Abbotsford Branch

 

 

Abbotsford Branch Executive

 

 

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Abbotsford Branch Report 2011

The Abbotsford Retired Teachers' Executive and volunteers have managed another successful term of activities and I would like to again thank each and every one of them for their time and help. Judy Dahl has done a great job in taking over the secretarial duties as Doreen Petersen was in great demand at work. These days you are not allowed to retire completely, it would seem. We have all enjoyed Judy's treats at our meetings and her graphics on our minutes are a cheerful touch. I must say that we laugh a lot at our meetings.

Our social committee, Arlie Purser and Karen Hamilton planned interesting activities and events. The To Hell With the Bell Breakfast was well attended with several new retirees joining us. The best attended event of the year is the Christmas Luncheon held at the Cascades Community Church and catered by the cooking school program of the Salvation Army. The students learn job skills which enable them to be successful community members.

We have two potlucks a year: one in October and one in February. At the February luncheon our speaker from Investor's Group discussed the topic, Tax Savings for Seniors.

Several field trips were planned this year. In November we went to the Surrey Museum in Cloverdale and had lunch at a pub which was a first for some members who were pleasantly surprised. In May, we had a lesson in container planting at Tanglebank Nurseries on Downes Road followed by lunch at the Old Clayburn Store. Irving House in New Westminster, complete with ghost story, was a delightful experience for our June outing even though Landmark lost our bus and our driver had a hard time locating it! A delicious lunch at the Paddlewheeler on New Westminster Quay made up for it.

The outstanding event for this season was, I think, the Pen Tones under the direction of Carol Abrahamson. Their story of the underground railway was told in song and the secret codes in the quilts was explained.

June was a busy month for presidential duties. It was a pleasant duty to present two $750 bursaries. I attended the Convocation for Abby Collegiate held at the Abbotsford Pentacostal Assembly and presented to David Werner and also the Convocation for Robert Bateman held at Seven Oaks Alliance Church where Sara Hanson was the bursary winner. Your bursary donations go to a good cause.

The Tea for retiring teachers was held June 15th where the Abbotsford Retired Teachers' welcome the new retirees. We make up a package for each one which includes a letter explaining what we do and why they should become members of the BCRTA. We also include a membership form, pen, and a welcoming gift donated by a community sponsor.

I would like to thank Carol and Wayne Anthony, Mike Phelps and Shannon Reidlinger for collecting related items for a goodie bag from Maritime Travel, Sears, Johnson Inc. and Curves on Old Clayburn. I would also like to thank Charlotte George for preparing the letters, etc. In June we always have a luncheon to thank the volunteers for their time and effort. This year we met at Paliotti's for an outstanding luncheon followed by our last executive meeting for the season

At our social events and gatherings we also discuss and answer questions regarding information about the latest developments on the business scene such as pensions and extended health benefits. Our executive personally contacted as many at risk members as we could - namely lifetime members to encourage them to sign up for the extended health package before September.

We hope we have been successful in providing enjoyable and meaningful activities for our members. Our elections are held every second year and are set for May of 2012.

Hopefully, some of the newer retirees will take on some responsibilities as the rest of us are getting burned out.

Respectfully submitted,
Lois Wilson, President

 

 

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