About the BCRTA

History

After the BC Teachers’ Federation was formed in 1917, retired teachers began meeting in private homes in Vancouver, and they formed themselves into an association with the primary purpose of improving teachers’ pensions. At about the same time a group of retired teachers in Victoria formed an association with the same goal. In time the two groups joined in common purpose, which led to the formation in 1945 of the BCRTA. The B.C. Retired Teachers’ Association was incorporated as a Society in 1955 with its main objective “to guard the interests and to promote the welfare of its members.”

Mission

The mission of the BCRTA is the maintenance and enhancement of the quality of life for its members specifically and other seniors generally. The purpose of the BCRTA is to promote the interests of the members, to provide information and advice to members on retirement programmes and benefits, to communicate to members on the activities of the Association and issues of common interest, and to promote excellence in public education.

Our Affiliates

Our People

Board of Directors

Arnie Lambert
President

Caroline Malm
First Vice-President

Dave Scott
Second Vice-President

Grace Wilson
Past President

Barb Mikulec
Director – Lower Mainland

Lorell Dennill
Director – Outside Lower Mainland

Linda Watson
Director – Lower Mainland

Margaret Sutton
Director – Outside Lower Mainland

Pat Thiesen
Director – Lower Mainland

Ros Kellett
Director – Lower Mainland

Stephanie Koropatnick
Director – Outside Lower Mainland

Cathy Macintosh Lambright
Director – Outside Lower Mainland

Gerry Tiede
Past President ACER-CART

Dave Denyer
ACER-CART Representative

BCRTA Staff

Tim Anderson
Executive Director

Kristi Josephson
Office Administrator

Laurie Boyd
Administrative Assistant

Amberly Tse
Receptionist

Past Directors & Presidents

2014-2015

Stefan Cieslik, Tom Brunker, Jo Ann Lauber, Grace Wilson, Barb Mikulec, Regina Day, Steve Bailey, Elaine Anderson, Bob Taverner, Cliff Boldt, Gail Montgomery, Charan Gill, Val Dyer, Patricia Clough

2013-2014

Cliff Boldt, Bob Taverner, Charan Gill, Jo Ann Lauber, Steve Bailey, Regina Day, Stefan Cieslik, Gerry Tiede, Margaret Sutton, Val Dyer, Elaine Anderson, Patricia Clough, Doug Edgar, Barb Mikulec, Tom Brunker

2012-2013

Cliff Boldt, Charan Gill, Barb Mikulec, Regina Day, Steve Bailey, Doug Edgar, Jo Ann Lauber, Bob Taverner, Joanell Clarke, Patricia Clough, Gerry Tiede, Carolyn Prellwitz, Margaret Sutton, Sheila Gair, Pat Brady

2011-2012

Cameron Cascon, Patricia Clough, Sheila Pither, Doug Edgar, Margaret Sutton, Cliff Boldt, Carolyn Prellwitz, Bob Taverner, Jo Ann Lauber, Syvia MacLeay, Judy deVries, Regina Day, Gerry Tiede, Tom Brunker

2009

Front Row: Doug Edgar, Sheila Pither, Syvia MacLeay, Cliff Boldt, Ron Awai
Back Row: Carolyn Prellwitz, Jo Ann Lauber, Keith Coates, Judy de Vries, Bob Taverner, Diane Gorton, Gerry Tiede, Tom Brunker

Our Committees

Advocacy Committee

2022/23

Chair, Arnie Lambert

Grace Wilson

Caroline Malm

Dave Scott

The Advocacy committee’s objectives are :

  • Advisory to the Board, its committees and branches when advocacy projects are being considered or undertaken
  • Continue to seek support in working with kindred organizations around issues affecting seniors
  • Identify appropriate people in government to be approached on issues affecting our members.

Communications Committee

2023/24

Chair, David Denyer

Grace Wilson

Lori Dennill

Pat Thiesen

Rosalind Kellett

Judith Blakeston

Debra Page

Excellence in Education Committee

2023/24

Chair, Margaret Sutton

Barb Mikulec

Cathy  Macintosh Lambright

Larry Kuehn

Louisa Sanchez

Gail Chaddock-Costello

Finance Committee

2023/24

Chair, Caroline Malm

Arnie Lambert

Dave Scott

Grace Wilson

Linda Watson

Stephanie Koropatnick

Cathy Macintosh Lambright

Heritage Committee

2023/24

Chair, Stephanie Koropatnick

Margaret Sutton

Carol Baird-Krul

Larry Kuehn

Louisa Sanchez

Sylvia Malthouse

Rosalind Kellett

Membership Committee

2023/24

Chair, Dave Scott

David Ellis

Pat Thiesen

Liz MacKenzie

Laurence Greeff

Cathy Macintosh Lambright

Pensions & Benefits Committee

2023/24

Chair, Linda Watson

Judy Stewart

Al Cornes

Arnie Lambert

Rob Taylor

Liz MacKenzie

Carolyn Prellwitz

John Chisamore

Member Well-Being Committee

2023/24

Chair, Lori Dennill

Barb Mikulec

Stephanie Koropatnick

Carol Baird-Krul

Pat Thiesen

Debra Page

Health Benefits Committee

2023/24

Gerry Tiede, Chair

Dale Lauber

Grace Wilson

Arnie Lambert

Dave Scott

Liz MacKenzie

John Chisamore

2024 Committee Application Fillable Form

Member Benefits

BCRTA members have access to exclusive Extended Health Benefits packages, Insurance Plans and other financial services. In addition, our Members’ Advantage Plan connects our members to a wide range of discount offers and special promotions on travel, accommodation, car rental, recreation experiences and other products and services.

Our National Presence with ACER – CART

BCRTA is one of the founding partners of the Canadian Association of Retired Teachers (Association Canadienne des Enseignantes et des Enseignants Retraités) which advocates for pension security and the well-being of seniors on the national stage.

BCRTA’s 75th Anniversary

At our 2021 Conference, BCRTA celebrated 75 years of service to retired educators. This video features greetings to BCRTA from leaders in education and retiree associations across Canada.