Keeping In Touch - mbvet.ca · Jan Wolynski Keeping In Touch Inside this issue: ... and family, and...

K.I.T. is published monthly by the

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Veterans’ Association,

Manitoba Division.

P.O. Box 5650, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 3K2

President

Jan Wolynski

Keeping In Touch

Inside this issue:

Coming Events 1

More Coming Events

The Last Post

2

Obituaries

New Members

3

Nation President’s

Report

4

to

8

Executive Minutes—20

September 2011

9

Minutes—General

Meeting of 4 Oct 2011

10

18 Oct., 2011

Volume 9, #8 Manitoba

Division

2011 Executive President:

Jan Wolynski

1st. V.P.:

Bob Wass

2nd V.P.

Tom Larkin

Secretary:

Dave Roach

Treasurer:

Trevor Lawless

Past President:

Joe MacDougall

Committees:

Chaplain:

Rev. Bob Wiebe

Communications:

Don Fleetwood, KIT

Dave Dunford, Circula-

tion

Trust Fund:

George Dobson, Chair

Roy Campbell, Member

Gunnar Person, Member

Awards & Recognition:

Ray Strokon

Welfare & Benefits:

Scott Davison, Chair

Sgt. at Arms:

Don Fleetwood

Membership:

Len Morgan

Entertainment:

Wayne Mirrlees

Regional Rep. Co-ord:

Murray McNeill

Members at Large:

Roy Campbell

Jack Lawson

Dave LeBlanc

Mailing Address:

RCMPVA

P.O. Box 5650

Winnipeg, MB

R3C 3K2

Communications

Link: [email protected]

(204) 222-5394

Coming Events:

Minnedosa Luncheon & Meeting: The Manitoba RCMP Veterans’ Association Luncheon

and November Meeting will be held at the Minnedosa

Golf & Curling Club on Tuesday, 1st Nov, 2011, at

12:00 Noon. Your smorg meal will consist of chicken

breast, 2 vegetables and salad, dinner roll & butter,

tea, coffee and a choice of either of two desserts.

Please advise of any food allergies.

Cost is $17.00 p/p, gratuity included. Pay at the door.

A VERY SHORT General Meeting will take place, fol-

lowed by a guest speaker, Mr. Ray Orr, Mayor of Min-

nedosa. Everyone will leave with a gift from the Town

of Minnedosa, and don’t forget about our Door Prize

Draws.

Please help to make this luncheon a success by reserv-

ing your seat at the table by contacting one of the fol-

lowing Veterans. An early reply would be appreciated,

as we must advise the caterer well in advance. See

you in Minnedosa!

Barrett Nelson in Minnedosa at [email protected] or

(204) 867-3296

Gil Boileau in Brandon at [email protected] of (204)

728-2326

Randy Daly in Dauphin at [email protected] of (204)

648-4322

Carl Purchase at Winnipeg at [email protected] or

(204) 489-6608

Tom Larkin in Winnipeg at [email protected]

or (204) 444-5037

Bob Brown in Winnipeg at [email protected] or (204)

791-0384

Wayne Mirrlees at St. Francois Xavier at

[email protected] or (204) 864-2457

Latest sign-up date for this event is the

23rd Oct., 2011—so if you’re planning to

attend, please call one of the above-

listed members, and let them know. Note—there is no meeting at ―D‖ Division HQ on

the 1st November 2011.

Late

Breaking

News!!!!! Len Morgan, Member-

ship Chair, announced

today that the 2011

Revised Membership

List will be mailed out

prior to the end of Octo-

ber. The List will not be

provided electronically

out of concern for the

privacy of our mem-

bers. Please treat the

list confidentially. Do

not send it to others.

Please shred any old

copies you have, and

delete any in memory.

Keeping In Touch

Coming Events (Cont’d)……………..

Manitoba Division Christmas Party: The Manitoba Division Christmas Party will be

held on Tuesday, December 6th, 2011, at ―D‖ Divi-

sion Headquarters. We’ll have a very brief Decem-

ber Meeting, then adjourn to the NCO’s Mess for

some Christmas Cheer!

Please remember that spouses are always welcome

at our functions, so bring your partner and join us.

