RTO/ERO
THE RETIRED TEACHERS OF ONTARIO
District 22 Etobicoke - York
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
CROWNE PLAZA, Toronto Airport
Wednesday, June 4th, 2014
10:00 a.m.
List of Contents:
1.
Agenda of Annual General Meeting, June 4th, 2014
2.
Past Presidents of RTO/ERO District 22
3.
In Memoriam
4.
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting, June 12th, 2013
5.
Executive Reports for AGM, June 4th, 2014
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President’s Message
Nomination Committee
Treasurer’s Report 2013
Awards Committee
Constitution
Goodwill
Health and Insurance Services
Membership/Telephone
Newsletter
Senior Seniors
Pension and Retirement Concerns
Political Advocacy
Social
Travel
Website/Communications
Membership and Recruitment
Gary Parkinson
Gary Parkinson
Harold Royle
Sharon Kular
Claudia Mang
Maryanne Chard
Vicki Stainton
Lynn Farquharson
Helen Gill
Dorothy Garvin
Irwin Kelly
Art Witham
Judy Paton
Pamela Guy
Joel Nasimok
Adele Pick
RTO/ERO DISTRICT 22
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Wednesday, June 4th, 2014, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
CROWNE PLAZA, Toronto Airport
AGENDA
1.
Welcome
Gary Parkinson
2.
In Memoriam
Sheila Tait
3.
Provincial RTO/ERO Greetings
Martin Higgs
4.
5.
Approval of the Agenda
Minutes of the AGM June 12th, 2013
Gary Parkinson
Janet Thacker
6.
President’s Report
Gary Parkinson
7.
8.
Nomination Committee Report
Treasurer’s Report
Bonnie Hamilton
Harold Royle
9.
Constitution
Claudia Mang
10.
EXECUTIVE REPORTS
In Package
11.
Outstanding Community Service Award
Sharon Kular
12.
Elections
Bonnie Hamilton
13.
New President’s Remarks
Sheila Tait
14.
Introduction of the Executive
Sheila Tait
15.
Executive Awards and
Past President’s Pin Presentation
Sheila Tait
Adjournment
Past Presidents of RTO/ERO District 22, Etobicoke York
Hugh Barret
Ralph Russell
Art Irwin
John W. Scott
Jack Luke
C. R. Pearson
E. H. Tyers
Jack Griffiths
T. Jarvis
Jack Davy
Ralph Atkinson
Fred Hall
Ken Thom
Walter Wild
Jim Willson
Mary Macdonald
Jim Hughes
Rita Dupuis
John McPhee
Donal Fraser
James Kirk
Donald Routley
Herb Cooney
David Pautz
Brenda Miller
Irwin Kelly
Gary Vipond
Silvio Sauro
Bonnie Hamilton
1973-1974
1974-1975
1975-1976
1976-1978
1978-1979
1979-1980
1980-1981
1981-1982
1982-1983
1983-1984
1984-1985
1985-1986
1986-1987
1987-1988
1988-1989
1989-1990
1990-1991
1991-1993
1993-1994
1994-1995
1995-1997
1997-1999
1999-2002
2001
2002-2004
2004-2006
2006-2008
2008-2010
2010-2012
RTO/ERO
District 22 Annual General Meeting
Wednesday, June 4th, 2014
In Memoriam
Donald Beagan
Cecilia Blazina
Joe Bowen
Mary Catherine Cannon
Caroline Clark
Jean Cruikshank
Stephanie Daly
Mary Davern
Mollie Davies
Ronald De Val
Margaret Edwards
Elisabeth Hallamore
R. J. Halliday
William Hamilton
Russell Heard
Helen Jamieson
Lee Wilson
Frances Marshall
S. Bernadette McClure
Marion McKenzie
Nancy McKillop
Patricia Parry
Janine Peacock
Walter Perrault
Sydney Redgrave
Ruth Rollings
Murray Schwenger
Aletha I. Seaton
Ralph Speak
John Sporton
Edward Telford
Irma Thomas
Robert Fasano
Valerie Frankforth
Beatrice Glynn
Judy Greenwood
M. Vivian Murphy
Phyllis Neals
Heather Nevins
John Thow
Michael Walker
Sheila Wissmar
RTO DISTRICT 22
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Wednesday, June 12th, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.
CROWNE PLAZA, Toronto Airport
MINUTES
1.
Welcome: Gary Parkinson welcomed all members of District 22 to take part in the
business of the District at this new venue. As President this past year, he acknowledged
the support of the membership and the hard work of the Executive on behalf of all
members of the District.
