summer 2020 final - district29.rto-ero.org · alan mclean – may 4th charles briden – may 18th...
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Lanark District 29 Summer 2020 Website: http://district29.rto-ero.org. Email: [email protected]
President’sMessage
ThismessagewasemailedtoDistrict29membersonJune1,2020.IncaseRTOEROdoesn’thaveyourcurrentemailaddress,oryoudon’thaveanemailaccount,itwasdecidedtoincludethemessageinthisnewsletter.Anothermonthhaspassed.Ithasbeenadifficulttime,butwitheachpersondoingtheirpartthespreadofthevirusisslowingandrestrictionsarebeinglessenedacrosstheprovince.ThankstoProvincialRTOERO,theDistrict29ExecutivemetthroughZoomonMay13,2020.Executivereportswerepreparedandsentoutpriortothemeetingsoquestionsandcommentswerereadyfordiscussion.AsdirectedbyProvincial,theJune2020DistrictAGMandexecutiveelectionispostponedtoalaterdate.YourcurrentExecutivewillstayinplaceuntilelectionscanbeheld.Allothermeetingsandsocialevents,includingToHellwiththeBellcelebratorybrunchonthefirstdayofschool,arepostponed.WatchforthesummerissueoftheDistrict29newsletterinlateJulyforfurtherinformation.Districtbursariesforgraduatesfromeachofthecountyhighschoolswillbegivennoweventhoughgraduationsmaynottakeplaceuntil2021.Congratulationstoallstudentswhoareleavingtobeginanotherstageintheirlives.Ifyouhavequestions,concernsorwishtocommentonanyinformationyoureceivefromRTOERO,sendalongane-mailorcall.Continuetofollowrecommendationstokeepyourselfandotherssafe.AnnMcGahey,[email protected]
Condolencesto:ShirleyMcLenaghan–hersisteronDecember3rdMildredMunro–herbrotheronMarch3rdShirleyKelford-herbrother-in-lawonMarch11thDorisCamelon–hersisteronApril5thSheilaSpence-hermotheronApril8thRobUmpherson-hisauntonApril8thMarionMenzies–hersister-in-lawonApril10thJuneFerguson–hersister-in-lawonJune12thNormanMorrow–hissisteronJune21st
Congratulations:ToAnneandGeorgeHamoronthebirthoftheirgrandson,DeanWilliamHamor,onJune3rd.ToKevin&EllenHoganandLesa&CamBennettonthebirthoftheirgrandson,OwenRobertBennett,onJuly2nd.OwenisalsoagreatnephewofPeggyBingley.ToShelleyandDaveLynchontherecentengagementoftheirdaughter,Alison.
InMemoriam:Agnes(Nan)Matthews–March1stBarbaraBuchanan–March14thAlanMcLean–May4thCharlesBriden–May18th
GoodNews:GraceArmstrong’sgranddaughter’sbrainsurgerywasaresoundingsuccess!Sheisrecoveringnicelyathome.
Welcometoournewestmembers: ChantalCloutier SharonNorris WendyYoung NancyPaul-Laforest
Membership:AsofJune30th,District29Lanarkhas557retiredmembers.Wealsohave20memberswhoareactivelyemployedintheeducationsector.
Sympathiesandcondolencesareextendedtoourfamilies,friendsandcolleagueswho
havelostlovedonesrecently.
