Kingston Region Division    

     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    


 

Minutes of Meeting
17 January 2006

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Veterans’ Association

Kingston Region Division

1000 Gardiners Road, 3rd Floor, Kingston, Ontario K7P 3C4

 

Minutes of Meeting

17 JAN 06 – 1800 HRS.

Kingston Brew Pub
34 Clarence St., Kingston, Ontario

 

      President      Robert Kraus Tel: (613) 384-0214 - e-mail: kraus@kos.net

      Secretary      Vern Coburn Tel: (613) 379-2454 - e-mail: v.coburn@sympatico.ca

 

  1. CALL TO ORDER: President Bob Kraus called the meeting to order 1900 HRS.

 

  1. ATTENDANCE: 7 Active

 

  1. WELCOME BY THE PRESIDENT:  President Kraus gave a special welcome to Stuart Pete our new member and because of the Ice Storm, a special thanks to the attendees.

 

  1. MINUTE OF SILENCE: George Fleming(14 NOV 05) & Reginald Shier(01 DEC 05).

 

  1. MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 15TH, 2005 MEETING: There being no errors or omissions to the minutes, they were adopted as presented.

 

  1. CORRESPONDENCE:

NEC: Hard copy of the Minutes of the Directors Meeting and AGM – 31 AUG to 04 SEPT 05.  Items of Division interest discussed at previous meetings and noted accordingly in minutes.

 

RCNBF: Memo received from President of the Royal Canadian Benevolent Fund seeking our assistance in contacting former Naval and Merchant Navy personnel that may not be aware of their organization.  President Kraus responded and advised that their call letter was duly noted and should any such personnel come to our attention, they would be advised accordingly.

 

NEC: Floral Tribute/Charitable Donations – An e-mail was received from our National Treasurer advising that the RCMP Benefit Trust Fund will pay on the death of a former member, Floral tribute – Up to $100. or  a Donation to a registered Canadian charity - $50.00. 

 

NEWSLETTER: Newfoundland/Labrador Division

 

 

ON GUARD – Federal Superannuates National Association Newsletter – Bill C-78 introduced and passed in 1999 allowed the Govt. to withdraw certain portions of Pension Surplus from the Canadian Forces/Public Service and RCMP Superannuation Accounts.  Employer (Govt.) refused any input/discussion from employees regarding this legislation.  FSNA position in relation to the pension surplus has always been: Any surplus must be shared equitably by the employer(the taxpayers), the employees and the pensioners.

 

The legislation allowed the Minister to withdraw certain portions of the surplus from superannuation accounts over a period of time up to 15 yrs.  Since 1999 (6 yrs.) $28.3 billion surplus has been “retired”.

 

First phase of Trial ended 18 NOV 05.  Govt. lawyers asked judge not to admit as evidence the 128 govt. documents the plaintiffs’ (FSNA/Canadian Forces/Public Service/RCMP) are submitting to the court even though they concede to the authenticity of the documents.  Instead the Govt. lawyers would like the plaintiffs’ lawyers to call all the authors of all the 128 documents as witnesses during the trial.

 

23 DEC 05: The judge in the Court challenge (Bill-C78) ruled that the documents that the plaintiffs’ tabled, are admissible as evidence.  Trial to continue on new date to be set.

 

Decrease in Reduction applied to retirement at age 65:

PROPOSED: Beginning in 2008, the reduction factor applying to the retirement pension at age 65 (currently 0.7%) would gradually be lowered to 0.65% by 2012.  Recommendation still needs parliamentary approval.

 

Website:  www.fsna.com   

 

E-mail – Ron Henderson, FSNA Kingston District Branch.  Ron wants to attend one of our meetings to explain the purpose of their Assoc.  President Kraus replied to Ron and advised him that we would likely ask that he attend our APRIL 06 meeting.

 

MILITARY/RCMP PENSIONERS AGAINST BENEFIT REDUCTION AT AGE 65: http://www.ns.sympatico.ca/military.pension   E-mail received from John Labelle Coordinator requesting our support.  Their Mission is to terminate all reduction formulas that are being applied to our Military/RCMP Pension and to include all disabled pensioners recipients.

President Kraus responded and advised John that their mission would be brought to the attention of our membership and that we have already put our support behind our National HQ in Ottawa.

 

 

NOTE: This benefit reduction would not apply to members already on pension.

 

NEWSLETTER: Montreal Division

 

NEC: Notice of Annual General Meeting 2006 – Hosted by Nova Scotia Division, Halifax, N.S. – JUNE 2ND to JUNE 4th., soliciting any subjects our Division wished to place on Agenda for the AGM (DD: 15 JAN 06).

 

THE SPIRIT: RCMP VETS’. Ottawa Division

 

  1. TREASURER’S REPORT: Attached

 

  1. DIRECTORS REPORTS:

 

      SOCIAL:  Ed Wiseman/Don Webb

      Wine/Cheese – 11 DEC 05 – Special thanks to Mike and Ida that hosted this event

       and the gift basket that Ida donated won by Tom.  This event was enjoyed by the                                                                                                

 27 in attendance.  President Kraus thanked all who contributed to the success of this annual function and a special thanks as well to the social directors.