Visiting guests were introduced: Jim Sparrow, Past President ERO/RTO, Peter
Vanderyagt (representing Scarborough) and Kay Jeffrey (representing Toronto).
2.
In Memoriam: Sheila Tait, 1st VP, paid tribute to those members who died in the past
year whose names are listed in the program and on the honour roll displayed at the
entrance.
3.
Provincial
RTO/ERO
Greetings:
Jim Sparrow, Past President, RTO/ERO was introduced by Claudia Mang. He has been
visiting various Ontario Districts on behalf of the RTO/ERO Executive.
He thanked the membership for their continued involvement in issues associated with the
organization. He recognized District 22 Newsletter, the Website and Vicki Stainton’s
participation in the Health workshops. He reminded us of the key role of the Charitable
Foundation in the health and well being of seniors and how various Districts are raising
funds for the Foundation.
4.
Approval of the Agenda: Gary Parkinson requested a motion of approval.
It was moved by Joel Nasimok and seconded by Claudia Mang that the Agenda be
approved.
CARRIED
5.
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting June 6th, 2012: Janet Thacker requested a
motion of approval.
It was moved by Doug Ross and seconded by Anne McIlroy that the Minutes be
approved as circulated. CARRIED
6.
President’s Report:
Gary Parkinson recognized the years of contribution to the Newsletter by Eleanor
Thomson. Her vision for creating, editing and organizing the distribution of the
Newsletter to District 22 members has been a mammoth task. Her tradition of piping in
the Executive at a number of functions has not gone unnoticed. All of us thank her as she
relinquishes her role as editor to a new member on the Executive. Helen Gill will take on
the role of Newsletter Editor.
Bonnie Hamilton has suggested that to assist the editor, the District establishes an
editorial board. Anyone interested in assisting this team, should let Gary Parkinson
know.
The Charitable Foundation needs the help of the membership. Out of 70,000, 1000 have
made a contribution. Gary Parkinson challenged District 22 to step up and make
donations to this most worthy cause. Geriatric care is a mandate we can all identify with
as we all age.
All were encouraged to visit the District 22 website, on a regular basis. There is a wealth
of information to be discovered, a click away.
Please be informed about all the trips that are offered by the District. Many are sold out
in advance and those who attend have only good things to say. Any new ideas will be
happily entertained. Also, the Executive is always looking for new activities to enrich
and explore those that are already sponsored.
7.
Nomination Committee Report: Bonnie Hamilton, Past President, reported the
following nominations for Executive positions were proposed for 2013 - 2014:
President
Gary Parkinson
Hamilton
1st Vice President
Sheila Tait
Secretary
Janet Thacker
Archivist/Registrar Jeanne Rutherford
Goodwill
Maryanne Chard
Pension
Irwin Kelly
Political Advocacy Art Witham
Social
Judy Paton
Travel
Pamela Guy
Seniors Seniors
Dorothy Garvin
Communication/Webmaster Joel Nasimok
Membership/Recruitment
Adele Pick
Past President
2nd Vice President
Treasurer
Awards
Health/Insurance
Newsletter
Constitution
Telephone
Bonnie
Claudia Mang
Harold Royle
Sharon Kular
Vicki Stainton
Helen Gill
Claudia Mang
Lynn Farquharson
Bonnie Hamilton noted two changes to the Executive this year. Helen Gill has agreed to
the post of Newsletter editor. Lynn Farquharson has put her name forward for the
Membership/Telephone portfolio. The remainder of the Executive has agreed to stand
for office again. Anyone wishing to serve requires a nominator and a seconder and will
be taken from the floor prior to elections later in the meeting.
8.
Treasurer’s Report: Harold Royle presented the report for January to December 2012
which included the Proposed Budget for 2013. The balance forward was $36,675.63.
It was moved by Harold Royle and seconded by Maryanne Chard that the
Treasurer’s Report be approved. CARRIED
9.
Executive Reports: Gary Parkinson suggested that the membership peruse the reports of
each portfolio submittted by the Executive. He mentioned that if there were questions,
that each committee chair would be able to entertain individual questions after the
meeting and during lunch.
10.
Special Guest: Barbara Burnett
Judy Paton introduced Ms. Burnett who spoke on “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of
Eldercare in Ontario”. Aging should be a successful process. It should be described as a
glacier, not a tsunami. It only rolls over you if you haven’t moved in two centuries!
