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2009 AGM
The 18th ACER-CART Annual General Meeting was held on June 5-6, 2009.
Representatives from 13 of the 14 retired teacher organizations in Canadian
gathered at the Canadian Teachers’ Federation office in Ottawa. This AGM was an
opportunity for the executive, directors and observers to renew acquaintances,
meet new friends, share ideas, and to report on the activities of the
association since the last AGM. Member organizations also presented issues and
concerns of their respective associations.
A Reserve Fund investment policy was approved and the 2009-10
operating budget was finalized with some funds from the reserve used to create a
new category for improving liaison by the Executive within the ACER-CART
regions. The Bylaws, approved by Industry Canada last year, were confirmed along
with a section on Articles used for ACER-CART operational aspects. A Policy and
Procedures section will be reviewed and developed for the 2010 AGM.
Considerable time was devoted to discussing events and issues
of the member associations based on well developed written reports from each.
Lori MacDonald-Blundon from Johnson Inc. gave a presentation on "Out of
Province/Canada Travel." She explained coverage needed, limitations to insurance
and pitfalls to avoid. She reiterated the need to be aware of ever-changing
insurance provisions and common client misunderstandings. Her presentation
provoked many questions on travel issues which she handled skillfully.
2009- 10 Election of Officers
The annual election of executive officers saw
some new faces added. Vaughn Wadelius (RTAM) from The Pas, MB was elected
president. The four Regional Representatives elected were Atlantic: Dr.
Thomas Gaskell (RTO-NSTU) from Little Bras d’Or, NS; Québec: Ed Zegray
(QART) from Montréal, QC; Ontario: Arnold Hull (RTO/ERO) from London,
ON; West: Dean McMullen (ARTA) from Vermilion, AB. Arnold Hull was
elected as the 2009-10 vice-president. The Past President is Helen Biales
(RTO/ERO) from Windsor, ON. The executive is supported by ACER-CART Executive
Director Norbert Boudreau. Secretarial assistance is provided by CTF support
staff person Lynne Richard and financial management by CTF’s Debbie McCarthy.
Back (L-R)
Thomas Gaskell (Atlantic),
Ed Zegray (Québec),
Dean McMullen (West,)
Norbert
Boudreau (Executive Director)
Front (L-R)
Arnold Hull (Ontario, Vice-President);
Vaughn Wadelius (President),
Helen Biales
(Past President),
Committee Reports
Reports from the ACER-CART committees, a regular feature of the
AGM, indicated the efforts during the previous year to advocate
and publicize the positions proposed by the national organization.
Communications Committee
(Vaughn Wadelius, Chair)
The growth of website visits each month indicates that the website is a source
of communication and information. Updates were done regularly to the standard
website pages. Two media releases (Executive Director Hired, Elder Abuse
Awareness) were circulated and put on-line, as were briefs to government. One
edition of the ACER-CART newsletter OPTIONS was produced in 2008-09.
Numerous topic alerts for Directors were utilized. A Federal election special
page was attempted but didn’t reach its full potential due to limited responses
from some political parties to questions posed by ACER-CART. A special
Directors’ website access page for AGM documents was developed again in 2009.
Health Services and Insurance Committee
(Thomas Gaskell, Chair)
This committee had focussed on the issues of the Canada Health Act, concerns
about "for profit" medical care replacing our national health system, and
adequate insurance coverage for seniors. It recommended we take a coordinated
approach by ACER-CART and its members to articulate our policy position and
support for the Canada Health Act principles.
Pension and Retirement Income Committee
(Arnold Hull, Chair)
This committee took direction from a 2008 AGM recommendation seeking ways to
support the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in obtaining sustainable
funding for infrastructure projects and upgrades. Its report commented on the
municipal concerns for public safety and emergency preparedness, the need to
address environmental issues, affordable housing, obesity and related health
problems. It also noted rural and northern infrastructure essentials and
strategies.
Other Action
Taken in 2009-10
During her tenure as our representative with the Congress of National Seniors
Organizations (CNSO), Helen Biales
forwarded ACER-CART’s federal budget recommendations to the Minister of Finance.
A submission on health care was also sent to government and the opposition
parties.
A new Executive Director, Norbert Boudreau, was hired and
started in January 2009. A reorganization of Bylaws and Articles was completed,
a Director’s Handbook was produced, and finance operational arrangements were
revised.
ACER-CART
Positions Taken
Motions were passed at the 2009 AGM
directing the organization to:
Apply to become an
Associate Member of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation.
Work to improve its
communication in both official languages, and to communicate
with francophone members in French.
Request a meeting with the
federal Minister responsible for health, and with opposition
critics, to provide them with the position of ACER-CART as
outlined in our policy on Health Care in Canada, and to solicit
similar support of MPs from our member associations.
Lobby the Government of Canada and opposition
parties to:
a) establish a national Securities Regulator through
legislation that enhances the rights of investors and to seek
support of other national seniors’ organizations.
b) implement the Canadian Health Coalition Report
(2008) recommendations for a universal pharmacare plan with a
national formulary
c) phase in a national prescription drug strategy
which would begin with coverage for key catastrophic drug costs.
Advocate for adequate financial support
for Radio Canada and the CBC in all parts of Canada.
Explore and schedule, if feasible, a
presentation at the 2010 AGM on how to lobby government.
2009-10 President Vaughn Wadelius Comments
We have two new
members on
the 2009-10 executive. Welcome Dean McMullen and Ed Zegray! This
meant the retirement of two veteran members, Patricia Steele and
Patrick Brady, who have contributed for several years to our
discussions. Thanks to them for their advice and support during
that time. Farewell also to the Directors who will not be back
next year. Your important connection to our member associations
was much appreciated.
As an organization we realize the need to
improve our ability to communicate equally in French and English. While there
may be some financial roadblocks in meeting this objective, we have committed
ourselves to making progress in the coming year.
The lobbying efforts and
goals we identified at the AGM require the involvement of all member
organizations in communicating with government. We stand a better chance at
being heard when working together. Specific requests for member assistance will
be forthcoming as background papers and briefs are developed this year.
Our application to be an associate member
of CTF, while costing nothing, will allow us to access information produced by
CTF researchers and allow member organizations to participate in other CTF
activities such as Project Overseas. More about this after our membership is
approved.
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Newsletter 2004 - 2005
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Newsletter Winter, 2007
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Newsletter Summer, 2008
Newsletter, Summer, 2009
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