RALU News – Volume 4 Number 2 December 2011 RALU News CONTENTS CURAC/ARUCC CONFERENCE & AGM 2012 CURAC/ARUCC CONFERENCE & AGM 2012 Victoria, B.C. April 18-20, 2012 The 2012 Conference/AGM will be University of Victoria hosted in part by the UVIC Retirees p. 1 Association. As the member of CURAC representing all retirees’ interests, your Security of Information. A Caution association, RALU, plans better communication Wim Baarschers to coincide with the conference. This year we p. 1 plan a more interactive approach to communicating the content of the LU Professional Pension Plan News – presentations to members. The conference will be held at the University of Victoria, April 18- Notes on the Meetings December 2 and 9, 20, 2012. Complete information is in the latest 2011 CURAC newsletter. Ian Dew and Jim Stafford http://www.curac.ca/?page_id=445 p. 2 A World of Athletics. Our Thunderwolves – Security of Information. Basketball and Hockey Wolves This is a busy time of year for bank and Margot Ponder other financial transactions and we all need to p. 3 be vigilant as the following from member Wim Baarschers reminds us. Events Subject line: HR at LU: You may send a p. 3 warning NOT to send confidential information by e-mail. Since LU wants to save money (a Travellin’ goes to Perth in Oz laudable goal) and doesn't want to pay the Bev Stefureak commission charge on credit card payments of p. 4 the health insurance premium, the request (command?) to have us all switch to automatic Benefits. A Case Study and a Happy debit is not unreasonable. What is rather Ending. Thunder Bay’s Hand and Upper surprising is that HR is offering, "for our Limb Clinic (HULC) Teaches an Old Dog convenience" to allow us to scan the New Tricks information (which includes bank account Ian Dew details) and send it by e-mail. Clearly, they p.6 have no clue about internet security and the danger of sending info like bank account Membership: Tell us how you can help us numbers in unencrypted e-mail. After all, Recruit Active, Resourceful Members regular e-mail is similar to a picture postcard p.8 which can be read by the numerous hackers "out there" who are on the lookout for such gems. See, for example: http://luxsci.com/blog/the-case-for-email- security.html 1 RALU News – Volume 4 Number 2 December 2011 LU Professional Pension Plan News – is built around the framework of fairness: that Notes on the Presentation and Board the number of administrators has swelled while Meeting Dec 2, 2011. faculty salaries have increased 50% since Most of the pension news from the 2000. Within the letter is a challenge to the Pension Board meeting on December 2nd was legal argument the Ogilvy-Renault submission pretty gloomy. The Fund had lost 2½% in the was based. first three quarters of the year and it hadn’t There was a history of the Board’s picked up very much in October and November. behaviour in achieving their ends; e.g., the There was no news from the Financial Services timing of the effort to secure passage of the Commission of Ontario regarding the possible extension of the payback period. The letter of voiding of Amendment 2000/1. The one bright July 30th by LUFA President Glenna Knutson, note was that Proteus, the Investment Advisor which so far from an invitation to discuss, to the Board, is opening up the Board’s website virtually orders compliance on the part of to all members of the Pension Plan. Simply go “Dear Colleagues”. to either of the following two websites and type The opinion was voiced and accepted by in the appropriate username and password. the meeting that the association should work toward and anticipate being better prepared in Website #1 terms of legal support. It was again suggested Username Password we explore having access to our fund to http://secure.proteusperformance.com/membe support legal expenses and administrative r/ costs, in the same way that LU has evidently Website #2 done. It was noted that the question had been http://secure.proteusperformance.com/ posed by Abdul Mamoojee at the September committee/ lakehead northwestern Board Meeting and rejected. There was discussion of posting Username/password will follow in a separate information and documents for members on email. the website. http://ralu.la It was noted that there may be ethical as well as legal Jim Stafford considerations and that we should not behave in a damaging or untoward manner, which is in LU Professional Pension Plan News – line with RALU’s policy of taking the high road, Notes on the Special Meeting of RALU. Dec in an effort to build a relationship with the 9, 2011. university. Dave reported that the FSCO is Fifteen members attended a meeting at known to take its time in deliberation, so the the 55+ Centre on River Street to review best course immediately is to await progress with our vexatious pension issues. developments. It was agreed that the FSCO David Kemp introduced our attempt to would be contacted for their approval of any deal with amendments made to the Plan in such posting. 