If you know of any members or widows who are

shut-in, or strapped for transportation, please in-

vite them, and bring them along.

The Last Post

37715 McDONOUGH, Dennis Leroy 28th Aug., 2011 Gander, NL

15009 WIEGERINCK, Jack 8th Sept., 2011 Courtenay, BC

21795 MacQUARRIE, Robert D. 8th Sept., 2011 Flin Flon, MB

18230/O.947 RELIGA, John Edward 10th Sept., 2011 Ottawa, ON

21979 SAGERT, Walter 11th Sept., 2011 Victoria, BC

35581/O.1990 RAINVILLE, James S.J. 13th Sept., 2011 Ottawa, ON

20245 CORRIGAN, Robert W. 13th Sept., 2011 Winnipeg, MB 32858 SNAPE, John Alan 16th Sept., 2011 Kelowna, BC

24191 HARGREAVES, C.H. (Charles) 16th Sept., 2011 Regina, SK

20465 MARTELL, Robert T. 18th Sept., 2011 Stonewall, MB

20238 STRASSER, Herbert John 19th Sept., 2011 Belleville, ON

19470 HARDIMAN, Thomas K.B. 21st Sept., 2011 Ottawa, ON

34626 KERR, Douglas Kirby 23rd Sept., 2011 Vancouver, BC

24266 GALENZOSKI, Harvey Ralph 23rd Sept., 2011 Regina, SK

14540 DeARMOND, C.E. (Dee) 27th Sept., 2011 Edmonton, AB

27074 FLYNN, Michael James 30th Sept., 2011 Edmonton, AB

23795 VAN WERT, Bruce 4th Oct., 2011 Medicine Hat, AB

16046 MILLS, Kenneth 9th Oct., 2011 Winnipeg, MB 25672 PILSON, James A. 12th Oct., 2011 Rimbey, AB

18837 DUNN, Howard Edmund 12th Oct., 2011 Rideau Ferry, ON

19273 DUNTHORNE, George William 12th Oct., 2011 Ottawa, ON

11919 NEWMAN, Harrison John 13th Oct., 2011 Nepean, ON

22335 MENZIES, Eric John (Rick) 14th Act., 2011 Salmon Arm, BC

Rest In Peace. Courtesy RCMP Vets’ Net.

If you are aware of any member(s) who are in-

volved in activities beneficial to our Association

or it’s membership, please drop a short note to

us at RCMPVA, P.O. Box 5650, Winnipeg, MB

R3C 3K2, Attn: Ray Strokon, Awards and Rec-

ognition Chair, so that we may recognize that

contribution before our membership.

Such awards are usually presented at the

Awards Luncheon in May of each year.

Awards and

Recognition

Keeping In Touch

Farewell to our members

Bob Martell and Bob Corri-

gan, and to retired member

Bob MacQuarrie

(Obituary not available),

who passed away very re-

cently.

Our condolences were of-

fered to Janet Corrigan and

family, and Kay Martell

and family, and to Pat

MacQuarrie and family at

Flin Flon.

Please Welcome the following new members: C.3030 Bryon Batchelor P.O. Box 113, Camp Morton, MB R0C 0M0 (204) 642-4318

[email protected]

22905 Dennis R. Hawkins P.O. Box 771, Petersfield, MB R0C 2L0 (204) 886-2299

[email protected]

Tranferred to Manitoba Division from Regina Division:

23544 Phil Burton #5—559 Greenwood Drive, Morden, MB R6M 0B3 (204) 822-8352

[email protected]

Renewing Membership:

25350 Ed Sloane 59 Portside Drive., Winnipeg, MB R2N 0E2 (204) 255-5891

[email protected]

Keeping In Touch

ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE VETERANS’ ASSOCIATION Board of Directors - News and Views

October 2011

PRESIDENT'S CORNER: From the Desk of the National President

Royal Visit – The Right Honourable David JOHNSON and Mrs. Sharon JOHNSON invited National President Tim and his wife

Betty to the ceremony that officially welcomed Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on

their inaugural Royal Tour of Canada at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. It was an honour for the Veterans Association to

be invited.