Eighty-five plus, is the fastest growing segment of the Canadian population, yet health
care spending is shrinking. Several studies have shown that the health of seniors would
improve drastically, if they can age at home. Sadly, once hospitalized, most become
more frail and need more from the health care system. Statistics point to the high cost of
supporting the elderly in long term care and 37% of those could be cared for at home at a
fraction of the cost. Several organizations have made attempts to assist those who could
live at home longer eg. Seniors for Seniors, and Junior Seniors Assisting Senior Seniors.
Both these organizations have a full menu of services from personal care, drop-in
companion, dementia care and home cleaners. For information check the website:
www.seniorsinneed.ca and as George Burns said “You have to get older, but you don’t
have to get old”.
11.
25 Year Membership Certificates: Sharon Kular, Chair of the Awards Committee
introduced the hardworking members of her team: Jane Shaw, Joel Nasimok, Ann
McIlroy, and Don Routley. These certificates are presented at the June Luncheon to
individuals who have the distinction of being members of RTO/ERO for 25 years. We
believe this to be a real achievement. Out of 31 recipients this year, 18 are able to attend
the celebration:
Ann Bailey, Joyce Bentham, Margaret Bradford, Gilbert Caldwell, Margaret Ciupa,
Lillian Craft, Marjorie Horner, Murray Lang, Harry Graham, Lorna MacDonald, Eugene
Miller, Thomas Norris, Robert Phillips, Jacqueline Pogue, Harold Skupek, Helen Szendi,
Verna Wilkinson, and Barbara Wooding.
12.
Outstanding Community Service Awards: This award, available to members of
District 22, is designed to recognize members who have devoted much of their time in
retirement and earlier, to volunteer activities. $1000 is awarded to the recipient for the
charity of his/her choice. Today we honour Dr. Murray Lang and Mr. Harry Learoyd.
Dr. Murray Lang was tireless during his 41 years as an educator and clearly retirement
was not the time to call it quits. Volunteering at the Elmbank Breakfast Club for the past
25 years involved fundraising to the tune of $25,000 annually. Applying for funding was
only one aspect of his contribution to the children. Making mini pizzas became a Friday
tradition at school, a favourite of the kids in the Club. He was also responsible for
recruiting many other volunteers from his other club, the Kiwanis Club. Congratulations
Murray!
Mr. Harry Learoyd lives music! Since retiring, Harry has been teaching music
appreciation classes at several retirement residences. He plays the piano for church
services, for sing-a-longs and is always ready with his tunes on New Year’s Eve. He is
literally a one man band for his Let There Be Music Choir, selecting and teaching the
music for the more than 100 choristers. Some say that once they join Harry’s choir, they
are there for life. Many have been singing in the choir since their own retirements, 24
years ago. A superb musician and gifted teacher, Harry has devoted thousands of
volunteer hours, helping seniors stay active and engaged. We look forward to the
luncheon performance of Harry and the Let There Be Music Choir.
13.
Elections: Bonnie Hamilton called for nominations from the floor. There were no
further nominations.
It was moved by Bonnie Hamilton and seconded by Eleanor Thomson that the slate
of Executives for District 22 will stand as presented for 2013-2014. CARRIED
14.
Introduction of Executive: Gary Parkinson introduced the Executive. On behalf of
District 22, Eleanor Thomson and Monique Mili were thanked for their tireless work on
the Executive during the past years.
15.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 12:05 p.m.
President’s Message 2013 – 2014
It is hard to believe that my two year term as your District 22 President is almost over! I have
enjoyed every moment of it for two reasons. Firstly, and most importantly, are my colleagues on
the District Executive. You would be hard pressed to find a harder working and friendlier group
of people to be with! Second, is the fact that RTO/ERO provides me with an opportunity to keep
in touch with friends with whom I shared my working life.
A major challenge this past year was to find a new editor for our District 22 Newsletter. We
were very fortunate to have Helen Gill come forward and to agree to take on this major
responsibility and challenge! Along with her “editorial board” she has created a new format for
the newsletter, and, has also increased the content. The content however has proven somewhat
hard to find. This is where she needs your help.
You live interesting lives and we/she wants you to write about them! The newsletters next year
will have themes. For the fall, the theme is “exploring volunteerism”. Winter will focus on
“wellness, health and fitness” and the theme for the spring issue will be “technology and you”.
These three topics should result in hundreds of submissions!!! Please support Helen and her
team by sharing your life interests and passions with others. Summer is a great time for creative
writing!
