Sunday, July 20, 2008
RWTO
ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES
Waterloo Inn and Conference
Centre
Waterloo, Ontario
June 6, 7 and 8, 2006
SESSION I – JUNE 7, 2006
1. Welcome and Opening Remarks – Joy Patyk,
President; Carol Bell, Program Coordinator
All were welcomed to the Fiftieth Annual
Convention. Joy read “Be the Best of Whatever You Are”.
Housekeeping items were dealt with before business began. There
were 150 delegates present.
Resolutions 1– 8 and 10 need 66 % of the
registered voters or 100 people to carry. Resolutions 9 and 11 need 50%
of the registered voters or 76 people. A Constitutional
resolution brought to the floor without prior notice needs 80% of the
registered voters or 121 people to pass.
2. Minutes of the 2005
Annual Meeting
Motion #AM-06-01
Moved by Leslie Uttley, seconded by Judy Anderson,
the adoption of the Minutes of the 2005 Annual
Meeting as printed Pages 4 – 12 in the Fiftieth Annual Report.
Carried.
3. Treasurer’s Report
Martha Abra, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, gave a
detailed account of the past year’s financial transactions. She
reported that the auditor, Ralph Watters, found that the statements
present fairly the financial position and the statement of operations
for the year ending March 31, 2006. In all, she dealt with the
Statement of Financial Position; Statement of Operations and Reserve
Fund Expenditures; Statement of Cash Flow; Notes to Financial
Statements; Statement of Operations (advertising now split off
salaries).
Revenues were up by $4525. Revenue over Expenditures was
$2822.
In the 2006 – 2007 proposed Budget, Board expenses are
separated from Convention expenses. Newsletter expenses are up
because of more members and postage. There are now bank charges.
A question was raised as to whether the Bank of Montreal has such
charges. There will be a deficit in the budget.
Parliamentarian, Lee Beech,
assumed the chair for resolutions.
RESOLUTIONS FROM THE BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
Motion # AM-06-02
Moved by Carol Martin, seconded by Marilyn Emmett
RESOLUTION 1
(from the Board)
Be it resolved that the
Constitution be amended to read as follows:
Article
III Membership and Fees
4. Fees
(c) The membership year shall be from September 1 to August 31.
(e) Annual
provincial membership fees are due September 1st each year. They
should be forwarded to the Provincial Office by October
15th. To be included in the membership count for the
determination of delegates to the Annual Meeting, fees paid after that
date must be forwarded prior to November 30.
Note: This change is to coincide with the
school year, and will take effect for the 07-08 school year. For
the transition year only, an advance rebate of 50% of the previous
year’s rebate will be paid to Branches on July 31.
Carried.
Motion # AM-06-03
Moved by Marilyn Emmett, seconded by Marion Kasha
RESOLUTION
2 (from the Board)
Be it resolved that
the Constitution be amended to read as follows:
Article VIII - Duties
and Structure of Provincial Committees
8.
Review Committee
The
Review Committee shall:
(a) Be
chaired by the Past President
(b) Consist of
the President, the First Vice-President and two Directors
(c) Meet to review
the performance of the RWTO employee(s)
(d) Recommend
any increase in salary beyond the COLA increment
(e)
Report, in camera, to the Executive
Rationale:
Traditionally, there
have been periodic performance reviews of the RWTO employee. For
the past few years a small committee composed of Executive members has
done this. This is a tradition that has worked well and has been passed
on verbally. It is now time to formalize this practice with a
Committee.
Carried.
Motion #
AM-06-04
Moved by Carol Martin, seconded by Sandra Train
RESOLUTION 8
(from the Board)
Be it resolved that the
Guidelines for Board of Directors be amended as follows:
Work of the
Provincial Committees
A.
Standing Committees
6.
Review Committee
(a)
This committee is comprised of the Past President, the President, the
First Vice- President and two Area
Directors.
(b) The
committee does the performance review of the Executive/Secretary
Treasurer or any other employee that RWTO has hired.
(c)
The Past President chairs the Review Committee and reports to the
Executive the committee’s recommendations.
(d)
>From time to time the Committee may review and change the instrument
used to evaluate the employee.
Carried.
Motion # AM-06-05
Moved by Carol Martin, seconded by Marion Kasha
RESOLUTION 3
(from the Board)
Be it resolved that the
Constitution be amended to read as follows
Article VI -
Duties of the Executive Officers
2. Past President
(d) Chair the Review Committee Carried.
