news&views Winter 2019 | Page 11

Celebrating ARTA, eh. news&views and coordinated another successful Wellness Challenge. Elections held for various vacant committee positions resulted in two new members being elected to the Wellness Committee. Branch presidents reported on the diverse programs and activities organized to provide branch members with an opportunity to socialize with their colleagues and enhance their quality of life. Trustees of the ARTA Benefi t Plan Trust Fund are responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring, and reporting on the investment of the assets of the trust funds as they relate to the separate benefi t plans. The Alberta Retired Teachers Charitable Foundation adopted a four-year, staggered term for foundation directors and reduced the number of directors to four. The ARTA offi ce has expanded The ARTA 2019–2020 Executive, with Garry Hoffart, Lorna McIlroy, Marilyn Bossert, and Dolaine Koch. its support of the organization, ensuring that over ninety-fi ve per cent of the donations go to support partner charities. ARTA budgeted for a contribution of $50,000 to the charitable foundation to be allocated to four charities — the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), the Parkinson Association of Alberta, the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories, and the Alzheimer Society of Calgary. ACER–CART, the national association for retired teachers, is rapidly becoming an advocacy group, speaking not only on behalf of retired teachers but for all seniors in Canada. A booklet highlighting seniors’ issues was developed for use when speaking with political candidates prior to the federal election. ARTA’s continued growth can be attributed to the vitality of its programs and services and the energy of board and committee members committed to the well-being of its membership. ● news&views WINTER 2019 | 11