I mentioned this last year, but I want to repeat it again now. If you use email (on any device),
please contact our webmaster, Joel Nasimok, to put your name on our email list to receive your
newsletter electronically. It will arrive in your inbox at least 2 – 3 weeks before the printed
copy. You can be an early bird to sign up for our day trips and luncheons.
On a similar note, last year it was suggested at the annual meeting, that we send out the AGM
materials (agenda, reports etc.) ahead of time to those of you who are on our email list. We
listened, and hopefully you received your materials in your inbox!
Lastly, I want to encourage you to communicate with your District Executive. Our phone
numbers and email addresses are listed in the newsletter. If you have ideas for new activities,
trip destinations or luncheon speakers/entertainment, please share them with us. We need your
input to better serve you!
Looking to the year ahead, please welcome Sheila Tait as your new President. Keep well, and
always remember how fortunate we are!
Gary Parkinson
Nomination Committee Report 2014
The Nominating Committee is putting the following candidates forward for election to the 2014 2015 Executive:
Table Officers:
President
Past President
1st Vice-President
2nd Vice-President
Treasurer
Secretary
Sheila Tait
Gary Parkinson
Claudia Mang
Karl Sprogis
Harold Royle
Janet Thacker
Committee Chairs:
Archives/Registrar
Awards
Goodwill
Health/Insurance
Membership/Recruitment
Membership/Telephone
Newsletter
Pension/Retirement Concern
Political Advocacy
Senior Seniors
Social
Travel
Website/Communication
Jeanne Rutherford
Sharon Kular
Maryanne Chard
Vicki Stainton
Adele Pick
Lynn Farquharson
Helen Gill
Irwin Kelly
Art Witham
Dorothy Garvin
Judy Paton
Pamela Guy
Joel Nasimok
Nominating Committee:
Gary Parkinson
Sheila Tait
Bonnie Hamilton
Treasurer's Report 2013
Balance on hand Jan 1/13
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
INCOME
AGM lunch inc.
Fall Luncheon
Interest Inc:
Bank
ING
Member Grant
Newsletter Adv.
Project S.T.O.
Recruitment
Trip income
TOTAL INCOME
TOTAL ASSETS
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
EXPENSES
AGM lunch exp.
AGM Meeting
Bank Charge
Executive
Fall Lunch exp.
Goodwill
Health and Pen.
Newsletter
office:
Political Advocacy
Proj.S.T.O exp.
Membership exp
Recruitment exp
Senate
service award
Social
Travel com. Exp
Toronto Dist
Comm service Award
Membership recog.
Trip exp.
INCOME LESS EXPENSES
40
BALANCE JAN. 1 / 2014
TOTAL EXPENSES
Actual 2013
36675.63
Budget
2013
4080.00
2670.00
3500.00
3500.00
427.36
32108.88
400.00
32108.88
0.00
0.00
150.00
0.00
39508.88
225.00
28017.00
67528.24
104203.87
11928.23
1403.05
25.24
917.51
6581.36
504.19
9312.13
530.76
1752.64
803.92
1073.80
2318.94
89.65
28622
10000.00
2500.00
100.00
2700.00
8000.00
1000.00
100.00
10000.00
1000.00
500.00
0.00
200.00
3000.00
1000.00
300.00
500.00
200.00
868.80
3500.00
1000.00
65863.42
46468.80
1664.82
-6959.92
38340.45
Diff @ Dec.31
-580.00
830.00
0.00
0.00
-27.36
0.00
0.00
0.00
-75.00
-28017.00
Budget
2014
4000
3000
400
32167.21
250
39817.21
-1928.23
1096.95
74.76
1782.49
1418.64
495.81
100.00
687.87
469.24
500.00
0.00
1247.36
196.08
300.00
500.00
200.00
-205.00
1181.06
910.35
-28622.00
12000
2500
100
2000
8000
1000
100
10000
1000
500
200
3000
2000
300
500
500
1000
3500
1000
49200
Awards Report 2014
The Awards Committee (Sharon Kular, Anne McIlroy, Joel Nasimok, Don Routley and Jane
Shaw) is responsible for administering 5 annual awards as follows:
STO or SERVICE TO OTHERS AWARD: The Provincial Committee sponsors this award.
Our responsibility is to review all requests and recommend to the District Executive a group
to be nominated. If successful, the group is eligible for a grant up to $4000. Details of this
award and an application form are available on the RTO/ERO web site at www.rto-ero.org and
click on Project STO. Completed applications must be submitted to the Awards Committee District 22 by April 30, 2015. This year there was a change in the deadline date so that District
22’s nomination of Alice Casselman’s project application will be decided in the fall.