President’sReportforJuly2019–May2020RTOERODistrict29Lanark
WhentheRTOERODistrict29Lanark20192020yearbeganonJuly1,2019,noonecouldhaveimaginedtheupheavalthatwasinstorebeginninginJanuary.COVID-19tooktheworldbysurprise,leavingfamiliesdevastatedbysicknessandthelossoflovedones,strandingtravellersandleavingemptyshelvesinstores.ProvincialRTOEROhasprovidedmuch-neededinformationtothe81,000members,especiallytothosetravellerswithJohnsonInsurance.Locally,theDistricthasreachedouttomemberswithcards,phonecallsanddeliveringgroceries.TheDistrictExecutivemetonAugust28,2019tosetoutplansforthenewyear–social,Newsletter,PSTOgrants,etc.MeetingswereheldmonthlyfromJanuarytoMarchwhenallmeetingsandactivitieswerecancelledorpostponed.ProvincialhashostedvirtualmeetingsforDistrictPresidents,TreasurersandMarketingandCommunicationchairs.MarthaFoster,ProvincialBoardChairperson,sendsallmembersthe“Chair’sNewsletter”withnewsandupdates.OnevirtualDistrictExecutivemeetingwasheldinMay.ThelocalAGMandRTOEROProvincialAGMandForumscheduledforJune2020andMay2020respectivelyhavebeenpostponed.TheRTOEROProvincialBoardofDirectorsandtheDistrict29LanarkExecutivewillremaininplaceuntilAGMs,withelections,canbescheduled.InOctober2019theProvincialSpecialMeetingandFallForumwereheldinToronto.KevinHogan,FirstVicePresident,KerryLamming,Webmasterandmyselfattended.TheEasternDistricts’LiaisonmeetingchairedbyBillHuzar,ProvincialBoardliaison,gavetheopportunitytosharesuccessesandconcernsintheeastincludingnewsthatRenfrewDistrictwouldagainjointheeastandthatthreenewDistricts-thePrairies,QuebecandtheMaritimes–werecreated.BillattendedtheFebruaryDistrictExecutivemeetinginCarletonPlace.GoodnewsforDistrict29-approvalofincreasesof$1000.00ayearforfouryearstoProvincialgrantsforsmalldistrictstooffsetrisingcosts.-IndividualsactivelyemployedintheeducationsectorcanjoinRTOEROforfreeuntiltheyretire.Theyreceiveprovincialpublications,aswellaslocalnews,bye-mail.District29haswelcomedtwentyactivelyemployedmembers.-Anexercisein“branding”forRTOEROhasgivenusthenewcolourfulandrecognizablelogoseenonallRTOEROcorrespondence.ThankyouforallowingmetoserveasyourPresidentandforthesupportoftheExecutiveandyou,ourmembers,overthepastyear.Staywell.RespectfullysubmittedbyAnnMcGahey
Update:Asofthecreationofthisnewsletter,wedoNOTknowIForWHENactivitiessuchasourToHellwiththeBellBrunchwillgoahead.Therearemanyprotocolsthatrestaurantsandotherbusinessesmustfollow.Limitsongroupsize,physicaldistancingandother‘unknowns’donotpermitustomakeanydefiniteplansatthistime.Ifpossible,wehighlyrecommendyouconfirmthatRTOEROinTorontohasyourcurrentemailaddress.Thatwillallowustocontactyouquicklyiforwhenplanschange.WewillcontinuetoupdateourwebsiteandFacebookpagetoo.
FirstVice-President’sReport
ProjectServiceToOthers–2019–[email protected]
ThankyoutoallofourExecutiveandmembersfortheirworkinhelpingothers,especiallyseniorsandyouthinLanarkCountyandforparticipatinginavarietyofdistrictevents.Thefollowing“ProjectServicetoOthers”projectswereapprovedthisyear.
1) Donationof$200.00toeachofthefollowingfoodbanks:a) PerthTableCommunityFoodCentreb) SmithsFallsCommunityFoodBankc) LanarkHighlandsFoodPantryd) CarletonPlace–TheHungerStop
2) LanarkCountyIntervalHouse-donationof$181.00forbooksforachildren’slibraryatLanark
CountyIntervalHouse.
3) NorthLanarkMuseum-donationof$100.00toassistinprintingcostsadvertisingspecial
eventsattheNorthLanarkMuseum.
4) Perth&SmithsFallsSeniorsTherapeuticPEPProgram-$100.00toassistseniors’dayprogramsinourarea.
Historian/ArchivistReport2020
ByElizabethMcDiarmid-emcdiar@gmail.comHistorianIamcontinuingtogatherlifestoriesofRTO/EROmembersfromourdistrict.Thesearethenpublishedinanupcomingnewsletter.Someareself-submittedandedited,whileothermembersareinterviewedbyme.Othersstillcometomethroughothermembers.Whateverthesource,theyallowustobecomebetteracquaintedwithourmembers.Thisyearwewereabletousetwostories,oneaboutLindaPoirier,andtheotheraboutCaroleDufort.Carole’sstoryappearsinthisnewsletter.Thankyou,ladiesforsharingyourstorieswithus.ArchivistThedocumentspertainingtoourdistrictarecollectedandkeptinlargebindersclearlylabeledastoeachone’scontents.Eachbindercontainstwoorthreeyearsofdocuments.Thedocumentsarefiledinchronologicalorderbyyear,andthenbytopicwithinayear,i.e.minutes,financialreports,newsletters,etc.,thenchronologicallywithinthetopicaswell.Eachsectionisseparatedwithwell-labeleddividers.Thismethodmakesthearchiveddocumentseasilyaccessibleforfutureresearch.Thearchivesarekeptinsafestoragebyeacharchivistuntilanewarchivisttakesover.
