welcome to rto lanark! · welcome to rto lanark! ... his engaging and thorough synopsis of the work...

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Lanark District 29 Autumn 2017 Website: http://district29.rto-ero.org. Email: [email protected] Welcome to RTO Lanark! On the first day of a new school year, RTO Lanark hosted its annual To Hell With The Bell Brunch at Timber Run Golf Course in Lanark. We are very happy to welcome our newest members: Back Row: Bill Howe, Mindy Merkley, Liz Newlands, Linda Kangur, Jeff Edwards, Cathy Ferguson, Carole Dufort, Carol Ann Horne, Mike Glofcheskie Front Row: Sharon Halladay, Kathryn Bell Brown, Mayna Boivin, June MacMillan, Kim Edwards, Dolores Davis, Dianne Thibault, Robin Brooks Absent: Cathy Kinch, Ruth Maybee

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Lanark District 29 Autumn 2017 Website: http://district29.rto-ero.org. Email: [email protected]

WelcometoRTOLanark!

Onthefirstdayofanewschoolyear,RTOLanarkhosteditsannualToHellWithTheBellBrunchatTimberRunGolfCourseinLanark.Weareveryhappytowelcomeournewestmembers:BackRow:BillHowe,MindyMerkley,LizNewlands,LindaKangur,JeffEdwards,CathyFerguson,CaroleDufort,CarolAnnHorne,MikeGlofcheskieFrontRow:SharonHalladay,KathrynBellBrown,MaynaBoivin,JuneMacMillan,KimEdwards,DoloresDavis,DianneThibault,RobinBrooksAbsent:CathyKinch,RuthMaybee

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CHANGE IS IN THE AIR

To conform with Not For Profit Legislation, motions are being brought forward at the 2017 Fall Senate to change the governance structure of RTO/ERO from an executive run organization to a board. Also at this time, Elections are held and the budget is set. Anne Graham and Doreen Wilson, our senators, will be there to vote on behalf of our district. RTO was founded in 1968 and is making plans to celebrate 50 years in 2018. Our local 50th Anniversary committee is working on Lanark's history. It is hard to condense it all into a thousand words. They are also looking for ideas for our local celebration. Your ideas would be much appreciated. I would like to extend a special welcome to our newly retired members. Retirement is a wonderful time of life. Take time to relax and to do the things you want to do. Retired teachers are a valuable community resource. Many are heard to say, "I don't know how I had time to work". Anne Graham, President [email protected]

POLITICAL ADVOCACY REPORT

"AGE - FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES" was the topic of the District Political Advocacy Workshop held in Toronto at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel on Sunday, September 17 and Monday, September 18, 2017. An "Age-Friendly Community" involves all ages and stages of the people within it, and seeks to optimize opportunities to enhance the quality of life in health, participation and security for all. At issue are the policies, practices and planning that make communities age friendly. Our guest speaker was the foremost authority on this subject, the Director of the "Centre for Studies in Aging and Health", Dr. John Puxty. His engaging and thorough synopsis of the work accomplished to date under his leadership, and the knowledge of where we stand at present, prompted a lively discussion and question and answer period following. It also set the tone for Monday's small and large group sessions where we were further enlightened and provided with practical advice, as well as being provided with contacts and resources to further enable us. The workshop concluded with an introduction of seven Advocacy Position Papers: "Age Friendly Communities"; "Bill 33 - Amending the Long Term Care Home Act"; "Bill C - 27 - Amending the Pension Standards Act"; "Elder Abuse"; "Pharmacare"; "Water"; and "Geriatric Training". Exciting times ahead without a doubt! Election time brings the opportunity to engage even more. Do feel free to contact me if you have an interest in any area. Your Political Advocacy Representative Sylvia Bochart [email protected] *Did you know … the 2016 census showed that there are more person's over the age of 65 than under 14 and everyone in between?

PresidentAnneGrahamaddressesthecrowdduringtherecentToHellWithTheBellBrunch.

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Irene Kirkham, age 99, rings the bell on the first day of school to start our Bell Brunch. Irene is enthusiastically joined by Sylvia Bochart (centre) and Eleanor Munro. Way to go ladies!

MaryJaneWillson,AnnMcGaheyandDoreenWilsongreetmembersandguestsupontheirarrivalatTimberRun.

JeanandDaleNugent,RickQuerat,KevinHogan,BillHoweandDougNormanshareafewlaughsduringthebrunch.

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Questions about CPP and your pension?

Understanding how Canada Pension Plan (CPP) works with your Ontario Teachers’ pension is one of the hottest topics among our retired members.

Here are the three most popular questions you asked:

Question: When should I collect CPP?

Answer: Deciding when to collect CPP is a highly personal decision, and your situation is unique. Consider what your living expenses will be like during your retirement. Will your mortgage be paid off? Will your kids be finished school? What is your health like?

