Welcome to the Annual General Meeting of the Vancouver/Burnaby Branch of the BCRMTA
Looking back over 2020, it is an understatement to say it has been an unprecedented year! All of us have had to modify how we work to stay safe and still keep our businesses viable. After the initial shock of going into lock down back in March, the Executive began to formulate how to best way to serve the members in these changing times. We provided multiple zoom forums for teachers to exchange ideas, forwarded messages when they arrived in our inboxes, and organized online events to keep us motivated and focused.
Aside from general Branch administration, several projects have now been completed.
After a question from a member regarding the Professional Guidelines (Code of Ethics), the subject was brought to the attention of the Provincial Council. I was assigned the task of updating the Guidelines and the result will be presented to the Council in April, it will be posted shortly thereafter at bcrmta.bc.ca. We now have a Branch Policy and Procedures Manual on the Members Only page! This 26 page document lists all volunteer positions with job descriptions as well as deadlines and procedures for regular branch activities. The Manual clarifies how the Branch is run and can be updated as necessary by future executive.
The Memory Project webpage has an additional four articles featuring Jocelyn Pritchard, Marjorie Hougham, Donna Fishwick and Dr. Rita Steblin. An article on Ellen Silverman is in the works and we have approached Ian Parker regarding his father Edward Parker; we hope he will be able to send something before our Centennial Anniversary celebration later this year. We continue to ask members to consider who they might like to interview to this growing list of revered Branch members.
For 2021, I have only three projects in mind for my final year as President.
First and foremost is the celebration to commemorate our 100th anniversary – we are the oldest branch in Canada and we will mark this milestone in style; more information will be sent as our plans develop over the coming months. My second goal is to visit to the BCRMTA archives in Victoria. We have some holes in the Branch history and I’d like to see if there are articles or documents available. Finally, I would like to extend the In Memorium Page to include as many members and pictures as possible. Hopefully the archives references in past Provincial newsletters, however, if any current members have Branch newsletters from 2010 or earlier, please contact me.
I would like to once again thank the Executive for their efforts to keep our Branch thriving and relevant; after three years, we are now a finely tuned entity! We have met monthly on zoom since last April and will continue to do so as the medium allows us to be efficient, screen share documents and avoid commuting. Meetings usually run 1.5 hours with all business concluded in time. I want to say how much I have appreciated the supportive environment we have on the Board as well as the various committees. We have accomplished so much and I’ve enjoyed the chance to work as a team and have a laugh along the way.
Kudos to you all!