10 YEAR SERVICE AWARD: After completing 10 years as a member of the Executive of
District 22, a special recognition award is presented. We are so pleased to honor two Executive
members who have served with dedication: Judy Paton and Harold Royle. District 22 thanks
you!
OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: This award is available only to
members of District 22. Nominations for this award of $1000.00 must be submitted to the
Awards Committee by March 31, 2015. This award is designed to recognize members who have
devoted much of their time in retirement and earlier to voluntary community activities. This
year’s recipient is Karl Sprogis. Congratulations Karl.
25 YEAR MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATES: These certificates are presented at our June
Luncheon to individuals who have been a member of RTO for the past 25 years. This year we
have 84 such recipients. We are fortunate to have 36 of these members present today to receive
their certificates- Jean Barnett, Don Bartle, Mary Bartle, Agnes Burke, Frank Burnett,
Melville Callender, Don Cooper, Shirley Cornfield, Rosie D’Souza, Ian Fife, Julie Freer,
Marjorie Frobelius, Donald Glen, James Gray, Lois Kaye, Frank Kieczor, Jim Kirk,
Joseph Laviola, Harry Learoyd, Arthur Ludlam, Allan MacLeod, Joyce Nicholls, Helen
Parisani, Abe Plaatjes, Nancy Pitoscia, Joan Primeau, Norman Purdie, Betty Scott, Adam
Shaw, Elizabeth Strathdee, Rhona Swarbrick, Barbara Taylor, James Torrie, Norma
Warren, Jessie Welch, Grantley Woodward.
Congratulations to you all.
FACULTY OF EDUCATION RTO/ERO PROVINCIALSCHOLARSHIPS:
To qualify a student must be in attendance in a full or part-time program at the Faculty of
Education in the year in which they apply and be a Canadian citizen or a landed immigrant.
They must also be a child, grandchild, niece, nephew, grandniece, grandnephew, son-in- law,
daughter-in-law or step-child of a RTO/ERO member who will become their sponsor. They
would apply on the RTO/ERO website and must use the RTO/ERO member’s membership
number. The deadline for applying is August 1 of the year they will be in attendance at the
Faculty of Education.
RTO/ERO DISTINGUISHED MEMBER AWARD:
Three (3) RTO/ERO distinguished Member Awards may be granted on an annual basis by the
Provincial Awards Committee. Nominees for the Provincial Award will be selected in
recognition of their outstanding and/or long term contributions to the RTO/ERO at the Provincial
and/or District level. This award will comprise a plaque, a donation of $350 to a charity of each
recipient’s choice and an invitation will be issued to attend the October Senate meeting. Districts
are invited to submit one nominee by June 1, 2014.
Sharon Kular
Constitution Report 2014
The constitution for District 22 Etobicoke – York is a living document. It can be amended at
each Annual General Meeting of members. Members of the Executive as well as general
members District 22 may submit amendments to the constitution committee. The Constitution
may also be amended by mandates from the Provincial Constitution Committee.
This year we have two amendments from the Provincial Constitution Committee that all Districts
must include in their District Constitutions. They are as follows:
A new article 2.04 clause on electronic voting
2.04
The following procedures will be used when an electronic vote is taken by the Executive
between Executive meetings:
i)
the President or designate shall propose a motion with rationale and e-mail it to
the Executive;
ii)
members of the Executive shall vote by return e-mail via reply all within 5 days
of receipt of the motion;
iii)
a quorum of the Executive must vote on the motion or it is deemed lost;
iv)
the President shall declare the motion passed or lost and inform the Executive;
v)
the motion and its disposition shall be reported as information at the next
Executive meeting and the minutes shall include the report.
And revised article 3.02 (j) to include a safeguard for District Tours Committees
(j)
Tours Committee:
To plan same-day trips and excursions for District members to places of interest
inside Ontario. Any other trips/excursions must adhere to the regulations of the
Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO).
Claudia Mang
Goodwill Report 2014
I would like to thank our phone volunteers who called to let me know of members who were ill
or in need of cheering up. Appropriate cards, (“Thinking of You/ Good cheer/Get Well”), were
sent out to these members.
As well, cards or letters of condolence were sent to the families of deceased members.
