REPORT OF THE 2006 CONVENTION OF THE RURAL MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATORS?ASSOCIATION OF SASKATCHEWAN

by Jim Reiter, Executive Director
Rural Mun. Admin. Ass’n of Sask.

A total of 335 administrators?spouses, and visitors gathered at the Delta Regina Hotel on May 15th - 18th for the 86th Annual Convention of the Rural Municipal Administrators?Association of Saskatchewan (RMAAS).

The conference began with the annual RMAAS Golf Tournament on Monday afternoon at the Emerald Park Golf & Country Club. The event was once again sponsored by the ‘Gang of Three? Steelcor Culverts, Kramer Ltd. and Signal Industries! Following a meal for the golfers at the clubhouse, the awards were presented. The top team for 2006 consisted of Dave Dmytruk, Elizabeth Martin, Gary Dziadyk amd Merv Mantyak. The evening concluded with the Wine and Cheese reception hosted by Saskatchewan New Holland Dealers and AMEC Infrastructure.

Tuesday began with seminars being held in the morning: John Hallett of Public Employee Benefits Agency presented “Dealing with Difficult People? Kathy Rintoul of Sask. Government Relations presented “New Deal Funding Applications?

At noon on Tuesday, the Convention Opening Luncheon was held. The luncheon opened with O Canada performed by administrator Rhonda Hall (RM92) and accompanied by Audrey Law (RM 377). The convention was officially opened by Sam Edgerton, retired administrator of the R. M. of Lake Johnston and R.M. of Sutton. During the luncheon the delegates heard from: SARM President David Marit, Assistant Deputy Minister of Municipal Relations Maryellen Carlson, and Councillor Vic McDougall of the City of Regina. Sask. Power and Canada Post are sponsors of the opening luncheon.

Following the luncheon, new members were inducted into the association by President Ritchie, Vice-Pres. McCallum and Ex-Dir Reiter:

Tuesday afternoon commenced with the Executive-Director’s report by Jim Reiter.

President Kevin Ritchie then introduced the Executive Board, followed by the President’s Address.

At this point in the program, the ?5 Year Members?were recognized and presented a pin noting their achievement by President Ritchie, Vice-President Don McCallum and Ex-Dir Reiter:

Presentations were then made by the Rural Board of Examiners of Certificate Upgrades to administrators who had achieved their ‘Class A?or ‘Class Superior ‘A?during the past year. RMAA Board Representative Don McCallum and President Kevin Ritchie presented the following certificates:

CLASS ‘A?CERTIFICATES

The fraternal delegates to our convention were now introduced and they each addressed our delegates:

A presentation was then made on ?Employment Agreements and Related Issues?by Kim Anderson, Robertson Stromberg Pederson LLP

This concluded the Tuesday session.

To commence the Wednesday session, Kathie Gessner, Manager of Insurance and Benefits Programs for SARM, provided the members with updates on the various benefit programs offered by SARM. This was followed by the presentation of the annual Blood Donor Award by Canadian Blood Services which was accepted by Director Donna Strudwick on behalf of Division 2.

The members heard addresses from SARM President David Marit and Executive Director of SARM Ken Engel.

Hon. Harry Van Mulligen, Minister of Saskatchewan Government Relations then addressed the membership.

The Minister’s address was followed by a presentation from the Advisory Services branch of Saskatchewan Government Relations.

Following lunch, Loanne Myrah of the University of Regina spoke to our members on “The Advanced Certificate in Local Government Authorities Program?

Murray Otterson, Chief Executive Officer of Saskatchewan Municipal Hail Insurance addressed the convention.

The delegates then heard from keynote speaker, John Cross, who presented his seminar: “Economic Development in Rural Saskatchewan? Once again, our Keynote Speaker was sponsored by our friends at Saskatchewan Municipal Hail Insurance Association.

At 2:00 pm, Deputy Returning Officer Jim Reiter called for nominations for President of the R.M.A.A.S. for the year 2005-06. There was only one nomination received. Mr. Kevin Ritchie of Wilcox was elected President of the R.M.A.A.S. for the year 2006-07. Mr. Ritchie thanked the delegates for their support.

On Wednesday evening, the Convention Banquet was held. This event is sponsored each year by our good friends at the Saskatchewan Municipal Hail Insurance Association. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Lou Jacobs Award to Mr. Dale Malmgren. During the evening we heard from Mr. Bob Jacobs on behalf of the Jacobs family, Wayne Black, President of S. M. H. I. and David Marit, President of S.A.R.M.

Awards of appreciation were presented to outgoing board members Robert Thurmeier (Executive member from 1990 to 2006), and Karen Martin (Executive Member from 2003 to 2006).

Also during the banquet, Public Service Awards were presented to our retiring members:

The evening concluded with the presentation of awards by S.M.H.I. rewarding successful sales of SMHI and AMHL by various administrators.

Thursday morning commenced with Committee Reports being presented by the various committee chairs.

Michael Back, President of the Saskatchewan Association of School Business Officials spoke to the delegates on the new fiscal year for school divisions.

Dale Harvey, Assistant Executive Director of SARM handled the election for Vice President for the year 2006-07. Only 1 nomination was received. Mr. Don McCallum of the R. M. of Cut Knife #439 was elected as Vice-President of the R.M.A.A. for the year 2006-07. Don thanked the members for their support.

Delegates now broke up into their respective District Meetings with elections being held in Divisions 1, 3, 5 and 6.

The membership then reconvened for resolutions.

The Executive for the R.M.A.A. for the year 2006-07 were introduced as follows:

The convention concluded with the drawing for a $600.00 Travel Voucher sponsored by CAA Travel.

In conclusion, we would like to thank our many convention sponsors. Their generous support made our annual conference a huge success once again:

R.M.A.A.S. CONVENTION
“BRONZE SPONSORS?lt;br> CASH CONTRIBUTIONS:

Action Land Consultants (2001) Ltd.
Airmaster Sales Ltd.
A. J. Harlick Earthmoving
Big Sky Farms Ltd.
Brady Lands Ltd.
Saskatchewan Blue Cross
C. I. B. C.
Custom Truck Sales
Imagination Ink
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
G. & L. Distributors
Johnson Holm Svenkeson
Lonesome Prairie Sand & Gravel
Menssa Baert & Cameron
Millennium Land Ltd.
Mobile Paving Ltd.
Moose Jaw Asphalt
Norlin Construction
Palliser Land Ltd.
Percy H. Davis Ltd.
Potzus Construction
Procyk Bros. Transport
Renton Land Services (1983) Ltd.
Robb & Dowling
Robertson Stromberg Pederson LLP
RBC Royal Bank
Sask. Agriculture and Food
Sask-Energy
Sask. Scrap Tire Corp.
Scotia Bank
Standard Life
Triod Supply
U. M. A. Engineering

TRADE SHOW BOOTHS:

Bradley Directories
G. W. P. Rodent Products
Human Resources Canada
M. E. P. P.
Munisoft
Prairie Mapping Services
Soo SmartMap
Sask. Assessment Management Agency
University of Alberta - NACLAA

R.M.A.A.S. CONVENTION
“SILVER SPONSORS?lt;/u>

Anadarko Canada Corp.
DU - Ducks Unlimited
Imperial Oil Ltd.
Munisoft
Palliser Aggregates Ltd.
Prairie Steel Products
Plains Marketing Canada, LP
Redhead Equipment
Sask-Tel