 

Spring (MAY) dinner/dance – 13 MAY 06 – Ed/Don advise plans are on track and ask that everyone mark their calendars.

 

Breakfast Meeting – Gananoque – 25 MAR 06 – President Kraus has contacted Lloyd and ask that he set up a breakfast meeting in Gananoque.

 

Social Calendar for 2006 – The remaining Social Events for 2006 will be discussed at our APRIL 2006 meeting.

 

MEMBERSHIP:

E-mail from Rick Morris requesting input to the review of Life Memberships. President Kraus responded to the effect that we have no written rules:

            Guidelines: Member 75  yrs. Of age – Member in good standing with

                               Division.

                               Request Certificate from NEC Ottawa

 

Life Membership Presentations:

              #16067- Reginald Shier – Presented at his residence 01 DEC 05 by Vern

                                                        Coburn.

              #17695 - George Day – Presented at his residence 04 JAN 06 by Jack

                                                     Hickman and Bob Kraus.

 

Letter of thanks:  Geo. sent  letters to Jack & Bob thanking them for getting all dressed up and making the effort of a formal presentation of the Life Membership Certificate in a very meaningful way to him and Fran.  As you would have guessed, I expected an unframed certificate inscribed with a few meaningless words.  On the contrary, as you would have noticed, I was proud to have been recognized in such quality fashion.  Many thanks, Sincerely, Fran & George

 

Death of George Fleming – Madoc, Ont. 14 NOV 05 (our Division area)

                                             Jack, Nic and Bob attended the funeral on behalf of

                                             the Division 18 NOV 05 in Madoc.

Nic requested at the meeting (17 JAN 06) that a letter be sent to Judith Ann to ensure she was aware of the Force’s Regimental Headstone/Marker policy  regarding deceased members.  President Kraus forwarded a letter accordingly.

 

Death of Reginald Shier – Harrowsmith, Ont. 01 DEC 05.  Funeral was held in

                                           Sydenham 06 DEC 05 and attended by: Vern/Karen,

                                           Mike/Ida, Jim/Jane, Jack/June, Patrick/Irene,

                                           Ed/Frances, Bob/Fran, Don, Tom, Dick, Chuck and 

                                           Jack Wylie.

Charitable Donation: A donation of $50.00 was given to the Canadian Cancer

                                   Society in memory of Reg. on behalf of our Division.

Thank You:  All members:  The family and I wish to thank you for your donation to the Cancer Society in Reg’s memory.  We also wish to express our sincere gratitude for your presence at the funeral and the many cards of sympathy that we received.  Reg. always looked forward to the monthly dinner meetings and especially the social events held during the year.  I wish you continued success in all your ventures.  Regards, Irene

 

DRESS: President Kraus confirmed with NEC that the blue/red blazers along with other designated dress are the official dress of the Association and either or can be worn to any Association/appropriate social function along with medals when deemed appropriate.  Also any veterans that still have their Red Serge with appropriate kit/dress, may wear same accordingly as well.

 

LAPEL PINS and SERVICE BARS: Some Divisions are presenting lapel pins/c/w service bars for continued service in the Assoc. at years 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 yrs.  Members will wear the latest  Service Bar awarded to them.  Pins are available from Okanagan Division RCMP Vets.’ Assoc. 

This matter will be discussed at our APRIL 2006 Meeting.

 

An application for membership has been forwarded to Ron Miller, Kingston (presently in Alexandria Bay, NY).

 

 

 

RCMP RETIREMENT LAPEL PIN:  The RCMP is in the process of creating a Retirement Lapel Pin for presentation to all categories of employees.  RCMP Veterans will have the opportunity to purchase these lapel pins through the RCMP Veterans’ Association National Office.  As part of the planning process, we are looking for your input on the selection of a design for this lapel pin.  We are only at the initial stage, but will keep you apprised of future development.  Bill Gidley, Executive Director.  DD: 27 JAN 06

Image 2 is supported by our Division:  An  e-mail has been sent accordingly.

 

SICK REPORT: Jack reports that Geo. Day has his good days and bad days, however, is always in good spirit when visited at his home.

 

  1. OLD BUSINESS: S/M Roger Tardif, Central Region Administratives Services,

London, Ont., has taken on the task of providing a Plaque for the gravesite of A/Commr. Crozier and  will keep us informed on the progress.

 

     10.  NEXT MEETING:  There will be no meeting in February because of weather

conditions that traditionally prevail.

We will have a Breakfast Meeting at the MACNEILS LANDING RESTAURANT 790 King St. East Gananoque (2 min. from casino) SATURDAY 25 MAR 06 @ 0:930 A.M.  Our significant others are invited to attend as well.

      

11.  MOTION TO ADJOURN: Moved by Tom Petch 21:30 hrs.

 

 

Robert M.S. Kraus, President

For Secretary