2000, specifically our submission to the The fact of poor retiree attendance at Financial Services Commission of Ontario the Friday meeting was noted. It hoped that (FSCO) to report. He asked the people most the website offered by LU will apprise us of concerned with drafting the submission, Jim future meetings and good source of Stafford and Clement Kent to detail the history information, such as, minutes and agenda, so of the situation surrounding the 2000 that more members can participate actively Amendments. He noted that FSCO invited and knowledgeably in the process of RALU to submit in response to LU’s recent understanding our pensions. submission expressed by the Board’s lawyers, Dr. Satinder was again recognized for (Ogilvy-Renault submission of May 20, 2011). his contribution for providing a strong voice for The main points of the process of pensioner rights. Many questions remain and it submission were summarized. It was noted is worth pointing out the obvious: that time is that it was the work of many people, especially of the essence because of the advancing age the members of the Pension and Benefits and fragile health of many of the older retirees. Committee. The request for help in submission This meeting mentioned but did not deal 2 RALU News – Volume 4 Number 2 December 2011 with other major issues not touched in our OUA and 15 of 16 for regular and non- conversation with FSCO, like the question of conference games. possible conflict of interest among Board In early December the team was missing members; questionable tactics of the Board; several players due to injuries, including their Later amendments (2007). The question of use then top OUA scorer, Matt Caria. Hopefully of our funds for administration purposes has they will all be back for the Christmas not been discussed so far. Challenge! We also have a new recruit, Thomas Frazee, who will be joining the team. He has Ian Dew played in the ECHL and attended the Washington Capitals training camp in September. Thunderwolves The second half of the season should be exciting as the Wolves play two strong contenders – Western and Waterloo. The Western games are usually sell-outs at the Gardens! Come out and support your Thunderwolves! Margot Ponder Events Lakehead University Thunderwolves December 29 Friday and 30 Saturday at 7:30 pm. Hockey Wolves entertain Carleton Lakehead Thunderwolves Basketball Ravens at the Fort William Gardens. The men’s basketball team ranked number 3 January 2 Monday. Cake and Too. Prince nationally at the mid-season break, their Arthur Hotel. Same format as previous years: highest mid-season ranking ever! They are members pay for supper. tied with Laurier for first place in the OUA. Symposium 6.30 pm, Supper 7.00 They are an exciting team to watch! The th Impromptu Entertainment. women’s team is currently tied for 4 place in RSVP to Ian [email protected] or Tony Scarcello the OUA. General Manager, Prince Arthur Waterfront Hotel and Suites, [email protected] Lakehead Thunderwolves Hockey 807-346-5123 The Thunderwolves are hosting the Carleton January 21 Saturday. Consortium Aurora Ravens for the RBC Christmas Challenge at the Borealis. An evening of music with Jeremy Fort William Gardens on Friday, December Bell th th 29 and Saturday, December 30 at 7:30 each http://consortiumauroraborealis.org/ evening. The last time the Ravens came to 349 Waverley Street, St. Paul’s Church town in 2008, a power outage at the end of the 8 pm. second intermission ended up with the score Admission for seniors $10 and students, adults tied at two apiece and a decision to have a $15 shoot-out at the beginning of Saturday’s game to decide the winner. Lakehead won to give January 24 Tuesday. RALU Regular them the victory but then went on to lose the meeting. and program featuring Dr. Mary Lou official Saturday night game by a score of 3-2, Kelley speaking about health in aging. More so it should be an exciting series! details after the break. The Wolves have been impressive so far this 55 Plus Centre Meeting Room on River Street season. After losing two games to McGill in 7 p.m. October, they have won 13 of 14 games in the 3 RALU News – Volume 4 Number 2 December 2011 Giant Digital Photography Workshops at astonished to find the very same Australians Sleeping Giant, Kakabeka Falls and Pigeon waving at us from across the field.