www.rtoero-district14.org THE DISTRICT 14 GRAPEVINE - SPRING 2013 Special Points of Interest: Sign up for the Spring Luncheon! Meandering With Mike: “Niagara’s Winter Wine Festivals” Learn About Freewheelers Details About A Fundraising Event for CACN In This Issue: In Memoriam 3 Notice of Motion 3 Pension & Retirement Information 4 Aging at Home Part 2 5 New Members 6 Going Places 8 The Newsletter of District 14 - Niagara Spring 2013 RTO/ERO has only two categories of The Grapevine We’re on the Web! www.rtoero-district14.org Our President’s Message Your RTO/ERO District 14-Niagara Executive has been very busy this winter. We are committed to enhancing services to members and to improving the quality of life for all seniors. Your Political Advocacy Committee has been especially busy lobby- ing all levels of government to value the law, human rights as well as collective bargaining rights. They are also continuing to keep a watchful eye on the LHIN – the governing body of the Niagara Health System. Your Membership Committee hosted a very informative Retirement Planning Workshop for eighty local educators and educational support staff. We are not all work. Your Events Committee has many fun things coming soon. We hope to see you at our Spring Luncheon on May 9, 2013. Our featured enter- tainment will be Elaine Calder, CEO of the Shaw Festival. In the words of Gary Comerford, Chair of the Shaw Festival’s Board of Governors, “Since her time at The Shaw in the ‘90’s we’ve grown from a 20 th century organization to one of the leading arts institutions of the 21 st century and we’re excited that Elaine is going to be a part of that new era in our evolution. We’ve witnessed the extraordinary work Elaine has done in major arts institutions in both Canada and the United States over the past 17 years and we’re thrilled that she is bringing this cumulative experience back to us.” Ms. Calder is recognized as one of North American’s most sought after arts administrators. After leaving The Shaw in 1994, Ms. Calder went on to hold executive positions in the Canadian Opera Company, the National Arts Centre, the Edmonton Symphony, the Hartford Stage in Connecticut and the Oregon Symphony - where she had been President of that re- nowned institution since 2007. During her tenure, not only did the Oregon Sym- phony achieve substantial growth in its financial stability, organizational strength and artistic excellence, but it also reached many artistic milestones including the orches- tra’s Carnegie Hall debut, the resumption of radio broadcasts on All Classical FM and an agreement with the Dutch recording company PentaTone, which launched the highly successful CD Music for a Time of War. We look forward to hearing from her! Thank you again to the Table Officers, Executive and Committee Members for their hard work and continued support. Marilyn Malton
8
Embed
The Grapevine - RTOERO District 14rtoero-district14.org/files/GrapevineArchivesORG/20132SpringGrapevineFinal.pdfTHE DISTRICT 14 GRAPEVINE - SPRING 2013 3 IN MEMORIAM It is with sadness
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
www.rtoero-district14.org THE DISTRICT 14 GRAPEVINE - SPRING 2013
Special Points of
Interest:
Sign up for the
Spring Luncheon!
Meandering With
Mike: “Niagara’s
Winter Wine
Festivals”
Learn About
Freewheelers
Details About A
Fundraising Event for
CACN
In This Issue:
In Memoriam 3
Notice of Motion 3
Pension & Retirement
Information
4
Aging at Home
Part 2
5
New Members 6
Going Places 8
The Newsletter of District 14 - Niagara
Spring 2013 RTO/ERO has only two categories of
The Grapevine
We’re on the Web!
www.rtoero-district14.org
Our President’s Message
Your RTO/ERO District 14-Niagara Executive has been very busy
this winter. We are committed to enhancing services to members
and to improving the quality of life for all seniors.
Your Political Advocacy Committee has been especially busy lobby-
ing all levels of government to value the law, human rights as well as
collective bargaining rights. They are also continuing to keep a
watchful eye on the LHIN – the governing body of the Niagara
Health System.
Your Membership Committee hosted a very informative Retirement Planning
Workshop for eighty local educators and educational support staff.
We are not all work. Your Events Committee has many fun things coming soon.
