34799-Renaissance Summer-113450

SUMMER 2003
THE
Executive
Executive Members
Members Isabel
Isabel O’Reilly
O’Reilly
and
and Arnold
Arnold Hull
Hull display
display the
the new
new
RTO/ERO
RTO/ERO “VOTE”
“VOTE” poster.
poster.
M A G A Z I N E O F T H E R E T I R E D T E A C H E R S O F O N TA R I O
ON THE COVER
SPRING 2003
THE
MAGAZINE
OF
THE
RETIRED
TEACHERS
OF
O N TA R I O
Renaissance is published quarterly for its members by
The Retired Teachers of Ontario/
les enseignantes et enseignants retraites de l’Ontario
(RTO/ERO) to provide a variety of information and
opinions on topics of interest to retired teachers.
The views expressed in submitted articles are those
of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the
official position of RTO/ERO.
Letters to the editor and submissions on topics of
interest to members are welcome. Please send to
Simon Leibovitz, sleibovitz@rto-ero.org.
Publication of an advertisement in Renaissance does
not constitute an endorsement by RTO/ERO of any
advertiser’s product or service. Inquiries about
advertising and rates should be directed to
Clara Rodriguez, Administrative Assistant –
Communications, crodriguez@rto-ero.org.
If you are moving, or have changed your address,
please contact the RTO/ERO Provincial Office.
Simon Leibovitz, Editor
Provincial Communications Committee
Carolyn Racicot (Chair), District 27, Ottawa-Carleton
Michael Laverty, District 21, Renfrew-South
Lawrence O’Brien, District 2, Thunder Bay
Wayne Scott, District 14, Niagara
Clarice West-Hobbs, District 14, Niagara
John Zangari, District 7, Windsor-Essex
Renaissance is also available in French.
If you would like to receive your copy of the
magazine in French, please contact Clara Rodriguez
or Dianne Vezeau at the Provincial Office.
Executive Members Isabel O’Reilly & Arnold Hull
display the new RTO/ERO “VOTE” poster. For
further information about the “VOTE” poster
and other RTO/ERO political action initiatives,
please see “Spotlight” on the back cover.
INDEX
President’s Message ...............................................1
Executive Director’s Message ............................2-3
Saluting our Senior seniors...................................4
Book Reviews.........................................................5
Computer Ease and Poem ....................................6
STO Project from Wellington...............................7
Senate Reports/Highlights...............................8-13
Privatization of Health Care...............................14
Profile...................................................................15
Long Term Care Nursing Facilities ....................16
Project STO Approved Projects..........................17
RTO/ERO
18 Spadina Road, Suite 300, Toronto, Ontario M5R 2S7
416-962-9463 • 1-800-361-9888
Johnson Scholarship Winners ...........................18
www.rto-ero.org
Classified Ads.......................................................20
Reunions ..............................................................19
Letters from our Members..................................21
Here for you now ... Here for your future
Spotlight on... Posters and Flags..........Back Cover
President’s Message
BY
A
s President, it has been my pleasure, as well as a
real learning experience, to attend the meetings
of all of RTO/ERO’s Executive and Standing
Committees. I have said on many occasions that
these committees do invaluable work for RTO/ERO.
As I write this in late April, in the midst of National
Volunteer Week, it is appropriate to acknowledge the
contributions of the members of these committees and
the impact that they have on the betterment of our
organization – for individual members and in the
communities they represent. I would like to focus on the
recent work of only three of our committees: Member
Services, Constitution, and Project–Service to Others.
The Member Services Committee is divided into five
work groups: Affinity, which reviews the programs that
offer discounts to members in areas such as
accommodations and insurance; Travel, which works
closely with Travel Guild and their special trips and
cruises developed specifically for RTO/ERO members;
Recruitment, which helps Districts to develop
recruitment opportunities and which was involved in
establishing guidelines for the new Recruitment Grant;
RPW’s, which helps with the provision of Retirement
Planning Workshops; and Goodwill on which I will
focus below.
Through the Member Services Committee, the
Goodwill Guidelines for Districts/Units were recently
updated. Some examples of these Guidelines:
• maintain a file of RTO/ERO Fact Sheets
• identify the type of goodwill needs for members
within the District/Unit such as transportation to
appointments, help with shopping and hospital visits
• maintain updated lists of telephone numbers for
local community services such as Meals on Wheels,
nursing homes
• assist with errands, help write and read letters and
ensure medications are up to date.
Summer
2003
MICKEY
CONTINI
These Guidelines provide useful information for
Goodwill Committees. In my opinion they are excellent,
worthwhile, and would make a good topic for
discussion at District meetings.
The Constitution Committee is an Executive
committee that meets quarterly and, among other
things, initiates proposals for change to the RTO/ERO
Constitution, Bylaws and Policies. The Committee also
reviews, at five-year intervals, each District Constitution
and advises the District on its appropriateness. To
facilitate that process, there is a Model District
Constitution, which is regularly updated by the
Committee. It provides direction and suggestions for
Districts. The members of this Committee work hard to
familiarize themselves with the constitutional and
parliamentary procedures in order to better fulfill their
roles.
Recently the Project–Service to Others Committee
met to consider a variety of proposals from 29
Districts that would raise the profile of retired teachers
and RTO/ERO in their local communities. This
represents the highest number of Districts applying for
available funds ($60,000) in RTO/ERO’s history, with
total requests for $108,000. The Committee did a
thorough job of considering every proposal and
making some difficult decisions. I was very impressed
with the calibre of the projects and equally so with the
preparedness of the members to make tough choices.
On page 17, you can find a list of those who made
successful applications.
As a voluntary organization, we essentially have
50,000 volunteers working at various levels
individually and collectively – through Districts, Units,
provincial committees – to represent the needs and
interests of retired teachers, locally and provincially.
On behalf of the Provincial Executive, I congratulate
all our ‘volunteers’ for their dedication to and hard
work for, RTO/ERO. Have a great summer! ZX
1
Executive Director’s
UPDATE
BY
TERRY
LY N C H
RTO/ERO - An Election Force
The young and disadvantaged are two groups whose apathy has resulted in an alarming lack of interest
in the simple act of voting. RTO/ERO has developed an attractive poster and pertinent public service
announcement, for use at election times, to promote meaningful involvement, including voting.
W
Introduction
riting a regular column for a magazine can be
hazardous to one’s health. As I sit here in late April
mourning the plight of our beloved Maple Leafs
(beloved at least in Toronto), no one yet knows for sure
whether we’ll have an early summer or fall provincial
election. Thus my comments may appear dated if the
election occurs before the end of June. On the other hand,
I rather suspect the election will occur after that date, and
my comments are intended to be somewhat generic in
nature.
Personal Influence
Some very positive characteristics of people of our
vintage include: that we do take an interest in the
political process, we do read about candidates and
platforms, we follow the polls, we attend meetings, and
we vote. We readily acknowledge our obligation to be
good citizens by exercising our democratic right to cast
a ballot. Although the percentage of voters is often
described as being in decline, that would not be true of
our generation. That makes us an extremely important
cohort to politicians and parties.
We can count on being courted by all parties, each
seeking to appeal to our specific needs and interests.
Were all, or even most, or let’s face it, even some of
the election promises fulfilled, then we would be a tad
less jaded and a lot more upbeat about our individual
and collective futures. However, living in the ‘real
world’ does not negate our innate desire to have some
say in who will make decisions affecting our lives.
So...we vote.
2
Professional Influence
Organizations like RTO/ERO also have a duty to
participate in the sifting and sorting of the three I’s –
information, issues, ideas. Although we are nonpartisan, we owe it to our members and others to ask
questions, seek answers, develop positions and
champion change. That is why the Provincial Executive
has met with many key provincial leaders, why we have
developed a set of position papers on five significant
issues, why we have developed guidelines for organizing
candidates’ meetings, and why we have encouraged
Districts/Units to develop local action plans.
RTO/ERO has reached a new level of maturity,
confident that through our Provincial and District
leaders, we can challenge the status quo, stimulate
thoughtful debate and promote the needs of the
fastest growing segment of the population. Yes that
would be us!
Reaching Others
RTO/ERO has also come to believe that we must reach
out to others and encourage those who are
disenchanted or disengaged to become participants in
the democratic process. The young and disadvantaged
are two groups whose apathy has resulted in an
alarming lack of interest in the simple act of voting.
RTO/ERO has developed an attractive poster and
pertinent public service announcement for use at
election times, to promote meaningful involvement,
including voting.
Renaissance
Conclusion
I expect that having opened the door of Pandora’s
political box, RTO/ERO has no choice but to do what
we can to enhance the political process, including –
• clearly stating our views on important issues
• looking for allies/partners to increase our influence
• holding politicians/parties to a high standard of
accountability
• using our experience as teachers to educate others
on the importance of knowledgeable participation
While our provincial organization is non-partisan,
there is nothing to stop individual members from
supporting the candidate/party of their choice. In fact,
we would encourage you to demonstrate your
commitment to the process and your faith in
democracy by being active in some capacity – the
choice is yours!
