From the Branches
Janet Jack | Secretary, FRTA
FRTA Nominates
Gerhard Sawatzky
for an ARTA
Volunteer Award
Foothills Retired Teachers
Association (FRTA) wishes
to acknowledge the many
contributions Gary Sawatzky has
made to FRTA, to ARTA,
and to other organizations over
his lifetime.
Gerhard, or Gary as some know
him, has always helped others.
There are at least three signifi cant
aspects to how Gary works and
volunteers: a strong desire to
help, a laser focus on detail, and
the joy of knowing that the task
he starts, he completes. These
aspects have served Gary well
as an educator, administrator,
fi nancial planner, and volunteer.
After high school graduation,
Gary took advantage of an
opportunity to volunteer in a
church-sponsored year-long
program in a daycare. He so
enjoyed this experience that
it sparked his desire to work
with children and his pursuit
of two degrees which led to a
career of work in education. As
a young husband and father,
Gary volunteered in a variety
of ways with his church and
with his children’s interests.
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He coached hockey and soccer
and was involved with the local
swim club. At school, many of his
volunteer hours centred around
coaching teams, science fair,
student council, and whatever
was needed.
As his children grew and left
home, Gary fi lled his hours with
his teaching and administrative
duties, and by volunteering with
the Town of High River on the
Business and Tourism committee,
with the Strive Society and its
annual street hockey tournament,
with the Foothills Advocacy
In Motion Society, and
by helping organize
marathons and
fundraisers.
Since 2014 Gary
continues his
church work
and has been a
volunteer porter
at the High River
Hospital, helping patients
get to their therapies and
appointments.
Gary often ended up in the
treasurer role when volunteering,
but that was not a plan on his
part or even a choice! What
he discovered was that money
and fi nances were interesting
and he wanted to ensure that
organizational funds were
respectfully and carefully
accounted for. Before he retired
from his successful career in
education, Gary headed back
to school to earn his Certifi ed
Financial Planner professional
certifi cation. This led to his
second career as a fi nancial
adviser.
Upon retirement from Foothills
School Division, Gary became
active in FRTA and has held
the vice-president’s position,
the president’s position (for
three years), and was the chair
of the 2018 ARTA Annual Golf
Tournament Committee. At the
ARTA level we all benefi t from
Gary’s experience and expertise
with fi nancial matters. He was
a member of the ARTA
Board of Directors for
two years and was
elected in 2017 to
ARTA’s Benefi t
Plan Trust Fund
Board of Trustees.
He has made a
presentation to
the ARTA Board of
Directors providing
an overview of investment
terminology and general
principles relating to ARTA trust
investments. In the past, Gary
has written fi nancial articles for
news&views as well.
Gary has volunteered over his
whole adult life. He is always
willing to help enthusiastically.
His curiosity about how systems
work has led to his varied
volunteer experiences and
continues to do so. FRTA is proud
to congratulate Gary Sawatzky
as our 2019 Volunteer Award
Winner. ●