Our “Have a Java on Us” club is now in full swing. We meet at Second Cup in Cloverdale
Mall, located at the north end of the mall close to the Target store. When you sign in, you will
be given a coupon for $3.00 towards the purchase of your beverage and/or snack. Come out,
relax, socialize and enjoy! We look forward to seeing you there.
We will be holding this on the third Thursday of every month at 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Upcoming Dates: June 19, July 17, August 21, September 18, October 16, November 20, and
December 18. These dates are posted on our website.
We presently have two other active social groups:
 The Lunch Group meets the second Monday of each month;
 The Square Dancing Group meets each week on Tuesday afternoons.
We can resurrect our Duplicate Bridge Club if we can find a suitable venue. I would be open to
any suggestions. We need a quiet space with at least 5 to 7 tables.
We always welcome new members to these groups.
If you are interested in joining any of these groups, please contact:
Adele Pick 416 622-7361
Maryanne Chard 416 626-1353
If anyone is interested in volunteering to help on the Goodwill Committee, (i.e. visiting members
in residences, phone calls to keep in touch, sending cards, etc.), please contact me. If know of
someone who is celebrating a significant birthday or someone who is ill or needs cheering up,
please call me at 416 626-1353, or contact me by email at mbchard@rogers.com..
Maryanne Chard
Health and Insurance Services Report 2014
Again this year, I would like to thank our RTO members and Executive who have supported me
in my role as your Health and Insurance Services Representative. It seems that the longer my
tenure in this position, the more I learn.
Through your inquiries and the consequent follow-up, I realize that our RTO and government
supports and benefits are ever-changing. In that regard, I encourage every member to keep
abreast of these changes and enhancements. Most often we are informed
of these through communiqués from RTO, like the ”going places” magazine, personal mail
related to new benefit options and rates, district websites and newsletters. These can be excellent
resources for all of us.
A further source of interesting and valuable information is the RTO provincial website
(http://www.rto-ero.org/home). The ‘Publications’ link provides details of many such resources
available to our members. These include:
Renaissance Magazine
Award winning Renaissance is RTO/ERO's quarterly news magazine and flagship publication,
created exclusively for RTO/ERO members. Renaissance provides a variety of information,
opinions and resources on topics of interest to retired educators and their peers.
Liaison Newsletter
Liaison is RTO/ERO's bimonthly newsletter published by the Provincial Office. It contains the
latest RTO/ERO news, Provincial Executive resolutions, member stories and important
reminders.
Fact Sheets
The Provincial Office produces Fact Sheets on a variety of social, health, legal, pension, and
financial issues relevant to members. Fact Sheets are a benefit provided to members and are
updated with the most current information. Topics include Canada Pension Plan, Old Age
Security, Community Care Access Centres, Mortgage Fraud, Important Documents, Downsizing,
and Home Security.
The RTO/ERO Health Services and Insurance Committee will be conducting its annual
Workshop for its District and Unit Health Representatives on Sunday and Monday, June 8-9 in
Toronto. As your rep, I look forward to attending this workshop to broaden my knowledge of
issues related to our health and insurance matters, in order to better inform our district members
of issues which may arise.
Vicki Stainton
Membership/Telephone Report 2014
The main function of this executive position is to co-ordinate the telephone contact of all RTO
District 22 members to encourage them to attend the Annual General Meeting and Spring
Luncheon in June. At this event, members are able to meet the people who volunteer as
executive members for District 22 and hear about opportunities available to them as members.
They also have input into the management of the organization through participation at the AGM.
Very importantly, it is also an opportunity for all attendees to reconnect with friends and
colleagues.
The work of the Membership/Phone Committee begins in February when executive members
contact those people who have volunteered to call our membership in the past and confirm their
willingness to call this year. While our goal is to contact all our membership, we do not ask our
volunteers to make any calls that would be long distance from their homes. Many of our
volunteers have been calling for years whereas others have just signed on for the task this year.
Recruitment of callers occurs at our three main yearly gatherings including: To Hell With The
Bell” breakfast in September, the Fall Luncheon and the AGM/Spring Luncheon. There is a
sign- up sheet available on each table or interested members can call me directly.
With the size of our membership being well over 2000 people, we need many people to perform
this task. This year we had the help of 80 volunteers, including the executive. Each person
called an average of 22 people (local calls only). For our callers, this is often an opportunity to
reconnect with former friends and colleagues and results in many pleasant conversations. We
value the personal contact that a phone call can provide as it often yields information that we
may not be aware of such as a change of phone number or address, an illness or other change of
personal circumstance.