The BOD sanctioned the attendance of President Tim and his wife Betty to attend the ceremony. On the 30th of

June we made our way to Rideau Hall, where we were escorted to VIP seating. We were seated in the front row

approximately twenty-five feet from the entrance. It was an exhilarating experience to say the least. Unfortu-

nately we did not get to meet the Royals.

Greetings and we sincerely hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. In regards to Thanksgiving I would like to

briefly comment on the loss of one of our strongest supporters over the years, John RELIGA. John was a very un-

selfish supporter of our Association. He visited the National Office every day for more then ten years. I personally

worked with him on the Benefit Trust Fund (BTF) for eight years. John supported me and provided advice

whether I needed it or not. A special tribute is being organized for John’s family around the 6 Dec 11. He has been

hard to replace but we are working on it and I also have to give credit to his replacement Maz Mufti. Maz is ex-

tremely dedicated and working hard on getting all our finances in order. We must never forget that we are volun-

teers, because sometimes we seem to forget that these dedicated people are donating their time and experience to

the Association.

We have two other members who deserve special thanks for their dedication to the Association and they are Execu-

tive Director Bill Gidley and National Advocate Dale Lively. The BOD and I are sure the membership thank you

both.

We are seeking a new Executive Director and if you are interested please do not hesitate to apply. Application are

requested by the 30th November 2011, RCMP Veterans’ Association, HQ Office, Ottawa.

We have decided on a National Advocate and it will be Bill GIDLEY who is well versed in assisting our Veterans in

many ways. We only had two applications for this position.

―Assistance Allowance‖: - If you have a one per cent (01%) disability, please apply for this allowance. We have

265 members across Canada getting this allowance. It would be nice to know what they are getting. Contact has

been made with VAC to determine some statistics such as: Total number of RCMP Applications; total number

granted and why; total number denied and why? If you need further information on Assistance Allowance please

check the National Website as a detailed summary on Assistance Allowance has been on our site for some time

now. (www.rcmpvetsnational.ca)

The RCMP has at this time has 19,000 + regular members and we the Veterans have 14,000 + retired somewhere

out there in Canada. We have approximately 5,000 members in the Association. We need these 9,000 members

http://www.rcmpvetsnational.ca

Keeping In Touch

sitting out there to join the Association so that when dealing with the RCMP,

Government, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), and other organizations, we would have a much stronger voice with

which to work on your behalf. Just think about it and I am sure it will make sense to you that the voices of 14,000

compared to 5,000 would surely be something to be seriously considered.

Definition of a Veteran: - Having the RCMP Veterans included in the definition is being researched by the Office

of the Veterans Ombudsman (OVO), and we should learn something very soon.

―NOT for PROFIT‖: We are a ―Not for Profit Organization‖ in regards to the RCMP Veterans Benefit Trust

Fund, and, any monies provided or granted or donated to this fund will be given a tax receipt for income tax pur-

poses from Maz Mufti, National Treasurer. We would encourage members to consider utilizing it as we can then

make the fund self-sufficient and expand its usage.

Possible new Division: - The formation of a new Division is being considered in the Grand Prairie Region and we

wish them all the best. The National will do it’s best to assist in any way.

Grave Markers: - Our presentation to Deputy Commissioned NAUSE in this regard dealt with the suggestion

that the Act be amended to include: Markers may be purchased by family members or the RCMP Veterans Asso-

ciation. As it stands now, the member would have to have had a pension to qualify for a marker. We are looking at

the first 300. This recommendation will be considered by the RCMP.

VIP/Marriage 60+: - these issues surrounding VIP and Marriage after Sixty are being discussed at every opportu-

nity. Financial support for these issues is the major handicap for the Government of Canada/RCMP at this time,

especially with Government cutbacks.

WHAT’S GOING ON?

05 Mar 11 - Email from National Advocate Dale Lively stating that he will not be able to continue as the National

Advocate. Position was advertised via the National Website.

21 June 11 - Executive Director, Bill Gidley laid a wreath at Confederation Park, Ottawa, on behalf of our Associa-

tion in recognition of Aboriginal Veterans.

