www.rto-ero.org || May & June 2008 || Volume I || Issue 3 |
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Fêting our 40th, a show stopper
Our 74th Senate meeting, held on May 13 and 14, 2008 at the Downtown Eaton Centre Marriott hotel, in Toronto, seems to have left some people’s ears ringing. Executive Director Harold Brathwaite described it as “easily the most energetic, engaging and productive in the almost four years that I have been with the organization.” Senate business included time to acknowledge our 40th anniversary with special guests and presentations as well as fitting discussions on who can become part of our 60,000-member strong organization. Members can see and download photos of our latest Senate by visiting the new RTO/ERO Flickr photosharing web page (or copy and paste: www.flickr.com/photos/rto-ero) and the Spring Senate 2008 photo set.
Celebrating our anniversary in style From an opening fanfare, featuring town crier Richard Moore (Senate Deputy Speaker) and valve trombonist Rick Murray (Senate Resolutions Committee), to recognition at the Senate banquet of 60,000th member Harriet Stone, a retired principal from District 7, Windsor-Essex, Senators were treated to special moments in recognition of RTO/ERO’s 40th anniversary. Other special moments included cutting of the 40th anniversary cake by Harriet Stone and Senate Speaker Ron Edwards, District 43, North Bay (celebrating his own milestone of presiding over his 42nd straight Senate); the reading of the names of 18 still living RTO/ERO members who joined STO/ERO in 1968; and special memories, in writing and photographs, from these original members. The Senate banquet included special presentations of artwork from OECTA and Johnson Inc., in recognition of RTO/ERO’s 40th anniversary. Guests were also served specially bottled and labeled wine (available for purchase to Districts, via Joseph's Estates Wineries). Senators and guests were welcomed by the piano playing of 14-year-old Ben Leibovitz while Caribbean influenced and steel-drum driven music group, The Vibes, covered the late evening entertainment. Their pop songs, set to an island beat, convinced most attendees to get on their feet and let the music move them.
Training the Brain As part of our 40th year celebrations, Senate opened with guest speaker, Brian Thwaites, an internationally renowned brain trainer. In an extremely entertaining and humourous manner, Thwaites outlined the ways in which we learn and retain information, the impact of aging on memory, and how we can train our brains to work better and smarter. Senate was honoured by the presence of 90-year-old member Dr. Robert (Bob) L. Lamb, District 24, Scarborough & East York, STO/ERO historian. Lamb wrote The First Generation: The Superannuated Teachers of Ontario 1968 – 1988, which covers the origins of what is now RTO/ERO. Lamb received a standing ovation, and was presented with a certificate of recognition from President Brian Kenny and Past President Ron Poste. congratulations from the minister of education Senate was graced by the presence of The Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Education who attended the reception prior to the Senate banquet, visiting with Senators and Observers. Minister Wynne brought official greetings on behalf of the provincial government, acknowledging RTO/ERO’s 40 years of providing excellent service to its members. Knowing the important role teachers play in society with her own background as a trustee, the minister congratulated our members for their immense contributions to education in Ontario.
district recruitment competition winners recognized At the end of her report to Senate, Member Services Committee Chair Margaret Clarke presented certificates of recognition to the 2007 Recruitment Competition winners. District 39, Peel received the award for the highest increase in actual number of members during last year, while District 35, Dryden, received the award for the highest percentage increase.
the business of Senate The following are the major motions passed at the 74th Senate:
• Approved that a workshop for District Presidents be conducted in the Fall of • Directed the Provincial Executive to — for both the RTO/ERO ACER-CART Regional Representative and the RTO/ERO Representative on the Benefits Adjudication Committee of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan — develop an application form which outlines the Terms of Reference for any member who is interested in applying for the position; advertise the position on the RTO/ERO website and through a memo to District/Unit Presidents; accept applications; and appoint the representatives.
