Page 6 The Retirees' Newsletter
The Retirees's Association ( Faculty, Librarian, Administrator), University of Windsor, Windsor, Ont. Canada
Vol X II, No. 4, December 2002
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Association News |
Minutes of the Fall General Meeting held on October 16, 2002 at 2:00 p.m. in Hoffman Auditorium, IONA College
Members Present: J. K. Bewtra, J. Black, D. Briggs, J. Callaghan, H.B.
Chandler, K. Chattergee, S. Cunningham, A. Doctor, T.L. Estrin, B.
Ferraro, G. Fracas, W. Fraser, J.Hachett, I. Helbing, R. Helbing, T.
Hirota, F. Holuj, W. Innerd, H. Janzen, B. Kadeker, N. King, B. Kroeker,
J. T. Laba, J. LaGaipa, W. P. Lam, J. Malone, E. McNamara, J.
McIntosh, M. Matthew, A. Metcalfe, H. Moore, M. Morf, R. Moriarty, P.
Nolan, W. North, G. Olafson , R. Pazik, H. Pawley, D. Pillay, K. Pryke,
J. Quinn, I. Rappe, K. Sarkar, S. Selby, W. Skakoon, C. Smith, W.
Sondurlund, K. Sridhar, R. Stager, R. Whitehurst, W. Youdelis
1. Minutes of the Fall Spring General Meeting of April 30, 2002 - It
was moved and seconded that the minutes be approved as distributed.
Carried.
2. Remarks from President Ross Paul -Dr. Paul opened his remarks
with the pension issue and said he is "committed to open this soon,
working with the Faculty Association." If the issues are not
resolved, he would appreciate a follow-up from the Executive. All
universities have signed estimated enrolments for this fall and next and
the money has been identified for the double cohort After 25 years,
funding is there for enrolment growth. There is a place for every
motivated and qualified student, not perhaps within their discipline. New
buildings on campus, scheduled for completion July 2003, include a
new residence, a Health, Education and Learning Centre, and an
addition to the Dramatic Art facilities. The university has been
successful in obtaining 10 research chairs out of 10 applications. There
are 28 teaching and learning committees with student representation.
He is pleased to see retirees at events on campus. Dr. Paul was
congratulated on his reappointment.
3. Remarks of Brian Brown, WUFA President- Prof. Brown mentioned
the trust fund is up and running. With the changeover in Human
Resources there has been a delay. How the fund will be formalized still
needs to be worked out. He said this should be done within the next
four months. The money from the surplus and GST rebates is to be
determined by the trustees. In answer to questions about how much is
in the fund? is it being used? how? (towards investment shortfalls?)
what kind of monitoring is in place?, Prof. Brown said he is "in the dark."
In reply, S. Cunningham urged the Faculty Association to take a
vigorous approach to the Trust Fund and ensure the figures come out
on schedule.
4. Remarks of Ms Asae Cuthbert, Director, Student Awards - The
WURA Bursary Fund is now over $57,000 with Government matching
funds. Three $1,000 scholarships are available. There is a new
government initiative that is proposing matching funds and she will
keep WURA posted. The awards are on the website and students can
apply on-line. There are 87 applications. Awards are based on financial
need and merit. W. Innerd thanked Ms. Cuthburt for the terrific job she
is doing. He also mentioned he received a nice letter from the students.
5. Business arising from the minutes - none
6. Report of the Treasurer - Professor Phyllis Nolan presented the
Report, which she moved, seconded by S. Cunningham / Carried.
Bank Balance (01-10-16) $ 2, 036.27
Memberships $ 2, 491.54
Total $ 4, 527.81
Expenditures:
Printing $609.69
Postage 675.70
Supplies 409.08
General Meetings 120.00
Bursaries 100.00
M isc. 97.04
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$ 2, 011.51 Minus $ 2, 011.51
Bank Balance (02-09-30) $ 2, 516.30
7. Remarks of the President- A. Metcalfe thanked the executive and
in particular P. Nolan who has been a tremendous asset. She is
stepping down after four years as treasurer. He mentioned the difficult
times for the retirees, especially those on money purchase pensions.
