ARTA ’ s Annual Retreat : Looking Ahead
ROBIN CARSON
The 2017 ARTA Retreat , Looking Ahead , was held May 28 to May 30 at the Delta Hotels Kananaskis Lodge . It was hosted and arranged by the Strategic Planning and Advocacy Committee , with the able assistance of ARTA ’ s staff . Branch presidents , committee chairs , committee members and invited guests attended six information sessions over two days . The retreat was followed by the ARTA Board of Directors meeting .
Speakers addressed an extremely wide variety of topics that ranged from dealing with hearing loss to growing older with ‘ The Science of Fun ’ to Internet scams . The speakers themselves included the Minister of Seniors and Housing , the Honourable Lori Sigurdson ; Canadian author Will Ferguson ; the outgoing CEO of the Alberta School Employees Benefit Plan , Jennifer Carson ; and Dr . Dave Hepburn , who addressed
the need for play in ageing . There was also a panel discussion with representatives from the Canadian National Institute for the Blind , the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and the Northwest Territories , the Alzheimer Society of Calgary , and Parkinson Alberta — the groups selected for support by the Alberta Retired Teachers Charitable Foundation . A walk on the hotel ’ s grounds , sponsored by the Wellness Committee , provided a chance for a little exercise and was an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful surroundings .
Because the hotel was undergoing a major renovation , the retreat might well have been titled ‘ Finding Our Way Around .’ Although hotel staff were extraordinarily helpful , it is doubtful if there was anyone attending who didn ’ t get lost at least once . �
Galumphers
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