· THWTB breakfast and AGM was held in September, using BCRTA champagne funds to pay for new retirees.
· The President and one member attended the BCRTA delegate's day and AGM
· Several members enjoyed a tour of “901” luxury condos - formerly Fernie Secondary School in February
· Two informal meetings were held to discuss issues.
· The President attended the initial Zone meeting in Creston in April.
· We continued to share BCRTA and other information electronically with members who are online and mailed information updates to others in April.
· At a special luncheon meeting in May, BCRTA President, Sheila Pither explained what the BCRTA does for its members, implications of current financial events for our benefits & pensions and how the Criminal Records Check controversy is being dealt with by the BCRTA.
· Our heritage Committee's display was exhibited in Fernie's Seniors Center from January until March and funding provided by the BCRTA was used to complete Phase 2. Both displays will be exhibited together in Fernie’s Seniors Center from September through November.
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* * *
BCRTA
09 CONVENTION Sept. 18/19
Attended
by Jann Caufield and Diane Stothers (
Elk Valley)
It wasn't only
about protecting our pensions...
So many items
on the extensive agenda!
Dedicated
hard working volunteers are taking care of
business for us...
The committee
Reports include
ACER/CART
(Association Canadienne Des Enseignantes Et Des Enseignants
Retraites- The Canadian Association of Retired Teachers.
The priorities of this committee include:
Enforcement of
the principles of the Canada Health Act, National Pharmacare, Cost of Drugs,
Elder Abuse and retirement homes and long term care, Caregivers, and Childcare.
Advocacy
Prepared an
article for the Postscript
commenting on the difficulty of becoming involved in the democratic process
while remaining non -partisan.
Dealt with The
College of Teachers' Criminal Record checks for retired teachers.
Excellence
in Education
Launched the
BCRTA Golden Star Awards for public school to access using seniors as resource
people. Three awards in amts of $3000. $2000, and $1000
be available to schools who participate in this project.
Scholarships
and bursaries have been given by local branches to students throughout the
province. The funds have been raised by raffles, silent auction, personal
donation..whatever works.
Finance
( an
exceptionally busy committee)
Does
accounting for the BCRTA,
Insurance, Petty Cash, Capital Funds, Travel Allowance, Operating Accounts,
Reserve Funds, Budget preparation, Special Events and Expense Vouchers.
Health
and Housing (met with
Health Authorities 5 times this year)
Issues
included:
Acute care wait
times, Residential Care Homes,
Assisted Living, Home Support and Homecare, Affordable Housing (huge problem in
BC . . . Some landlords are evicting tenants, renovating and raising the rent
beyond the ability of low income seniors to pay. The largest growing group in
homelessness is senior women. This committee would like to see the
information more available to the public.
Heritage
The most important objective is to promote and encourage the collection
of historical education artifacts. (Our branch applied and received a grant.)
This committee would like to see more policies on heritage
included in school district policy manuals.
Membership
Researched more
remote areas with good results...more branches have been launched. The data base
is being improved thanks to
email...A list of speakers, activities, workshops and field trips that branches
will be compiled to share with all branches.
Pensions
and Benefits
A big concern
is that the ratio of retired teachers and active teachers is lessening.
There were no major changes to the pension in the past year. The full subsidy of
the Extended Health Care premiums for retired teachers is projected to end in
Dec. 2013 when at that point all of the money available for health benefit plans
will be in use and retired teachers will begin to pay a small but growing
portion of the EHC premiums.
Insurance
products for RTA members through
Johnson Inc continues to be well used.
A single trip travel insurance plan was implemented for those who do not need
Trip Cancellation or Interruption coverage. The committee is reviewing a
proposal for a separate Trip Cancellation and interruption policy for members
who have sufficient EHC coverage that do not need additional out of province
medical coverage.
Postscript
Only
the readers can let them know if it has improved, more appealing, more
colorful, more diverse...let them know please what you would like
to see included. More letters to
the Editor would be welcome.
Social
Concerns
One issue that
hasn't ben resolved is the Criminal records check. However the BCRTA is
continuing to vigilantly monitoring this issue.. This committee deals with a
myriad of issues.
Cosco
(Council of Senior citizens)
One very urgent
issue is the HST
(Harmonized Sales Tax) and
will be dealt with by this committee.
The issue of
Senior Friendly communities was discussed. We can work towards making our towns
more user friendly for seniors so do hesitate to offer suggestions to our
branch.
RR Smith
Memorial Fund Foundation
This is our
main charity which the committee gives
grants to BC and world public education. Examples ..Kenya, Guatemalan refugees, Myramar, Afghanistan ...the
need is great.
We moved and
passed that one dollar of our fees to the BCRTA be donated to this important
committee to help those in need.
Shiela Pither
was voted as our President for 09-10. She is an amazing leader...and is
available to answer questions or
direct us to resources which can be of help.