MINUTES OF THE 2010 CONVENTION OF THE RURAL MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATORS’ ASSOCIATION OF SASKATCHEWAN

By Kevin Ritchie, Executive-Director, Rural Municipal Administrators Association of Saskatchewan

A total of 335 administrators, spouses and visitors gathered at the Delta Regina Hotel for the 90th Annual Convention of the Rural Municipal Administrators’ Association of Saskatchewan.

The conference commenced with the annual RMAAS Golf Tournament on Monday afternoon at the Murray Golf Course. The event was sponsored by the ‘Gang of Three’ - Canada Culvert Ltd., Kramer Ltd. and Signal Industries Ltd. Following a meal for the golfers at the clubhouse, the awards were presented. Convention registration was carried out by the staff of Saskatchewan Municipal Hail Insurance Association. The evening concluded with a Wine and Cheese reception and social evening hosted by Maxim Chemical, AMEC Earth and Environmental and Fosters Wine Estates.

Tuesday began with three seminar options being offered in the morning: Diane Aldridge, Office of the Privacy Commissioner; Carl Shiels, Saskatchewan Land Surveyors’ Association; Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Advisory Services Staff, presented “Back to Basics, Ministry Website”. Delegates had their choice of attending any two of the three seminars.

At noon on Tuesday, the convention opening luncheon was held. Don McCallum, President of the Rural Municipal Administrators’ Association, called the convention to order. ‘O Canada’ was led by Audrey Law, R. M. of Cana #214. The convention was officially opened by Larry Hubbard, retired Rural Administrator, R. M. of Britannia No. 502. During the luncheon, the delegates heard from the Honorable (Minister of Municipal Affairs), the Honorable (Minister of Agriculture), David Marit (President of the S.A.R.M.), , M.L.A. for Regina Qu’Appelle Valley representing Sask Power Corporation. Saskatchewan Power and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture are co-sponsors of the opening luncheon. Tim Leurer, Vice President, Rural Municipal Administrators’ Association, responded to the greetings.

Following the luncheon, 12 new members were inducted into the association by President Don McCallum, Vice President Tim Leurer and Executive-Director Kevin Ritchie:

Dawn Dainard White Valley #49 Eastend Sentura Freitag Moose Creek #33 Alameda Vickie Greffard Old Post #43 Fir Mountain Amanda Harris Duck Lake #463 Duck Lake Jean Jones Fertile Valley#285 Conquest Jeanette Kerr Gull Lake #139 Gull Lake Tammy Knight Chaplin #164 Chaplin Adrienne Leonard Biggar #347 Biggar Joni Mack Prairie Rose #309 Jansen Sheila Mackie Reno #51 Consul Ursula Scott Laurier #38 Radville Glenda Smith Barrier Valley #397 Rose Valley Kelly Smith Clayton #333 Hyas JoAnne Yates Craik #222 Craik

Tuesday afternoon commenced with the Executive-Director Report by Kevin Ritchie. Motion: Moved By R.M. #343, Seconded By R.M. #73 “That the 2009 audited financial statement of the Association as prepared by Gilchrist and Co. of Rosetown, Saskatchewan, be adopted as presented.” Carried

Motion: Moved By R.M. #66, Seconded By R.M. #316 “That Ken Engel be appointed Returning Officer for the 2010 RMAA annual elections and that Kevin Ritchie, Dave Marit and Dale Harvey be appointed as Deputy-Returning Officers.” Carried

RMAA President Don McCallum introduced the current Executive Board, followed by the President’s Address.

1 At this point in the program the 25 YEAR MEMBERS were recognized and presented with a pin noting their achievement by President Don McCallum, Vice President Tim Leurer & Executive-Director Kevin Ritchie: Ray French Montrose #315 Delisle Gloria Teer Spiritwood #496 Spiritwood Audrey Trombley Griffin #66 Griffin

Presentations were then made by the Rural Board of Examiners for certificate upgrades by administrators who have achieved their Class ‘A’ or Superior ‘A’ designation during the past year. RMAA Board of Examiners was represented by Vice-President Tim Leurer, President Don McCallum and Board of Examiners Secretary Jim Angus: CLASS ‘A’ CERTIFICATES: Cheryl Forbes Glenside #377 Biggar Michelle McQueen Marriott #317 & Pleasant Valley #288 Rosetown Gail Wolfe Big Quill #308 Wynyard Sheila Keisig Tullymet #216 Balcarres Pamela Garner Morris #312 Young

CLASS SUPERIOR ‘A’ CERTIFICATES: Tammy Knuttila Corman Park #344 Saskatoon

The Fraternal Delegates to our convention were introduced and each addressed the delegates: -U.M.A.A.S. – Kim Gartner, Town of Macklin, Saskatchewan -A.A.R.M.A. – Dennis Shigematsu, County of Lethbridge, Alberta -M.M.A.A. – Ken Jenkins, Town of Minnedosa, Manitoba -S.A.S.B.O. – Aline Kirk, Prairie South S.D. #210, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan At 3:15 p.m. Nadine Horvath, S.A.R.M.’s Insurance Officer, reported to the delegates on a variety of topics regarding insurance and benefits. David Marit, President of S.A.R.M., gave his official address to the delegates. Ken Engel, Executive Director of S.A.R.M., also addressed the delegates on a variety of issues. At 4:00 p.m. Shawn Milligan of RBC Dominion Securities, a new sponsor for our Tuesday afternoon speaker, introduced both Albert Rapley and Matt Rapley. Albert Rapley gave a dynamic presentation entitled “Impacting Lives in a Positive Manner”. Following Albert Rapley’s presentation, Matt Rapley, a one-time finalist in the “Canadian Idol” contest, sang several inspirational songs.

