Ottawa Valley Branch
AGM – September 17, 2008
Carleton Place Area, Carleton Place, Ont.
1. Call to Order
President Jim Piché called the meeting to order at 10:35.
2. Recording of members present
61 members registered on the sign-in sheets.
3. Moment of Silence for our departed members and Armed Forces in combat, followed by singing of ‘O Canada’.
4. Approval of Agenda
A motion to approve the agenda, as presented, was made by Doug Schoular and seconded by Colin Sangster. Passed.
5. Introduction of Guests and Ottawa Valley Board of Directors
President Jim Piché advised the following guests: Scott Reid, MP for Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox & Addington and Randy Hillier, MPP for Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox & Addington, would join us for lunch and then discuss their “One Stop Government Shop”;.
along with the current Board of Directors:
- President: Jim Piché;
- Past President: Len Johnston
- Secretary: Lynda Smith
- PSHCP/PSDP: Ed Rockburne
- Director-at-large: Bill Irwin
- Director-at-large: Chuck Parent
- Director-at-large: Doug Schoular
(Regrets: Arthur Etkin; Larry Gray; Larry Palmer; Judy Buehler; Joe Zarb).
6. Minutes of last Annual General Meeting
A motion to approve the minutes of the 2007 AGM was made by Ed Rockburne and seconded by Merla Lawruk. Passed.
7. Business arising from the Minutes
Pension-Splitting: In a quick survey, majority of meeting attendees have benefitted. Clarification was made with Income Splitting (which is for those still working).
8. Branch Reports
President’s Report: President Jim Piché’s Annual Report included:
the need for a new President for this Branch. This mandatory position must be filled to keep the Branch operational. Possibility of rolling Branch into Ottawa Branch was mentioned as an alternative;
FSNA has decided to hire an appellate lawyer to assess whether to appeal the Pension Surplus Trial decision (30B surplus). Decision to appeal with the other unions will be made at National Board meeting in Nov.;
Common Front for Retirement Security (pushing for removal of requirement of minimum withdrawals from Registered Retirement Income Funds);
FSNA’s Annual Advocacy Campaign:
- marriage after retirement/age 60 including issue of survivor’s eligibility to continued PSHCP and PDSP coverage)
- immediate indexation of CF and RCMP pensions
- remedy to erroneous pension advice
- harmonizing CF and PS supplementary death benefit
- national Pharmacare strategy
- private or public comprehensive home care program
Membership Report: (read by President Jim). Current Branch membership stands at 1371. Request to consider paying dues at source (form available at www.fsna.com) or contacting Larry Palmer at 613-326-0106) would remove an administrative burden at Branch level, and save money also.
Treasurer’s Report: Annual report will have to be sent out in next Newsletter, or another meeting called to pass same, due to current illness of Treasurer. Motion to accept this method of handling financial report, once approved by New Executive, was moved by Roy --------, seconded by John Cameron. Passed.
Member requested that approved financial report be posted on website. Jim agreed to do so.
9. Open Time
“You and Your Survivors” – Copies of amendments to this workbook were distributed. Booklet is available from National Office – cost: $2.00 (613-745-2559). Extra copies will also be available for 2009 AGM.
Member Steve Fahie discussed concerns with current website. To be addressed later.
Member Merla Lawruk then led attendees in an exercise stretch prior to lunch.
10. Lunch
11. Speakers Presentation: ONE STOP GOVERNMENT SHOP
MP Scott Reid and MPP Randy Hillier addressed the integration of their 3 offices (Carleton Place, Perth and Napanee) and how this can benefit constituents. They remained after the meeting to address specific concerns of attendees.
12. Election of Ottawa Valley Branch Board of Directors
President Jim Piché ran the nominations. Members Ed Rockburne and Lynda Smith agreed to stand for another two year term. Acclaimed.
Upon call for nominations for Directors, there were none.
Member Steve Fahie expressed interest in assisting with website concerns.
11. New Business
There being no new business, draws were held:
- Mapleview Golf Course passes – won by Donalda Gilies;
- barometer – won by Robert Whittle;
- vase – won by Christine Piche (declined) – Helen Céré won;
- WW2 Victory in Europe Experience - won by Steve Fahie;
- whiskey glasses – won by Diane Morrow;
- bowl set – won by Catherine Leadbetter;
- mini cap gripper (donated by Mobility Care) – won by Bob Picard;
- Canadian Tire $50 gift certificate – won by Sangster
15. Adjournment
There being no further business, moved by Merla Lawruk at 1:20 p.m. and seconded by Jack Wheeler that meeting be adjourned. Passed.
(Minutes prepared by Lynda Smith)