This is a valuable and important outreach activity in our District. In that regard, I offer thanks
and appreciation to our volunteer callers for their time and diligence in ensuring that we make
contact with our membership. The success of our AGM and Spring Luncheon is a testament to
their efforts.
Lynn Farquharson
Newsletter Report 2014
The District 22 Newsletter has a new look this year. The style and format has changed in a big
way and the members receiving the newsletter electronically have the benefit of seeing all the
photos in colour. In the printed version, arriving via Canada Post, only the front and back pages
are in colour. There has been favourable feedback regarding the new format, but there are always
and continue to be growing pains with any change. The number of editions remains at three Fall, Winter and Spring, but expanded to include items of special interest beyond the important
reports from the executive and the standing committees.
There is a team of members to see that the t’s are crossed and the i’s dotted; and to confer and
decide on set a series of themes for the upcoming year. Those members are Helen Gill (editor),
Eleanor Thomson, Janet Thacker, Sybil Gibbs-Songui and Nancy Missouri. We don’t mind
checking all the points of punctuation, spelling and grammar, but we do not wish to write all the
pieces ourselves. We earnestly hope that you, the membership, will send us your thoughts, ideas
and submissions. There was terrific response to the e-blast asking how members fared in the
polar vortex of last winter. We do not plan to summon up any disasters to get you in the mood to
write about them, but we will continue to send out little queries to include in the newsletters.
Send your photos (jpg), or submissions (MS Word) to hgrto@gmail.com .
Here are the themes for the 2014-2015 editions to get you thinking ahead about what you will
write and submit:
 Fall 2014 – Exploring Volunteerism. Where do you volunteer? What do you do? Why do
you volunteer? Due: August 25, 2014
 Winter 2015 – Wellness, Health and Fitness. How do you stay fit, healthy and gorgeous?
Due: January 10, 2015
 Spring 2015 – Technology and You. How are you connected in this new wired world?
Does technology rewire our brains? Due: March 6, 2015
Helen Gill
Senior Seniors Report 2014
The focus of this committee is kindness and staying connected with our most senior members.
In the course of this year, we have delivered Christmas and Easter gifts which have been
received with gratitude. Please refer me to any colleagues over the age of 90, who may wish a
visit or phone call. We have plenty of goodwill to go around!
Dorothy Garvin
Pensions and Retirement Concerns Report 2014
Last year we reported a 5.1 billion dollar deficit and new retirees continued to have a claw back
on their inflation protection. This year on January 1, 2014, the plan had a 5.1 billion dollar
surplus and a 13.7 billion dollar income from investments. This is the first year since 2003, that a
surplus has been recorded. The Ontario Teacher’s Federation and the Ontario government have
recently announced that this surplus will be used to partially restore cost-of-living lost by those
retiring after 2009. Those who retired before 2009 were not affected by COLA reductions. Don’t
expect great returns but every little bit helps. If however we have another deficit in the next few
years additional reductions could occur.
If you have any concerns or questions regarding your pension get the answers you need from the
OTPP itself. They are always willing to check your status and provide accurate answers to your
questions.
PHONE THEM AT (416)226-2700
1 (800) 668 0105 or check the website otpp.com
Finally you can email at Inquiry@otpp.com
Irwin Kelly
Political Advocacy
2014 will see the citizens of Ontario casting ballots in two elections.
The first will be the choosing of a provincial government on June 12 and the second the election
of a municipal administration in the Fall. The results of these two events will have major effects
on the lives of the residents of Ontario and Toronto well into the next decade and beyond.
(Actions of any particular legislative body endure well past the life of that legislature.)
There are many issues important to our members: health care, disability support, infrastructure of
our communities, the ability to remain comfortably in our homes and a myriad of others.
We have concerns about the welfare and employment of our families, friends and fellow citizens.
Their prosperity not only benefits them, but bodes well for us and our support in society. Our
well-being came about through progressive legislation and hard work in the past. What a
legislature creates can be undone in the future by those who no longer support it.
We must carefully consider the campaigns and philosophies of the contenders and mark our
ballots accordingly. We cannot merely narrow our focus solely to our own issues, but we must
also have an eye to the prosperity and needs of everyone in our society.
In order for our democracy to flourish it is incumbent for us to actively participate in the political
process. We are obligated to study the issues and to GET OUT AND VOTE. Low voting
participation sends a message of apathy which can only foster contempt of the elected for the
electorate.