22 June 11 - I received a call from Via Rail on our request for promotional fares for Canadian Veterans to include

RCMP veterans with apology for delay and can expect reply directly. A letter was received dated 21 Sept 11 stat-

ing they are not looking to extend the program and thanked us for our interest in Via Rail.

28 June 11 - Executive Director, Bill Gidley represented President Tim Hoban at the FSNA Dinner and recognition

Ceremony in Ottawa.

29 June 11 - President Tim Hoban attended the organization meeting of the new Finance Committee, BOD, in Ot-

tawa where some objectives and goals were established.

30 June 11 - President Tim Hoban and his wife Betty, by special invitation, attended the welcome for Royal Visit

held at the Governor General’s, Ottawa.

04 Aug 11 - President received an email from Executive Director, Bill Gidley that he was retiring from his position

and that he was interested in the National Advocate position. The National Operations Committee (NOC) was re-

sponsible for the research and development and subsequent Advertisement recently distributed for the Executive

Director’s position.

20 Sept 11 - I attended a meeting with Governor, Bill PATTON in Edmonton, AB., wherein we discussed a number

of issues. Bill suggested an Advocate’s Committee be struck providing assistance/support/and back-up for the Na-

tional Advocate. This would give an overview of every part of the country as all are different providing representa-

tion for the five regions (RCMP) across the country (Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairie and Pacific).

It was also suggested that we should involve all Canadian Forces Organizations in assisting Veterans i.e.; peace-

keeping veterans organization which is national.

22 Sept 11 - I visited Capital Care Kipnes Center for Veterans in Edmonton and met with Deborah MALANSON,

Community Services Coordinator as well as the Executive Director. They would welcome RCMP Veterans however

with projected cutbacks by VAC, it was suggested that the rooms available for Veterans will soon be disappearing.

There is only one RCMP Veterans in this facility and I spent approximately forty minutes visiting with him. He is

George CUTTING, 98 years old and still going strong. His room is quite large, very clean and he is quite satisfied.

RCMP Veteran Gordon GREIG is quite active within their organization.

26 Sept 11 - I attended in Ottawa for the National BOD Video Conference meeting in Ottawa. Minutes distributed.

Keeping In Touch

27 Sept 11 - 8:30 am – A meeting was held with the new Veterans Ombudsman, Mr. Guy Parent, in his office in

Ottawa. Report distributed.

11:00 am – Meeting with Deputy Commissioner Al NAUSE, RCMP HQ. Report distributed.

2:00 pm - Meeting with Mr. Brad WHITE, Secretary, Dominion Command Royal Canadian Legion, in

Kanata. Report distributed.

29 Sept 11 - 8:30 am - I attended a meeting with the Veterans Ombudsman Advisory Committee in Ottawa. Presi-

dent Tim Hoban replaced Past President Larry POWER due to sudden illness. This is reported in the article be-

low. Past President Larry Power is to make a decision regarding his continuing on this committee within a few

weeks. I will advise and update you when this takes place.

11 Oct 11 - I contacted VAC, Mr. Keith HILLIER in PEI regarding Assistance Allowance and requested all the

statistics compiled by them in regards to RCMP Veterans usage of Assistance Allowance.

Job Description for the new Commissioner - Upon review of the job description for our new Commissioner, it

was noted that nowhere was there any mention of the RCMP. I made a phone call to the Chair of the Commit-

tee. The chairlady was advised that this was a gross oversight and must be changed as many RCMP Veterans

were astounded by the oversight thinking it was either deliberate or simply an oversight. The chairlady agreed

with me and stated it would be changed. Now we just have to wait and see.

First Veterans Ombudsman Advisory Committee Meeting 29 September 2011, Ottawa, ON

Larry Power, Past National President of the RCMP Veterans’ Association had been selected to attend this meeting,

however due to a sudden illness this meeting was attended by President Tim Hoban who was in Ottawa at this

time for meetings with the BOD, RCMP, Veterans Ombudsman and the Royal Canadian Legion. All expenses for

attending the Veterans Ombudsman Advisory Committee meetings are being paid by the Office of the Veterans

Ombudsman (OVO).

