Annual Report of the Calgary Retired Teachers' Association

Submitted to the CRTA Annual General Meeting, October 17, 2007

The Directors of the Calgary Retired Teachers’ Association have worked diligently throughout 2006 and 2007 to further the objects of our new society and to address a number of priorities.   Our efforts may be summarized as follows:

Membership

In the first year of operations as a registered society we have sustained our membership and continue to grow, with more than half of current members renewing by August and with 108 new retirees opting to join.   At present our membership totals 826.

The CRTA offers new retirees a complimentary membership for one year. 

Concerns over FOIP continue to cause employers difficulty and thus, we are not provided with a list of retirees from school boards in our area.  In order to compensate for that, we ask that an application form appear in each retirement package and we include an application form on our website and in our newsletters.

We continue to grow as retirees respond to the issues addressed by our Board and the programs developed and directed towards needs identified by the Board and the members.

Surplus Funds to be Returned

Over the last six years we have expended a great deal of time and effort to affect the return of monies to retired teachers and others who were formerly employed by the Calgary Board of Education.  Regardless of their status with CRTA or ARTA, we worked to ensure that each former employee receives his or her share of surplus funds from the Long Term Disability Plan to which he or she contributed.  At the end of a lengthy and prolonged court process, which was filled with tension and emotion at times, the final report of the judicial trustee has been completed, presented to and approved by the Court.  Cheques are being prepared and will be issued shortly. 

All CBE employees and former employees owe a debt of gratitude to the Alberta Teachers' Association and its legal counsel, specifically to Mr. Earl Hjelter, Associate Executive Secretary of the ATA and to Dr. Sandra Anderson of Field LLP, for their untiring efforts on behalf of all CBE employees and former employees. 

It should also be known that, in order to ensure as much of the fund as possible is returned to contributors, the Alberta Teachers' Association steadfastly refused to take any monies from the fund to cover costs and expenses.  On behalf of our members and all employees, we thank the Association for its devotion to this matter and for the efforts to preserve our monies.

Court Appeal on Other Surplus Funds

In response to the action brought against the Calgary Board of Education by the ATA, regarding other surplus funds and specifically the return of monies resulting from the demutualization of insurance, CBE lawyers contended that the matter was not properly one to be brought before the court.  Rather, they argued, such matters should be handled through labor arbitration.  The judge agreed and so ruled.  Given the unworkability of that ruling, among other things, the ATA appealed.  That appeal is due to be heard this fall.  Our representatives continue to work with the Alberta Teachers’ Association to bring this matter to a satisfactory resolution.

Pension Issues

Our Pension Committee continued efforts to educate retired teachers and others as to the issues and problems with the pension plan.  They did so through presentations and seminars and by distributing our policies and proposed solutions to the problems of the pension plan.

When the Minister of Education assigned a Task Force to address the unfunded liability issue, our Pension Committee began to monitor the undertaking.  Concerned about the limits placed on the Task Force and learning that the Task force would be holding hearings in Calgary, the CRTA Pension Committee requested a hearing and made a presentation. 

The Committee advised the Task Force the folly of trying to deal with the unfunded liability in isolation from the other failings of the plan and challenged the view that there was a part of the problem that belonged to teachers, the resolution of which would require teachers to give something back to government and taxpayers.

The committee tried to impress upon the task force that the unfunded liability was not a labor matter to be dealt with through negotiation, but rather a matter of finance, a long standing debt by the government, that should neither be foisted upon a new generation of teachers, nor upon the Education Ministry. 

To ensure that message was communicated further, the Committee met with the Premier’s Executive Assistant and we are awaiting a follow up meeting. 

The Committee also met with the President of the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation to discuss both submissions and to open a dialogue with that organization. 

As we await the report of the Task Force and the signs of a provincial election begin to appear, our Pension Committee has commenced an initiative by which all candidates in the Calgary region will receive our report to the Task Force and will be in discussion with at least one or two of our members regarding our policies and position on pensions.

Grants and New Initiatives

As a society we are able to apply for financial assistance.  On that basis, we expanded our program offerings last year to include a "first ever" conference for retired teachers.  The 'Steppin' Out Conference' was not only a resounding success but it provided CRTA with clear needs as to future programming.   Based on that data, we have developed a plan and submitted an application under the federal government’s New Horizons Initiative.  If successful, the CRTA will commence a yearlong program of courses and seminars for seniors that will culminate in a full day Symposium in the fall of 2008.  The CRTA thanks ARTA for supporting the ‘Steppin’ Out Conference and for serving as one of our sponsors.

