STS Provincial Executive Meeting January 8/9, 2020
Advocacy
AGM
Budget, Finance and Audit
Group Benefits
Outreach
Recreation
Resolutions
Honorary Life
*****Evaluations submitted after the “Presidents’ Day” in October, indicated that it was a productive day. Information and new ideas that participants were able to take back to the Chapters from the small group sessions were appreciated.
Adeline Wuschenny
Advocacy
- The Advocacy Committee recommended that Executive submit the following resolution to SSM:
- The Advocacy Committee has also asked that we raise the profile of:
- the SSM report - Strategizing for Positive Aging in Saskatchewan
- the STF report - Education Re-Imagined: 12 Actions for Education
AGM
- May 12-14, 2020 Travelodge Hotel, Saskatoon
- Tuesday – Registration (done by Unity Chapter), candidate speeches, followed by a mixer and refreshments
- Wednesday – Opening greetings followed by Interest Sessions
- STS Information and Benefits – Fred Herron
- Line Dancing – Teresa Wilson
- Banquet – entertainment Doug Arden, a Regina based comedian, magician and ventriloquist
- Thursday - AGM Meeting – standard format
Budget, Finance and Audit
- We continue to be in an excellent financial position showing net revenues of $120,470
- Both, the Extended Health Plan and the Dental Plan are doing well
- Discussion was held on two draft budgets and a revised budget will happen at the March meeting
- Membership is 11,700 as of the meeting date
Group Benefits
- Blue Cross reps , Bob Wilhelms and Leslie Donsberger, attended the meeting
- They provided more detailed list of specific claims for drugs, hospital, extended health benefits (expense claims are generally higher in January to May)
- We are in the second year of our contract
- The amount paid for each of the services is consistent with the same time period during last year with the increased costs consistent with the increased number of claims
- We reviewed the Summary of Health Revenue and Claims for the Extended Health Fund for the first 5 months (August to December)
- The report indicated that our Plans are in good shape
- Blue Cross has provided a document Outside Province of Residence Travel Benefits and Claims – it will be in Outreach. Executive members have a copy that can be emailed if needed.
- Total membership in one or both, of the Health and Dental Plans as of January 1, 2020 was 8,141
Outreach
- Submission of articles from your Chapter for Spotlight on Superannuates (significant birthdays or anniversaries, awards received, etc) and Superannuates Make a Difference (community service, assistance of special service to community organizations, etc.) The articles do not have to be lengthy. It is a great way to recognize your Chapter members. Send them to the STS Office anytime as they can be used to fill a small space when Outreach is drafted
Recreation
- Upcoming events – Bowling – Regina, April 23/24
- Mah Jongg – Meadow Lake , May 7
- Registration forms will be in the next issue of Outreach
- There appears to be enough interest in Pickleball and it may become a provincial event
- A quilting banner, donated by the Carrot River Valley Chapter, has been added to the curling and bowling banners. These banners are displayed when a Chapter hosts one of the recreation events.
Resolutions
- Two resolutions have been received thus far
- Remember that when you submit a resolution, it is necessary to include sufficient background information to support the resolution
- Resolutions submitted by March 1 will be published in the Outreach issue that is published prior to the AGM
Honorary Life
- Nominations that were submitted were reviewed briefly
- There are guidelines that should be considered when drafting submissions – the three areas of participation that are considered are:
- Contributions at the STS Provincial Level
- Contributions to STS Chapter Level
- Community Contributions
- Nominations should be submitted by February 1
*****Evaluations submitted after the “Presidents’ Day” in October, indicated that it was a productive day. Information and new ideas that participants were able to take back to the Chapters from the small group sessions were appreciated.
Adeline Wuschenny
STS PROVINCIAL REPORT - March 12, 2019
The Provincial STS Executive held its fourth Committee and Executive Meetings on March 11-12 in Saskatoon. The following notes are some highlights of the Committee and Executive meetings:
Advocacy
Portaplan: The Advocacy Committee recommended that a letter be written to Member Services expressing our concerns about both the changes and the process and that we strongly support maintenance of the status quo for all members who purchased Portaplan prior to 2017.
AGM
STS AGM will be held May 14-16, 2019 at the Travelodge in Saskatoon. May 14 will include speeches by Candidates for STS Executive and entertainment by a percussion ensemble. May 15 will include five interest sessions. Delegates will be able to choose three of the five: STS Information and Group Benefits, Immunization, Forever . . . in motion, Financial Transitions, and Diabetes. Entertainment after the Banquet and Presentations of Honorary Life Memberships will be by Martin Janovsky. May 16 is the day of the Annual Business Meeting which includes reports, resolutions and appointment of auditors.
