 21September. The morning series (10 am -noon) focuses on the “IndigenousPeoples of Canada” and the afternoonseries (1:30 pm – 3:30 pm) is entitled“Spotlight on South America.” Themorning series is already fully booked butthere were still openings for the afternoonseries when this newsletter went to press.Check the Third Age Learning, Guelphwebsite for further details.
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Fall 2016UGRA
Be a Contributing Member of the UGRA (2016)All retirees are automatically members of the Universityof Guelph Retirees Association, but ourcapacity to operate effectively on behalf ofretirees depends on members volunteeringto become contributing members. Thismoney covers the cost of the newsletterand meeting room rentals for the AGM andthe spring and fall forums. It also enablesthe UGRA to send a representativeto the annual meeting of Collegeand University Retiree Associationsof Canada.
Please use the attached ContributingMembership Form to send with your ContributingMembership payment. In line with the resolution passed at the 2015 AGMwe suggest a contribution of $25 but we welcome contributions of any size whethersmaller or larger.
Meetings are held from 1:30-3:30 on the first Tuesday of the month from September toJune. A full Board is important for the full and proper functioning of the Association.If you are interested in working on behalf of your fellow retirees and have some time tocontribute, please consider letting your name stand, and complete the contact-us format http://www.ugra.ca/contact-us.
University of Guelph Retirees Association Contributing Membership (2016) Form
� YES! I want to help promote the welfare of retirees and to foster a mutually beneficial relationshipbetween retirees and the University by contributing to the UGRA’s administrative costs.
My contribution is $..................................
City/Province ...................................................................................................... Postal Code.......................................
(Note that the email address will be used for UGRA communications only.)
Please make cheque payable to the University of Guelph Retirees Association.
Mail this form with your cheque to:
University of Guelph Retirees Association • PO Box 48-4916 • University of Guelph • Guelph Ontario, N1G 2W1
Electronic Payment
Instead of mailing in a cheque you can now make a secure donation to UGRA electronically using PayPal andyour credit card on our web page at: http://www.ugra.ca
PUbLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40064673RETURN UNDELIVERAbLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: ITEMS TO
UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH RETIREES’ ASSOCIATIONP.O. bOx 4916UNIVERSITY OF GUELPHGUELPH, ONTARIOCANADA N1G 2W1
The UGRA ExecutiveCommittee Needs FeedbackThe UGRA Executive Committee acts onbehalf of the interests of University ofGuelph retirees. Without input from ourmembers, we operate partly in a vacuumwhere we try to imagine what retireessee as important issues and concerns. Todo our job well, we could use moreinformation, so please take theopportunity to let us know what’s onyour mind.
