Keeping In Touch. Christmas 2014

Transcription

1 1 Manitoba Division Executive President: Bob Wass 1st. V.P.: Tom Larkin 2nd V.P. Dennis Hawkins Secretary: Dave Roach Treasurer: Trevor Lawless Past President: Jan Wolynski Committee Chairs: Chaplain: Rev. Bob Wiebe Communications: Murray McNeill Trust Fund: George Dobson Awards & Recognition: Don Fleetwood Welfare & Benefits: Dave Douglas Sgt. at Arms: George Wright Membership: Stu Stuart Social: Russ Waugh Regional Rep. Co-ord: Murray McNeill Member at Large: Dave Van Alstyne Mailing Address: RCMPVA P.O. Box 5650 Winnipeg, MB R3C 3K2 Communications Link: Murray McNeill (204) K.I.T. Editor: Alan Whitson K.I.T. is published monthly by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Veterans Association, Manitoba Division. P.O. Box 5650, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 3K2 Website: Christmas is rapidly drawing to a close. Most of us are looking forward to the Christmas season and planning activities that will include spending time with our families. I would also like to pass on our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to those veteran families who have lost a loved one this past year. As well our thoughts are with those veterans and families who have suffered serious health issues. In 2015 the Veterans Association will be moving forward with the implementation of the new By-Laws and a new National Manual. The new National Manual is on the website. The Membership of Manitoba Division have approved the new Manual for our Division and it is also on our website. Our annual General meeting took place on Nov 4 th 2014 and that was also election night. There are six current executive members who are leaving this year. I want to thank them Dave Roach, Wayne Mirrlees, Dave Dunford, Len Morgan, Jack Lawson and Ray Strokon for their dedication and contribution to our Association. I also want to thank all the remaining Executive members for their support in 2014 as they are staying on in Tom Larkin 1 st Vice President, Dennis Hawkins 2 nd Vice President, Trevor Lawless Treasurer were elected by acclamation. Murray McNeill Communications, Dave Douglas Welfare and Benefits and George Dobson Trust Fund have let their names stand as Members At Large for Welcome the new Executive committee members nominated: Mike McDonald Secretary, Our Association Directors: Russ Waugh Entertainment, Stu Stuart Membership and Credentials, Don Fleetwood Awards and Recognition, George Wright Master at Arms, Rev. Bob Wiebe Chaplain and Dave Van Alstyne Member at Large. On behalf of the entire new executive, I want to extend to all veterans and their families a very Merry Christmas and peace and good health in Bob Wass President 15 December, 2014 Volume 12, #10 Last Post RCMP Vets Net Obits - P.2 Good News! P. 2 Social Committee: Russ Waugh (rlwaugh@mts.net) Chaplains Message P. 3 Christmas party report P. 4 Honourary President P. 4 Welfare & Benefits Report P. 5 How are we doing? P. 5 From the Dec. 4th Meeting P. 5 Minutes of Executive Meeting of Oct 21st Pp 6 & 7 Minutes of General meeting of November 4th P. 8

2 2 The Last Post AYERS, David Lawrence 14/11/08 Qualicum Beach BC CLARKE, Gregory 14/11/11 Saskatoon SK???? SCHWARTZ, Dennis Clifford 14/11/12 Kelowna BC BRADFORD, David Alfred 14/11/13 Brighton ON ATKINSON, Donald Percy 14/11/15 Alliston ON PARKER, John James 14/11/16 Corner Brook NL MOSS, Barry Samuel 14/11/16 Newmarket ON MILLER, Syndey Ralph 14/11/16 Nanaimo BC WAINWRIGHT, Robert A. (Bob) 14/11/16 Edmonton AB ANDREW, T. E. (Ted) 14/11/23 Regina SK DIACUR, Mark Joseph 14/11/24 St. Catharines ON HULL, James Franklin 14/11/25 Vancouver BC LIGHT, Thomas 14/11/25 Regina SK PINNOCK, Frederick Howard 14/11/26 Orleans ON ABELL, George E. (Bud) 14/11/27 Windsor NS LEGARE, Pierre Peter 14/11/27 Ottawa ON SMITH, George Arthur 14/11/29 Bedford NS ADAMS, Melvin Wayne 14/12/03 Ottawa ON BARRETT, Christopher Douglas 14/12/06 Oshawa ON CULLIGAN, Ralph Murray 14/12/09 Richmond Hill ON Rest In Peace. Info Courtesy RCMP Vets Net. Good News! Good News! Good News! The following announcement has been received from RCMP Vets National Office. It is good news for all of us who are participants in the RCMP Life Insurance Programme. FWD: President, BOD, All Presidents, Governors and members RCMPVA: If you haven't heard already, there is a - premium holiday for Basic Life Insurance and Optional Life Insurance from January 1- December 31, As a result, members who are enrolled in these plans will not have to pay insurance premiums for this time period. Premiums for life insurance plans other than Basic and Optional remain the same.