We hope to see you at our Spring Luncheon on May 9, 2013. Our featured enter-
tainment will be Elaine Calder, CEO of the Shaw Festival. In the words of Gary
Comerford, Chair of the Shaw Festival’s Board of Governors, “Since her time at The
Shaw in the ‘90’s we’ve grown from a 20th century organization to one of the leading arts
institutions of the 21st century and we’re excited that Elaine is going to be a part of that new era in our evolution. We’ve witnessed the extraordinary work Elaine has done in major arts
institutions in both Canada and the United States over the past 17 years and we’re thrilled
that she is bringing this cumulative experience back to us.” Ms. Calder is recognized as
one of North American’s most sought after arts administrators. After leaving The
Shaw in 1994, Ms. Calder went on to hold executive positions in the Canadian Opera
Company, the National Arts Centre, the Edmonton Symphony, the Hartford Stage in
Connecticut and the Oregon Symphony - where she had been President of that re-
nowned institution since 2007. During her tenure, not only did the Oregon Sym-
phony achieve substantial growth in its financial stability, organizational strength and
artistic excellence, but it also reached many artistic milestones including the orches-
tra’s Carnegie Hall debut, the resumption of radio broadcasts on All Classical FM and
an agreement with the Dutch recording company PentaTone, which launched the
highly successful CD Music for a Time of War. We look forward to hearing from her!
Thank you again to the Table Officers, Executive and Committee Members for their
hard work and continued support.
Marilyn Malton
www.rtoero-district14.org THE DISTRICT 14 GRAPEVINE - SPRING 2013
2
RTO/ERO District 14
Niagara Peninsula
District Executive
RTO/ERO 1-800-361-9888
Johnson’s Insurance 1-877-406-9007
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan 1-800-668-0105
Seniors’ Safety Line 1-866-299-1011
Area Representatives
Fort Erie, Ridgeway, Stevensville, Crystal Beach, Sherkston
Bill Szollosy 905-991-9779
Niagara Falls
Bill Houston 905-356-6524
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Virgil, Queenston, St. David’s
Dorothy Lees 905-468-7575
Welland, Port Robinson
Mary Ann Stocco 905-835-5709
Jo-Anne Fabris 905-732-1509
Port Colborne
Norma Sieber 905-835-8340
Jan Taylor 905-834-9577
St. Catharines
Charleen Avedesian 905-934-2704
Kathy Main 905-688-0702
Thorold
Jane Michaud 905-227-1961
Wainfleet, Wellandport, Lowbanks, St. Ann’s, Smithville,
Caistor Center
Lois Tobias 905-774-6604
Grimsby, Beamsville, Lincoln, Jordan Station,
Jordan/Vineland Station, Vineland
Phyllis Dowd 905-563-3242
Mary Jane Tanner 905-562-7667
Fonthill, Fenwick, Ridgeville, North Pelham
Margot Smith 905-892-1891
NOTE: Additional Reps are needed for Fort Erie, Fonthill, Niagara Falls, and Niagara-on-the-Lake. If you are interested, please call
Margot Fraser at 905-892-2408.
Marilyn Malton President 905-354-1831
Bill Doyle Past President 289-668-2721
Bonnie Bryan 1st Vice President 905-562-7773
Joe McDonald 2nd Vice President 905-732-4073
Marion Woodcock Secretary 905-562-7935
Kathy Smith Treasurer 289-820-7615
John Carruthers Archives 905-356-9620
Chereen Osborne Communications 905-646-2640
Mary Hesser Events 905-871-4353
Margot Fraser Goodwill 905-892-2408
Joe Santone Health Services 905-732-2298
Pat Davis Membership 905-835-8056
Marion Woodcock Pension Concerns 905-562-7935
Chereen Osborne Political Advocacy 905-646-2640
Carol Parker Public Relations 905-714-9435
Bonnie Bryan Grapevine Editor 905-562-7773
John Carruthers Webmaster 905-356-9620
Robert Halfyard Data Base 905-935-2197
RTO/ERO DISTRICT 14 NEEDS YOU!
We are always in need of interested volunteers to fill
Executive positions and Committees.
We currently have openings for Goodwill Reps in the Areas of Fort Erie, Niagara
Falls, and Fonthill. If you are interested in this role which involves passing
information along about illnesses, birthdays, or other significant life events
that need recognition, please contact Margot Fraser at 905-892-2408.
We would also like to offer opportunities for interested members to mentor
with Executive Members in skill positions (like Secretary, Treasurer, Database
Manager, etc.) to prepare for future openings.
