ACER-CART is a growing organization consisting of the retired teachers’ organizations from all provinces, with a total membership of some 125,000. Many retirees in all provinces volunteer in their provincial offices and work on a variety of committees. Years of accumulated experience and knowledge represent a rich resource for our retirees and an asset in our relationships with active teachers.
At the June 2003 AGM a strong Executive was elected with a mandate to establish a fiscally stable organization and to work on three main issues – communications, health and pensions.
1. Communications
Major priorities are to publish a Newsletter twice a year and to establish a web site. We also want to increase communications with Directors through e-mail and phone calls. This is a two-way street and we hope to hear from you about your concerns and any ways in which we can help.
2. Health
We continue to monitor what is happening to retirees in active teacher health plans. We are in contact with the Congress of National Seniors and will work with them to lobby on health and other issues affecting seniors.
3. Pensions
We have a strong, knowledgeable pension committee which has identified a variety of issues that affect retirees: low interest rates, transfer of RRSP’s at age 69 instead of 73 or so, pension splitting etc. This committee has lots to do!
These are challenging times and Change is certain and progress sometimes seems slow. However we will keep working on your behalf. In the meantime remember Somerset Maugham’s quote “age has its pleasures, which though different, are not less than the pleasures of youth” – so enjoy you retirement and have a great holiday season.
Regards,
Val
Meet your Executive Committee
President: Val Alcock
Val was a Principal in elementary schools in Northwestern Ontario and holds supervisory officers’ papers. She served on teacher federation provincial boards and committees and on CTF Project Overseas teams; was on the provincial board of the Ontario Red Cross; and was always involved in many clubs and committees in Kenora. She moved to Nanaimo, BC, upon retirement but continued to serve on the Executive and as President of RTO/ERO. After the death of her first husband she remarried and has three stepsons and a stepdaughter in Manitoba.
Vice President and Regional Director (West): Pat Brady
Pat Brady took early retirement after 33 years of teaching in the public school system of BC, having taught at all levels of that system. He was active in his local teachers association, serving many years on the local executive including the office of President. He also is a Past President of the BC Teachers’ Federation; the Canadian Teachers’ Federation; and the BC Retired Teachers’ Association.
Pat continues to be involved on the Executive of his local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion; is completing his 11th year as a member of the Senate of the University of BC; and is a Vice President of the Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations of BC.
Regional Director (Centre): Pat Steele
Pat was on staff at the Provincial Association of Protestant Teachers of Quebec for almost 25 years before taking early retirement in 1997. She is presently Vice-President of the Quebec Association of Retired Educators and has attended the last two CART AGMs as Director. She is an avid bridge player and birder, and volunteers at a local library in her home town of Montreal.
Regional Director (Atlantic): George Little
George Little took early retirement after 34 years in the U.K. and New Brunswick school systems in 1994. For the last 27 years he had been English Department Head in Simonds High School in Saint John, N.B. He was active in the local of the NBTA, heading up various committees, and since retiring he has served on the NB Society of Retired Teachers local as Vice-President and President, and sits on the provincial executive – he is co-editor of the NBSRT magazine Reflections, and served for four years as provincial director on the ACER-CART Board. In retirement he is involved in many volunteer activities, principally with UNICEF, the Cancer Society and the Kidney Foundation.
Executive Director: Pierre Drouin
After 34 years of teaching mathematics at the high school level, Pierre Drouin retired in June 1997. He was active in his local teachers association (AEFO), serving many years on the local Executive Committee including the office of chief negotiator. He served on local and provincial committees of AEFO (staffing, evaluation, legislation, constitution), of RTO/ERO (awards, budget and finance, constitution, nominating). He makes regular presentations at the Ontario Teachers’ Federation retirement planning workshops. Since 2001, Pierre has served on provincial commissions and boards: Custody Review Board, Child and Family Services Review Board, Special Education Provincial Tribunal.
Pierre teaches part-time at the Faculty of Education at the University of Ottawa (educational administration, methods in mathematics, practicum supervision, legislation). In his spare time, Pierre is involved in many volunteer activities: food banks, youth centers, residences for seniors.