Annual Report 2020 - Political Advocacy Shelley Lynch - [email protected]
RTOERO's political advocacy topics for 2020 Geriatric Health Care Canada’s population is aging. In 2012, almost one in seven Canadians was a senior. Now the number is more than one in six. By 2030, that will jump to nearly one in four. Our health care and social systems need to re-think how to address and rising needs of this huge demographic. The health system, too, has tended to be oriented to deal with acute care, not for the chronic needs of seniors. The system has also been hospital-based, with less focus on home care and community-based care. Environmental Stewardship Responsible use of resources, conservation, protecting our air, land, and water – improving in all areas is critical to a sustainable future. Individuals, companies, industry groups and governments all have a part to play in environmental stewardship. We need to maintain the viability of our ecosystems for our children, our grandchildren and ourselves. Seniors Strategy Seniors are Canada’s fastest growing demographic. Gaps in our healthcare and social policies are creating barriers – to seniors’ independence, and to their essential role in vibrant, healthy communities and economies. Tackling these issues independently won’t give us the results we need. A coordinated seniors strategy at all levels of government, with dedicated funding and accountable goals, will ensure we meet the evolving needs of seniors. RTOERO support during education labour action Although RTOERO is a non-partisan organization, it publicly expressed its opposition to education funding cuts. Districts were encouraged to support local unions and funds were made available to support striking education workers. District 29, Lanark chose to purchase a plant for each school and attach a note of support. Many RTOERO members demonstrated their solidarity with their working colleagues by joining them on the picket line or bringing coffee/treats. COVID-19 RTOERO continues to advocate for members and seniors during this global pandemic. Letters have been written to federal and provincial governments on a number of vital issues. 1. Long-term residential care 2. Pharmacy dispensing fees 3. Travel vouchers and refunds 4. Federal financial assistance for seniors In addition, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute's COVID-19 research project was the recipient of our organization's annual $10,000 donation for 2020. Because of the importance of this research, the board of directors matched the donation - bringing our total contribution to $20,000. RTOERO - Government invitation to consult Ontario budget - RTOERO provided a submission to the Ontario budget highlighting ways in which our political advocacy issues connect to government priorities. Poverty reduction strategy - RTOERO provided a response to the new Ontario poverty reduction consultation.
CaroleDufort-SubmittedbyElizabethMcDiarmid“Thosewhochoosetomakeadifference–toeducate,encourage,inspire,upliftandmentor–aremarvelousMerchantsofHope.” CrystalKuykendall.I was born in Montreal, the oldest of four children. We had a difficultchildhood.Weexperiencedpovertyandmanyotherissuesthat,aseducators,weareoftenconfrontedwith. Lifewascomplicated,butIsurvived. Isaytothis day, that one teacher saved my life. She gave me a safe place in herclassroom,noquestionsasked, justtimetobreatheat lunch,quietly.Weare