3 3 A Christmas Message from your Chaplain Christmas is a time of hope, celebration, peace and good will to all men. Yet for some this is a difficult season, especially for those who have lost a loved one this past year, faced some serious health issues, or a host of other challenges that often come with aging, it can be a difficult time. For you, this Christmas may well be an event you would just as soon not celebrate, an event that you just want to get through. We give you permission to grieve, to not celebrate if that is what you need to do. Grief is a personal journey that each of us will take, and it must be taken at our own speed, and encompass those elements that we decide to engage in. Christmas and everything that goes with it is a time of hope and celebration. As impossible as that may seem, I would encourage you to practise even for some moments to just laugh, and enjoy the season. Impossible you might be saying, and I am glad you did, as I was reminded of something impossible that is actually very possible. Some years back now our youngest son who was attending university in Brandon, came home one day and informed us that he along with one of his buddies had made some mathematical, scientific calculations and had come to the conclusion that Hummingbirds really don t have the capacity or ability fly and do what they do. I was a little taken a back with his non-scientific findings, and my first response was, this must have taken some time out of your study time, and maybe the time you put into this research could have been better spent on actual class requirements. His conclusions as inaccurate as they were got me thinking. Christmas is really about impossibilities. A virgin birth, a King s birth announcement by lowly shepherds, a really improbable event, yet an event that some 2000 plus years later we still celebrate. The arrival on this earth of Christ. Snow Globes have brought joy to millions since the time of their invention. They are glass balls filled with liquid and miniature Christmas scenes, sometimes in the form of a music box, but holding one is like holding a miniature world in our hands. Maybe it s a church, a forest scene, a cattle shed or manger, or simply characters. Turn it over, shake it up, set it down and watch the snow swirl around the scene like a blizzard in the Rocky Mountains. But as you look at the Snow Globe and the snow settles, I am reminded that in this make believe environment you don t have to shovel the snow, you don t get frost bite, and there are no biting winds to freeze you. Then a sense of peace and tranquility begins to settle over this scene and it is my hope and prayer that you would experience a sense of that same peace and tranquility this Christmas season. Christmas is about the impossible having been made possible. Christmas is about the arrival of The Christ Child, who did not remain a child. I for one remain confident and convinced that the real meaning of Christmas is not in the gifts we will give and receive, not the hectic pace at which some will function. It is about peace and tranquility brought to our world by the arrival of The Christ, the Hope of our world. Sometimes our world is turned upside down, and we are faced with seemingly impossibilities. It is good for us to remember, that Christ is the Prince of Peace. My prayer and my hope for each of you and your families is that you will experience what only The Prince of Peace can bring during this time of year. May each of you find this Christmas a sense of peace and joy, brought about by what this season really and truly represents, impossibilities becoming possible. Rev. R.D. (Bob) Wiebe, Chaplain - RCMP Veterans Association, Manitoba Division

4 4 R.C.M.P. D DIVISION VETERANS ASSOCIATION Social Committee Christmas Party and General Meeting Report 2014 DEC HRS - D DIV. HQ NCO S MESS This year we had 91 attendees along with D Division Commanding Officer Assistant Commissioner Kevin BROSSEAU Sponsors were private individuals (who graciously donated treasures from their home collections) and PINERIDGE Hollow Restaurant, Home Décor/Furniture & Gift Shop. Income Rod & Val NOSEWORTHY & Cheryl WAUGH collected $ Tom LARKIN sold 50/50 tickets $ Lois DUDGEON sold raffle tickets $ Don WEBSTER (Auctioneer) Levied $ Ray STROKON Bar tips which he donated to Vets Assoc. $ Expense Portage Meats $ /50 winner $ PROFIT $ DRAW WINNERS DOOR PRIZE Regimental tie Trevor LAWLESS 50/50 DRAW - $185 Anne LAWLESS RAFFLES 1 RCMP RIDE THROW Gunner PERSON 2 PINERIDGE Hollow Home Décor/Furniture & Gift Shop Gunner PERSON 3 PINERIDGE Hollow Restaurant DINNER FOR FOUR by Chef Cheryl WAUGH AUCTION Regimental & tie clip Andrea PAUL We want to thank everyone that attended, assisted and purchased tickets. Russ Waugh Social Committee Chair Have a Merry Christmas and Happy Healthy New Year $1, $ Honourary President At our general Meeting of December 4th, Assistant Comm r Kevin Brosseau was installed as honourary President of the RCMP Veterans Association, Manitoba Division. Here we see him receiving his appointment certificate from President Bob Wass, as well as Ass t Commr Brosseau addressing the group following his installation. He had many kind words to say about the Vets and earned everyone s appreciation when he said that his first official duty was to adjourn the meeting so everyone could attend the party. Unfortunately, we had other things to do, so president Bob countermanded the decision. One of the few times he would be able to do so.

