ACER-CART 2021 NATIONAL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

ACER-CART AGM Report 2020/2021

On Friday, June 4, 2021, V.P. JoAnne Hoyak—ACER-CART Director and Pres. Bill Cann—Observer, virtually attended the ACER-CART national Annual General Meeting. Directors from all ten provinces plus the Yukon were present, with the group being technically facilitated from Ottawa by Executive Director-Roger Regimbal and with CTF support.

Besides housekeeping issues that had the Bylaws and Policies updated and the Budget presented, the agenda included reports from the committees as well as from the Directors of each attending retired teachers association.

The slate of officers, due to the extraordinary pandemic year just past, remains the same: President- Gerry Tiede, BCRTA; Vice President-Martin Higgs, RTO/ERO. Regional Reps: Eastern- Margaret Urquart, NBSRT; Ontario-Martha Foster, RTO/ERO; Western-Marilyn Bossert, ARTA; Past President-Bill Berryman, RTO-NSTU; And the Executive Director-Roger Regimbal in Ottawa.

The prime goals for which ACER-CART will advocate in the coming year are as follows:

Advocate for the development and implementation of a National Seniors Strategy including using the information from “A Declaration Concerning A National Strategy for Seniors”.
Monitor the Federal Government’s implementation of a universal pharmacare program including the establishment of a Canada Drug Agency and implementation of a national formulary.
Monitor effects of COVID-19 on the Canada Health Act and on the Bilateral Funding Agreements with the provinces and territories.
Advocate for a health care system that prioritizes care in seniors’ own homes for as long as possible.
Advocate for regulations governing Retirement and Long Term Care Homes with emphasis on improving patient respect, working conditions, staff training and staff wages. As an aside, RTAM’s position statement was requested to be shared with the AGM participants.

Also, ACER-CART will monitor effects of the global pandemic on defined benefit pension plans’ assets and liabilities as solvency funding obligations could be affected.

ACER-CART will seek to continue elevating the profile of our national association in our own province’s associations and at all levels of government and beyond. Our relationship with the Canadian Teachers’ Federation is valued and it is hoped to be maintained and extended.

On a personal note, on reading our collegial groups’ reports, it must be noted how similar are our issues of concern as well as our strategies in terms of dealing with them. It is reassuring to experience the support of this exemplary association, the connections made through it with dozens of other senior stakeholders groups, and the fine people who volunteer their time, energy, and expertise.

Respectfully submitted,

JoAnne Hoyak, RTAM Vice President, ACER-CART Director

RTAM MEMBER BENEFITS	STUDENT BENEFITS
1. The project will provide the means and incentive to increase communication between RTAM members and their family high school students they are sponsoring.	1 Portfolios encourage the collection of artifacts and evidence by the student to support their successful writing of award and scholarships applications.
2. Recognizing the importance of a post-secondary education, RTAM members can feel pride in the role they will play in supporting their family members to be awarded funding to help with the high costs of today’s world.	2 Portfolios help students focus on their knowledge, skills and attitudes to support their successful applications for bursaries and scholarship.
3. This project will provide RTAM members with an opportunity to experience renewed passion in their roles as teacher and mentor working with their family members.	3 Portfolios help students track their changes and growth in important leadership skills through their high school experience.
4. RTAM member involvement with their family members will promote positive mental health opportunities during a time when COVID has caused many to experience social and physical isolation.	4 Portfolios assist the student in becoming more aware of their own learning experiences and history.
5. RTAM member involvement will support a sense of purpose in their lives and offer them a sense of social value to society.	5 Portfolios provide a framework to encourage students’ self-assessment leading to a more accurate choice of how they want to spend their future, their career aspirations.
6. RTAM members will increase their opportunities to know and understand their youth family members’ challenges and issues while developing a relationship and creating a sense of trust.	6 Portfolios provide a framework with resources for building a resume and completing university/college entrance applications as well as job applications.
7. RTAM members can offer direct input into the writing of the applications to enhance the students’ chances of being successful.	7 Portfolios save the student the time and agony of trying to recall their experiences and gather all their information to complete applications in their graduating year.
	8 Portfolios provide students support to practice informed decision-making regarding their personal and professional opportunity selections.

Open Hours:

ACER-CART 2021 NATIONAL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

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