World Exchanges Inc.
TEACH ENGLISH IN CHINA
The China Teaching Program of World Exchanges invites
retired teachers to teach at Chinese universities/colleges
and ESL centers.
Experience first-hand, one of the world’s oldest and most
diverse civilizations and more importantly, make lifelong
friends with the Chinese people.
There will be three electoral opportunities in the near
future, likely in the following order: provincial,
municipal, federal. While the prime focus of RTO/ERO
is at the provincial level, there may well be local issues
that individual Districts/Units will want to explore in
the November municipal elections. And, there will
surely be some national issues for RTO/ERO to
consider when the next federal election takes place in
2004 or 2005.
Some describe politics as a non-body contact sport,
complete with winners and losers, game plans and
strategies, players and spectators. RTO/ERO, at the
individual member and organizational levels, should
see ourselves as much more than spectators. We can
and must be players. ZX
Teaching has
been such a rewarding
experience for me. Now I get
to add adventure, living
abroad and professional
development to the equation.
I can’t wait to get started!
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Ontario Teacher’s Certificate
BENEFITS:
• High Chinese salary/vacation allowance
• Paid accommodation/international airfare/medical care
• Mandarin lessons
• Travel opportunities in China
SUBJECTS: English, computers and social sciences.
Apply enclosing:
• Two copies of current resume
• Two current passport-sized photos
• Qualifications
• Two references
To: CHINA TEACHING PROGRAM, WORLD EXCHANGES INC.
Attn: Jenny Jung
1 Yonge Street, Suite 1801, Toronto, Ontario M5E 1W7
Email: wei@chinateaching.com
Website: www.chinateaching.com
Tel: (416) 369-9992 • Fax: (416) 369-0515
START DATE: September 2003
www.vsocan.org
Deadline: July 25, 2003 (for 2003 academic year). Applications
accepted throughout the year.
Summer
3
2003
VSO0304ot0035.qxd
Saluting
our
Senior seniors
Lucy McCormick was born in Ireland and emigrated to Canada with her family
in May 1921. In November 1929, she was fortunate to obtain a position at a oneroom school, teaching grades 1-9 and performing custodial duties such as keeping the
fire going and the school clean.
L
BY
WA LT O N
DUNCAN,
ucy McCormick was born in Ireland and emigrated
to Canada with her family in May 1921, settling in
the tiny Village of Lumby, B.C. (near Vernon).
After attending school in Kelowna, Lumby and
Vernon, she travelled to Victoria to attend Victoria
Normal School, graduating in 1929. The Depression
had begun and teaching jobs were at a premium.
Lucy was fortunate to obtain a position in November
1929 at a one-room school, teaching grades 1-9 with a
total of 25 students and receiving a salary of $1,000 per
year. She was also responsible for all custodial duties
including keeping the fire going and keeping the school
clean. Lucy recalls that the temperature in February
1930 remained at -50 degrees F. or below for three
weeks and that she paid $5 per month rent for a tworoom cottage near the school. She would get dressed,
walk to the school and get the fire burning, and then
return to her cabin, prepare her breakfast and then
back to school for her teaching day. Lucy stayed there
for four years even though her salary was reduced to as
low as $500 per year due to the Depression. She then
moved to another one-room school which had the
luxury of electricity. She remained there until 1940 at a
maximum salary of $900 per year.
During the summer of 1936, Lucy joined almost 5,000
Canadians travelling on five ships to take part in the
Vimy Ridge Memorial pilgrimage. On the return
voyage from Europe, Lucy met Charles McCormick, an
Irish Canadian member of the RCAF stationed in
Toronto. Lucy returned to teach in B.C. and it wasn’t
until 1940 that she moved to Toronto to marry
Charles. She worked with the Red Cross for two years,
then was called up by the RCAF one day before the
bombing of Pearl Harbor, and assigned to work at
Uplands in Ottawa until her discharge in March 1945
after achieving the rank of Flight Sergeant.
4
DISTRICT
42,
BRITISH
COLUMBIA
Since her husband was still active in the RCAF, Lucy
returned to B.C. and taught in one-room schools for
two years. Her husband received his discharge in late
1947 and Lucy returned to Toronto. Looking back,
Lucy remarked that she enjoyed her teaching years in
the rural schools; as she stated, “I was my own boss!”
In 1953, Lucy answered an ad in a Toronto newspaper
that was looking for teachers to work in a school being
started in an old house by the parents of special needs
children. Lucy got one of the jobs and since the parents
paid the salaries, she received $4 per day. In the 1960s,
the program became associated with the Toronto Board
of Education and, a few years later, it was taken over by
the Metropolitan Toronto School Board (MTSB).
Lucy then worked as a Supervisory Principal of Special
Education for the MTSB for six years, retiring in 1975.
In October 1977, the schoolboard named the new
school built at Dundas and Keele the Lucy McCormick
Senior School in her honour. This school was ‘for the
education of students between the ages of 13 and 21
with a developmental handicap’.
Lucy and Charles retired to Coldstream, B.C. in 1975.
Charles passed away in 1980.
Currently, Lucy is a life member of the Ontario
Association of Community Living, the Coldstream
Women’s Institute and the Okanagan Historical
Society. She is also an active member of RTO/ERO
District 42, the North Okanagan Naturalist Club, the
Canadian Federation of University Women and All
Saints Anglican Church.
Lucy loves to travel, enjoys her garden, entertaining
visitors and spending time with her friends. She is
truly a remarkable woman with a zest for life. ZX
Renaissance
Book Reviews
DOESN’T THAT HURT THE COW’S BACK?
by Steve Thompson
REVIEW BY SUSAN HOWARD,
D I S T R I C T 2 7 , O T TAWA
S
teve Thompson, a
former teacher, is the
author of Doesn’t That
Hurt The Cow’s Back?, a
collection of 32 short stories,
reminiscences of growing up
on a farm in Ontario in the
1940s and 50s. The oldest of
seven children of a teacher and
a farmer/school trustee, the
author evokes a simpler time, when children were
allowed to run free, and to make their own mistakes as
they learned about life.
As Mary Cook, noted storyteller and CBC broadcaster
wrote, “Steve Thompson is, above all, a wonderful
storyteller, one of a dying breed, and he brings to life
with humour and more than a little pathos, a picture
of a little boy who is searching for answers to life’s
most compelling questions.”
The book is a good read, and you’ll be laughing and
crying as you identify with the adventures of these
children, who grew up when you, yourself, were their age.
You may purchase the book, published by General Store
Publishing House, Burnstown, at selected bookstores, or,
for $16.95, Steve Thompson will ship it to you. You may
write him at Box 1184 Morrisburg, Ontario K0C 1X0.
THE ONE WITH THE NEWS – A Collection of Stories
by Sandra Sabatini
T
R E V I E W B Y P E N N Y G U M B E R T,
D I S T R I C T 1 3 , H A M I LT O N - W E N T W O R T H
windows that don’t open in the locked wing of the
hospital where Peggy visits Ambrose.” From the start
Sabatini’s clean prose hits you where it hurts.
The short stories are tied together in their unifying
theme: the disease affects everyone. Each individual is
troubled profoundly by Ambrose’s decline, even his
paperboy. A compassion grows toward the characters,
helping the reader cope with the inevitable conclusion.
You want to say it’ll be all right, but you know it won’t.
This is a testament to Sabatini’s skills as a writer. Each
story becomes a study in quiet heroism as the characters
try to cope...see some sense...sort out the injustice. But
‘life offers unlimited opportunity for getting worse’ and
her people deal with it, become the true victors.
Ambrose is the patient. By trade a jeweller who had no
trouble aligning the delicate gears of watches, Ambrose
now can’t find the way from the sink to the stove. As he
deteriorates his wife Peggy tries to console herself. “This is
the disease, this is not my Ambrose.” Alice, his daughter,
can’t deal with her father’s decline so she stays away and
instead visits her closet to look at his wartime uniform that
no one knows she has kept. Connie, the adopted daughter,
keeps a vigil in “The One with the News”. Ambrose is her
hero, having rescued her from an abysmal life.“I would like
to be known again, to visit that place he made for me.”
The last story “Gifts from the Well-Intentioned” tells of
a real life battle with Alzheimer’s, that of Iris Murdoch
and endured by her husband John Bayley. It underlines
a fact: this disease knows no boundaries. It can affect
anyone and everyone. Just as this short story will.
This is a moving book which helps the reader
understand the Alzheimer patient better than any
medical text ever could. The author, Sandra Sabatini
lives in Guelph, is completing her Ph.D., and is a
teacher of English at the University of Waterloo. ZX
his is a book about battles. Not loud, bloody battles,
but those quiet, relentless struggles fought by family,
friends – even acquaintances – against the enemy,
Alzheimer’s disease. The outcome is predictable. You
know that from the opening line of “Clean Hands”, the
first story of this poignant collection. “There are sixteen
Summer
2003
5
Computer Ease
A Suite Deal
D
epending on which market analyst you consult,
Microsoft Office commands between 80% and
90% of the Office Suite market. According to many
analysts, this product is very good and continues to get
better. The Standard Version costs about $250CDN on
eBay Canada, and much more in major software outlets.