Technology

The CRTA continues to make use of technology and the talents of several of our members who volunteer to serve and guide us in the use of web and email services.  Our website at www.calgaryretiredteachers.ca has become a basic in our daily operations and we are able to communicate with our members almost anywhere in the world. 

We are using information technology to become more "green" - over 42 % of the membership is receiving the Newsletter and membership renewal reminders by email.  This means that over 1100 fewer letters and printed Newsletters are sent yearly which not only saves trees, but money too.  Over 600 CRTA members also receive by email, timely updates on matters such as job and volunteer opportunities, the work of the CRTA Executive and our Pension Committee.  We attribute some of our growth in membership to our increased use of technology.

Insurance, Wellness and Value Added Services

In addition to participating in benefit undertakings with ARTA, our representatives continue to facilitate the flow of information within our branch regarding life, medical, home and auto insurance for retired teachers.  Our Insurance and Wellness representatives respond to calls and inquiries and present information at seminars and meetings.  Information is included in our newsletters and on our website.  Johnson Inc. representatives have attended our luncheons, sponsored prizes and partner with us in operating our booth at the Teachers’ Convention.  A number of value added services are also offered to our members and result in discounts for members when they do business with those that partner with CRTA.

Newsletter

The CRTA newsletter continues to be issued four times a year.  Its publication serves to remind our members of the luncheons which occur shortly after the newsletter is issued.   In addition, the newsletter contains updates on CRTA programs and issues as well as items that may be of interest to retired teachers, generally. 

Social Activities

Four luncheons were held during the year, each of which was attended by more than 100 members.  The Fall Luncheon in October, held at the Silver Springs Golf and Country Club, provided a great opportunity for everyone to touch base after the summer.  Santa Clause and the Lord Beaverbrook High School choir provided a wonderful Christmas touch to our December Luncheon at the Carriage House.  Our Spring Luncheon goers at the Silver Springs Golf and Country Club were introduced to the recipients of the ARTA and CRTA Scholarships, Chris Gordon and Ryan Fox.  Attendees were entertained thoroughly by Chris who, in addition to becoming a teacher, is honing his talents as a stand up comedian.  Back at the Carriage House, for the June Luncheon, our business meeting was followed by a short program of songs by a choir of seniors, The Westside Singers, who included two of our own members.  Thanks go out to the donors of door prizes listed on our website, to the groups and individuals who provide us with great entertainment and to the volunteers who make the luncheons happen.     

The CRTA Board

We are proud of the efforts of our Board who meet on a bimonthly basis to deal with the formal business of the society and who meet more frequently in committees and as individuals to carry out the decisions of the Board and its operations.  Our first AGM is scheduled for October 17^th, in conjunction with our fall luncheon.  The following Directors have consented to continue until that meeting at which time a new election will be held.

President                                  Chuck Rose

Past President:/Secretary          Marj Weerstra

Vice President #1                     Jean Hutchinson

Vice President #2                     Gordon Cumming 

Treasurer                                 Paul Demers

Membership                             Garry Jeffrey

Social Conveners                      Irene Bruzga, Sheena Banks

Newsletter                                Ena Beunder                   

Technology                              Erich Berndt, Greg Chitrenky,
                                                         David Baker, Glen Roszel

Pensions                                   Mike Allen, Jean Crawford, 
                                                          Chuck Rose, Jim Weed 

Insurance & Wellness               Ralph Levinson, Mike Allen, Paul Demers

Members at Large:                   Shirley Holmlund, Ron Nikiforuk

The CRTA would like to acknowledge and thank two Board members who, because of prior commitments, were unable to continue to work with the Board.  We thank Lois Marchand for her valued service as Secretary.  We also extend our thanks and appreciation to Sandra Dunfield who served as a Member at Large

Special attention continues to be given to the CRTA's role in the activities of the ARTA, with executive members serving in leadership positions, accepting responsibilities on ARTA committees, as well as working to boost ARTA membership and participation from the Calgary region.

-submitted by Dr. Charles P. Rose, President