If your expenses will be high during your early retirement years, consider collecting a pension early from the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). By starting a reduced CPP retirement pension early, you may receive it for a longer period of time. However, by waiting until age 65, you'll receive more each month.

We recommend consulting a financial advisor to find the right time for you.

Question: If I delay taking CPP, will my Ontario Teachers’ pension still be adjusted when I turn 65?

Answer: We provide a bridge benefit, which is intended to supplement your retirement income until age 65 when you’re eligible for an unreduced CPP pension. The month after you turn 65, or immediately if you start a CPP disability pension, the bridge benefit ends and your pension payment is adjusted. .

Question: How much will my Ontario Teachers’ pension be adjusted by when I turn 65?

Answer: The adjustment is based on a formula. To see the impact to your pension, sign in to your Ontario Teachers’ online account.

Take about 20 minutes for more answers to your CPP questions in the Facebook Live broadcast below.

https://www.otpp.com/members/cms/en/news/archive/2017/facebook-live.html Pension and Retirement Concerns – October 2017 Shelley Lynch

Get estimates of your reduced and unreduced CPP pension to help you

decide when to take CPP. Visit the CPP website, call 1-800-277-9914 or

contact your local Service Canada office.

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WellnessDaySurveyPleaseindicateanyoralloftheideasbelowthatyouareinterestedin,andaddanyotherideasthatyouhave.Wewillsetupworkshopsonthosetopicswiththemostinterest.

1. FinancialAdvisors(RRSPtoRRIF)–BondsandStocksinTaxFreeSavingAccounts2. IndoorGolf–skills3. Ipadandtablets–useofapps4. Pre-PlanningFuneral5. RTOHealth(Johnson)-Medical/Travel6. Photography7. Containergarden8. YourSuggestions_____________________________________________________________

PleasereturntoGailMcAdam,2474RideauFerryRoad,Perth,[email protected]

While reading two newsletters from 2000 and 2001, I was quite impressed by the dedication of RTO members who were volunteering in local hospitals and retirement homes, supporting the Humour Heals Project. Volunteering is one way we can give back to our community that has often given to us. Later, I happened to come across a quote I had saved. I’d like to share it with you. “There is no such thing as a 'self-made' man. We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken one word of encouragement to us, has entered into the make-up of our character and of our thoughts.” -George Matthew Adams, newspaper columnist (23 Aug 1878-1962) To all the volunteers out there… Thank you. You are making a difference. Rob

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LanarkDistrict29RTOAnnual“Bell”Brunch2017

OnTuesday,September5thasthenewschoolyearbegan,District29RTOmembersandnewretireeswelcomedthestartofanotherschoolyearbyattendingthe16thannual“Bell”BrunchattheTimberRunGolfCourseinLanark.Approximately106attendeesenjoyedcatchingupwithfriendsandmeetingournewretirees.PresidentAnneGrahamwelcomedeveryoneoldandnewandthensheintroducedthemembersofDistrict29’sboardandnotedtheirposition.CathyEmpeyintroducedandcongratulatedanamazing18newretirees:Kathyrn-BellBrown,MaynaBoivin,JuneMacMillan,KimEdwards,JeffEdwards,CathyFerguson,CaroleDufort,CarolAnnHorne,DianneThiabault,BillHowe,RobinBrooks,MikeGlofcheskie,MindyMerkley,LizNewlands,LindaKangur,DoloresDavis,RuthMaybee,SharonHalladay.EachnewretireeenjoyedacomplimentarybrunchandCathypresentedthemwithaRTOpadandpen.KerryLammingorganizedthislargegroupofretireesandtooktheirphotoforthenewsletter.DuringthesocialhourtherewereSharetheWealthticketsbeingsoldtosupportRTO’sbursaryfund.NewlyretiredDoloresDaviswastheluckywinnerof$160andthesameamountwentintothefund.Thankyouforthesupport.IreneKirkhamoneofourseniormembersstoodandtoldeveryonehowmuchshehasenjoyedthiseventovertheyearsandhowsheconsidersusallfriends.Shethenenthusiasticallyrangthebelltobeginanewyearinretirementandthestartofbrunch.JoyceFultoncalledthetablesbyschoolsymbols.Asusual,membersenjoyedadeliciousarrayofhotandcoldbreakfastfoodsandnumerouscupsofcoffee.Sign-upsheetswerecirculatedfortwoFallluncheons,oneinAlmonteandtheotherinPerth.ThecontactpeopleareNormaMcLellan(Perth)andNancyGiardino(Almonte).ThereisalsoaChristmasGatheringinPerthonWednesday,December6that7:00atFiddleheads.Detailsareinthisnewsletter.AfterthebrunchwasoveranumberofmemberstookadvantageoftheperfectweatherandenjoyedplayinggolfonTimberRun’spicturesquecourse.Thankyoutothememberswhosupportedthisannualeventandmadeitasuccess.SubmittedbyMaryJaneWillsonwillsonmj@gmail.com

AlmonteLuncheonNovember9th.Robin’sNestTeaRoomat98MillSt.

