RTAM KIT - Winter 2019 RTAM_Winter19_web | Page 7

COMMITTEE REPORTS Membership & Chapters Committee Bits and Pieces Linda Scott, Membership and Chapters Committee Chair S ince the AGM in May, 2019, the following queries and suggestions have been brought to the attention of the Membership and Chapters Committee: 1. The In Memoriam slides at the AGM did not have a certain teacher's name listed. If a teacher was not a member of RTAM at the time of passing, we do not received notification of his/her passing. 2. At the 2020 AGM, the In Memoriam slides will be displayed at a slower pace. 3. One of our RTAM Chapters contacts all new retirees and personally invites them to join RTAM as well as their Chapter. They have had a very enviable success rate. 4. We should challenge our Chapters to take on a philanthropic challenge each year. Some suggestions were: • A non-perishable food collection for a food bank • Collecting drink tabs for wheelchairs • Visiting a personal care home to speak to a resident who has few or no visitors • At age 12, youth begin to develop empathy. If we can reach out and develop relationships with them, we can help prevent elder abuse. Perhaps we could approach a teacher and see if they might want to set up a day to visit a Seniors' residence (a good time would be Remembrance Day to ask what it was like to live through a war). • Adopt a needy family and surprise them each month with a small gift such as a board game, a food hamper or materials for a special craft such as Christmas tree ornaments. • Become a pen pal with a student who is struggling with writing. • • • • Collect travel shampoo, hand cream, etc. and donate them to a shelter Call a retired shut in monthly Establish a walking group MAKE SURE TO HAVE FUN at your get- togethers and meetings. Maybe have a Board Game, cribbage, bingo afternoon or go to a business such as Across the Board Cafe where games from all over the world are available to play. Visit https:// acrosstheboardcafe.com/ If you decide to try one of these ideas, please send a note to: [email protected] attention: Membership and Chapters Committee, to let us know how everything went. If you need funds to try one of these activities apply for a Chapters Initiative Grant: http://bluetilde.ca/1  Ray Sitter At the September, 2019, RTAM Board Meeting, communication was received that, due to unforeseen circumstances, Ray Sitter from Brandon, MB, was no longer available to serve on the 2019 - 20 Board. Ray initially joined the RTAM Board as a Director in 2005 and has also served on various committees such as the AGM and Elections, Membership and Chapters and Pension Committees. Ray has also worked tirelessly to organize and to present at annual RTAM Pre-Retirement Seminars. We, at RTAM, thank Ray for his many years of dedicated and attentive service and wish him well going forward.  RTAM.MB.CA n 7