Do you really need all of the bells and whistles found
in such a high end Office Suite? Can you get by with
less hype, with a product that can perform nearly as
well as this industry leader? Do you want something
for nothing? Maybe you should consider the Open
Office Suite of programs.
Open Office has 4 major components to its Office Suite:
Impress (Presentation Program), Calc (Spreadsheet
Program), Draw (a complete Drawing Program) and
Writer (Word Processor). Each of these programs has
many utilities attached which can make your work easier.
Open Office can import Microsoft Office documents and
you can save Open Office documents as Microsoft files.
Because Open Source structure is used, you can
communicate with colleagues using a variety of file
formats and operating systems. At the time of writing this
article, a beta version for Mac users is ready to download
from OpenOffice.org. A final Mac release will likely be
available in the near future.
There are a few reasons why you might consider Open
Office beyond the obvious, it’s free. Microsoft Office
will command about 325MB of your hard drive. This
is a lot if you are using an older system that has a
limited amount of available hard drive space. Open
Office needs only 132MB of space.
Another feature of Open Office is the Autopilot. This
feature guides you through creating complex
documents. The Stylist allows you to change the entire
look of a document with the click of a button. The
Draw program helps you to create almost anything
from quick sketches to complex plans.
6
BY
WAYNE
SCOTT
Calc allows you to pull data from many full featured
data bases and manipulate it with the DataPilot
technology. The Scenario Manager offers a “What If ”
analysis of your data.
For those of you who are using an older version of a
commercial office suite, or have borrowed an office suite
copy to try, you might want to check out Open Office.
You can get more information on their website. ZX
A POEM FOR COMPUTER USERS OVER 40
by Thom Park, District 28, Durham
A Computer was something on TV
From a Science Fiction show of note,
A Window was something you hated to clean
And Ram was the father of a goat.
Meg was the name of a girlfriend
And Gig was a job for the nights,
Now they all mean different things
And that really Mega Bytes.
An Application was for employment
A Programme was a TV show,
A Cursor used profanity
A Keyboard was a piano.
A Memory was something that you lost with age
A CD was a bank account,
Compress was something you did to the garbage
Not something you did to a file,
And if you Unzipped anything in public
You’d be in jail for a while.
Log on was adding wood to the fire
Hard drive was a long trip on the road,
A Mouse pad was where a mouse lived
And a Backup happened to your commode.
Cut you did with a pocket knife
Paste you did with glue,
A Web was a spider’s home
And a Virus was the flu.
I guess I’ll stick to my pad and paper
And the Memory in my head,
I hear nobody’s been killed in a Computer crash
But when it happens they’ll wish they were dead.
Renaissance
t
c
e
j
o
r
P SERVICE TO OTHERS
Nabumali Youth Project in Uganda
BY
W
NORMA
hat started out in 1999 as a dream for
the Nabumali Holy Trinity Youth Group
in Uganda, by 2003 has become a
secondary school – Nabumali Progressive Authority –
with six classrooms, a principal’s office, a staff room, and
a storeroom as well as hostels for both girls and boys.
In 2001, when Ben, my husband, and I were in Uganda
assisting with another project, we agreed to help an
enthusiastic group of young people to erect buildings
to house a guest house and two hostels for secondary
students.
Our involvement entailed providing the building
materials for construction, while the youth group
members were to do the actual construction with the
guidance of a building engineer who would be paid for
his assistance. The group members had made some of
the bricks to be used prior to our arrival in Uganda.
In the fall of 2001 I requested and received assistance
from RTO/ERO, in the form of a Project–Service to
Others Grant for help with the next phase of the
project – the construction of a
FEAR,
DISTRICT
31,
WELLINGTON
slightly larger building to be used as a student hostel.
Students attending a nearby secondary school walked
daily as far as 12 km.
Hearing that our Project–Service to Others Grant was
approved, shortly after our return from Africa, we were
overjoyed and planned our return there in 2003 with
the funds to assist in the cost of the building.
When the expected number of hostel students failed to
arrive to fill the 30 beds, the enterprising group of
young people, with the permission of the local
authorities, decided to use the building as a secondary
school. Announcements about its opening were
broadcast on radio stations and flyers were distributed.
By the end of December 2002, 75 students were
registered in four levels of secondary school education.
Ben and I spent January and February 2003 helping to
put finishing touches on the school building and to
spend the $4,000 RTO/ERO grant to construct suitable
latrines and washrooms for the school.
The 2003 school year began on February 10 with over
160 students (many students in Ugandan schools do
not attend for the first few weeks at the
beginning of the school year because
they do not have a uniform or books).
The boys’ hostel has beds for 20
students and a girls’ hostel has
been opened in what was
formerly a private home
about half a kilometre from
the school with room for
10 girls. ZX
Norma Fear (centre)
with project colleagues
(L-R) Ross Smith, Jack
Van Geest, Mary and
Eric Lefebvre pose in
front of dedication
plaque thanking
RTO/ERO
for its assistance.
Summer
2003
7
S P R I N G
A
On May 21, 2003, district delegates, provincial
executive and staff gathered for the Sixty-Fourth
Meeting of the RTO/ERO Senate.
Report of the
Communications
Committee
Report of the
Constitution
Committee
B Y C A R O LY N R A C I C O T, C H A I R
BY ARNOLD HULL, CHAIR
s Chair of the Committee, I wish to thank longtime Committee member Wayne Scott, of
District 14, Niagara, for the work he has done in
starting up an information exchange network to facilitate
communications between Standing Committee members.
By the end of August, each district web master should
be in receipt of a very useful CD, produced by the
Website Subcommittee that will contain about 50
different items of freeware as well as RTO/ERO
newsletter templates and logos.
In October 2002, Senators were advised that 26 of our
43 districts were operating local web sites. I am pleased
to report that there are now 33 active district web sites.
The fall workshop for district web masters has
obviously produced results.
Staff and Committee members have received many
favourable comments on the “New Look” of our
quarterly magazine Renaissance. The hard work of our
Information Officer, Simon Leibovitz, and his team, as
well as that of the printers, Versatel, has paid off.
S
ince last Senate, the Constitution Committee
revised the Model District Constitution – A
Guide for Districts, and forwarded a copy to
Districts. It contains two new features – ‘Notes to
Districts’, which outlines reminders for Districts when
they embark on revising their Constitutions; and ‘District
Constitution Principles’, a checklist used by the provincial
Constitution Committee when reviewing District
Constitutions, that can also be used by Districts.
The Committee has developed a document entitled
District Constitution Review Schedule/Tracker. It is
anticipated that Districts would review their District
Constitution every five years. A letter requesting an
updated copy of a District’s Constitution will be sent to
Districts in accordance with the Constitution Review
Schedule.
Districts are to be commended for the excellent quality of
their constitutions. The provincial Constitution
Committee recognizes and appreciates the many hours of
work put into District document revisions.
At the meeting in March 2003, the Committee
recommended to the Provincial Executive the purchase
of one hundred RTO/ERO flags for use at district and
unit meetings and external events. Many thanks go to
Committee members John Zangari and Clarice WestHobbs for their background research.
One of the Committee members, Larry O’Brien, is
developing editorial guidelines for print and electronic
media for use at the provincial and district levels,
which should be available for distribution by the fall.
In response to numerous inquiries from District
Newsletter editors, the Communications Committee is
considering requesting funds at the Fall Senate, for a
Newsletter Editors’ Workshop to be held in 2004.
8
Report of the
Pension & Retirement
Concer ns Committee
BY
RON
POSTE,
CHAIR
THE TEACHERS’ PENSION PLAN
Annual Report Highlights
he stock markets continued to decline. The
Teachers’ Pension Plan is taking steps to “reduce
the bleeding”. These were reported in the Fall 2002
issue of Pension News. A combination of negative
markets and rising costs of future benefits is creating a
major pension plan funding challenge.
T
Renaissance
Funding Management Policy
Teachers are retiring earlier, living longer and collecting
pensions longer. New teachers are not paying the actual
cost of their future benefits. The shortfall must be made
up through investment earnings.
A major initiative of OTF during this past year has
been the development of a funding management
policy to stabilize the contribution rate by ensuring
that any actuarial gain is not automatically used for
benefit enhancements or a contribution holiday.
A “funding zone” will allow the plan to be considered
adequately funded if the assets are 90% of those
required by the solvency valuation. The plan will not
have a surplus available for negotiation until the assets
are 107.5% of the solvency valuation requirement. The
cushion will be used to forestall a contribution
increase triggered by a future economic downturn.
Implications for Retirees
Retired teachers bear none of the risks. We have indexed
pensions. It is illegal to roll them back (Ontario Pension
Benefits Act). The risk for the funding pool, including the
share for retired teachers, is borne by the contribution rate
of active teachers and the government. As the retired group
gets bigger because of the number of retirees, the risk for
the active teachers grows. It will probably be many years
before there is a surplus in the pension plan that will trigger
the change process in the Partners’ Agreement. As retirees,
we need to accept this reality and content ourselves with
the current benefit level and annual inflation adjustments.