membership eligibility and rights Senate had a thorough discussion on a Provincial Executive proposal dealing with the criteria used to consider membership eligibility and the rights for such members once accepted into RTO/ERO. Part of the proposal is meant to encourage those who qualify for associate membership to apply for membership and once members, to encourage their participation at the District level. The proposal works to ensure that with these changes the leadership and decision-making process of the organization remains in the hands of full members (i.e. retired members of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan). Changes approved will appear in the provincial Constitution and will be applied to questions of membership eligibility by Provincial Office staff. |
Thank you to the over 260 people who have already subscribed to Liaison online. Please send comments and suggestions to liaison@rto-ero.org Liaison e-newsletter in both official languages Provincial office summer hours Effective Friday, July 4, and continuing until Friday, August 22, the Provincial Office will close Fridays at noon. As well, the office will closed all day on Friday, August 1 and 29. Our Monday to Thursday hours will continue to be 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.The Provincial Executive and staff wish you an enjoyable and relaxing summer. New District map We are pleased to be sending all Provincial Executive, Provincial Committee and District Executive members a newly designed District map. Please contact Kim Williams for additional copies. The new map includes two major municipalities in each District. An interactive version will be launched on our web site in the coming months. Motions passed at the May 12 and June 18 & 19, 2008 Provincial Executive meetings • THAT RTO/ERO write to the Premier requesting a meeting to discuss issues of concern to RTO/ERO members. • THAT RTO/ERO Districts be encouraged to approach local MPPs on the issue of Municipal Property Assessment. • THAT THE PRESIDENT write to the government and opposition leaders requesting action on the disposal of unused and expired medications in a manner that would guarantee the protection of the environment. • REFERRED SENATE MOTIONS regarding Membership, Rights and Privileges to the Subcommittee of the Provincial Executive established to study these categories within the Provincial Constitution. • SUPPORTED THE RECOMMENDATION of the Standing Committee Chairs that newly-appointed committee members be invited to attend the September provincial committee meeting as an observer, effective September 2008. • RATIFIED THE COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS for 2008-2009, as recommended by the Nominating Committee. • APPROVED AN INCREASE in the RTO/ERO mileage rates, effective immediately, to $0.50/km for one eligible member, $0.64/km for two and $0.75/km for more than two eligible members in the same vehicle (car pooling). • Moved that the Reimbursement of Expenses Guidelines be revised to include the following statement: “When an RTO/ERO member is seeking reimbursement for travel from a location other than his/her permanent residence, RTO/ERO will pay whichever is the lesser cost of travel from (a) the member’s place of permanent residence or (b) travel from another location.” • ADOPTED THE TERMS OF REFERENCE for RTO/ERO’s ACER-CART Regional Representative. • RATIFIED THE RECOMMENDATION of the Awards Committee, that the following be the recipients of the 2008 RTO/ERO Distinguished Member Awards: Margaret Durkin, District 28, Region of Durham Bob Murphy, District 39, Peel Jeanne Rutherford, District 22, Etobicoke. • DECIDED NOT TO GRANT a Founding Member Award for 2008. Recruitment strategies available to assist you Annually, the Member Services Committee, through the Manager of Communications, distributes a list of recruitment suggestions for use by Districts in their recruitment activities. The committee recently reviewed the 2007 list and, based on the results and suggestions made by District representatives at the Provincial Recruitment Workshop in March, deemed it to still be valid, without revision. It is available under the committee section of the Members' Only web site. Based on the changes to membership categories ( eligibility and rights) recently approved by Senate, some Districts have asked for specific strategies to address increased recruitment initiatives to potential Associate members. The strategies list addresses this type of recruitment. Finally, if Districts wish to obtain a copy of the recruitment suggestions and/or a chart indicating the revised Membership Categories - Eligibility and Rights, please email Simon Leibovitz. Health plan comparison chart available online A health plan comparison chart prepared with the help of Johnson Inc. is available for District use and has been featured on the web site since April 2008. The chart compares the RTO/ERO health plans and the RTIP health plans available to retired educators. Districts can also get the chart via membership@rto-ero.org. UPCOMING DEADLINES • June 30 – Nominations for Provincial Executive. Submit applications to Gail Knox • July 15 – Scholarship applications • August 23 – Toronto Blue Jays game • Ongoing - Membership list, labels and materials requests require two weeks notice. Please send all requests to Dianne Vezeau.
Heron photos courtesy of Ann Cotter, |
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Liaison is published on a regular basis by the RTO/ERO Provincial Office. Districts and Units are encouraged to reproduce this material for their own purposes. A colour PDF version of Liaison is available on the members' only web site. Editor: Simon Leibovitz | Design: renée I.A. mercuri | Copy editing: renée I.A. mercuri, Kim Williams Copyright © 2008 The Retired Teachers of Ontario/Les enseignantes et enseignants retraités de l'Ontario. All rights reserved. |
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