5 5 Welfare & Benefits Committee Report December 2014 Roy Campbell is still receiving treatment for Leukemia at the Health Sciences Center. Bob Wiebe visited with Roy and found him in fine form, but agitated because, as he put it, this place is like a jail. Roy has managed to keep his sense of humour throughout his treatments. He is able and willing to have visitors, but not anyone with anything contagious (flu or cold), as he is unable to fight those viruses. Please keep visits short, as he tires easily. He would definitely enjoy a double/double Tim Horton s. Stan Jaworski was in the hospital for an extended period of time this summer with a bad case of pneumonia. After he was released, he had a fall while going to see his doctor for a checkup and fractured a vertebra in his back and is now recovering from that injury at home. I will be visiting Stan in the near future and I will drop him off a Christmas cake and a fruit basket. Lois Dudgeon reports that both Phil and Carol Burton are doing well. They both finished taking their cancer treatments this summer and Phil is back to his every 6-month check-up and Carol is feeling and looking great. Great news. As the Division Advocate for the Association, I have handled 6 referrals. Dave Douglas Chair, Welfare & Benefits Committee Director, Welfare & Benefits Committee How are we doing? In 2007 the Executive of the day decided that there was a need to inform the general membership of the Division activities, so they directed that a monthly newsletter be created and distributed to all members. Thus KIT () was started to achieve this objective. Your current Executive would now like to know if KIT is getting the news and information out to membership that they want to see and read? Are the guidelines created in 2007 dated and in line with what the membership currently want? Is our monthly news bulletin in line with what is produced in other Division? What do we need to do to improve KIT, if that is what the membership actually want? At the October meeting they directed that a committee be struck to look into these questions and report back in due course. President Bob Wass appointed me as Communications Director to Chair this Committee. Don Fleetwood and Tom Larkin volunteered to work on the committee, and I have asked Alan Whitson our current KIT editor to also join. I have determined that first and foremost we need feedback from the membership both positive and negative. I am asking that you provide this feedback either by to manrcmpvets@gmail.com or by Canada Post to RCMPVA P.O. Box 5650 Winnipeg Manitoba R#C 3K2 before January 15 th 2015 Murray McNeill, Manitoba Division Communications Director From the December 4th meeting At our last meeting, we had the pleasure of installing Scotty Davison as a life member of the Association for all the work he has done over the years. Bravo to Scotty. It is a well-deserved honour. Here we see Scotty receiving his Life Member Certificate. That same evening, we also installed our new Executive and Board of Directors. On the left, you can see the austere group who will be guiding us through the next year. Thanks to all of them for standing for office.