Conclusion
Every District now has an identified contact for
Pension and Retirement Concerns. The exchange of
information with Districts is critical if we are to best
serve the needs of our members. Following each
Committee meeting, Committee members will
communicate with your contact person.
Report of the
Health Services and
Insurance Committee
A
BY ROBERT LAMOUREUX,
CHAIR
ccording to the RTO/ERO Constitution, the
primary role of the Health Services and
Insurance Committee is “to review the
performance of all RTO/ERO health and other
insurance plans and to recommend changes in benefits
and premiums to the Senate”.
Summer
2003
The Committee undertakes this role using the
principles of due diligence, transparency, and
competitive positioning.
Due Diligence (Doing our Homework)
The Health and Insurance Services Committee examines
each plan change under consideration in detail.
As an example, within our Dental Plan, the principle of
“rates paid according to the current year” has been in
effect for several years. In 2001, the Ontario Dental
Association (ODA) announced major changes in rate
structures, yet withheld the actual cost of these changes.
At the time, the Committee could not accurately
project the effects of these dental new costs. It
recommended to the October 2001 Senate, therefore,
that the dental rates for 2002 be paid based on the 2001
fee guide; this position to be reviewed by June 2002.
In June 2002, the ODA released the actual cost per
procedure, and we were able to put a figure to
RTO/ERO dental costs. They were within our plan
parameters (no premium change) and in July, dental
procedures were, once again, payable according to the
current year’s rates.
Transparency (Showing You the Money)!
Any financial resolution from the Health Services and
Insurance Committee to Senate should include:
projected cost (the cost to the specific plan), total
projected cost of all proposed changes, projected cost
of all health plan changes, and effects of the projected
cost of all health plans on our reserves.
Competitive Positioning
RTO/ERO, through the Health Services and Insurance
Committee, must always monitor changes in other
health plans, both in costs and in coverage.
Challenges
In the short term, continued transparency in financial
matters will remain a priority for the Health Services
and Insurance Committee. Specifically, a clear
statement of the use and growth of our Health plans’
reserves needs to be made. To that end, we will be
directing our energies to produce such a statement for
the Fall 2003 Senate.
In the long term, plan improvements will always be
sought but we also need to examine reducing costs in
plan management. The Committee will examine every
conceivable concept and/or opportunity which might
achieve such savings.
Continued on page 12
9
S P R I N G
DECISIONS
Right to Strike
A new Policy Statement under Support for Active Teachers
and Publicly-Funded Education was adopted: “RTO/ERO
supports the right to strike of teachers and support staff in
Ontario schools, both as a basic condition of employment
and a legitimate means to achieve collective agreements.”
Note: This policy has been conveyed to OTF and the
Affiliates, Trustee Associations, as well as to the three
provincial political parties.
Assuming Office
Two changes were made to
the Provincial Constitution
regarding the assuming of office of
committees. Standing Committees shall
take office on November 1 of each year, and the term
of office for a member of an Executive Committee
shall be one year, commencing on November 1 of each
year, with provision for reappointment.
Audit Committee
As per the recommendations from the Audit
Committee, the Consolidated Financial Statements for
2002 were approved, and the firm of Grant Thornton
was retained as auditors for RTO/ERO in 2003.
District Goodwill Grants
Effective January 2004, the District Grant for Goodwill
expenditures will be increased to $0.50 from $0.40 per
Full and Associate member.
Additional District Grants
A motion was referred to the Provincial Executive for
consideration in the development of a draft Budget for
2004. It involves the availability of an additional
District grant, upon application to the Provincial
Executive, for demonstrated District need.
Defeated Resolutions
Defeated were District resolutions to reimburse members
for their membership fee for the first calendar year after
enrolment, and to add to the Terms of Reference for the
Health Services and Insurance Committee.
Withdrawn Resolution
After a lengthy discussion, a District resolution that
would have amended the composition of the
Provincial Executive, with the addition of a third
Executive Member and the deletion of the position of
Second Vice-President, was withdrawn.
OTHER REPOR TS
President
In his Report, President Mickey Contini focused on
RTO/ERO’s increased political activities, including
responses submitted to the Romanow Commission,
letters sent to the Prime Minister and Premier, Position
Papers developed on five key provincial issues, and
concerns expressed about funding for Home Care.
Provincial Executive
In the Provincial Executive’s Report, further reference was
made to RTO/ERO’s political awareness and outreach with
the over dozen meetings held with Government and
Opposition Leaders to discuss issues related to the Position
Papers, as well as to the development of the “VOTE” poster
and public service announcement. In addition, the
Executive continues to be financially accountable to
members through the ongoing monitoring of the
operating budget, reserves, and investments; the
independent work of the Audit Committee; and the
implementation of the RTO/ERO’s new investment policy.
Canadian Association of Retired Teachers (CART)
On behalf of the Board of Directors of CART, of which
she is a member, RTO/ERO Past Past-President Val Alcock
provided an historical perspective of the fledgling
organization, as she described it, now in its tenth year. Val
noted that CART is growing and starting to make a
difference. RTO/ERO member Pierre Drouin is the new
Executive Director, there is a new Long Range Plan, and,
thanks to the support of the Canadian Teachers’
Federation and RTO/ERO, CART is moving forward.
10
Renaissance
P R E S E N T AT I O N S
Ruth Baumann
Recently appointed as OTF Secretary-Treasurer, Ruth
Baumann provided an update on the restructuring of
the organization. She conceded that the past three
years have been rough for OTF with the reduction of
staff from 27 to 19, including senior staff from six to
three. Ruth stressed that the quality services provided
by OTF in the past have been maintained, with the
refocusing of its mandate in 3 major areas: advocacy
on behalf of public education and the profession,
working with the government on policy and legislation
matters, and the management of the Teachers’ Pension
Plan as a partner with the government.
Pictured left to right are First Vice-President Beverley Polowy, OTF
Secretary-Treasurer Ruth Baumann, and President Mickey Contini.
Ruth updated Senate on the status of OTF’s fee dispute
with OSSTF. Since the courts ruled in OTF’s favour,
OSSTF submitted a cheque to OTF in the amount of
$199,000 for back fees owing for the time before the
decision was passed down. OSSTF still owes OTF
approximately $3 million, and although it has been
invited back to participate in OTF matters, OSSTF has
chosen not to do so. OSSTF’s appeal of the court’s
decision in favour of OTF was denied this past Spring
and both parties are at the mediation stage over the
payment of the remaining fees owing.
Ellen White, President of CSA enjoys a moment
with Executive Director Terry Lynch.
Ellen White
Ellen White, President of the Canadian Snowbird
Association (CSA) and an RTO/ERO member, brought
greetings on behalf of CSA. She provided historical background on the organization, noting it was formed in
1992 in Florida by an outspoken group of Canadians
who were outraged over the soaring costs of out-ofcountry medical insurance. CSA has grown into an
association that represents the needs of the more than
450,000 Canadian travellers who leave Canada from 30
days to 6 months.
In her speech Ellen referred to the Canadian Travellers’
Report Card, released by CSA last October, which
grades the federal, provincial and territorial governments on issues affecting travellers. Categories for
evaluation were: preservation of health coverage for
regular travellers, access to emergency health coverage
when travelling, access to prescription drugs for use
during travel, access to voting rights for travellers, and
availability of government information.
At the conclusion of her speech, Ellen announced that
CSA will offer a free, one-year membership to the
first 2,500 RTO/ERO members who are interested in
travelling out-of-country and have yet to join CSA.
The details of this one-time opportunity will be
announced in the Fall issue of Renaissance.
E N T E R TA I N M E N T
RTO/ERO maintained its tradition of providing excellent
entertainment for Senate participants. David Mitchell
(pictured at left), Head of Mathematics at Cameron
Heights Secondary School in Waterloo, presented a variety
of anecdotes and songs, based on his almost 30 years as a
teacher. Using props, overheads, music tapes, a keyboard,
and even puppets, he thoroughly entertained his
appreciative audience.
Summer
2003
11
S P R I N G
On May 21, 2003, district delegates, provincial
executive and staff gathered for the Sixty-Fourth
Meeting of the RTO/ERO Senate.
Continued from page 9
In conclusion, any proposed changes to our Health
Plans which come before Senate from the Health
Services and Insurance Committee should contain
financial data which show due diligence, transparency,
and competitive positioning. Senators have a need and
right to see both process and content (financial
analysis) in order to make enlightened decisions.
Report of the
Member Services
Committee
BY
T
JOAN
M U R P H Y,
CHAIR
he five work groups established last year
continue to function extremely well. Each
work group has four members with a leader.
Affinity
The review of current affinity programs is nearing
completion. At the present time there is an investigation
into partnerships for men’s and ladies’ clothing. Priorities
for 2003 include obtaining new partners, and exploring
new potential partners at the District level.
priorities include exploring a more structured approach to
non-teaching school board employees to promote
Associate membership in RTO/ERO, and identifying and
sharing best practices for successful local recruitment.