This concluded the Tuesday session.

To commence the Wednesday session, President Don McCallum introduced Van Isman, Deputy Minister of Saskatchewan Municipal Affairs. Deputy Minister Isman’s address was followed by presentations from Ministry personnel on a number of relevant topics. At 10:45 a.m. Honorable Jeremy Harrison, Minister of Municipal Affairs, addressed the convention. Following Minister Harrison’s address, Steve Brown, Senior Financial Analyst, gave an update on the new financial reporting work that is ongoing.

Following lunch, the annual Canadian Blood Services award presentation was made by Grace Potter, RMAA Director for Division 3. The blood donor challenge was again won by Division 2.

At 1:40 p.m., Brad Korbo, Managing Director of Assessment Services, S.A.M.A. provided an update on SAMA.

At 2:00 P.M. Deputy Returning Officer Kevin Ritchie called for nominations for President of the R.M.A.A.S. for the year 2010-11. One nomination was received and Mr. Donald McCallum of Cut Knife was declared elected by acclamation as President of the R.M.A.A.S. for the 2010-11. Mr. McCallum thanked the delegates for their support.

At 2:15 p.m. Shannon Doka, Community Involvement Co-ordinator, Sask Energy, gave an overview of Sask Energy’s Home Energy Efficiency Program.

At 2:30 p.m. Rodney Schoettler, C.E.O., Saskatchewan Municipal Hail Insurance Association, updated the membership on forthcoming changes to Saskatchewan Municipal Hail Insurance and Additional Municipal Hail Insurance products and policies for 2010.

At 2:45 p.m. Greg Horvath delivered the keynote address, an inspirational tale of how Mr. Horvath had overcome many personal challenges to achieve, at 38 years of age, a life-long dream to play U.S. college football and to graduate from university. Once again, our friends at Saskatchewan Municipal Hail Insurance sponsored the keynote speaker, who was very well received by the delegates.

2 On Wednesday evening, the convention banquet was held. This evening is sponsored by the Saskatchewan Municipal Hail Insurance Association. There was no ‘Lou Jacobs’ Award in 2010 as no nominations had been received by the Executive. During the evening we heard from Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture Bob Bjornerud, Saskatchewan Minister of Highways , Dan Dufour (representing the Jacobs family), Murray Purcell, (Vice-President of S.M.H.I.) and Dave Marit (President of S.A.R.M.).

Also during the banquet, Public Service Awards were presented to our retiring members. President Don McCallum, Vice President Tim Leurer and Executive-Director Kevin Ritchie presented awards to:

James Burak Blaine Lake #434 Blaine Lake Ken Danger Shellbrook #493 Shellbrook Larry Edeen Kinistino #459 Kinistino Lynette Figeland Sasman #336 Kuroki Ken Hollinger Coulee #136 Swift Current Dennis McBurney Prairie Rose #309 Jansen Lois McCormick Duck Lake #463 Duck Lake Holly McFarlane Moosomin #121 and Martin #122 Moosomin Joe McMurphy Turtle River #469 Edam Norm Sagen Arm River #252 & Willner #253 Davidson Connie Sorenson Webb #138 Webb Ron Tanchak Douglas #436 Speers Marlene Tebbutt Willowdale #153 Whitewood Lynne Tolley Progress #351 Luseland

S.M.H.I. presented a number of awards to various administrators in recognition of successful sales of both the S.M.H.I. and A.M.H.L. hail insurance products during 2009. The evening concluded with a draw for three door prizes sponsored by the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities.

Thursday morning began with Committee reports presented by the various Committee Chairs. With respect to the election for Vice-President for the year 2010-11, only one nomination for Vice President was received by the Secretary of the Convention during the stated period. Mr. Tim Leurer, Administrator for the R.M. of Kelvington No. 366, was declared elect by acclamation as Vice-President of the R.M.A.A.S. for 2010- 11. Tim thanked the delegates for their support.

At approximately 10:00 a.m. delegates broke into their respective divisional meetings. Elections were held for Directors in Divisions 1, 3 and 5 The Executive of the R.M.A.A.S. for the year 2010-2011 was introduced as follows: President Don McCallum, Cut Knife Vice-President...... Tim Leurer, Kelvington Immediate Past President & Executive-Director ...... Kevin Ritchie, Wilcox Division Directors: Division 1………...... Kim McIvor, Weyburn Division 2 ...... John Eberl, Moose Jaw Division 3 ...... Grace Potter, Shaunavon Division 4 ...... Keith Hummel, Tisdale Division 5 ...... Wendy Gowda, Prince Albert Division 6………………….. Glenda Giles, Kindersley Director Ex-Officio ...... David Marit, Fife Lake

Janie Metcalfe, Manager of S.A.R.M.’s Trading Department, conducted a draw for several door prizes. S.A.R.M. President Dave Marit noted that Mrs. Metcalfe had recently announced her intention to retire as Manager of the Trading Department later in 2010 after many, many years of dedicated service to the R.M.s and to the Administrators of this province.

The convention concluded with a draw for a $750.00 travel voucher courtesy of CAA Travel. Don Johnston, who normally represents CAA Travel in Regina, was unable to attend in person due to a prior commitment.

The convention adjourned at 11:20 a.m.

______Donald McCallum, President Kevin Ritchie, Executive-Director

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