6 6 Minutes Executive Meeting 21 OCTOBER 2014 St. James Legion Present: Bob Wass, Trevor Lawless, Ray Strokon, Wayne Mirrlees, Dave Dunford, Dennis Hawkins, Tom Larkin, Don Fleetwood, George Dobson and Dave Roach. Order: Bob called meeting to order at 10:00. Acceptance of Minutes of Previous Meeting: Minutes accepted as reported. M/S Dave Dunford/Wayne Mirrlees, to accept the previous meeting minutes. Carried. Correspondence Received: Newsletter and amendment to this news letter from CVI. News letter from Nova Scotia Div. Request from one Bruce Duncan to locate a John Miller who was posted in D Div in National advised two new members have been appointed to the RCMP Veteran s Review Appeal board. Request from the Joint Veterans Association to attend the Nov. 11 th Ceremonies. One new membership application and one 2014 membership dues. (There were some questions regarding clarification of just what is the RCMP Veteran s Review Appeal board does- Bob will contact National for clarification). Unfinished Business: (1) Associate Members This discussion was held in camera. After considerable discussion there was no motion put forward to change the current situation with our associate members. (2)By-Laws After considerable discussion, it was agreed that the following amounts will be identified in our new division by-laws. Up to $45.00 for comfort donations to people in the hospital and $50.00 donation for the bereavement of a member s spouse. Once the By-law committee has completed the changes and it has been voted on (Nov 4 th.) for approval, the first vice president of our executive will look after the by-laws and be responsible for amendments or changes to it. George thanked Wayne Mirrlees and Dennis Hawkins for their assistance on his committee to re-write the new bylaws. Wayne wanted it noted, that even though it is not noted in the by-laws, our protocol will be, that every person other than an invited civilian guest speaker to a social function, will pay regardless of who they are. (3) 2016 AGM: This discussion was held in camera. There was a motion made by Wayne Mirrlees, Seconded by Tom Larkin that we do not send a delegate to the 2016 AGM in Nova Scotia. Carried. Pres. Bob will notify Nova Scotia of this decision. (4)Book of Memory: The modernization of the Book of Memory program is still ongoing. This year s book of memory ceremony will be held at 1PM on the 12 NOV Accounts: Trevor went over up to date account statement. Everything is in good order. Trevor advised that we still had fourteen (14) members who have not paid their 2014 dues after numerous requests. Committee Reports: -Trust Fund: No report. -Credentials and Membership: Dave Dunford advised we have one new membership application: M/S to approve Len Gaudet, Reg. no for membership into our association. Carried. Dave advised we had an application for regular membership from an Auxiliary member. He advised he would have do some research as to whether or not auxiliary members can become regular members of the RCMP veterans, prior to bringing this application to the membership. This will be revisited at the next executive meeting. -Welfare and Benefits: No report. -Social Committee: Wayne touched on the story published in KIT about the mug Ruth Congas had given us. Wayne advised we had 29 people who attended the Beausejour luncheon. We made a profit of $ which will eventually go to the Trust Fund. To date the social committee has made profits from social functions and fifty-fifty draws of $ There was a motion made by George Dobson and seconded by Tom Larkin that the social committee give $ to the Trust Fund and keep the remainder in their profits in the social committee for the following year Carried. -Awards and Recognition. Ray went over his inventory of ties, pins etc. Continued on page 7

7 7 Continued from page 6 Communication: Don advised everything was going well since he filled in for Murray. Bob thanked Don Fleetwood for taking over while Murray was away dealing with family business. New Business: (1) Murray will be back next month. (2) The National Executive Director has resigned and Alex Geddes has taken this position over until January A new candidate will take over at that time. (3) New Brunswick Div. has backed out of hosting the 2018 AGM. He was asked if Manitoba was interested in hosting this one and Bob declined. (4)Bob advised he had sent a photo of the chaplain s new stole to the executive. (5)Veterans Resource suggestion: we will allow someone from the Public Outreach Department for Asbestos problems, to put a link in our web site so all members could access this information if they wish. Don will look after this. (6)Bob advised the RCMP have appointed St. Kim Hendrickson to liaison with Veterans Affairs Canada. (7) Leadership Survey Bob had sent out a copy of the survey results to our executive and wanted to make sure all read it. So far the only thing that has come out of it is that there will be a National Communication Committee. (8) Nomination Committee