Retirement Planning Workshops
This year OTF implemented a new format for
Retirement Planning Workshops. The RTO/ERO
presentation given on Friday evenings utilizes the video
produced in early 2002, along with speaking notes. On
Saturday mornings, store front presentations take
place. A follow-up letter is included for the use of the
local District to contact the participants.
Travel
The 2002 Travel Report from Travel Guild indicates that
due to world conditions, bookings were down and a
number of proposed trips were cancelled. That trend
has continued in 2003 with several proposed trips
cancelled or postponed. Criteria for selection of
RTO/ERO members as tour hosts have been established
by the Travel Work Group.
Report of the
Political Action
Committee
Goodwill
The Goodwill Work Group received two requests for
financial assistance. Both requests were thoroughly
examined before being approved. The budget
allocation for 2003 is $7,500, because of an anticipated
increase in use.
Priorities for the year include the development of
a comprehensive Resource Manual containing
information on programs and services available for
seniors at the Federal, Provincial and Municipal levels.
BY
T
BRIAN
K E N N Y,
CHAIR
Provincial PAC Workshop
he Political Action Committee hosted a
provincial PAC Workshop in February. We were
most grateful for the high calibre of participants,
for their input and for their enthusiasm. Evaluation
results were very positive. Summary reports were
quickly distributed to all participants.
Recruitment
Media Campaign
Subsequent to approval at the October 2002 Senate of a
grant to Districts for Recruitment Expenses, the Provincial
Executive requested that the Member Services Committee
develop guidelines for the use of these funds. Other
Upon our recommendation, the Provincial Executive
agreed to use the $30,000 media fund, authorized by
the 2002 Fall Senate, to design and distribute posters to
Districts encouraging citizens to vote.
12
Renaissance
Elder Abuse
RTO/ERO has formally joined forces with the Ontario
Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (ONPEA)
and we now have a fact sheet on this topic. A video and
manual are available for use in District education
programs.
Terry Lynch now sits on the Ontario Seniors’
Secretariat Advisory Committee on Long-Term Care
and PAC member, Cliff Bennett, continues to play a
lead role in research on this issue.
provincial office is March 1. Applications received after
the deadline cannot be considered and will be
returned. We would also urge those Districts who have
not yet submitted a proposal to consider doing so as a
way to raise RTO/ERO’s profile, and get their members
involved in their community.
For a list of approved projects for 2003, please see story
on page 17.
Report of the
Audit Committee
Community and Home Support
Our article in the premier issue of Renaissance
attracted positive attention from several groups. Our
liaison with the Ontario Community Support
Association, OCSA, is now an ongoing relationship.
Long Term Care
PAC has discussed the disparity in the quality of public
and private long-term care facilities and is working on a
Fact Sheet about placing someone in such institutions.
Elsewhere in this magazine is an article on the topic.
Report of the
Pr oject–Ser vice to
Others Committee
T
BY
ANN
DUBE,CHAIR
he Project–Service to Others Committee had
another challenging year with the receipt of 29
applications (eight more than last year), two of
which could not be considered because they were
received past the deadline. Of the 27 that were
considered, 21 requested the maximum grant of $4000,
two were almost $4000 each and the remaining four were
between $1500 and $2500, for a total of over $100,000.
The total budget of $60,000, an increase of $10,000
over last year, was spent to support 23 of the 27
Projects. The Committee continues to be impressed
with the quality and variety of the proposals and
commends the Districts for the hard work that went
into the preparation of the submissions; they were very
well documented.
BY
T
JACQUELINE
AIRD,
CHAIR
Introduction
he principal function of the Audit
Committee is to oversee the financial reporting
process and internal control structure.
Specifically, the Committee oversees the financial
reporting process, reviews the scope and terms of the
audit engagement, reviews internal financial controls,
recommends the appointment of external auditors,
reviews the audited financial statements with the
external auditors and management, and recommends
approval to the Provincial Executive and Senate.
Highlights of Auditors Report
The objective of both the Committee and the Auditors
was to obtain reasonable assurance that the financial
statements were free of material misstatement and
fraud. The approach was based on an assessment of risk,
and carried out primarily through substantive tests of
account balances. There were no findings which caused
them to alter or expand their review process.
The Auditors were very complimentary toward
management, and made a number of positive
comments about Ewa Romanski, our new Manager,
Financial Reporting.
They were also impressed with RTO/ERO’s corporate
governance structure. They cited the number and
mandates of our standing committees as evidence of
good corporate governance practices. ZX
We recognize that much work goes into the
preparation of an application. Therefore, we
encourage you to publicize the Project–Service to
Others initiative often and, in order to meet the
deadline, publicize it early. The deadline for receipt at
Summer
2003
13
The Privatization of Health Care:
Are You Aware?
The P3 hospital – a facility built by a private consortium that will own and operate all non-clinical
services and, of course, extract generous profits for its owners; and taxpayers will foot the bills.
O
BY
ur health care system is in danger! Lack of funds
and shortages of personnel are not the threats.
It is “privatization by stealth” and government
acquiescence to corporate demands that are the causes.
In Brampton, we are experiencing this privatization
threat first-hand. With a population of over 330,000
people, our only hospital has just 269 acute care beds.
Our critical need has emboldened Ontario’s Health
Minister to present an ultimatum to our Hospital
Board and citizens to either accept a Public-Private
Partnership (P3) hospital or wait a decade for a
publicly funded one.
What is a P3 hospital?
A private consortium will build,
own and operate all non-clinical services and of
course, extract generous profits for its owners. The
taxpayers will foot the bills.
Why is this a threat to health care and to taxpayers?
• The new owners of Brampton’s P3 hospital will not
only have the usual costs of financing and
construction but also have to find ample profits in
the hospital in order to satisfy its shareholders.
Where will Ontario’s taxpayers find the money to
pay for this new level of profit-taking?
• P3’s are modelled on a totally discredited British
plan that has been such a bad deal for patients,
health care workers and taxpayers that the British
Medical Journal has called them ‘Perfidious
Financial Idiocies’. Problems in Britain abound.
• Profit-taking equals more expense for taxpayers. In
September the for-profit cancer clinic at
Sunnybrook hospital will close. Even though it used
public facilities and equipment, it cost $500.00 more
per patient for treatment than do the public clinics.
• According to NAFTA and GATS agreements, if a
public service provider allows any private sector
involvement then it is no longer exempt from
foreign competition. Thus, P3 hospitals will open
Ontario to incursions by foreign health-care
companies. American companies are anxious to
gain access to our tax funded health dollars.
14
DORA
JEFFRIES,
DISTRICT
39,
PEEL
• Canada spends a little over 9% of its GDP on
health-care, the US spends over 14%. All Canadians
have medical and hospital coverage, 45,000,000
Americans have no coverage and millions more pay
dearly for private insurance that does not guarantee
adequate medical treatment.
We are doing well with less; so why is the Ontario
Government promoting business interests in our
public system? Private for-profit hospitals cost more
and deliver less. They may be good for shareholders
but evidence shows they are terrible for the rest of us.
As Justice Emmet Hall said, “Illness is burden enough in
itself. Financial ruin must not compound it. Medicare
is a sacred trust.” Please speak up now and defend our
Canadian Medicare system before it is too late. ZX
Editor’s Note: In keeping with our new spirit as indicated in
the spring Renaissance, we will occasionally publish articles
to stimulate discussion.
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Renaissance
PROFILE
PROFILE
PROFILE
PROFILE
PROFILE
GAIL KNOX
Gail Knox
For the past three years, Gail Knox has
served in the role of Administrative
Assistant, Research, at the Provincial
Office at RTO/ERO. In her varied role,
she provides general administrative
support to the Assistant Executive
Director, as well as to the Political
Action and Project – Service to Others
Committees. Gail also plays a key role in
the organization of the semi-annual
Senate, including the establishment of a
data model which generates reports,
labels and name badges for various
Senate activities: Senate Agenda
mailing; Registration Kits, Hotel
Rooming Lists/Catering reports, etc.
Prior to RTO/ERO, Gail worked in a
variety of roles in the private and public
sectors, including senior support to
politicians at all levels. She also had her
own business, Gail Knox and Associates,
subcontracting with retail management
consultants and facilitators. In the mid-to
late-’90s, Gail was in the music business,
representing fifteen acoustically-based
singer/songwriters, all over North
America.
Not surprisingly, Gail is an avid music fan
and this is probably her main “hobby”.
She also enjoys bridge, reading and travel.
In fact, although Toronto born and bred,
Gail proudly states, “I’ve travelled
extensively, but always come home!”
In her three years, Gail has seen many
positive changes at RTO/ERO. “There’s
an increased willingness to change
and/or consider change. RTO/ERO has
become a more proactive organization
on many issues; it’s an exciting time.”