Again, please contact an Executive Member if you are interested.
www.rtoero-district14.org THE DISTRICT 14 GRAPEVINE - SPRING 2013
3
IN MEMORIAM
It is with sadness that we share with you the pass-
ing of the following members.
Norma Blackwood
Eileen Bright
Frederick Buckland
Francis Didemus
Kenneth Duffy
Colin Duquemin
Henry Friesen
Kathryn Gallop
Helen Gottwald
Jenny Gurski
Doris Johnson
Robert Lefebvre
Vanda Lianga
Nils Einar Lindenas
Joseph MacPherson
Donald Pickston
Mushtaq Rashid
Edward Reimer
May they live forever in our memories.
NOTICE OF MOTION
Provincial RTO/ERO has reviewed our District 14
Constitution and requires us to again update it. We
will be bringing this updated version to the Member-
ship for a vote at the Spring Luncheon. You can find
a copy of the updated version on our Website (see
the address below), or request a printed copy from
Bonnie Bryan, 905-562-7773.
BILL 115
RTO/ERO is a non-partisan organization with respect
to political issues, but it does support public education
in Ontario. In light of the current education situation
within the province between the provincial government
and some of the affiliates, it is important to remember
RTO/ERO’s principles of support for our teacher col-
leagues while maintaining our historical non-partisan
status. District 14 contacted all the local affiliates to
request input on their views of Bill 115. As of the date
of publication of this issue of the Grapevine, only ETFO
has responded to our request. The following article
was written by Sharon Aloian, President of ETFO Niag-
ara:
Suffice it to say that retired teachers do not need reiteration
of past events since February, 2012.
However, I would first like to point out that the imposition of
Bill 115 is and was, never about a 2% salary increase, but
rather the unprecedented and blatant denial of the Labour
Relations process. The actions of Laurel Broten, Minister of
Education, in repealing the Bill, only resulted in an imperialis-
tic decree reminiscent of the “Alice of Wonderland’s” Queen
of Hearts decree, “Off with their heads!”
If you want to build solidarity in members, talk about fair-
ness. Elementary teachers are all about fairness, democratic
rights and what is right. These are the rules and beliefs they
build into their practices and teachings each and every day.
Thus, make no mistake, ETFO has yet again expressed the
hope that respectful discussions can begin to help end the
chaos in schools created by Bill 115. There is a fresh oppor-
tunity to work to resolve the situation, restore democracy
and settle ongoing issues in our schools. Time is of the es-
sence. Teachers are strong in principle but this is a very
difficult situation to be in and no one wants this sce-
nario. Teachers just want to do what they love and do best.
I am asking that as citizens of Ontario, you consider writing,
phoning, emailing, tweeting local and Provincial politicians to
express support for our education and resume respectful
dialogue with our federation.
WAYNE SCOTT
The Executive of District 14 - Niagara would like to ex-
tend our thanks to Wayne Scott, the author of the
regular Renaissance article “Computer Ease” as he
“retires” after twelve years of producing this column.
He has made a tremendous contribution provincially
through this work, and of course, locally as a former
District President, Grapevine Editor, and Website Man-
ager. We wish him well, and hope that he will soon find
another challenge in the future which will keep him in
touch with us!
www.rtoero-district14.org THE DISTRICT 14 GRAPEVINE - SPRING 2013
4
RTO/ERO PROVINCIAL SCHOLARSHIPS
The Retired Teachers of Ontario are looking for students
attending a Faculty of Education in Canada who wish to
receive a $1000.00 Scholarship. To qualify, a student must
be in attendance in a full or part-time program at a Faculty
of Education in the year in which they apply and be a Ca-
nadian citizen or a landed immigrant. They must also be a
www.rtoero-district14.org THE DISTRICT 14 GRAPEVINE - SPRING 2013
5
CALLING ALL NEW MEMBERS! If you joined RTO/ERO District 14 since January 1, 2012 you are invited to join us for a
complimentary Wine & Cheese Social on Monday, April 8 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. at
Club Richelieu on River Road in Welland. We would like to renew our acquaintance with you, and find out how the wonderful world of retirement is treating you, and maybe how
we can help you enjoy it even more. Please confirm your attendance by email at