Let us encourage family, friends and acquaintances to exercise their franchise. This is particulary
problematic among our youth. We must educate them and encourage their participation. They,
too, have much at stake in any government, but may have to be convinced of their importance to
the whole exercise. Make it a goal to introduce at least one youthful novice to the voting booth in
June. Let them become life-long voters and participants in the democratic process.
Art Witham
Social Committee Report 2014
Our 2013 Fall Luncheon seems so long ago, after enduring the long, hard winter that just didn’t
want to go away. However, all who attended will remember that November 13th, was a sunny
day and the Lambton Golf and Country Club did us justice again. The meals were delightful and
Meredith Cutting’s wonderful entertainment allowed everyone to leave with a favourite tune
running through their head. Be sure to mark your calendars for this year’s Fall Luncheon at the
same venue on November 12th. Registration forms will be in the next Newsletter.
This year’s AGM and June Luncheon are again taking place at the Crowne Plaza. We anticipate
another good turnout and are looking forward to Lisa Hurd’s “Dance Like a Butterfly”. These
functions always provide a pleasant day and an opportunity to visit with friends and colleagues.
Please continue to pass along any comments and/or suggestions. It is appreciated and definitely
helps with the planning of events. Have a great summer and I look forward to hearing from you
in the fall!
Judy Paton
Travel Report 2014
For the past several years we have offered six day trips which have accommodated nearly 300
guests, many of them regulars, who sign up for all six. Last year we began with Stirling
Theatre’s IRISH HOUSE PARTY in time for St. Patrick’s Day. Our theatre visits included the
popular GUYS AND DOLLS at Shaw and FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Stratford. We also
enjoyed OLIVER at King’s Wharf in Penetanguishene, a new venue for us that allowed us to
appreciate a different part of Ontario. Our cruises are usually so popular that they are the first
trips sold out and that proved so for this year’s cruise on the R.M.Seguin on Lake Muskoka. The
day included a turkey lunch on board, followed by an interesting tour of the Bala Cranberry
Marsh where many took advantage of the variety of cranberry products on sale. Our year
concluded with a visit to Owen Sound where we enjoyed a Christmas dinner and a tour of the
spectacular Christmas lights.
This year’s trips look just as promising with visits to Shaw, Stratford and Drayton theatres, the
Erie Canal and locks, and a cruise in Port Dover. We have already enjoyed an outing to hear
ABBA at the Kitchener Symphony’s impressive Centre in the Square Theatre.
Thanks as always to Irwin Kelly, our co-host and computer expert.
Pamela Guy
Website/Communications Report 2014
Looking at the website for District 22 is a good way to keep updated on all the latest information
that has happened in this District. To get to our website you go to http://www.district22.rtoero.org
If there are any questions I can be contacted at nasimok@rogers.com .
Highlights for this year
I continue to work hard to update members’ email addresses. This has been a long process as
many members change their email addresses after a few years. It is important that you inform
Provincial Office when a change has been made to your address, phone number, or email. To do
this you need to contact:
Dianne Vezeau
Membership Database Administrator
416 962-9463
ext. 223
dvezeau@rto-ero.org
Once the email information is received, it can then be marked as to whether you want to receive
the newsletter by mail and only receive the bulletins we send out by email; or, whether you want
all communication by email. Email saves our District a lot of money in postage and saves a lot
of trees as well.
Communications has become an important part of this portfolio. This year the Provincial
Communications Committee has organized a workshop to train Newsletter Editors in all Ontario
districts.
We are still working on getting Webmasters to learn how to control their own websites using
Drupel, a program that allows Webmasters to review, change and add on to their district
websites. Webmasters and Newsletter Editors are also being encouraged to use Renet2 a
program that will allow better communication among districts. These areas will continue to be
the main thrust for next year.
Joel Nasimok
Membership and Recruitment Report 2014
Membership in District 22 continues to rise. As of March 31 we have 2161 full and 197 associate
members making the total 2358. Although we are the smallest unit in the four Toronto districts
we have the greatest percentage of participants in many of our activities.
To enhance recruitment our members (mostly from our hard working Executive) hand deliver To
Hell with the Bell Breakfast invitations to 150 Etobicoke and City of York schools during May
and June. On September 10th we expect to treat our newly retired to a free breakfast to encourage
them to join RTO/ERO. At the restaurant we also have some long time members willing to pay
$15 to hear reasons for joining District 22. At Retirement Planning Workshops we distribute an
encouraging pamphlet displaying the benefits of membership in our district.
Adele Pick