Sandra Padgett
SANDRA PADGETT
Sandra Padgett,
Administrative
Assistant – Benefits, has been with
RTO/ERO since April 1995. In this
capacity, and as the main support for
the Health Services and Insurance
Committee, she speaks with many
members and prospective members,
responding to their questions about
health and insurance benefits. Sandra
also provides materials and displays for
the various Retirement Planning
Workshops that occur at District levels
across the province.
In addition, Sandra, like Gail, provides
major support to Senate organization.
She is the main organizer of Senate
arrangements, such as accommodation
and food needs, meeting room layout, etc.
Sandra has been involved in 16 Senates,
working with the catering and events staff
at now three different hotels. She also has
a hand in organizing the entertainment
Summer
2003
for the Senate Dinner. Commenting on
her role, Sandra remarked, “I ensure the
members just have to walk in – they will
be fed, have a place to sleep, be
entertained, and have a seat at Senate!”
Prior to her time at RTO/ERO, Sandra
worked at IBM for 27 years as the
Administrative Assistant to the
Corporate Executive. She has been
married for 32 years and has two grown
sons. She likes to garden and “go south”
in the winter.
Sandra enjoys the ‘people’ aspect of her
job, both her colleagues in the office
and the members she interacts with on
a regular basis. “I enjoy helping our
members with their various concerns
and questions. They are very
appreciative of my assistance, especially
in meeting their health needs. This is
very gratifying.”
15
The Status of Nursing Home Facilities
BY BARBARA KLOEPHER, PROVINCIAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE MEMBER
Mr. J’s mother used to live in a private for-profit long-term care facility in Ottawa. Mother suffers from dementia and
Parkinson’s Disease. One day, when Mr. J came to visit his mother, he was shocked by the condition he found her in –
there was dried vomit on her blouse, she had been put to bed fully clothed and there was fecal matter on her hands. She
also suffered serious and unexplained injuries. In 1999, provincial compliance officers cited the above for-profit facility
for twenty-two violations of standards. The Government of Ontario has recently awarded this same company more
than one hundred new beds. Case Study (CBC Marketplace, March 2001)
M
any nursing homes in Ontario provide
excellent care. When we need continuous
long-term care in a facility, we expect to be
treated fairly, kept warm and fed well. We
expect too, that all physical and mental needs are
adequately addressed. We place a huge amount of trust in
all facility staff, to “do the right thing”. We don’t expect to
be victims of institutional elder abuse and certainly not
physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.
The hours for home care have been decreased so
drastically that remaining at home no longer is an option
for many. It should come as no surprise that the private
for-profit companies are making large political
contributions and lobbying the government to help make
that happen.
There are three types of long-term facilities available in
Ontario: public, private not-for-profit and private forprofit. Public facilities are owned by municipalities;
private non-profit facilities are owned by charitable
organizations and private for-profit are owned mostly by
huge, multinational companies.
Government funding for long-term care facilities in
Ontario is inadequate. Everybody, except the government,
says so. In the absence of increased funds, long-term care
facilities have to find the money somewhere and it often
ends up coming from a reduction in staffing levels,
diminished wages and working conditions and,
consequently, lowered levels of care for residents. In
private for-profit facilities, the drive for profit margins
only exacerbates the situation.
In Ontario, more than half of all long-term care facilities
are owned and operated by for-profit enterprises, the
highest proportion of private sector involvement in the
country. Ontario has by far the largest percentage of
population ensconced in long-term facilities than
anywhere else in the world. And yet studies show that care
levels in these long-term care facilities are relentlessly
eroding. Many seniors would prefer, if given a choice, to
remain at home with supporting home care programs.
Under the heading of social issues, our PAC has a
mandate to monitor seniors’ affairs; these include
poverty, elder abuse, home care and nursing home
care. Connections have and are being made with other
groups for whom this issue is of great concern. We are
continuing to monitor the situation and positioning
ourselves to create awareness, not only for our own
members but for all seniors in Ontario. ZX
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Renaissance
Approved Projects for 2003
Below is the list of Project – Service to Others, approved by the provincial Project STO Committee, as
referenced in Committee Chair Ann Dube’s report on page 13.
District # and Name
Approved
Funding
2003 Project
3 Algoma
Volunteer Leadership Development Program
‘Train the Trainer Institute’
5 Cochrane, Timiskaming
Enhancement of computer equipment and facilities at
the Kirkland Lake Encore Club – a non-profit seniors’
club
2,357.46
6 Parry Sound and Muskoka
Opening Doors for Young Women in Muskoka
2,500.00
8 London, Middlesex
Project Hope (Communications Centre)
3,000.00
Student Assistance Program
1,600.00
12 Norfolk
Remembering the One-Room School
2,000.00
13 Hamilton-Wentworth,
Haldimand
V.O.I.C.E.
1,900.00
15 Halton
Acton Citizen Band – Musical Recreation for
Adults, Youth and Children
2,000.00
18 Haliburton, Victoria
Trillium Lakelands
3,000.00
19 Hastings and Prince Edward
Baby? Think It Over…Infant Simulator
A Parenting Resource
2,000.10
20 Lennox, Addington,
Frontenac, Leeds, Grenville
Fun With Books
4,000.00
22 Etobicoke and York
Habitat for Humanity Educators Building
4,000.00
24 Scarborough and East York
Clean & Safe
3,000.00
25 Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry
Children’s Treatment Centre
2,000.00
27 Ottawa-Carleton
Belair Homework Club
1,500.00
28 Region of Durham
Skills Training Centre –
St. Vincent and The Grenadines
3,000.00
29 Lanark
Conflict Prevention and Intervention for Volunteers
(Volunteer Training Workshop)
3,000.00
33 Chatham-Kent
Materials for Life-Skill Program
3,000.00
34 York Region
Rose of Sharon Parent Child Resource Centre
3,000.00
38 Lambton
MacKenzie Safety and Heritage Village – A Safety
Village with a History
3,642.44
40 Brant
Food For Thought
2,000.00
42 British Columbia
Allan Brooks Nature Centre Environmental
Education Project For School Classes
4,000.00
43 Nipissing
Friends of the Waterfront/Heritage Gardens
2,000.00
10
Bruce, Grey, Dufferin
$ 1,500.00
TOTAL
Summer
2003
$60,000.00
17
Members’ Families Win Johnson
Scholarships/Grants
Congratulations to the following RTO/ERO members and their dependants who were chosen to
receive a $1,000 scholarship or academic grant from the Johnson Incorporated program.
T
BY
BRAD
GAJRIA,
HOME/AUTO
his scholarship and academic grant program
is available to all RTO/ERO members who are
Johnson policyholders, and their dependants
attending a post-secondary institution. Applications
must be received by Johnson Incorporated no later
than September 15th of each year. Application forms
can be obtained by calling toll-free 1-877-328-7878 or
by email – scholarshipsandgrants@johnson.ca.
Academic Grant
Karen Austin (Student)
Gloria Austin (Parent/Guardian; RTO/ERO Member)
Karen is attending The University of
Toronto and is in a two-year program
in the Master of Science in Physical
Therapy in the Faculty of Medicine.
She plans to practise in an area of
physiotherapy, but has yet to decide
which one. An avid athlete, Karen is
focussed on graduating in the fall of
2004 and relocating to a smaller location. Although
Toronto offers exceptional teaching facilities for health
care professions, she is looking forward to new
experiences outside of the big city. This summer Karen
will complete a practical placement in St. John’s,
Newfoundland.
CAREER OPPORTUNITY
C.S.T. Consultants Inc., exclusive distributor of
the Canadian Scholarship Trust Plan, Canada’s
first Registered Education Savings Plan, is
recruiting SALES PROFESSIONALS to its
Toronto location. If you bring experience in
sales, marketing or management, a desire to
manage your time and income, if you are
ambitious and a self-starter, this profession is
for you. We are offering a solid career choice
with in-depth training programs, incentive
programs, and excellent earning potential.
Please forward your resume to:
FAX: 416-385-7314
PHONE: 416-385-8848
18
C O N S U LTA N T,
JOHNSON
INC.
Scholarship W inners
Michael Quejada (Student)
Tomas Quejada (Parent/Guardian; RTO/ERO Member)
Michael is attending University
of Toronto in the Arts & Science
Faculty and studying Calculus,
Biology, Chemistry, Physics,
Roman History and Ancient
Astronomy. His main interests
are Soccer, Computers and
Reading Music. Michael’s long
term goals include medical
research (e.g. genetics, immunology) or medicine.
Stefan Hlouschko (Student)
Valery Hlouschko (Parent/Guardian; RTO/ERO Member)
Stefan is attending Queen’s
University in the Engineering
program. His hobbies are performing on his violin,
participating in intramural
sports and serving as a member
of the Engineering Society.
Stefan’s long term goal is to
specialize in Engineering
Chemistry for the remainder of
his undergraduate degree program. In addition, he has given considerable thought to
entering the law profession upon completion of his engineering degree, and wishes to continue playing his violin
in an amateur orchestra.
