BCGREA Branch 2000 Cheam View General Meeting Minutes for November 2016, held at Canton Gardens, Chilliwack; Tuesday Nov. 15. 1. Meeting was called to order by Peter Maguire, Chair, at 12:05 pm with 22 in attendance; 23 by meeting end. 2. Moment of Silence to honour and remember: past members; friends and family; our military and those we rely on in emergency services and especially in the month of Nov, our veterans of all wars past and present who gave of themselves with many giving the ultimate sacrifice. We shall not forget them. 3. Grace was given by Jack Kouwenhoven. 4. Opening Remarks by chair Peter Maguire; Peter and Rick attended the AGM in Tsawwassen Oct. 19. Reports were circulated for those interested. Peter thought the meeting was pretty good. It s reported that this meeting was the first where all the branches had submitted everything required on time, reports and financial reports. Also at the AGM meeting: Guest speaker Lisa Hansen spoke on the new Thrive plan from Johnson health insurance; After hearing guest speaker Sally Thompson, it was discussed and passed that the BCGREA would open a partnership with Canada Hearing Centre; new information on payment of membership fees re auto check off, see attached. Correspondence received that as of April 1 st 2017, our carrier for extended health will change from Blue Cross to Green Shields. More details to come. Two attending guests, Delores s daughter in law Connie and Lynne D s friend Carol. 5. Minutes of Last General Meeting held Oct. 18 2016 at Canton Garden, were read by secretary. Request for any Errors and Omissions was made, response was negative (other than previously noted correction to next meeting date from Nov 13 to 15). MSC to accept as read. (Val Stevenson and Lynne Burger.) 6. Reports: Chair: provided by Peter Maguire; Remember that our Government Pension is one of the best managed in North America. Our pension should be safe in our lifetime at least. BCGREA General Meeting Minutes Nov 15, 2016 Page 1
No changes in the Provincial executive in the recent election at the AGM meeting, President remains Ken Pendergast. See website for list of Provincial executive members. Vice-Chair: provided by Rick Porcina; More on the AGM: Guest speakers, Johnson s with a draw for a free TV, was not won by either Peter or Rick; all the AGM reports are on the website, if you have any problems accessing these contact Rick. Major discussion and problem within all Branch s is to motivate members to come to meetings. Generally the membership is aging. Branch 2000 has been asked by President Ken Pendergast to present at the April delegates meeting on having a successful turnout to meetings. Secretary: Dawn Stubley; Nothing at this time. Treasurer: provided by Lynne Burger; Lynne covered details of the Oct. Financial statement, income and expenses. Last balance as confirmed by the bank statements: $2912.00 Request for any Errors and Omissions was made, response was negative. MSC to accept as read. (George Angus and Harondel Sibble). Complete statement attached to minutes. Membership: provided by Lynne Dennis; Our branch membership continues at 168 members, however, just in, we have two new members, Michael and Nancy Dewery. If you would like to order a personal BCGREA name badge, see Lynne D. The BCGREA provincial newsletter the Pen can be received electronically, you just have to contact Lynne D., for set up. The next Newsletter is planned for January. Contributions to the content are welcomed. See Lynne D. Transportation: If you need a ride to meetings or if we can assist in any way, please contact transportation coordinator and director Ken Thompson or Peter. Ken absent. BCGREA General Meeting Minutes Nov 15, 2016 Page 2
COSCO (Council of Seniors Citizens Organizations of BC): COSCO website www.coscobc.ca The BCGREA is a COSCO affiliate and meets monthly at Hastings Community Centre, Vancouver. As a paid affiliate of COSCO, our branch is entitled to sending a delegate to the meetings. See website more information. We re still on the lookout for a Branch COSCO representative to read the COSCO minutes and report out to members on significant topics. Communications/Web Master: Rick Porcina. For all those gardeners out there, Rick will be posting a link, provided by Jack Kouwenhoven, to the Chilliwack Garden club website. Guest Speakers: facilitated by Delores Hiles; Stay tuned for 2017 speakers. If you have any suggestions for guest speakers or topics you would like to hear about, please let Delores know. Directors/Past Chairs: Joe Hahn; Joe absent. 7. Introduction of Guest Speaker: by Delores Hiles: Our Guest Speaker was Rachel Doucetto, Senior Peer Counsellor. Chilliwack Senior Peer Counsellors is a volunteer non-profit support service ready to help seniors and has been in operation since 2000. Their purpose is to enhance the social and mental health of seniors in the City of Chilliwack. They especially reach out to isolated, lonely seniors. Their volunteer peer counsellors are usually retirees who come with knowledge from their previous occupations and take a training course to help them with counselling skills. After the required police record check and the completion of the 40 hour University of Victoria training program, they match each peer counsellor with a senior who needs help. The counsellors are available to listen, to help, to discuss, offering one on one listening, empathy and information to seniors to enable them to help themselves. Rachel encouraged members to consider becoming a peer counsellor and left a signup sheet for those wanting more information or were interested in taking the training required and welcomed members to drop in at the office downtown (45938 Wellington Ave., 604 793-7204). Ken Cruise, who also recently completed the required training, added his thoughts on the program. On a side note, Remember for senior assistance dial 211. BCGREA General Meeting Minutes Nov 15, 2016 Page 3
8. Old Business: No items brought forward. 9. New Business: Our Christmas luncheon will be Tuesday, Dec 20 th, our regular meeting date. Luncheon cost for members and guests will be the usual $11 with the Branch paying for top up required. Canned goods and donations will be collected for the local food bank. We hope to have a pianist for background music and possibly another skit from Delores. Draws for gifts will also occur. It was announced at the AGM meeting that the Public Service Board of Trustees will not add the shingles vaccine to our extended health benefit package. It was passed that the BCGREA will write a letter to the Provincial Government requesting them to include the cost of the shingles vaccine in the British Columbia Medical plan for all those senior of 65 years or older. Copied to Premier Christy Clarke, leader of the opposition and all MLA s. Remember it s time for flu shots, see your local pharmacist or doctor s office. 10. 50/50 Draw: the winning ticket for $14.50 was won by Jack Kouwenhoven. Congratulations Jack! 11. Meeting adjourned: The meeting was adjourned at 1:50 pm. The next executive meeting will be Dec. 15 and the next general meeting and Christmas Luncheon, December 20. BCGREA General Meeting Minutes Nov 15, 2016 Page 4
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CHEAM VIEW BRANCH BCGREA #2000 Financial Statement October2016 1. October 1, 2016 Opening Balance $ 2,980.77 2. Income: a) Sept Interest on Oct. Statement $ 0.03 b) Dues rec'd 5 @ $20 $ 100.00 c) 50/50 $ 15.50 Sale 1 My d) Voice $ 1.50 e) Meals Collected $ 275.00 TOTAL INCOME $ 392.03 BALANCE $ 3,372.80 3. Expenses: a) Ck #0162 b) Ck #0163 Canada Post PO Box rental $ 163.80 Canton 27 meals incl guest $ 297.00 TOTAL EXPENSES $ 460.80 4. BALANCE $ 2,912.00 CONFIRMED BANK BALANCE $ 2,912.00 BCGREA General Meeting Minutes Nov 15, 2016 Page 6