The Southwest Assiniboine Chapter of the Retired Teachers' Association of Manitoba held their Winter Luncheon Meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 22nd, at Virden's Legion Club Room.
The luncheon began with O'Canada, a Metis Elder's Blessing for the meeting, the Land Acknowledgement, and Grace.
Lunch was hot thickly sliced ham, baked potatoes, coleslaw, mixed veggies, a fresh dinner roll with butter, and a dessert to die for. Refreshments consisted of a non-alcoholic punch, water, soft drinks, juice, or coffee/tea. The meal was excellent especially when you had fellow educators around you enjoying it, too.
Our guest speaker was a well-known local pharmacist (Mike Anderson) who spoke to the retired teachers about things they should know concerning prescription drugs as in their use, care, and precautions. Our speaker gave the teachers a Q & A period. It was a great presentation.
One of the many things we were warned about is that the bathroom medicine cabinet is about the worst place to keep drugs in your residence due to the heat and humid air. Now you know!
Mrs. Beth Allison, also, presented the results of a survey about where to go this coming June. She offered several choices, suggested by the members at the SWAC Fall Meeting. The retired teachers picked a daytrip to Steinbach, Man.
Next, were the draws. A number of members brought items for the draws. There was at least twelve of them.
SUPPORTING TEACHERS
The draws were followed by the business meeting. We received several reports including the Presidential Report and a special committee report concerning how to recognize active teachers. The membership also decided not just to recognize the Fort La Bosse teachers; but also, some of surrounding school divisions, too, that were in on the formation of the Southwest Assiniboine Chapter. We also voted on making a donation to the Arts and Music Festivals in Deloraine and Virden when their requests come in. We will also apply for two grants from the Retired Teachers' Association of Manitoba. This task will be done by the executive and president prior to 2023.
The membership was informed that the executive will update the membership list, phoning list, and check the by-laws of the Southwest Assiniboine Chapter.
At the luncheon and at the business meeting, the membership was requested to send to the Retired Teachers' Association of Manitoba their thoughts, concerns, and opinions concerning the Manitoba K - 12 Education Action Plan especially concerning the four featured pillars (High-Quality Learning, Student Engagement and Well-Being, Excellence in Teaching and Leadership, and, finally, Responsive Systems). They were asked to e-mail thoughts, concerns, and opinions to our RTAM President. She will in turn put all the contributions from across the province into one presentation and present it to the Minister.
For our meetings we encourage our members to bring donations for the Virden and Area Food Cupboard.
Note that we start off our meetings with O'Canada and end them with God Save The King. Yes, we do that and sung with gusto, too. And that 'GUSTO' isn't an opera baritone either!
We have three meetings in the year ... Fall, Winter, and Spring. If you're a retired teacher we would gladly have you as a member in the Southwest Assiniboine Chapter. We are not just for retired Fort La Bosse teachers. Other retired teachers from surrounding school divisions in the Manitoba Southwest are invited to be part of SWAC (Southwest Assiniboine Chapter). Our meetings are fun and interesting plus you can get involved as much as you like to. Membership is just $10 for the year.
Our next meeting will be at the Virden Legion Club Room on April 18, 2023.
We sincerely wish all our former students a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Kel Smith, Pres. SWAC/RTAM