stillintouch45yearslater.Sportswasanimportantoutletandkeptmeengagedatschool.Myeducation tookplace inMontreal and later inTrois-Rivières. I graduatedwithabachelor’sdegree inEducation. I worked in different jobs until finally, in 1997, a call came frommy brother who is also ateacher. Theyneeded a French teacher inChapleau,NorthernOntario. I stayedwithmynewlymarriedbrotherandhiswife.Istartedmycareerinasmall,ruralCatholicFrenchschool.Cultureshock!FromMontrealtothesmallandbeautifultowninthemiddleofthewoods.ThereIlearnedtofishanddrive.Ialsomadesomelong-lastingfriends,(IstillmeetyearlywithsomeofmyteacherfriendsfromChapleau),butmostlyIfell inlovewiththeprofessionofteachingandthejoyofseeingmygradefourstudentslearn.Mycareerledmedownthepath of a long series of qualification courses: Specialist in FSL, Specialist in Special Education, Primary,JuniorandIntermediateandlateron,thePrincipalsQualificationProgram.In 1990my brother, sister-in-law and I accepted positionswith theUCDSB.Wewanted to get closer tohome.IspokeverylittleEnglishatthetime,andIamsogratefulforthehelpandsupportthestaffatQueenElizabethSchoolinPerthgaveme.SharonDowdall(Icalledhermymother)tookmeunderherwingandshewasanamazingmentorandfriend.Duringmy10yearsatQ.E.S.ItaughtCoreFrenchtoJKtograde8,specialeducationandevenagradeoneclassinEnglish.ItransferredtoStewartSchoolin2001whereItaughtFrenchImmersion,CoreFrenchandSpecialEd.Atthat time, I started to do some work at the Board level. I helped in developing the French CharacterEducation binder, gave workshops to colleagues and assisted with French board initiatives. I was alsoinvolvedincoachingmanysportsandpromotinghealthandwellnessforstudentsandstaff.IamgratefulformytimeatStewartandQ.E.S. I learnedatthesideofdedicated,caring,hardworkingeducators,trueprofessionalswhocollaboratedtosupportallstudents.Teachingwasfun,welearned,wechallengedeachother,andwecreatedmemoriesthatwillstaywithmeforever. Iowethemmywillingnesstoembarkontheexcitingjourneyofleadershipthatfollowed.Perthhadbecomemyhome.ItwaswhereIwantedtobe,andIwillbeforevergratefultothestudents,parents,staffandthecommunity.Between2004and2016IhadthepositionsofVicePrincipalandlaterPrincipalattheThousandIslandEl.School,ArklanP.S.,Sweet’sCornersEl.School,CaldwellEl.SchoolandChimoEl.School.In2016IwastheEducationOfficerattheMinistryofEducationinOttawa.IretiredinOctober2016.SomeofthehighlightsduringthoseyearsweretheimplementationofQualityPhysicalEducationProgram,forwhichwereceivedtheCAHPHERDaward,andimplementationoftheAnti-Bullyingprogram,whichwasapprovedbytheMinistryofEducation.Iledtwoofmyelementaryschools,Sweet’sCornersandCaldwellSchooltohigh-performancerecognitionawards by the UCDSB; and the National award of recognition for a Health promoting school, also atCaldwell. I received the Learning Partnership Canada’s Outstanding Principal award in 2013; was thewinneroftheUCDSB’sDirector’sAwardofExcellencein2013;wasthewinneroftheTedKennedyAwardfor character/OPCOntario’s Principal Award, UCDSB Chapter. Iwas the president of the Champions forKids Foundation; and was an instructor for the Ontario Principal’s Qualification Program at YorkUniversity. I am a published author, contributing a chapter in “The Principal Reader: Narratives ofExperience”,2017.IwasaprovincialcounsellorwiththeOntarioPrincipalsCouncil,aworkshoppresenterlocally andprovincially. Then I ran for theTrusteeposition in CarletonPlace, Beckwith, andMississippiMillsin2018.IretiredinOctober2016.
Ihadabeautiful careerand I feel somuchgratitude for thestudents, staff, colleagues,mentors,parents,school, andschool communities inwhich Ihad thehonour to serve. Ihave theabsolutebelief thateachchildshouldbetreatedwithutmostrespect.Educationisabouthopeandgivingachancetoachildtohaveabetterlife. Wemayneverknowwhateachofthemfaceeveryday,ortheimpactthatwehaveontheirlives. Teaching is a noble profession. It is about awakening passion, curiosity and supporting studentsalongtheirjourney.IamproudtobepartoftheRetiredTeachersofOntarioorganization,andofacareerthathasallowedmetoconnectwithamazingeducatorsacrosstheprovince.
