1. Following THWTB breakfast and the fifty-fifty draw, President, Jann Caufield, called the meeting to order at 10:00 am with 22 present. The agenda was adopted as circulated; seconded by Diane Stothers.
2. Richard Pinotti read the minutes of the May 28th, 2009 meeting and summary of BCRTA President, Sheila Pither’s address to the Branch. Minutes were adopted as read, seconded by Annette Harrison and Cathy Stead. Re. the Criminal Records Check: The government may run criminal records even on retired teachers and we are obliged by law to fill out the necessary form.
3. President’s 2009 Branch report was circulated . Jann and Diane will attend the upcoming provincial AGM. Further information can be found at www.elkvalley.net/fdta and click on Retired Teachers Association link. The report was accepted, seconded by Lynda Bird.
4. Membership Report shows that our Branch has 34 members. Jann reminded us that there are 13,812 members in our organization, which has affiliations with COSCO*, ACER-CART*, and NPSCF* that all work on behalf of Canadian seniors, so we have a rather strong voice on important issues. Ray Hughes congratulated Jann on the wonderful job she and the Executive were doing.
5. Cathy Stead gave the Treasurer’s Report. The balance is $1745.15, and the Sunshine Fund stands at $61.50.
6. Heritage Committee Report included correspondence:
(a) Michel-Natal-Sparwood Heritage Society thanked us for a donation of $50 for research on Elk Valley Schools.
(b) Email in which Pat Summers replied that at their AGM, the Fernie Seniors approved our request to display our School Heritage Project at Fernie’s Seniors’ Centre for 3 months starting in September, and requested that it be movable.
Rose Watson gave her report on the Heritage Project, and the balance remaining for this project is $1190.03. She asked the members what they want to do with the balance, and asked for ideas. She suggested that a committee be formed to decide on issues. Rose’s report was approved, seconded by Annette Harrison and Len Kosiec. Members were asked to give Jann ideas on what to do with the $1190.
7. The HST will be dealt with at the AGM.
8. The Organization, COSCO, will present workshops for seniors. Lynda Hughes made a motion that we ask COSCO to make presentations on Medication Awareness for Seniors and Doing it your way - Legal documents in October, possibly at the Senior Centre, seconded by Kathy Stead.
9. Election of Officers: Jann Caufield accepted the office of President for one more year. Richard Pinotti will continue as Vice-President; Kathy Smith was elected Secretary; Cathy Stead was elected Treasurer; Annette Harrison will be the new Social Chair since Diane Stothers is stepping down as Social Chair after ten years.
10. The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 am, seconded by Len Kosiec and Annette Harrison.