Progress has been slow, but Green Shield now provides us with three
categories, the Trust Fund is working toward the future and there is
committee representation (A. Metcalfe, N. King and D. Leslie) to explore
ways to be involved in teaching. The executive is developing strategies
for change and members are urged to submit ideas on how to be a part
of the university. D. Pillay has returned as Newsletter Editor.
8. Notice of Motions-
Motion One - The WURA executive recommends that the General
membership approve that the three main issues, on which the WURA
Executive should focus, be the following:
a) Improvements to pension through D7 Committee and WUFA
b) Improvements to Health Benefits
c) Trust Fund
W. Innerd/ S. Cunningham . Carried.
Motion Two - The WURA Executive recommends that the General Membership support in principle the formation of CURAC (College and Universities Retirees Association of Canada).
W. Innerd/S. Cunningham. Carried.
Motion Three -The WURA executive recommends that the General membership recognize the contribution and services of Mr. James Butler, Director of Human Resources and Mr. James Skinner, Manager, Pension and Benefits, to all retirees' issues and award each of them a Certificate of Recognition, on behalf of WURA.
W. Innerd/S.Cunningham. Carried.
9. Progress Reports of Committees (The entire reports were distributed at the meeting)
a) Pension and Benefits
(i). D7 Committee - A. Metcalfe was elected Chair. One member from the Faculty Association is on sabbatical, and J. Skinner and J. Butler have left so the Committee will need to be restruck. A need analysis is expected by Nov. 7.
(ii). Trust Fund - P. Burrell reported that for a variety of reasons, a meeting of the Committee has not been called.
(iii). Pensions - J. Meyer reported the growth is not good and the past quarter may be worse. There is a 6% deduction established by the accounting firm to ensure the fund is stable at the minimum guarantee.
(iv). Health- J. Meyer reported a comparative analysis is on the
WURA web page.There are no benefits out of Province. The Handbook
for future retirees and spouses will be added to the UWFA website and
there will be a paper version.
10. Report of the Nominating Committee - Moved by S. Cunningham
(Chair) and seconded by J. Sunderlund. Carried.
11. Other Business -
-The Retirees dinner will be held every April. There were 325 at the dinner last spring.
-A seminar will be held within the next six months for future retirees sponsored by WUFA.
- Parking tickets (10) are available for $12.00.
-A. Metcalfe thanked the recent retirees who attended and added we
need people to generate memberships.
The meeting adjourned at 3:25 p.m.
Minutes of a Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Retirees'
AssociationTuesday, October 8, 2002, Human Kinetics Building
Conference Room
Present: Alan Metcalfe (Chair), Stan Cunningham, Wilfred Innerd, John Meyer, Datta Pillay, Jane Black (Secretary)
Regrets: D. Briggs, J. Malone
Minutes: The Minutes of September 4, 2002 were approved as circulated.
Report of the Nominating Committee: Moved to accept: Cunningham/Nolan. Unanimous.
Agenda for AGM, October 16: Approved.
Motions: CURAC: To support the formation of CURAC in principle.
Innerd/Nolan. Unanimous. Information about CURAC can be found
on the website and also in the Newsletter (Sept.2002). A number of
questions need to be answered.
Three main issues for WURA: D. Pillay will formulate the motion for the three main issues (Health, The Trust Fund and Pension Benefits). There is unease about the Trust Fund.
Correspondence: S. Cunningham will reply to the letter from W.
Romanow regarding the status of retirees outside Ontario.
Other business:
An Analysis of Health Benefit Plans for WURA (J. Meyer) is on the website under reports.
The Retirees' Handbook for Members of the Faculty Association (J.
Meyer, ed., J.Malone, D. Noble) will be put on the WUFA website.
Human Resources - the Retirees' concerns about this position have
been expressed and A. Metcalfe will also write to the Chair of the
Search Committee. The use of pension funds for staffing in Human
Resources as a part of the operational costs was noted.
J. Meyer will bring the constitutional amendment motion regarding the
membership of the negotiating team to the R&B Committee on Oct. 10.
Sympathy cards were sent to the families of Peter Halford and Leo Miernicke and a donation of $ 50.00 each was sent in their honor to the Bursary Fund.
A certificate of recognition was proposed for J. Butler and J. Skinner.
Phyllis Nolan was thanked for her contribution to the WURA Executive Committee as Treasurer for four years.
The meeting adjourned at 2:50 p.m.
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