ContactPersonisNancyGiardino.613-461-0448.

AnnualChristmasGatheringTheAtriuminCode’sMill,nearFiddleheads53HerriottSt.Perth,On.WednesdayDecember6that7:00Somemunchieswillbeserved,withdrinksavailableatthebar.ContactPerson:MaryJaneWillsonat613-267-1584

[email protected]

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Congratulations:DollyandBobSmithcelebrated60yearsofmarriageonJuly20thMarlene&RobMoirwillbemarried60yearsonNov8thLianaBritainhasanewgrandson-JackDouglasMartyn.LianawasformerlyofAlmonteandnowlivinginP.E.I.

RTOisafamily.Wecelebratehappyeventsandoffercondolencesintimesofloss.Tothosewhohavelostlovedonesrecently,weextendourdeepestsympathiesandcondolences.Wealsowishtoremembercolleaguesandfriendswhohavepassedaway.

Condolences:ToDebbieCleroux-herBrother-in-law.ToRickFrizell–hisbrotherSallyFournier–hermotherAnneMuldoon–hermotherDonnaWagar–herhusband(Ourapologiesforourbelatedcondolence.)AudreyBlair–herbrotherin-lawLindaPoirier(Armstrong)–hernephewChrisSmith

InMemorium:JohnAllenMildredBakerLornieJenkinsFaithKiddJoanO’Toole

GoodNews:Joyce Fulton has some good news to share. You will find it on the website for the AMAZING PEOPLE AWARD http://www.amazingpeople.ca/amazing-nominees/ . This event will be held in Ottawa at the Westin Hotel on Oct.21. This year we are so proud that our own teacher from Almonte, Jennette Affleck, is one of the people nominated for this reward. Jennette is one of the founding members of SCHOOLBOX, which empowers more than 18,000 kids in Nicaragua with a basic education. Her son is Tom Affleck who received a Governor General’s award a few months ago. Please visit the Amazing People website via the link above to read about some amazing people living in our country.

Arecordsetting106retireesandguestsattendedthisyear'sbrunch.Ourannualtraditionwasstartedin2001byDavidCrowley.ThankyouDavidforbeingthedrivingforcebehindoneofourmostpopularsocialevents.

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BENEFITS REPORT

At our annual brunch on the first day of school, Lanark District 29 welcomed the highest number of new retirees that we have ever had. While everyone was smiling and happy, I do hope that there won’t be frustration and regret some years down the road. What am I referring to? I’m talking about the choices of benefits that were made at this crucial time in a new retiree’s life. When we retire, the majority of us are in reasonably good health. It may be difficult to project how that might change as we age. Hip replacements, knee replacements etc. are probably on the agenda “w-a-y” off in the distance. And heavens, everyone knows that the system will pay to look after us when we are older, right?? WRONG!! If there is any advice that you or I, as Ambassadors for RTO/ERO, can give to our fellow working professionals, it would be to think of potential health needs and how these costs will be covered. Look carefully at the options- e.g. do you need to purchase Semi-Private and Convalescent Care?? (monthly costs for 2017 – single $14.60, couple $29.16, family $34.28). Hopefully you won’t need it now - but later? Check your Plan Books – pages 10-12 to see exactly what is covered. You may be pleasantly surprised! An important fact to remember-- there is a window of 60 days where you can move from one group insurance plan to RTO/ERO’s group insurance plan without subject to a medical exam. When this time limit has expired, your chances of becoming a participant in this plan are extremely low. J. Fulton [email protected]

Newsletter Editor’s Report

Rob Umpherson – [email protected] I hope you find the newsletter informative. We have an Executive that strives to bring you information that is important to you, such as Pension and Benefits updates and Political Issues of Interest. However, RTO is more than an insurance plan. We are also a social group. You’ve seen photos from the recent To Hell With the Bell Brunch. It was started by David Crowley in 2001 and has become an annual tradition. We have bus trips, an annual golf tournament, luncheons throughout the district as well as a Christmas Social. We also have Wellness Days where experts enlighten us about topics of interest. Members are invited to submit short articles about personal travel, educational experiences, book reviews etc. for consideration. If space does not permit, they may be posted on our website. We have endeavored to control our printing and postage costs. One way is by emailing electronic newsletters. All new members are automatically enrolled in this format. In closing, if you have suggestions to improve the relevance of the newsletter, please feel free to contact me.

Update member contact information with the provincial office To improve member communications, members should send all contact information changes to the Membership department, [email protected], 1-800-361-9888 (toll-free), 416-962-9463 (Toronto).