update. Wayne advised we have found replacements for five of the six upcoming vacancies. We still have to fill the secretary positon. We have contacted individuals, put ads in KIT and sent out a fan out to all the membership and still have not found anyone to take the position. We will continue looking. Good of the Association: (1) Honor Roll: Wayne and Tom Sutcliffe went down to Carman, MB and talked to a representative from Carman Granite. They took all the names for which plaques will be made to Carman Granite. The actual plaques will be made in Georgia, USA for quality purposes. Originally there were fourteen names, however after a submission by Sgt. Ron McDougal it was evident another person by the name Cpl. Hawkins, who was a dog master in Brandon and ended up in the hospital and eventually dying as a result of a wood tick bite. He will be the fifteenth member on the honor roll list. Wayne advised that we should have all the plaques completed and back to Winnipeg by the end of this year. Wayne will continue to champion this file from the vet s side. (2)National Communication Committee: Bob advised that national has formed a new national communications committee. (3) VAC Presentation: Bob advised the presentation on the 6 th. Oct was well attended and informative. (4) KIT- Bob reminded everyone of our policy that all KIT info goes through our communications committee chair prior to going in KIT. (5) Associate Members: Dave Dunford will research the best possible way to get information out to all retired RCMP and present RCMP public servants in order to advise them of their eligibility to become associate members of our veterans association. (6)Editorial Policy for KIT: The discussion on this matter was held in camera. To be put over until the executive meeting in November. (7)Bob advised the membership that the Accidental Death Insurance Package that we were all told would be sent out to us is still in limbo however it is still coming. Tom Larkin advised he would look into the CF1 cards for members and report back at the next executive meeting. Meeting Adjourned: 12:30pm Next General Meeting: 04 NOVEMBER D Div. HQ. Next Executive Meeting: 18 NOVEMBER 2014, St. James Beware of What you say or agree to A strong young man at a construction site was bragging that he could out-do anyone in a feat of strength. He made a special case of making fun of one of the older workmen. After several minutes, the older worker had enough. 'Why don't you put your money where your mouth is,' he said. 'I'll bet a week's wages that I can haul something in a wheelbarrow over to that building, that you won't be able to wheel back.' 'You're on, old man,' the braggart replied. 'Let's see you do it.' The old man reached out and grabbed the wheelbarrow by the handles. Then, nodding to the young man, he said, 'All right, Dumb Ass, get in.' Never mess with old people.

8 8 General Meeting Minutes D DIV HQ 04 NOVEMBER 2014 Order: Pres. Bob called the meeting to pm. Prayer: Given by Rev. Bob Wiebe. Acceptance of Minutes of Previous Meeting: M/S Scotty Davison/Gerry Ferguson. Carried. Correspondence Received: From National: Legion Bulletin regarding the news release on the National Memorial (Silver Cross) Mother. Recruitment report for the month of September. Two minute silence video from the Royal Canadian Legion. Notification of our annual indexing increase applied to our pensions for %. Direction from the RCMP as to the proposed guide for Order of Dress for upcoming ceremonies and parades. of news letter from Nova Scotia Div. and Edmonton Div. Notification of deadline to register for the 2016 AGM cruise early bird draw.six 2015 dues. Unfinished Business: (a) George gave a short overview of what has been happening with the old division by-laws and how we are going forward. He advised we were going to rescind the old Div. by-laws and vote on the new Div. policy manual. George advised the only two minor changes to his motion, from the original notice of motion, was in appendix A. The first change was the name change of the Trust Fund and the second was a minor correction to the amount of money our association would give to the families of association members who pass away. The following motion was made by George Dobson: I George Dobson, Chair of the Ad Hoc Division By-Law Review Committee move that our current Division By-Laws dated the 27 th. of May 2012, as amended, be repealed and the new Division Manual which has been provided to all members of the Division and attach to the minutes of this meeting be approved to be effective immediately up passing. This motion was seconded by Dave Dunford. Carried. George also thanked his committee, Wayne Mirrlees, Dennis Hawkins and Bob Wass who all worked on the manual. (b)trevor Lawless and Tom Larkin will attend the 11 th. of November Remembrance Day Ceremonies on behalf of our association. (c)the Book of Memory Ceremony will be held at Division HQ on Nov. 12 th. (d) Honor Roll:Wayne Mirrlees gave a short review of all the work which has