Budget, Finance and Audit
We continue to have a good financial position in our Operating Fund showing Net Revenues of over $163,000. The increased revenue is due to higher administration commissions. All expenditures in our current Operating Budget are on track, except in the area of Computer and Programming. This is due to the implementation of cloud storage. We also met with our Deloitte Audit team members to review the process of the Audit Service Plan.
Our Extended Health and Dental Plans are doing well.
As of March 11, 2019 STS membership was at 11,573 which is an increase of 40 members since the January meeting.
Group Benefits
The first seven months of the new contract show surpluses in both the health and dental areas although claims exceeded premiums in January for the health portion. The surplus in the health portion of the plan was $421,374 and the dental portion’s surplus was $585,784 for a total surplus of $1,007,158 for the seven months. Drugs remain the highest cost item for the plan as over 147,000 scripts were filled between July 1, 2018 and January 31, 2019 for a total paid claim of $2,250,708. The total extended health benefit paid was $4,419,540 and the dental claims totaled $2,782,183. Membership in one or both of the Extended Plans was 7910 as of March 1, 2019.
Honorary Life Memberships
The Executive approved the committee’s recommendation to bestow Honorary Life Membership Awards on four individuals. If you attend the AGM you will get this information first-hand.
Outreach
There is always a need for submissions to Outreach for “Spotlight on Superannuates” and “Superannuates Make a Difference”. A photo could be included. At this time 1812 members receive an email notification when Outreach is available online.
Recreation
The committee is working on a document to assist chapters in hosting an event. A refined document will be brought to the Planning Meeting in September. For information about upcoming recreation events, you can find the information on the STS website.
Resolutions
There will be approximately 20 resolutions to be dealt with at the provincial AGM.
The Provincial STS Executive held its fourth Committee and Executive Meetings on March 11-12 in Saskatoon. The following notes are some highlights of the Committee and Executive meetings:
Advocacy
Portaplan: The Advocacy Committee recommended that a letter be written to Member Services expressing our concerns about both the changes and the process and that we strongly support maintenance of the status quo for all members who purchased Portaplan prior to 2017.
AGM
STS AGM will be held May 14-16, 2019 at the Travelodge in Saskatoon. May 14 will include speeches by Candidates for STS Executive and entertainment by a percussion ensemble. May 15 will include five interest sessions. Delegates will be able to choose three of the five: STS Information and Group Benefits, Immunization, Forever . . . in motion, Financial Transitions, and Diabetes. Entertainment after the Banquet and Presentations of Honorary Life Memberships will be by Martin Janovsky. May 16 is the day of the Annual Business Meeting which includes reports, resolutions and appointment of auditors.
Budget, Finance and Audit
We continue to have a good financial position in our Operating Fund showing Net Revenues of over $163,000. The increased revenue is due to higher administration commissions. All expenditures in our current Operating Budget are on track, except in the area of Computer and Programming. This is due to the implementation of cloud storage. We also met with our Deloitte Audit team members to review the process of the Audit Service Plan.
Our Extended Health and Dental Plans are doing well.
As of March 11, 2019 STS membership was at 11,573 which is an increase of 40 members since the January meeting.
Group Benefits
The first seven months of the new contract show surpluses in both the health and dental areas although claims exceeded premiums in January for the health portion. The surplus in the health portion of the plan was $421,374 and the dental portion’s surplus was $585,784 for a total surplus of $1,007,158 for the seven months. Drugs remain the highest cost item for the plan as over 147,000 scripts were filled between July 1, 2018 and January 31, 2019 for a total paid claim of $2,250,708. The total extended health benefit paid was $4,419,540 and the dental claims totaled $2,782,183. Membership in one or both of the Extended Plans was 7910 as of March 1, 2019.
Honorary Life Memberships
The Executive approved the committee’s recommendation to bestow Honorary Life Membership Awards on four individuals. If you attend the AGM you will get this information first-hand.
Outreach
There is always a need for submissions to Outreach for “Spotlight on Superannuates” and “Superannuates Make a Difference”. A photo could be included. At this time 1812 members receive an email notification when Outreach is available online.
Recreation
The committee is working on a document to assist chapters in hosting an event. A refined document will be brought to the Planning Meeting in September. For information about upcoming recreation events, you can find the information on the STS website.