StewartSchoolStaffOPCAwardDirector'sAward
Now,everyyearLanarkDistrict29hostsaRetirementPlanningWorkshop.WerecentlybeganholdingitonSaturdays,andfindthatmostpeoplelikethat.Thisworkshopisforanyonewhoworksforapubliceducationinstitution.Andnow,youcanjoinforFREEuntilyouretire.GenerallyourworkshopisheldinBruntonHallinBeckwithTownship,nearCarletonPlace.ThisyearitwasplannedforSaturdayApril25.However,withthesocialisolationduetothecoronavirus,itwasmovedtoanonlineplatformthatwasbroadcastviawebinaronthesamedateandtime.The14peoplewhohadalreadysignedupwereinvitedtoattend,aswellasanyotherinterestedpeople.Itwassuccessfullydelivered,andanyonewhohadquestionscouldaskthemduringthepresentationandreceiveananswer.SpecialthankstoallourexecutivewhodeliveredposterstodifferentschoolsandtoStephenWongandAnyaRempersadfromProvincialwhoassistedwiththispresentation.
TheProvincialBenefitsCommitteecontinuestomeetonlineasperallProvincialcommitteesdo.TheCommitteerepswereupdatedonRTOEROletterssenttothegovernmentondispensingfees,travelcreditrefundsandmakingimprovementstolongtermcare.ThesetopicsrelatetothepresentCOVID-19crisis,aswellasongoingconcernsinthecaseoflong-termcarefacilities.Theheadofficehastakentheleadinrespondingtoconcernswithregardtotravelsothattheinformationprovidedisconsistenttoallwhorequirehelporguidance.Travelupdateandcommunications:InordertobetterinformourmembersaCOVID-19landingpageontheRTOEROwebsitewascreatedtopublishkeycontentforourmembership;itisupdatedfrequentlywithresponsestofrequentlyaskedquestionsabouttravelandRTOissues.Iusethispageregularlytokeepmyselfupdated.TheprovincialCommitteecontinuesanannualreviewofthecostimpactforanumberofsuggestionsforchangestotheservicesprovidedtothemembership.Sincethisisanon-profitplan,anysurplusinpremiumexperiencedduringthisyearwillbereinvestedintheplan.
Profit and Loss January - December 2019 Total INCOME 400 Grant - Annual 12,478.00 450 Social Events 7,206.88 Total Income 19,684.88 GROSS PROFIT 19,684.88 EXPENSES 500 District Executive 501 Meetings - Executive 928.86 502 Meetings - Annual Mtgs./Forum 2,569.01 504 Transportation 2,620.93 Total 500 District Executive 6,118.80 550 Communications/Social Media 551 Newsletter 3,210.04 Total 550 Communications/Social Media 3,210.04 600 Member Services 601 Goodwill 564.55 603 Recruitment 28.25 605 Social Events 2,415.44 606 Trips 3,438.95 Total 600 Member Services 6,447.19 700 Project Service to Others 1,181.53 750 Workshops 751 District 385.00 Total 750 Workshops 385.00 800 Office expenses 801 Stationery and Printing 7.35 804 Bank Fees 50.00 805 Other 11.83 Total 800 Office expenses 69.18 860 Donations 1,397.50 870 Transportation - General 197.12 Total Expenses 19,006.36 PROFIT $678.52
Balance Sheet As of December 31, 2019 Total ASSETS Current Assets Cash and Cash Equivalent 100 Chequing - Lanark 29 5,567.50 Total Cash and Cash Equiv. 5,567.50 Total Current Assets 5,567.50 Total Assets $5,567.50 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Liabilities Total Liabilities Equity 300 Opening Balance Equity 4,888.98 Profit for the year 678.52 Total Equity 5,567.50 Total Liabilities and Equity $5,567.50
Treasurer’[email protected]
Charitable Foundation Report
Since the foundation was founded in 2011, many projects have been funded that fulfill our vision to enhance the lives of aging adults. This year the Foundation announced $100,000 in new funding for projects that impact social isolation and loneliness. For the first time, the Foundation is inviting expressions of interest from researchers across Canada. Four grants of $25,000 will be awarded. When a member passes, a donation in their honour is made to the RTOERO Charitable Foundation. Share the Wealth Draws are also held to increase our donation. This year $425 was donated from our district. Anne Graham - [email protected]
Contactlinks:Website-https://district29.rto-ero.org [email protected]–[email protected]–lookfor RtoeroDistrict29Lanark [email protected]–[email protected]@gmail.com