Ryan Quinn (Student)
John Quinn (Parent/Guardian; RTO/ERO Member)
Ryan is attending McMaster
University in the Arts & Science
Faculty and particularly likes
logic, western civilization and
calculus. Ryan’s main interest is
music; he demonstrated an
aptitude for playing the piano at
an early age and has since
progressed to the point that he
will soon attempt the grade 10
examination of the Royal Conservatory of Music. Also,
he has taught himself to play the guitar; he plays and
sings well enough to have been invited to perform at
several coffee houses. Ryan anticipates studying at the
post-graduate level.
Renaissance
Reunions
P E O P L E ,
P L A C E S ,
E V E N T S
Bolton (Albert Street) School Reunion Luncheon,
Saturday, October 4, 2003. All former staff and
students are invited. Contact Allan Maw,
905-880-1443 or wamaw@interlog.com
Corpus Christi High School 50th Anniversary,
October 10-12, 2003. For registration/information
call 519-945-2351, fax 519-945-8240, email rosemary
Kyryliuk@wecdsb.on.ca or write to: 50th Anniversary
c/o 910 Raymo Road, Windsor N8Y 4A6.
Lakefield District Secondary – 50th Anniversary
Reunion, August 1-3, 2003. For mail-in registration
contact Lakefield Secondary Reunion, P.O. Box 2003,
Lakefield, K0L 2H0, tel: 705-652-3333.
London Central S.S. 125th Anniversary Reunion,
October 3-5, 2003, 509 Waterloo St., London.
Gala banquet to be held at the Western Fair. For
information/registration contact tel: 519-452-8928,
email: central125reunion@tvdsb.on.ca or
website: www.tvdsb.on.ca/central
Norseman Junior Middle School (in Etobicoke)
50th Anniversary Celebration, October 25, 2003.
Calling all alumni, students and staff. For
information and registration email
norseman50th@yahoo.com or call 416-394-7880.
North Bay Teachers’ College 40th Anniversary
Reunion. Class of 1963. To be held July 4-6, 2003.
For information contact Laurie Purtell at
lauriep@nipissingu.ca or wiseowl@sympatico.ca.
Ontario Family Studies – Home Economics
Educators’ Association will celebrate its
100th Anniversary Friday, November 7, 2003. All
Retired Home Economics – Family Studies educators
are invited to renew acquaintances. Contact Joanne
Mackie at jemackie@castle.on.ca or 905-877-5815.
Ottawa Normal School Reunion, Class of 1945-46,
October 18, 2003, at the Travelodge Hotel in
Kingston. Contact Don Hayes at 5 Mayflower Ave.,
Brantford, ON N3R 1N9, telephone 519-752-1491 or
Les Church at a&lchurch@renfrew.net.
Peterborough Normal School, 50th Reunion Class of
1952-53, September 11, 2003 at the Holiday Inn, George
St., Peterborough. For information contact Bob Martin
905-668-8505 or e-mail rmartin100@sympatico.ca
Summer
2003
Queen Mary Senior Public School, 50th Anniversary,
October 18, 2003. On-line registration at
www.dsbn.edu.on.ca/schools/queenmary,
email: queenmary50@yahoo.ca or Jean Brooker
telephone (905) 682-6637.
W.H. Morden P.S. Oakville, 50th Anniversary
Reunion, October 25, 2003. For information contact
morden50years@hotmail.com
Third Annual ‘Retired Educators Open’
golf tournament to be held at The Oaks Of Cobden
Golf Club on Tuesday, September 2.
For information contact Gilles Doth 613-628-1812
or Phil Butler 613-628-2730.
Please submit Reunions at least nine months in advance.
EXPERIENCE CHINA!
ENGLISH, ESL, BUSINESS, ELECTRONICS,
and HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM TEACHERS
Lambton College of Applied Arts & Technology is recruiting teachers to teach College Level English, English as a Second Language
(ESL), Business, Electronics, and Hospitality and Tourism for our partner colleges in China. Lambton College is affiliated with Jilin
University, Changchun and Southern Yangtze University, Wuxi to
provide quality education in China. Curriculum provided.
Semesters begin in August, September and February of each year.
Compensation includes private, fully furnished accommodation with
TV, telephone, computer and internet connection, limited health
coverage, and return air fare. Contracts for a minimum of one
semester. Added incentives for one-year contracts. Mandarin
lessons offered.
This is the perfect opportunity for retired teachers who are looking
for adventure! Experience the culture of this fascinating and beautiful country, while working as one of a team of North American
teachers. Minimum Bachelor's degree required. Recent teaching
experience an asset. Teaching couples welcomed.
Apply now for August/September 2003, or February 2004.
Applications accepted all year.
To apply, forward your letter of application, resume, a photocopy of
your current passport, qualification documents, and three references to:
L
A
MB
T
O
N
college
The bridge to your future
Lambton College of Applied Arts & Technology
Business, Industry & International Services
1457 London Road, Sarnia, ON N7S 6K4
Email: Loisw@lambton.on.ca
Fax: 519-541-2418
For more information:
Website: www.lambton.on.ca
Phone: 519-542-7751, ext. 3500
Attention: Nan Elliott
We thank all applicants for their interest and wish to advise that only
those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
19
Classified
ADVERTISINGADVERTISINGADVERTISINGADVERTISING
ADVERTISINGADVERTISINGADVERTISINGADVERTISING
Downsview Services to Seniors urgently requires volunteer drivers with
cars for their Meals on Wheels program. Deliveries are done on weekdays
between 10:30 am and 12:30 pm. We are located on Wilson Avenue west of
Bathurst. You can make a real difference to seniors in Downsview! Call
Debbie at 416-398-5510.
Retired Educators. Full time, part time Reps needed for RESP sales. Natural
extension of your teaching career. Transferable skills. Attractive
remuneration. Product has government support, integrity, blue chip
history. Call Chuck Ruscica 905-889-4441 or 905-709-0804,
331 Bantry Ave. Richmond Hill L4B 4M7.
16-day Antarctica Cruise expedition in January 2004 with escort, Hilton
Wilson, from $8999.00 CAD. Included: Airfare, all meals/entertainment;
on-board gratuities; inflatable zodiac landings; transfers/taxes; on-board
lectures from biologists, geologists; visits to Buenos Aires (2 days), South
Georgia, Coronation, Elephant, and Half-moon Islands. Call Sandra,
Cruise Holidays of Toronto West 1-800-268-4002.
A CRUISE VACATIONS www.louisewright.cruiseshipcenters.ca Caribbean,
alaska, Mediterranean, Europe, South America. Louise Wright – Accredited
Cruiseshipcenters Consultant. Join the Seven Seas Club on website. Save
Time! Save Money! (905) 836-5711 email lwright@cruiseshipcenters.com
Do you want to make a difference in someone’s life? Community Living
Mississauga is looking for mature adults to be a one-to-one volunteer by
spending quality time with an individual with an intellectual disability out
in the community. Contact Karen by phone at 905-542-2694 ext. 243 or
volunteer@clmiss.on.ca
Retired teacher looking for a retired couple to help in a pottery studio. Free
accommodation and meals in exchange for 3 hours of light work 6 days a
week (i.e. painting, staining, gardening) 1-2 weeks in July/August/September.
Located in North Western Ontario in Sioux Narrows – 50 miles SE of Kenora.
Contact Tanis Rebbetoy tttrebbetoy@hotmail.com.
Custom Made Golf Clubs, Complete Golf Club Repairs, Personalized
Service, Over Twenty Years Experience, special prices for Retired Teachers
– Call Chico at Okihiro Golf in Brampton: 905-793-7524 or e-mail:
okigolf@rogers.com
Fary Lake, Huntsville: 3 bedroom cottage on chain of lakes. All
conveniences, lovely property, gentle slope. Walk or paddle to town (canoe
provided) $1600 weekly. Available August, September 905-332-3720.
Tall Spruce Bed And Breakfast-Port Hope Ranch style bungalow with
beautiful gardens (no stairs). Two well appointed rooms with shared bath$80. each. Central air-conditioning, full breakfast, adjacent to lakeside golf
course.Thomas Payne, 342 Lakeshore Road, Port Hope, L1A 1R3,
905-885-4965.
Sydney, Australia – small air-conditioned home. Minimum booking one
week, maximum four weeks negotiable. Non-smoking, fully furnished, all
utilities BBQ, etc. Cosmopolitan neighbourhood, shopping nearby.
5-minute walk to 30-minute train to City. Two bedrooms, three single
beds. $420A or less p.w. Anna Logan, annalogn@tpg.com.au, 17 Tavistock
Rd., Homebush West, NSW 2140, Australia.
New Book (Biography) – ‘Bill Hawkins: A Gentleman of Ingersoll’ (WW II
fighter pilot, auctioneer, and artist) – by H. J. (Bud) Dilling, 61 Regency
Square, Scarborough, M1E 1N4; 416-266-5858; harodill@enoreo.on.ca;
www.enoreo.on.ca/~harodill; $20.00 (includes S&H).
Scottsdale, Arizona: ground-level poolside 3-bedroom condo, lush
surroundings. Quiet area, all amenities nearby. May to November –
$1600 US/month; December to April – $2900 US/month. Call Kathi
Duncan at 1-705-738-5936 or email at lotusix@hotmail.com.