Resolutions
There will be approximately 20 resolutions to be dealt with at the provincial AGM.
STS Report - October 28, 2018
The Provincial STS Executive held its second Committee and Executive Meetings on October 23 -25 in Saskatoon. This included the Chapter Presidents’ Day which was held on Thursday, October 25. Following these meetings, eight STS Councilors participated in STF Fall Council.
Following are some highlights of the Committee/Executive meetings and the Chapter Presidents’ meeting:
Advocacy
President Sunil Pandila and three executive members will attend the Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism (SSM) Advocacy Workshop in Regina on November 14 and the Member Consultation on November 15.
AGM
STS AGM will be held May 14-16, 2019 at the Travelodge in Saskatoon as it has in the past.
Plans will be finalized at the January meeting. Please note that your delegate number may change from last year since the decision to alter the delegate formula was made at the September meeting. Please refer to the September Report.
Attached is a set of guidelines that Chapters can use to write the Chapter Report that is included in the AGM material handed out to delegates at registration.
Budget, Finance and Audit
STS continues to have a good financial position and all expenditures are on track. However, because there will be significant expenditures for computer upgrading and possible additional expenditures with the changes in office space at the TCU building, we may find this budget line to be over budget.
Our Extended Health and Dental Plan is showing positive numbers to date. Membership in the Plan stayed stable which resulted in a surplus. The Extended Health and Dental Plan is also in a positive upswing due to the fee increase which took place July 1, 2018.
As of September 30, 2018, STS membership is at 11,533 which is an increase of 85 since August 31, 2018.
Group Benefits
A new pamphlet will soon be printed. It will be more comprehensive with several changes and more details.
Honorary Life Memberships
From the recommendation from the committee, the Executive accepted the following process for the nomination of Honorary Life membership:
- The nomination is to be no more than 600 words
- The contributions the nominee has made to STS should include:
b) Contributions at the STS Chapter level
c) Contributions to their community.
- When a nominee has been selected, the nominator will be asked to submit a 300 word citation to be read at the HLM presentation at the AGM banquet and will also be archived.
Nominations
If you know of any members in your Chapter who would be willing to serve on the Provincial Executive, please have them submit their name(s) to the STS office.
Outreach
There seem to be very few submissions to Outreach for “Spotlight on Superannuates” and “Superannuates Make a Difference”. Both of these can be very brief articles because most times they act as “fillers” of a small space. It could be about a volunteer service a member does in the community, a significant birthday, participation in a significant community event. It could be a group event like helping at the local school or helping with a local charity. A photo could be included.
Recreation
- There is concern that group recreation events (eg. Curling, bowling) sometimes happen with only one STS member being a part of the team. Therefore, there will be a change to Guideline 2.7 in the Policy handbook, p.31 to indicate that the primary focus should be on STS members and their spouse/partners.
- The Battlefords and District Chapter will host Kaiser in 2019.
- There was approval for a new recreation event, an “Arts Workshop” to be hosted by the Lloydminster Chapter in April, 2019. Watch for details in Outreach
- Outreach will have the dates and locations of all recreation events.
Resolutions
Disposition of Resolutions – most resolutions passed at the 2018 STS AGM have been dealt with; the rest are in the process of being dealt with.
A4: the formula for calculating delegates based on 2 delegates for the first 65 members and one more for each additional 65, has been enacted.
A7: The hosting grant for major activities (bowling, curling, quilting and golf) has been increased to $1500.
A16: Randy Schmaltz has indicated that this resolution concerning changes to The Education Act in 2017 will be forwarded on our behalf.
D1 and D2: Letters to the government regarding lobbying for an exemption from taxation for primary residential insurance and personal automobile usage have been responded to by Minister Donna Harpauer.
Chapter Presidents’ Day (Thursday, October 25)
Chapters were able to send two people to participate in this year’s Presidents’ Day discussions.
There were 38 Chapters represented. 22 Chapters sent a second person.
The topic for table discussion was: What does your Chapter plan to do to find new members and members to serve in Chapter leadership roles.
Milton Block and Leanne White, STF representatives, gave a presentation on “Re-Imagine Education”
.
Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism’s presentation was – Developing a Seniors’ Strategy for Saskatchewan. Following the presentation there was group discussion focusing on: Where we are now? Where we want to be? What needs to happen to get us there? What actions need to be taken? Who is best placed to contribute to the transitions? What would be some enabling factors?
SSM will provide a report on the discussion.