This was the first meeting with Mr. Guy Parent, Veterans Ombudsman. Parent advised that his overall role is one

of applying the principles of collaboration and cooperation with the Minister of Veterans Affairs and the Depart-

ment of Veterans Affair’s staff all the while ensuring that he meets his mandate and maintains the independence

of his Office. Parent meets regularly with the Minister and the Minister’s Chief of Staff on issues of concern to Can-

ada’s Veterans community.

The Veterans Ombudsman Advisory Committee consisted of ten members who do not represent any specific parent

association or group. The members of this Committee were selected by the Ombudsman based on their overall di-

versity of experience and advocacy in veterans’ issues. Part of the Committee’s mandate is to help provide the vet-

erans community with information related to the Veterans Ombudsman.

The Office of the Veterans Ombudsman (OVO) has its own budget but relies on Veterans Affairs for a fair measure

of administrative and resource support. The OVO has thirty-seven staff members plus a few staff vacancies. How-

ever, Parent expects to see them filled shortly. Like Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) the OVO staff is split between

Ottawa and Charlottetown.

The OVO’s web site which is linked to the RCMP Veterans’ Association web site (www.rcmpvetsnational.ca)

under the LINKS menu item and their web site gives a complete overview of their duties and responsibilities.

Along with informing this meetings participants, Mr. Parent advised President Hoban and members of the Board

of Directors (BOD) RCMP Veterans’ Association, who attended a private meeting with him on the 27th September,

that as Ombudsman that he is there to support all RCMP and indeed all veterans. The Veterans Bill of Rights pro-

National President Tim Hoban

Keeping In Touch

vides the foundation for their service.

The OVO Advisory Committee has also been restructured. Mr. Tom Hoppe, former President of the Canadian

Peacekeepers Veterans Association (CPVA) is the Chair of CPVA. The CPVA for your information encompasses all

Veterans, Peacekeepers, War-Fighters, Cold Warriors, Law Enforcers of the Canadian Forces, the RCMP, Police

and other Peace Officers, and Foreign Service Officers who have served in Canada or overseas with the CF, RCMP,

NATO, NORAD, UN, EU, OAS, AU, Commonwealth, the Civil Service, and other service with multinational and

international organizations recognized by the Government of Canada. Parent emphasized that this new Committee

is an integral part of the OVO and that he is looking forward to the Veterans Ombudsman Advisory Committee

playing an active role with the OVO.

Briefings provided by the Director General of OVO and his Directors gave the Committee an understanding of how

the OVO operates. Here are some points that may interest you and provide a better understanding of the scope and

complexity of VAC’s operations.

Highlights:

a. 73% of first level claims for disability from serving and retired Canadian Forces (CF) members to VAC receive

favourable consideration. 27% claims go on to appeal before the Veterans Review and Appeal Board [VRAB] a fur-

ther 60% are approved and 89% of claims are approved.

b. VAC is completing an evaluation to make the best use of their resources.

c. Agent Orange: 265 application claims (16 have been approved and paid compensation).

d. 30% serving CF members receive disability compensation from VAC.

Current Priorities:

a. Veterans Independence Program (VIP),

b. Long Term Care,

c. Mental Health,

d. Families,

e. Benefits Adjudication,

f. Agent Orange,

g. Funeral and Burial Program; and

h. New Veterans Charter Parliamentary Review Project.

The OVO works at three levels, Information, Facilitation, and Intervention. The latter level breaks down into Me-

diation, Observation, Investigation, and Reporting. Since 2007, there have been 4,716 complaints received. 264

have been referred to other agencies or departments for action, 634 were referred to VAC for resolution, and 3,818

were addressed by mediation.

Complaints break down: Former CF regular members 39%, still serving regular and reserve CF Members 5%,

WWII and Korean War veterans 15%, RCMP 3%, CF Reserve Members 4%, Survivors 14% and Civilians 2%, Oth-

ers 18%.for a total of 4,716.

