REPORT OF THE 2007 CONVENTION OF THE RURAL MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATORS?ASSOCIATION OF SASKATCHEWAN
by Jim Reiter, Executive Director
Rural Mun. Admin. AssÕn of Sask.
A total of 353 administrators, spouses, and visitors gathered at the Saskatoon Inn on May 14th - 17th for the 87th 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 Willows Golf & Country Club. The event was once again sponsored by the "Gang of Three": Steelcor Culvert Ltd., Kramer Ltd. and Signal Industries! Following a meal for the golfers at the clubhouse, the awards were presented. The top team for 2007 consisted of Jim Hallick, Daryl Senecal, Barry Hvidston, and Louis Genest. 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; Sask. Municipal Hail Insurance presented "General Information and Helpful Hints". "Topics of Interest to Administrators" was presented by Mike Morris, Manager of Legal Services, SARM.
At noon on Tuesday, the Convention Opening Luncheon was held. "O Canada" was performed by administrator Rhonda Hall (RM92) and accompanied by Audrey Law (RM214 ). The convention was officially opened by Mary Glenister, retired administrator of the R. M. of Aberdeen. During the luncheon the delegates heard from: SARM President David Marit, and City of Saskatoon Councillor, Bev Dubois. Greetings were extended on behalf of sponsors of the opening luncheon, Sask. Power and Canada Post.
Following the luncheon, new members were inducted into the association by President Ritchie, Vice-Pres. McCallum and Ex-Dir Reiter:
| Cheryl Forbes | Baildon No. 131 | Moose Jaw |
| Yvonne Johnston (AssÕt) | Excel No.71 & Lake of the Rivers No.72 | Assiniboia |
| Sheila Keisig | Tullymet No. 216 | Balcarres |
| Kendra Lawrence | Moosomin No. 121 | Moosomin |
| Carey Nicholauson | Grayson No. 184 | Grayson |
| Andrew Spriggs | Paddockwood No. 520 | Paddockwood |
| Brandi Trembath | Enterprise No. 142 | Richmound |
| Graham Bell | Cambria No. 6 | Torquay |
| Penny O'Carroll | Wreford No. 280 | Nokomis |
| Stephen Schury | Caldonia No. 99 | Milestone |
| Kenneth Hollinger | Coulee No. 136 | Swift Current |
| Tanis Westerhaug | Garry No. 245 | Jedburgh |
| Elaine Knowlson (AssÕt) | Wilton No. 472 | Marshall |
Tuesday afternoon commenced with the Executive-DirectorÕs report by Jim Reiter.
President Kevin Ritchie then introduced the Executive Board, followed by the PresidentÕs 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:
| Terry Hvidston | Tisdale No. 427 | Tisdale |
| Ron Kostiuk | Foam Lake No. 276 | Foam Lake |
| Bonnie Lengyel | Ponass Lake No. 367 | Rose Valley |
| Edward Mish | Golden West No. 95 | Corning |
| Debra Mutlow | Baildon No. 131 | Moose Jaw |
| Jim Reiter | Marriott No. 317 & Pleasant Valley No. 288 | Rosetown |
Presentations were then made by the Rural Board of Examiners of Certificate Upgrades to administrators who had achieved their ÔClass A?or ÔClass Superior ÔA?during the past year. RMAA Board Representative Don McCallum and President Kevin Ritchie presented the following certificates:
ÒA Certificates??Janet Black, Edith Goddard, Charlene Loos, Joanne Loy, Wilma Moen, Sharon Pope, Sharolyn Prisiak, Darlene Mann.
ÒSuperior A Certificates??Gregory Hoffort, Carolynn Meadows.
The fraternal delegates to our convention were now introduced and they each addressed our delegates:
| - U.M.A.A.S. - | Shelly Funk - Div 6 Director, Dalmeny |
| - A.A.R.M.A. | R.A.(Bob) Miles, AARMA President. Northern Sunrise County, Peace River, Alta |
| - M.M.A.A. - | Val Turner, R.M. of Lorne, Somerset, Manitoba |
| - S.A.S.B.O. | Val Hvidston, North East S.D. No. 200, Tisdale |
Guest speaker Susan Kesler presented, ?lt;/em>Taking Care of Business.......With the Right Image!? sponsored by Saskatchewan Municipal Hail Insurance Assoc.
This concluded the Tuesday session.
To commence the Wednesday session, Kathie Caleval, Manager of Insurance and Benefits Programs for SARM, provided the members with an update on the Long Term Disability Plan & Extended Health. This was followed by the presentation of the annual Blood Donor Challenge 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.
Staff from Saskatchewan Government Relations presented Legislative Changes and Department Updates.
Hon. Harry Van Mulligen, Minister of Saskatchewan Government Relations then addressed the membership.
Following lunch, Christine Crowe, Head of Credit Studies Division, Centre for Continuing Education, University of Regina spoke to members on "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, Steve Shannon, presenting: "From John G. Diefenbaker to the Olympics". Once again, our Keynote Speaker was sponsored by our friends at Saskatchewan Municipal Hail Insurance Association.
At 2:00 pm, Deputy Returning Officer, Ken Engel called for nominations for President of the R.M.A.A.S. for the year 2007-08. There was only one nomination received. Mr. Don McCallum of Cut Knife was elected President of the R.M.A.A.S. for the year 2007-08. Mr. McCallum 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. Neal Hardy. 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.
Also during the banquet, Public Service Awards were presented to our retiring members:
| Debra Mutlow | Baildon No. 131 | Moose Jaw |
| John Chesny | Cana No. 214 | Melville |
| Darwin Chatterson | Tullymet No. 216 | Balcarres |
| Elaine Morgan | Storthoaks No. 31 | Storthoaks |
| Donna Strudwick | Edenwold No. 158 | Balgonie |
| Ernest Audette | Caldonia No. 99 | Milestone |
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 presented by the various committee chairs who updated on committee activities over the past year.
Ken Engel, Deputy Returning Officer, handled the election for Vice President for the year 2007-08. Only 1 nomination was received. Mr. Tim Leurer of the R. M. Kelvington No. # 366 was elected as Vice-President of the R.M.A.A. for the year 2007-08. Mr. Leurer thanked the members for their support.
Delegates broke into their respective District Meetings with elections being held in Divisions 2, 4 and 6.
The membership then reconvened for resolutions.
Moved by Ken Reiter/seconded by Darren Elder -
That a members only section be created on the RMAA website and, instead of mailing membership packages, that
they be accessed on the website. Carried
The Executive for the R.M.A.A. for the year 2006-07 were introduced as follows:
| President | Don McCallum | Cut Knife | |
| Vice-President | Tim Leurer | Kelvington | |
| Past President | Kevin Ritchie | Wilcox | |
| Executive-Director | Jim Reiter | Rosetown | |
| Directors: |
Div 1
|
Kim McIvor | Weyburn |
|
Div 2
|
Donna Strudwick | Balgonie | |
|
Div 3
|
IdaMae Leek | Gull Lake | |
|
Div 4
|
Terry Hvidston | ||