been done on the Honor Roll Program since it was started four years ago. Wayne and Tom recently travelled down to Carman Granite, Carman MB and confirmed the accuracy of the information going on the plaques. These plaques should be completed by the end of Wayne advised he had noted that one name was missing from the Bronze plaque in the RCMP atrium. The name of a World War II veteran who was last stationed in Dauphin, however died in the war. The honor roll committee is working on getting his name on the honor roll with the other thirteen members, both in the Div. HQ and at the Dauphin detachment. Wayne also advised that Cpl. George Hawkins, who was a Dog master in Brandon and had passed away as a result of a wood tic bite to the brain, has finally been recognized by the force as dying in the line of duty. He will also be recognized on the honor roll. Wayne and Tom Sutcliff will continue to champion this cause until it is completed. The membership will be updated as things progress. Tom Sutcliff advised that Cpl. Hawkins will be honored at the national memorial in Regina next September. There will be an article in our next KIT on Cpl. Hawkins, which was put together by retired member Dave Morrow. Treasures Report: Trevor supplied handouts of his financial statement and went over same. We still have 14 members who have not paid their 2014 dues. Committee Reports: Trust Fund: George advised he would be sending notification of the trust fund name change out to those agencies such as revenue Canada and the Universities with whom we deal with. George advised we currently have $4, in the Trust Fund account. George advised that $ was turned over to the Trust Fund by the social committee. The University of Winnipeg will be the recipient of our $ bursary this year, going to a student enrolled in the Arts faculty, majoring in criminology. At our December meeting, George will advise the membership of how much money we will be donating to the different charities and take suggestions on recipients up until then. Credentials and Membership: One new member to our association: M/S -Al Whitson/Scotty Davison to accept Leonard Joseph Gaudet, reg. no into our association. Carried. Awards and Recognition: No report. Welfare and Benefits: Dave Douglas thanked his committee of John Joslin, Ellen Jacobs, Chris Bothe and Ian Hall. Dave reminded the membership again, that they have revised and updated the document Upon Your Demise and that it is presently on our web site. Dave also advised Ian Hall is presently working on a guide for PTSD which eventually will go through our executive and onto the web site. Social Committee: Wayne gave an updated report on the past years activities. To date they have made a profit of $1, of which they donated $ to the Benefit Trust Fund. The remainder of the monies will remain in their operating coffers. Wayne gave thanks to the following committee members: Karl Purchase, Tom Larkin, Ray Strokon, Lois Dudgeon, Rod Noseworthy and Bob Brown for all their assistance over the past years. He also thanked the Dunford family, the Ross family and the Archer family for hosting the different events we have throughout the year. Wayne supplied the secretary with a comprehensive report which will be attached to these minutes. Communications: Murray has returned and all is going well. (7) New Business: Bob talked about the membership section of the new National By-Laws. He read out the criteria from part 6 of the national by-laws. There are two classes of membership voting and non voting. The national manual which is on the web site clarifies who can vote and who cannot. (8) Good of the Association: Wayne recognized the past presidents of our Manitoba association: Indulis Baltkalns, Dave Dunford, Gerry Ferguson, Don Fleetwood, Elaine Forbes, John Inglis, Ray Johnson, Dave LeBlanc, Verne McComas, Joe MacDougall, Wayne Mirrlees, Gunnar Person, Gord Spring and Jan Wolynski. EXECUTIVE ELECTION conducted by Wayne Mirrlees, chairman of the nominating committee. President - Bob Wass by acclamation. Sworn in by Wayne Mirrlees. 1 st Vice President Tom Larkin by acclamation. Sworn in by Bob Wass. 2 nd. Vice President- Dennis Hawkins by acclamation. Sworn in by Bob Wass. Secretary - There were no names put forward, this position will be considered vacant at this time. Treasurer - Trevor Lawless by acclamation. Sworn in by Bob Wass. Bob appointed the following members to the following positions: George Wright-Master at Arms, Russ Waugh-Entertainment, Dave Douglas- Welfare and Benefits, Stu Stewart - Membership and Credentials, George Dobson - Trust Fund, Don Fleetwood -Awards and Recognition, Murray McNeill- Communications and Dave VanAlstyne Member at Large. Pres. Bob also appointed Bob Wiebe as our chaplain.(it was later identified that these appointed positions should have been voted on even though there were no other names identified for the positions). Next General Meeting: 02 DECEMBER 2014, D Div. pm. Next Executive Meeting: 18 NOVEMBER 2014, St. James am.