Currently there are 91,300 serving CF members and 593,700 CF veterans with about 6,000 being added yearly to

the CF veterans’ category, of which 66,554 are VAC clients. Plus there are 155,700 WWII and Korean War veterans

of which 64,968 are VAC clients, and VAC has 78,183 survivors as clients. And there are approximately 22,161

serving RCMP members and 13,371 RCMP veterans of which 8,733 are VAC clients and currently VAC has about

210,578 clients. The impression that President Hoban, VP Cal Small, Secretary, Alex Geddes and Bill Gidley, Ex-

ecutive Director of the RCMP Veterans’ Association BOD got from meeting privately with Veterans Ombudsman,

was that Mr. Guy Parent is extremely knowledgeable, experienced and quietly driven to communicate and cooper-

ate with all Veterans. Parent told our members that he intends to meet with the new Commissioner of the RCMP

as soon as the Commissioner is appointed. Talking points are being provided to Parent for this upcoming meeting.

AlexGeddes

National Secretary ---

The National Operations Committee: The National Operations Committee reviewed the Executive Director's

position in order to update the operation manual and we updated the position description (Job Description). Sec-

ondly, we reviewed the Executive Director's contract and found it to be outdated and ambiguous. We felt it left the

association and the incumbent vulnerable. We consulted with the incumbent to ensure that the functions and du-

ties performed matched the job description. An updated contract was developed and approved by the committee on

Keeping In Touch

September 19th, 2011. Additionally, we were notified during the summer that the present Executive Director, Bill

Gidley, had submitted his resignation and will be leaving his position as soon as we have found a suitable candi-

date. Bill is planning to continue with the National Office in the capacity of "Members Advocate" replacing Dale

Lively. In response to this notification, the committee developed a bulletin advertising the Executive Position and

this has been distributed to all Divisions, uploaded to our website and forwarded to Richter's newsletter and the

Vets net. We hope to interview prospective candidates in December and have the position filled for occupancy in

January. Additionally, the committee is finalizing the final drafts of the Operational manual and this will be up-

loaded to the website and distributed to all Divisions as soon as possible.

Al Rivard

Chair, National Operation Committee

---

THE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE -After the AGM in Newfoundland I was appointed as chair to the two commit-

tees responsible for the Quarterly magazine replacing Cal Small, presently our Vice President. Since then I’ve

been busy getting familiar with the processes of putting out the Quarterly. John Oliver has replaced Geoff Garceau

as Treasurer. There will be a learning curve for both of us but we hope to be fully up to speed before the next meet-

ing. I want to thank Geoff for his patience and tenacity in getting the financial end of the magazine in some sense

of order and for his innovative ideas. John and I will need some time to catch up to John Religa’s and Geoff’s initia-

tives. We certainly plan to pursue the possibilities and ideas outlined in the previous meetings. We are the new

members on the Editorial Management Board and I’m glad to say that the rest of the members will remain on

board thereby providing continuity and corporate memory.

On the Board of trustees, I’ve replaced Cal Small and Michael Duncan has agreed to join the team replacing John

Religa.

Chantal Renaud has agreed to take over the Christmas Card program previously administered by John Religa and

she has this program firmly in hand.

John Religa had applied for a grant from Heritage Canada and we were recently advised that the Quarterly had

been approved for a grant of $24,900 to be dispersed in two payments, one in the fall and the next in the early part

of 2012. We were also advised that we should be able to qualify for subsequent grants in the future. The applica-

tion forms will be made available in early October with a submission date of November 24, 2011. I’m already work-

ing on collecting the required information to make that submission.

The printing contract with PrintWest is coming due in 2012. During my visit to Regina in August I took the oppor-

tunity to visit the PrintWest facilities and meet with Dan Marce and Dennis Hermel. PrintWest his submitted

their proposal for a contract renewal covering the next five years. This proposal was approved by the Board of

Trustees. During a subsequent trip to Regina and met with the PrintWest representative and signed the agree-

ment.

Al Rivard

Chair, Quarterly Editorial Board and Quarterly Board of Trustees

Dues,Dues,Dues…………………..

Please review the list of Reg. #’s below. If your number appears, please send in your dues immedi-

ately. Unpaid memberships lapse after 1 January 2012. We don’t like posting Reg. No.’s in KIT,

but after sending out invoices and a number of “chasers”, we have little choice.

30545 27114 40175 26111 35419 35738 27730

41232 38929 27595 28141 31854 25842 29344

24788 20800 33216 O.1636 33678

If you no longer wish to be a member of the Association, please advise accordingly to the contact

numbers at the lower left on Page One, or contact Trevor Lawless at [email protected].

