Larry Lambert ( right ), on behalf of the NEARTA Branch , presents a cheque in the amount of $ 500 to Foundation President Brian Scott .
communities . They have energy , ingenuity , insight , knowledge and , most of all , patience — all of which are necessary to flourish in the world of the giving professions .
These skills are not lost or diminished upon retirement — they are just focused in different directions . Retired teachers volunteer in their churches , in schools , in hospitals and in countless not-for-profit organizations across the province . They travel , care for grandchildren and loved ones , explore new interests , run for office and serve in the political sphere . Retirees know their community ’ s strengths and challenges .
Knowing what one can accomplish individually , an ad hoc committee began to visualize the impact retired teachers could have collectively . The energy and generosity focused so successfully on students over our working years could be refocused on the needs of Alberta seniors .
Ready to work on your behalf , the Alberta Retired Teachers Charitable Foundation ’ s current Board of Directors includes Brian Scott , President ( Cochrane ); Robin Smith , Vice-President ( Edmonton ); Paul Demers , Treasurer ( Calgary ); Graham Sewell , Secretary ( Calgary ); Irl Miller , Director ( Edmonton ); Ray Morrison , Director ( Medicine Hat ); Helen Neufeld , Director ( Grande Prairie ); Gordon Cumming , ARTA
Liaison ( Calgary ); and Daniel Mulloy , ARTCF Executive Director .
At arm ’ s length from ARTA , the foundation is mandated to partner with other charitable organizations to foster initiatives that will support seniors in need within the province . The foundation ’ s points of focus are health care , housing , and English as a second language for seniors .
These areas are — or may soon be — real to us all . Every one of us has , or will , experience health problems associated with ageing whether in our own lives or the lives of colleagues , friends or family . Current or looming decisions about living circumstances are an important part of one ’ s long-term planning . These challenges too are , or will be , part of our future and that of friends or loved ones . This penetrating reality makes the task so important .
To date the foundation board has met with a number of organizations across this spectrum of needs , leading to the initial formalized partnership with the Parkinson Association of Alberta , as well as potential agreements with Alberta ’ s two Alzheimer societies and the CNIB . Progress on these and other relationships is on the foundation website , which will highlight updates and communications .
Initial success of the Alberta Retired Teachers Charitable Foundation has been made possible by ARTA ’ s generosity . In addition to this year ’ s grant of fifty thousand dollars , the association is committed to funding the operating expenses of the foundation in the short term , allowing for all donations to be directed to the selected initiatives .
Many branches will be founding donors , challenging each other to help the foundation make an impact . First in line was Larry Lambert , NEARTA ’ s president , who presented the foundation ’ s president , Brian Scott , with a cheque for five hundred dollars . news & views WINTER 2017 | 33