President's Message

President's Message

Windsor/Essex District 7 is part of the 48 districts that makes up the Provincial RTO/ERO body. We have over 2000 members from both the English and French sectors of education.

Our focus is to act on behalf of the seniors and the community at large through our Political Advocacy Committee.  We have representation at the Provincial Executive level through the hard work of those elected to the governing body.

Windsor/Essex District 7 has two luncheons a year. The Spring Luncheon includes the Annual General Meeting where members are elected to executive positions. We also have several members who chair other committees. The Fall Luncheon has offered Crafters to display their creations and to give opportunities for our members to purchase gifts. At each luncheon we have a 50/50 draw and the proceeds go to the Bursary Fund. We offer three $500.00 bursaries to Faculty of Education Students who have family members belonging to RTO/ERO. The cheques are presented to these successful individuals at our Spring Luncheon. As well, lovely centrepieces are created and donations from these are given to the many needy organizations. Our deceased members are recognized through a Memorial Service at every luncheon.

We offer two Golf Tournaments that are fun in nature and a great get together to share lunch with friends. Our breakfast group meets at different restaurants both in the city and the county. This has really caught on and the group is expanding. We encourage you to be part of this group.

Tours are organized and listed in our newsletter. Please take advantage of the opportunity to participate and enjoy these tours.

 We send out three Newsletters a year and these can be viewed and can also be downloaded from our excellent website (http://district7.erorto.org.).

Our Goodwill Committee, the heart of our organization, sends out many cards of different nature and occasions. Committee members keep in touch with our members over 80 years old and those who are shut ins. The contributions of these caring individuals are priceless.

District 7 oversees applications for community, national and international projects through the Project-Service to Others program offered by Provincial.  Many of our community groups have received considerable stipends through this program.

This year RTO/ERO Provincial has established a Charitable Foundation to leave a lasting legacy by creating opportunities for research and for initiatives that seek to improve the quality of life of seniors across Canada. It aims to raise funds to increase the number of professionals and support staff qualified and trained in geriatric care. Through our efforts with our silent auction, RTO/ERO District 7 has raised $619.00 towards this worthwhile cause. We will continue to support the foundation with other fundraising techniques.

Please continue to support our District endeavours and consider being part of this wonderful organization at the district level as well as at the provincial level.

Simone Rickerby

President, The Retired Teachers of Ontario/ les enseignantes et enseignants retraités de l’Ontario,

District 7 - Windsor/Essex