Olde Muskoka Comfort B&B Getaways, Cooking School, Gourmet,
Quilting,Wellness www.penlake-woodlandsprings.com 1-877-427-1112.
Beautiful Oceanfront Condo in Daytona Beach, Florida for rent;
2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, newly decorated. Close to shopping, restaurants,
attractions. Available August 1. Call Joanne 416-245-6162.
Are Books your Thing? We need you - to sort, price or collect books for the
annual Victoria College (U of T) book sale, September 25-29. Join our
lively team of volunteers. For info, call 416-585-4585.
The Women’s Canadian Club’s fall season opens on September 11 Sondra
Gotlieb); continues Oct 9 (TBA). The Stratford trip to The King and I goes
on Sep. 30. Meetings are held at the Toronto Reference Library, Yonge and
Bloor Sts. For info, contact Nancy Walsh at 416-968-2067 or email to
nanw@sympatico.ca
Earn extra income – BookSwap is hiring Regional Sales Representatives to
introduce and execute the BookSwap program to schools. Flexible hours,
work from home, familiar surroundings. For information visit
www.bookswap.ca or call 416-778-0297, toll free 1-877-266-5792.
New Song - Bridge to Remembrance. Poignant musical tribute to Canada’s
war heroes. Written/performed by Stew Toll. CD/tape $10.00 + $4.00
s/h/taxes 519-850-0085, exemplary@rogers.com
Cuba Golf Tournament Super Clubs Breezes Varadero, all-inclusive 4+ star
resort, PGA played Varadero Golf Club, Great prizes. November 15-22.
Last year RTO teachers had a good time! Ross Greenwood, The Travel Edge
(Ont. Regn# 4143203) 1-866-277-1887, rossgree@enoreo.on.ca
20
Kawartha Kayaking (Soft Adventure) 99 minutes from Toronto. Guided
Kayak Tours amongst the 1,100 islands of Stony Lake. Novices welcomed.
Bed, Breakfast, Spa. www.kawarthakayaking.com tel. 416-229-0494,
1-877-877-2735.
Four free online courses from LCGI: Introduction to Windows XP, etc.
(19 hrs) at http://learnerpathae.howtomaster.com/tryitfree.asp. Educators
(including retirees) pay only $49 until Jul 15/03 ($59 thereafter), 67% off
our Regular List Price, for access to our HTME library (+400 courses).
Visit http://www.lorancg.com for details or call 1-888-567-2624.
RESP
Registered Education Savings Plans
Continue a career after teaching!
“People persons” required for Canada’s
Original & Largest Scholarship Plan.
Generous progressive commission.
Leads, training and
marketing support provided.
Call toll free:
TORONTO
AND
EAST
Tel: 1 866 619-8008
markcst@rogers.com
M I S S I S S AU G A
AND
SOUTH
Tel: 1 905 574-9720
wcmob@attcanada.ca
Renaissance
Letters
F R O M
O U R
M E M B E R S
I also wish to add my voice to those who are enjoying
the new look and presentation of Renaissance. I agree,
however, with my colleague who suggested that the
magazine be filled with more pithy articles to stimulate
our minds and not just be filled with facts. The
challenge will be to find the most palatable blend.
Good luck in your search.
I was deeply saddened, too, that a teacher, who voiced a
negative opinion, would not have the courage to sign
the letter. Is he/she too ashamed to be identified or
unwilling to stand up for that opinion? I always thought
that the teaching profession encouraged original
thoughts which might sometimes not be popular ones.
I guess this teacher was strictly a convergent thinker.
Congratulations to the editor for being a divergent thinker
and publishing it anyway! In future, however, anonymous
letters should be treated exactly like the newspapers handle
them and be consigned to the circular file.
T.J. (Thom) Park, District 28, Region of Durham
In reply to a letter in the Spring 2003 issue of Renaissance
I heartily disagree with the writer who considers that
keeping the membership informed and up to date
constitutes “bland” content. This publication is vital to
me and, doubtless, to most members in its function of
keeping us aware of all developments that could directly
affect our health and finances.
I do not regard Renaissance’s function to be that of
providing recreational reading. There is no shortage of
other sources of ‘professionally-written material offering a
little human interest, as well as something for the mind...’
Please continue with the well-presented, informative
and necessary coverage.
E. Prettyman, District 16, Toronto
You should not be overly concerned about the negative
comment concerning the new title, Renaissance, since the
comment itself is based on a non-historical view of a
period once popularly referred to as The Dark Ages.
The term itself derives from the fact that so little was
known about the period; it became convenient to assume
that nothing had occurred then. Modern scholarship has
corrected this view. For a similar usage, you might recall
that Africa was once referred to as The Dark Continent;
explorers went out to explore darkest Africa. This was the
unknown continent, a vast mystery.
As for the suitability of the new title, the ability to be born
again means that your readers are entering a new stage of
life. They can re-create themselves. This ability is requisite
to a full life and does not reflect on the previous existence
which cannot be re-lived. Some people need to let it go.
You are making a promising start; continue to be
thoughtful.
J.J. Gilhuly, District 11, Waterloo
I believe that ‘Renaissance’ is an excellent title for the
magazine since it demonstrates well a new age after our
careers with young people. Moreover, I enjoyed the article
by Louise Trahan about the Senate. During the
recruitment workshop in Toronto, I was impressed with
the competence, enthusiasm, sincerity and receptability
of my colleagues. Many colleagues spoke to me in French
including Terry Lynch. RTO/ERO is on the right track.
Let’s find retired non-members to get even more
credibility.
Claude Hoffman, District 32, Prescott-Russell
Editor’s Note: Letter submitted in French and translated.
I was shocked and upset to read in the Spring 2003 issue
of Renaissance that some RTO/ERO members would
prefer that we concentrate only on health plan and
pension advocacy matters, along with social opportunities
for retired teachers.
How selfish and inward looking! Never before have
teachers and their profession been so maligned,
misrepresented and even slandered, as they are today. We
who are retired must surely feel we taught in the ‘best of
times’. Of course there is no going back, but could we not
give our present teachers encouragement and show our
concern and support?
Would it not be a good thing for us to know what is really
happening in education today? Just talk to the teachers
and one is overwhelmed by, yes, the good, and the bad
state of affairs. Let’s hear some of that in our magazine!
Sheila Murray, District 22, Etobicoke.
Summer
2003
21
During the next several months, RTO/ERO will be literally running its name ‘up the flagpole’, with
the production of an RTO/ERO flag and the distribution of VOTE posters.
W
BY
SIMON
hile encouraging eligible voters to exercise
their democratic rights in the various elections
coming up in the next several months, the
poster will appear in schools, community centres,
shopping malls, etc. in Ontario. A new RTO/ERO flag will
be displayed at District/Unit meetings in public places, and
used in community events such as parades and to support
active teachers in their public events. Both will help raise
the profile of RTO/ERO across the province.
The Poster
With the objective of encouraging increased participation
and voting, RTO/ERO produced 30,000 posters that will be
distributed by its members at election time, at the
municipal, provincial and federal levels. The poster in part
reads, “Whether you are 18 and a first-time voter or long
time voters like us, or somewhere in between...VOTE.”
LEIBOVITZ,
I N F O R M AT I O N
OFFICER
The Communications Committee was asked to conduct
the necessary research; this research by members John
Zangari and Clarice West-Hobbes led to the acceptance of
a recommendation from the Committee to the Executive
that an RTO/ERO flag be produced.
A total of 100 flags were produced – one for each District
and Unit, with approximately 20 to be kept at the Provincial
Office for future sale to Districts or Units wanting more
than one flag. The 3’x 6’flag, in RTO/ERO colours, with our
name and logo on it, was distributed to Districts/Units in
early May. It is double-sleeved (on top and left hand side),
and comes complete with an eight-foot pole (in two pieces)
and a durable floor stand. ZX
RTO/ERO’s First Vice-President Beverley Polowy believes
the posters will have an impact. She commented, “As an
organization of over 50,000 retired teachers and
administrators, the most important thing we can do is to
encourage people of all ages to vote, especially those who
are eligible to vote for the first time.” Added Polowy,
“RTO/ERO believes that we should all be part of the
election process. We need to ask questions and demand
answers, take an interest and get involved.”
DISTRICT RECRUITMENT
CONTEST – UPDATE
We have a new leader!
District 3, Algoma jumped from third to first.
Two other Districts moved into the top five,
between February and April – District 28,
Durham at #3 and District 11, Waterloo in fourth
place. There are a great many Districts nipping at
the heels of the leaders.
The Flag
A number of months ago, a District Executive suggested
that RTO/ERO should have its own flag. In the fall of 2002
the Provincial Executive considered this request and
deemed it worthy of future investigation.
Here for you now ... Here for your future
18 Spadina Road, Suite 300/18 chemin Spadina, bureau 300, Toronto ON M5R 2S7
District 3, Algoma
District 34, York
District 28, Durham
District 11, Waterloo
District 39, Peel
Publications Mail Agreement
No. 40014127