RTA Zone Meetings.html

Kootenay Zone meeting Draft Minutes
May 19, 2011 10:00 am
ABC Restaurant Creston

In attendance: Judy deVries, Linda Madson, Marika Veysey, Patricia Clough, John Harasin, Mary Vanness, Karen MacDonald, Janice Caufield, Regina Day, Alex Dergousoff and Bob Meredith

The meeting began with the introduction of the chair, Judy de Vries, Zone Rep, Patricia Clough, Zone Rep and the attendees.
Expense forms and evaluation form were explained. Karen Mac Donald asked for clarification of ‘negotiation of attendees’. Answer -If a branch is sending more than one, the branch is responsible for the expenses of the additional member and is to advise the host in advance.

There were 2 additions to the agenda: 4A HST
11A Motion

Sharing
Bob Meredith: Creston has 60 members, a $5.00 annual fee and averages 45 at 3-4 social meetings that include spouses. Fall TGIF (Thank God I’m Free) breakfast is at the Golf Course. They support the local food hamper drives.

Alex Dergousoff: Nelson has 70 members, a $10.00 annual fee meets 3 times per year –Fall, Winter and their AGM in Spring. Topics for meetings have included Wills and Estates, elderly abuse and extended health benefits to be done via Skype. They have started a Heritage group. Their membership drive includes a visit , a small gift and a draw for 2 free memberships.

Janice Caufield: Elk Valley meets 2x per year and has a $5.00 membership. They have a “To Hell With the Bell Breakfast in Sept. and another meeting in the Spring. Their Sunshine fund is supported by their 50/50 draw. Their Heritage committee is active and have a public display. They have applied for a grant to produce an interactive video to showcase their one-room school.

Karen MacDonald: Cranbrook RTA began the year with a ‘To Hell With the Bell’ breakfast to welcome the new retirees. Their second meeting in February updated the members with current information re: the COLA raise, the new Blue Cross Plan and a COSCO presentation "Doing it Your Way" by Keith Coates. This presentation was well received. The CRTA AGM will be held at the end of May. Out of 102 members the CRTA has an attendance from 25 to 35. Their charitable donations are to the Childrens’ Library and Salvation Army.

Mary Vanness: Kootenay Columbia has 180 members, a $5.00 annual fee and attendance really varies at 3-4 meetings per year. Christmas and June tend to be social with the other 2 being more informative. They call new retirees and invite them to a free lunch at Sept. Meeting. There is a draw for a free first year membership at that meeting. They provide up to 3 scholarships to grads from WKTEP.

John Harasin spoke to the Heritage Committee. It has 12-15 directors and 1 paid employee. They have a collection dating back to 1904 and are working on a video to record memories and stories from former teachers. He thanked the RTA for their financial support.

Patricia Clough: Shuswap plans 5 meetings a year including their annual general in the local activity center. They have had programmes on wills and estates, common scams and ID theft, tax tips, Medoc and brain health. To encourage new members they visit all new retirees to invite them and their spouse to join the RTA. They support the Cinderella programme which provides appropriate attire for financially strapped grads.

Marika Veysey and Linda Madson: Invermere is a new branch with 21 members after meeting informally for many years. They are getting started with an email communication system. Extended health is an issue. They were presented with their Columbia Valley cards.

EHC Plan:
Patricia led discussion. There are new booklets coming out for EHC and Dental plan. Generally there is concern for members who will not realize they need to apply for benefits to continue. There are some differences between the current benefits and the benefits in the new plan. Teachers need to take a look and decide if the new plan is for them. Alex expressed that education of teachers regarding these changes has failed.
BC is Seniors pay their own MSP Premiums. Seniors in other provinces do not.
Discussion around how PBCross got the contract.

Cost of Living:
The ‘cost of living’ motion was discussed. College pension plan is capped. RTA has not done this yet.
HST
This was the focus of Advocacy committee who sponsored the survey. The results are in handout ‘ the Pen’

Review of RTA structure/Review Commission
The members who were part of this process were unanimous in their disappointment with this experience. Their many concerns resulted in the following motion:
Alex Dergousoff ‘that the report of the Report of the Review Commission that is being prepared for the RTA board be veted through the committee face to face before it is final. ‘ 2nd – J Harasin
Discussion around scope and working of this committee.
Passed unanimously.

Discussion around representation. Karen suggested group input to gather opinions regarding all aspects of RTA. Judy will info the board.

Budget:
Karen wanted to know where we stand.
Response from Judy is that revenues are up over projections but interest is down and projects are up so fees will need to increase. Alex questioned the need for some committees.

College of Teachers
Avison report has been released and the future of the College is still in question.
BCTF is core of College.

Driveable:
Take this only if required – do not volunteer. Only 15% pass; 40% loose licence immediately.

BCTF AGM resolutions/Pensions and Benefits
Patricia gave summery of her compelling remarks made at the meeting.
Resolution to disallow RTA reps at BCTF AGM -defeated.
Motion to divest unethical investments –defeated

Golden Star Awards
25 submissions resulting in 5-$1000.00 awards. Giving a presentation to School Board increases awareness.
Volunteerism survey was valid with 1000 + responses. Adhoc committee to process info gathered.
Dogwood Award was funded by Johnson inc. Goal of 800 new members was surpassed. (919)
Programme is finished.

RRSmith activity Report
There were requests for $35,000 and $17,500 dispersed. All request were partially funded. The additional $1.00 per member helps.
Motion
Alex Dergousoff moved that ‘a motion requesting that the $1.00 levy for the RRSmith foundation be rescinded, be taken to the Board of Directors of the BCRTA’ 2nd John Harasin.
John gave history of fundraising for this group.
Motion passed 5-4