ALL THE NEWS FIT TO PRINT!

REMEMBRANCE DAY 2024

On Remembrance Day Canadians pause in a moment of silence to honour and remember:
All who have served, and those who continue to serve Canada
during times of war, conflict and peace.

DID YOU KNOW - NOVEMBER 2024

An Important Message from ACER-CART President Bill Berryman
Concerning An Action of The Retired Teachers Ontario RTO/ERO
At a recent ACER-CART Political Advocacy Committee meeting it was brought to our attention that the Retired Teachers Ontario (RTO/ERO) are considering changing the name of their organization to Entente. This is the same name as their Group insurance Plan. They are now claiming to be “Canada's Education Retirees” and want to expand across Canada by having other retired teacher organizations join their group insurance plans, hence becoming RTO/ERO members. I have written the following letter that was sent to the 54 RTO/ERO District Presidents explaining why this needed to be stopped and also explain that ACER-CART is the official body representing retired teachers in Canada. I believe it is important that RTO members be apprised of these actions and continue to support ACER-CART as “Canada's Education Retirees”. Bill Berryman President ACER-CART
Please click HERE to view the details of my letter.

A recent change in regulations to the Teachers’ Pension Plan increases the number of days a retired teacher can substitute in the 2024-25 school year.
The RTO has advocated through the NSTU RTO Liaison Committee for this increase.
Details can be viewed HERE

► Are you (or do you know) a retired teacher who would like to join the RTO? Simply complete the Application form, available under the Horizontal display menu item, Documents

The following RTO Table Officer positions are open for nominations for the terms noted: President ☆ 1-year position Treasurer ☆ 2-year position Secretary ☆ 2-year position

Completed application forms must be sent to the Chair of the RTO Nominating Committee Bill Berryman no later than February 28th., 2025. Fillable Applications for these positions are accessible below and under Documents on the RTO website.
Application for President - HERE
Application for Treasurer or Secretary - HERE

These positions will be filled at the RTO AGM in Halifax, tentatively scheduled for May 16th, 2025.

► YOUR SUMMER 2024 RTO NEWSLETTER can be viewed HERE

Comments can be sent to the RTO Newsletter Editor

► Forms and Applications on this website are now fillable. Instructions can be found in the Documents Menu.

► To view the latest edition of RTO Deals and Discounts list, CHECK HERE

► Your Retired Teacher Insurance: Updated March, 2024 - Who do you call? CHECK HERE

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2025 RTO Annual General Meeting Resolution Submission Form

Note: In accordance with the RTO Constitution, Resolutions to be presented at the 2025 AGM for debate and approval must be received by December 15th., 2024. A fillable resolution submission form is available here. or can be accessed by slecting the drop down menu item fillable forms found in the horizizontal menu item Documents.

► THE 2024 RTO PROVINCIAL CURLING BONSPIEL was hosted by the KINGS Local RTO at the Glooscap Curling Club in Kentville, NS, Friday, March 8th., and Saturday, March 9th., 2024. We extend congratulatons to Co-hosts Ed Getson and Keith Moore for organizing such a successful Bonspiel. Their final Bonspiel report can be read HERE.

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NOTE: The NS HEALTH link, CHECK HERE offers one-stop shopping, by identifying the many health services available to Nova Scotia residents. Its Main Menu, updated frequently, provides answers to questions you may be hesitant to ask of our health care system.

► The NS Positive Aging Directory gives quick and easy access to the many programs and services offered to seniors in our province.

Member at Large Positions

At the May AGM, RTO Member-at-Large positions terms in the following three regions were filled for 2024-2026 terms: Congratulations are extended to:
☆ Mickey Gouthro, Cape Breton-Victoria (Glace Bay District, New Waterford, Sydney and Area, and Northside-Victoria) ☆
☆ Chuck McLellan, South Shore (Lunenburg County, Queens, and Shelburne County) ☆
☆ Shelley Morse, Valley (Annapolis, Kings, and West Hants) ☆

2023 Annual Nova Scotia Teachers Pension Plan Report

Your 2023 Nova Scotia Teachers Pension Plan (NSTPP) Annual Report is available to view on the Teachers Pension Plan website HERE The Annual Report provides you with information on the TPP’s 2023 investment performance and its financial status at year-end December 31, 2023 and includes interesting membership statistics. 2022 Report Highlights can be viewed HERE

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NSTU/RTO Deals & Discounts

Be sure to check for the latest NSTU/RTO Deals & Discounts (August 2024) HERE or on the side bar.

ELDER ABUSE

WHAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW!
ACER-CART has produced a resource
for retired teachers and seniors to counter elder abuse.
in a information brochure and available here to view, in English OR French.

ACER-CART Recommends McMasters Optimal Aging Portal

Newspapers and the Internet cover lots of stories about health care for the aging Canadian, but the emphasis is usually on drama (dramatic findings from a new study, dramatic events with no mention of related scientific research), with less emphasis on substance.
Readers are left to wonder which information to trust.
The Canadian Association of Retired Teachers (ACER-CART) supports the McMaster University Optimal Aging Portal which features quality scientific evidence about healthy aging information that can help Canadians remain healthy, active and engaged and to manage their health conditions.
The Portal evaluates health research and resources, telling users whether free health resources on the Internet and in newspaper stories are based on scientific research, are reliable, and are worthy of note.
Users can register for free at: McMasters Optimal Aging Portal and gain easy access to search the full content of the Portal.

April is Advance Care Planning Month
April 16th is National Advance Care Planning Day, a day to promote conversations about your wishes and values for your future health care.
Advance Care Planning or ACP is a process that helps people prepare for future health care decisions and to choose decision makers in the event they are unable to speak for themselves.
The RTO has been partnering with the Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association to help people and their families prepare for a serious illness through advance care planning education. For more information on Advance Care Planning you can contact  Advance Care Planning or The Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association
 The Retired Teachers Organization and the Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association  jointly provide leadership for the planning to our membership and community.
 If your RTO Branch is interested in conducting an Advance Care Planning Workshop, please  contact your Branch President or Alyson Hillier at nsrtopresident@gmail.com