Highlights of the 2019 ARTA AGM
Vi Oko | Chair, Strategic Planning and Advocacy Committee
ARTA board members and delegates representing all eighteen branches
met at the DoubleTree by Hilton West Edmonton on October 1 and 2 for the
association’s 56th Annual General Meeting.
Lorna McIlroy was elected to the position of
president by acclamation, Garry Hoff art is the new
vice-president, and Dolaine Koch is returning
to her role as the ARTA treasurer. Offi cer, staff
committee, related board, liaison appointee, and
branch president reports were shared with ARTA
members in attendance.
ARTA Cafés in the exhibit area or at private
sessions with active teachers who are contemplating
retirement, an initiative of the Communications
Committee, will be piloted at two teachers’
conventions this winter. The committee
has instigated the development of
branch websites for the second
group of six branches. The
ARTA magazine along with the
photo and writing contests
held under the auspices of the
Communications Committee
continue to thrive. There were
over 100 more entries in the
Photo Contest this year.
On October 1, 2019, ARTA
membership totalled 23,680,
21,762 of whom were enrolled in the
ARTA Retiree Benefi ts Plan. Changes
to the plan that will go into eff ect on November 1
include coverage of some diabetic supplies, hearing
aid accessories, low-dose Cialis, the purchase or
rental of knee scooters and hands-free crutches,
and purchase of CPAP machine sanitizers, as well
as increases to the maximum for accidental dental
coverage and private duty nursing.
The Health Benefi ts Committee compiled and
distributed ARTA Wellness: The Diabetes Volume
10 | arta.net
to the members. The publication received accolades
from the Government of Alberta, Alberta Health
Services, and practising endocrinologists.
The Governance Committee awarded $30,000
in scholarships to degree and diploma/certifi cate
applicants who were sponsored by ARTA members.
The committee also granted a one-time-only Joan
Trettler Scholarship worth $2,500 to a student
registered in the Faculty of Education. A total of
$17,250 in Branch Project grants was approved for
four retiree conferences.
The Pension and Financial
Wellness Committee continues to
search for speakers on monetary
issues of interest to seniors
and share pertinent fi nancial
information in news&views.
The committee has developed
an event planning template to
assist branches in arranging
for a fi nance-related workshop.
Orientation of new board and
committee members, organizing
the annual ARTA retreat, and
hosting of the Joint Committee Chairs
Meeting are ongoing responsibilities of the
Strategic Planning and Advocacy Committee.
Some advocacy issues of concern to seniors and
questions for political candidates were addressed in
the past year.
Six branches held wellness clinics sponsored
by the Wellness Committee and fi ve branches
received grants for health and wellness events.
Committee members provided articles on the
six dimensions of wellness for publication in