Keeping In Touch

Minutes

Executive Meeting

20 SEPT 2011

Present: Bob Wass, George Dobson, Tom Larkin, Murray McNeill, Roy Strokon, Trevor Lawless, Jan Wolinski,

Jack Lawson, Wayne Mirrlees, Don Fleetwood, Roy Campbell and Dave Roach.

Order: Meeting called to order by Jan @11:35.

Acceptance of Minutes of Previous Meeting: Minutes accepted as read. M/S Bob Wass/Tom Larkin.

Correspondence Received: E-mail of newsletter from Regina and Okanogan Divs. Obit for John Religa,

Thank you card from Cecile Lafrenier, one 2012 membership dues. Correspondence from Cancer Care Manitoba

and the Huntington Society of Canada.

Unfinished Business: We discussed the fact that someone should be selected to oversee any submissions from

our Vets organization to the Quarterly. This issue was brought up by Dave Dunford a couple of meetings ago. To

–date we have no one person identified. Something will go into the next KIT advising that if anyone has any-

thing regarding the veterans’ association they want put into the Quarterly, they should send it to the executive

and Jan will submit it to Ottawa.

Bob Wass updated us on the Emerson Project. Ray Johnson will look after decisions until Gunnar gets back from

holidays. Wayne suggested that maybe the old cabinet might go back into the mess. Don will ask Scotty about it

when he visits him in the hospital tomorrow.

Accounts: Trevor went over his approved budget for 2011/2012. Trevor also handed out a copy of his monthly

budget report and went over same. M/S Don Fleetwood/Jack Lawson to accept the budget report. We still have

24 outstanding members who have not paid their 2011 dues. There was considerable discussion regarding the

declining numbers of new members joining or older members not renewing their memberships?

Committee Reports:

-Trust Fund: No Report.

-Credentials and Membership: No Report

-Welfare and Benefits: George commented on the passing of Bob McQuarrie and Bob Corrigan.

Jack Lawson updated us on Jim Adlard, Gord Spring and Mac McMillan. Don advised he was up to see Scotty

Davison in the hospital and gave us an update.

-Entertainment: Wayne updated us on the luncheon in Minnedosa on the 1st of Nov. Wayne advised Carl Pur-

chase , Tom Larkin and Bob Brown are on his Entertainment/Social committee. Wayne also advised that he had

been talking to S/Sgt Major Tom Sutcliff at ― D‖ Div. and advised there is no problem with the veteran’s access to

―D‖ Div. HQ. Murray advised there was a good turnout by Wpg people for the Selkirk breakfast.

-Awards and Recognition: Ray reminded everyone to submit names of people who might be considered for

awards at our next awards luncheon in the spring of 2012. The idea of having members and guests stand up at

meetings and introduce themselves, might be a good idea.

-Communication: Don advised he was going to send the KIT out direct to the membership as opposed to sending

it out via the web master due to the fact it takes a long time to get it out. Don also advised that Murray was go-

ing to share his work in sending out KIT.

-Book of memory: Don advised there were 43 new names to be put into the book of memory this Nov. dedication

New Business: Don brought up the issue of us being more responsible regarding issues of attending ceremonies

etc. We, as an organization expect certain gratuities from the RCMP and we should be in a position to give back

to them when called upon. This message has to go out to the general membership. Right now it seems with the

exception of a couple of retired vets the majority of these tasks are being taken on by the executive members.

Good of the Association: Wayne asked about the letter from the 2008 AGM which we were going to publish in

KIT , wanted to know if it is still going to be published again. Don advised it would be in the next KIT. Wayne

also asked about the newest version of ―Upon Your Demise‖. It is still with Joe. Quotes on the plaques for the

honor roll people have still not been obtained. The new phone list is still being worked on.

Adjourned:12:00.

Next General Meeting: 4 OCTOBER 2011, ―D‖ Div. HQ @ 7:30.

Next Executive Meeting: 18th October 2011, St. James Legion @10:30AM.

Keeping In Touch

Minutes

General Meeting

4 October, 2011

This Meeting was attended by 18 voting members. As this does not constitute a Quorum, any votes taken were without force.