Motion # AM-06-06
Moved by Marilyn Emmett, seconded by Carole Watson
RESOLUTION
4 (from the Board)
Be it resolved that the
Constitution be amended to read as follows:
Article
V1 - Duties of the Executive Officers
11. Executive Secretary-Treasurer
Remove (b) and
renumber the list. Carried.
Motion # AM-06-07
Moved by Linda Seath, seconded by Carole Watson
RESOLUTION 5 (from
the Board)
Be it resolved that the
Constitution be amended to read as follows:
Article 1X -
Branch Organization
(f) To receive
a rebate the Executive Officers of a Branch must be RWTO members in
good standing.
(g) Once the
membership of a Branch falls below fifteen (15) members the
Branch and the Provincial Executive will enter into a dialogue to
discuss the feasibility of keeping the Branch open.
The above amendments are to be inserted after (e) and
the present (f), (g) and (h) become (h), (i) and (j).
Carried.
Motion # AM-06-08
Moved by Jeannine Renaud, seconded by Sandra Train
RESOLUTION 6
(from the Board)
Be it resolved that the
Constitution be amended to read as follows:
Article X -
Annual Meeting:
4. Amendments to the Constitution
(c) When a constitutional change has been duly
passed, it shall be extended to all relevant clauses, which need to be
changed, without further resolutions being required.
Carried.
Motion # AM-06-09
Moved by Carol Bell, seconded by Carole Watson
RESOLUTION
7 (from the Board)
Be it resolved that the
Constitution be amended to read as follows:
Article X
- Annual Meeting:
6.
Delegate Expenses
(b) i. (the present (b))
ii. Reimbursement for public transportation
(i.e. Bus, air, train) will be calculated on the
lesser amount of: the regular mileage rate paid on the distance that
exceeds 800 kilometres return or the actual
fare.
Carried.
RESOLUTIONS FROM THE BRANCHES
Motion #AM-06-10
Moved by Carolyn Pitt, seconded by Shelley Cotton (Kingston
Branch)
RESOLUTION 9 >From Kingston Branch:
Be it resolved that: the
annual rebate per member paid to the Branches be increased to 20% of
the membership fee paid by members who have joined RWTO since August
31, l980, effective 2007-2008.
Rationale:
1. In order to encourage retired women
teachers to join RWTO, more funds are needed at the local level to
provide activities of interest.
2. Branches need additional
funds in order to continue their “Caring and Sharing” outreach.
3. The cost for delegates
to attend the Annual Meeting is increasing and Branches need additional
funds to cover those costs.
4. The cost of events
is increasing and Branches need this increase to maintain quality
events.
5. This would bring RWTO
closer to alignment with RTO practice.
6. Since there are so many
requests by charities for funds for various worthwhile causes, it has
become difficult for local RWTO Branches to raise funds to supplement
the rebate.
Recorded Vote: For 74
Against 76
Defeated.
Motion #AM-06-11
Moved by Linda Hansen, seconded by Joyce Bentham (Northumberland)
RESOLUTION 10 (From
Northumberland Branch)
Be it resolved that the
Constitution, Article III - Membership and Fees
3. Sustaining Member
Be
amended to read 3. Life Member
Rationale:
Sustain means “to keep in
existence, keep up, maintain or prolong”. That is probably how
the term “sustaining member” came to be; however, the adjective form of
sustain is sustainable, not sustaining. Usually when the term
sustaining is used, it is to do with something like a program or it is
used in the verb form, meaning to lengthen or extend in duration.
Members of RWTO should feel that they are honoured and valuable.
The Branch feels that the definition of “being in existence, maintained
or prolonged” is not suitable for those members who are unable to carry
on with their membership due to circumstances beyond their
control. Referred.
Motion # AM-06-12
Moved by Erna de Burger-Fex, seconded by Lillian Wahamaa
That Resolution 10 be
amended by the deletion “Life” and substitution of “Permanent” member.
Referred.
Motion # AM-06-13
Moved by Jean Axcell, seconded by Carol Watson
That the amendment Motion
#AM-06-12 and the main motion Resolution 8 # AM-06-11 be referred to
the Board.
Carried.
Motion # AM-06-14
Moved by Patricia Lasko, seconded by Betty Vent (York North)
RESOLUTION 11
>From York North
Be it resolved that whenever
a resolution presented to the Annual Meeting has a possible financial
implication for RWTO, the Executive shall prepare an accompanying
information sheet for the delegates which outlines exactly what those
implications would be and how the upcoming budget would be affected.