Order: 2nd VP Tom Larkin called the meeting to order, and delegated Wayne Mirrlees to Chair the meeting.

Opening Prayer: Chaplain Bob Wiebe led the prayer.

Self-Introduction: All present introduced themselves by name and regimental number.

Correspondence Received: Application for membership from Reg. No. 22905,Dennis Hawkins.

Old Business:

Unpaid Second Man project: Don Fleetwood gave an update on this project, which seems to be stalled with respect to the method of recognition to the ladies nominated.

Submission of local issues to the Quarterly: Ray Johnson volunteered to manage submission of local interesting issues to the Quar-

terly.

AGM2011: Wayne Mirrlees reported that the Executive had agreed to cap funding for our delegate to the AGM (Alaska Cruise) to

$3,000.00; an average of expenses for recent AGM attendance. George Dobson advised that the duration of the AGM-segment of

AGM2011 has been limited to three hours.

Display Case at Manitoba Tourism-Emerson: Ray Johnson reported on the replacement of the glass panels which had been broken in

transit to Emerson. Ray and Fred Ross had attended and relocated our artifacts into the new display case. Ray further advised that

the statue (Equestrian Monument to NWMP) was looking good with new concrete pathways and floodlighting. There was further

discussion on the use of the old cabinet as a display case in “D” Div. Wayne Mirrlees to discuss with C.O.’s assistant and report.

Honour Roll Plaques: Wayne Mirrlees reported on our liaison with the Slain Peace Officer’s Fund to erect memorials to the 14 de-ceased members on the RCMP Honour Roll who have not yet been recognized with a cairn and plaque at the Detachment they last

served at. The problem is to find a supplier for the bronze castings required. George Dobson advised that the Force has a supplier –

we should check that out. Tom Larkin agreed to seek a firm to do the casting.

Grave Inspections: Don Fleetwood raised the topic of our lack of involvement in the RCMP Grave Inspections program. Wayne

Mirrlees suggested Ian Hall might be available to head up such a Committee. President Jan to write to Ian Hall on the matter.

Accounts: Trevor Lawless re-cap’d our financial status. Dues:- Two outstanding from 2010 have paid up, but there are 19 members

who have not paid their 2011 dues. Regimental numbers to appear in KIT.

Committee Reports: Membership: Treasurer, Membership Chair and Comn’s to meet to resolve discrepancies in the Membership List before it is distrib-

uted to the membership in late October. A Membership Application is to be published in KIT so that any member can be a

“recruiter”.

Trust Fund: No report.

Welfare and Benefits: Many members participated in a review of the situation involving the recovery of Jock Forbes, Jack

McQuade, Joe Dittrick, Sammi Hickling, and Scotty Davison (knee replacement), Bart Hawkins, and Bob Syrette. We noted the

tragic passing of Bob Martell and Bob Corrigan, and Marg Kineshanko (Bruce’s widow), and Bob MacQuarrie. Social Committee: Wayne Mirrlees reported on the Luncheon Meeting at Minnedosa on 1 Nov., 2011. Members planning on attend-

ing should give advance notice to contacts listed in Sept. KIT.

Communications: No report.

Book of Memory: Memorial Ceremony set for 1:00 p.m., 29 Nov., 2011, in the Atrium at “D” Div. HQ. All are welcome to attend.

Good of the Association:

George Dobson expressed concern that no appointments had been made to Chair, or take minutes, in advance of the meeting, and

that we were unable to attract a quorum of 20 voting members. Wayne Mirrlees to discuss the issue with President Jan Wolynski.

Adjourned at 8:40pm

Next Executive Meeting: 18 Oct, 2011 10:30am @ RCL#4

Next General Meeting: 1 Nov., 2011, 11:30 a.m. @ Minnedosa G. & C.C.

Reminder: 2012 Dues are due 1 January 2012. Dues remain at $40.00. Please remit to RCMPVA, P.O. Box

5650, Winnipeg, MB R3C 3K2. Attn: Trevor Lawless, Treasurer

Keeping In Touch - mbvet.ca · Jan Wolynski Keeping In Touch Inside this issue: ... and family, and...

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