Rationale: It is often difficult for delegates to
grasp the full effects that resolutions involving monies will have on
the budget. In the midst of a debate the facts are easily lost or
misunderstood. An accompanying fact sheet prepared by the
Executive ahead of time would be most helpful for the delegates to have
in hand. They would be able to study it before the debate arises
and thus make well-informed decisions.
Carried.
President, Joy Patyk,
returned to the chair.
4. Nominations Report –
Carol Martin
Full slate of officers as printed on Page 48 of the
Fiftieth Report was presented.
5. Program
Coordinator’s Report – Carol Bell
Congratulations to all the branches on completing a
wonderful year; many special events were undertaken to celebrate
the Fiftieth.
6. Membership Report –
Sandra Train
The committee tried to contact all pay direct members
personally to encourage them to join a Branch. The Barbara Bain
Awards helped spark membership growth.
7. Honorary Life
Membership Report – Vivian Fleming
Three Honorary Life Awards were approved for this
year as outlined in the Annual Report.
8. Issues and Concerns
– Carole Watson
Three topics were highlighted this year as in the
Annual Report
9. Archivist’s Report
– Mary Jane Finn
Sadly, 205 members passed away up to March 31,
2006. RWTO archival documents are available through York
University for study and use.
10. Goodwill Report
– Jean Axcell
Twenty members are over 100 years old; two
members are 104! Roses distributed by branch presidents are
appreciated and save many dollars on delivery for the 100-year-olds.
11. Insurance Report –
Judi Hood, Carolle Kennedy
Bernice Pew was replaced by Carolle due to Bernice’s
family concerns. Next year will be a year of branch visits.
Last year a successful workshop was held in conjunction with the
Treasurers. 338 took insurance through the Open Window. Insurance
cards have proven helpful.
12. Outreach Project –
Carol Martin
Fifty-two out of fifty-three branches completed
projects with a wide variety and many wonderful results. A
scrapbook of projects being prepared
SESSION 2 – JUNE 8, 2006
13. In Memoriam
Service – Mary Jane Finn
Area directors placed yellow roses in memory of the
205 members who have passed away in the past year. The theme of Peace,
Love and Friendship was used
14. Communications Report
– Martha Summers
Newsletter continues to grow and appears to be
well-received by members.
15. Book Project Report –
Carol Martin
The Anniversary Book is turning out to be a great
success. Thanks to all the writers and interviewers and t to
those transporting them to save postage. Some books are still
available for sale.
16. 50th Anniversary
Committee Report – Joan Sisler-Wells
The 50th pins have proven very popular and the cake
was a hit.
17. Insurance -
ENCON
Over $18000.00 was returned to RWTO through profit
sharing. Ruby Vaughan, Central Algoma, won the draw prize
18. Boundary Study Committee
Report – Barbara Johnston
The report was presented for information at this
time. Any further action will come from the board.
Questions for clarification only were entertained.
19. Feather In Your Hat
– Sandra Train
The “Feather in Your Hat” was presented to East
Parry Sound and York North for outstanding projects.
Motion # AM-06-15
Moved by Erna de Burger-Fex, seconded by Betty Wells
That all the reports as
printed in the RWTO Convention 2006 Annual Report be accepted.
Carried.
20. New Business
Motion # AM-06-16
Moved by Adele Muldoon, seconded by Ann Davelaar
Be it resolved that the
Provincial President and the Issues and Concerns Committee write a
letter to the appropriate Federal and Provincial Ministries on behalf
of all RWTO members; the letter to register our concern over the
increase in child pornography on the Internet today and to insist that
immediate action be mandatory to eliminate this.
Rationale: Our children
should be protected by our governments as they are our country’s most
valuable assets and future leaders. Exploitation of their innocence is
not acceptable.
Carried.
Unanimously
21. Budget Approval
Motion # AM-06-17
Moved by Judy Vanleeuwen, seconded by Joan Watson
The acceptance of the Budget
as printed for 2006 - 2007. Carried.
22. Invitation to the 2007
Convention
Sarnia-Lambton welcomes RWTO members to the Convention June 5-7,
next year.
23. Adjournment
Moved by Carol Martin
That
the meeting be adjourned.
Leslie Uttley, Recording
Secretary
BACK
