Heritage Magazine, Spring/Summer 2002

Message from the Heritage Club’s National President, Bernie Dixon

Last year, for the first time in the club’s then 12-year history, we brought our annual report to the membership within the pages of the Heritage magazine.  Members commented that it was refreshing to see this information so conveniently accessible. They hoped we would continue “opening the books” to members and showing the workings and activities of the club.

Here then is the club’s annual report for 2001.  In keeping with Canada Post’s changeover from an April 1/March 31 fiscal year to a January 1/December 31 fiscal year in 2001, our annual report covers a nine-month period only as well.  Future annual reports will cover a full calendar year.

In addition to the club’s financial report, we have listed here the highlights of activities undertaken across the country, and the magazine itself supplements the report and from issue to issue bears testament to the good works and camaraderie of the club.

As bringing you this report is one of my last duties as your national president, I want to take the opportunity now to reiterate the pride I take in being associated with a fellowship such as the Heritage Club. I am honoured to be part of a group whose good will and selfless efforts combine with an eagerness to maintain the long-time friendships of former colleagues for the benefit of less fortunate Canadians.

Message from Canada Post’s Executive Vice President, Business Operations, Anne Joynt

I am pleased to see that the Club remains committed to easing the burden of those in our communities who need assistance, both through a wide variety of fundraising efforts and enthusiastic personal participation. It is heartening to see that the good works our employees are involved in while pursuing their careers with Canada Post remain constant as they move into retirement.  The evidence is reflected here in the magazine and in your annual report, which is full of commendable examples of your dedication and your hard work as members of the Heritage Club.  Bravo to each of you!

I know you will join me in bidding a fond farewell to Bernie Dixon, your departing national president. It is clear to me that the continuation of the Club as an active and energetic organization is, in no small part, due to his dedication and hard work. Bernie’s leadership and vision have been invaluable in the transitional journey of the Heritage Club towards increasing self-sufficiency.  Thank you, Bernie.

In closing, I’d like to encourage each and every one of you to renew your efforts to support your chapters’ activities and to participate in the opportunities presented through the Heritage Club to socialize and reminisce with former colleagues. In this way, you will be enriching your own life and the lives of those in your communities.

Summary

Once again, Heritage Club chapters showed their commitment to their community and to literacy. A solid core of members in most chapters volunteered of their time and effort in support of a wide variety of causes. From Newfoundland to British Columbia, members could be found delivering ‘meals on wheels’, visiting shut-ins, assisting at food banks and offering income tax assistance for those who needed it. Literacy causes also gained from members who give of their time, whether helping in schools and public libraries, writing letters for seniors, or assisting in language for immigrant programs. Financial support was also available as chapters channeled monies from the Canada Post Literacy Fund to deserving agencies.

Heritage Club members could also be found volunteering for a variety of Canada Post events and programs, such as the Postal Employees Curling Classic and the Canadian Postal Challenge.  They were also proud of their contributions to the Santa Letter-writing Program-an amazing 202,500 letters answered (see story, p. ?).

Members also showed they not only liked to have fun, but they knew how. Chapter executives were kept busy organizing golf tournaments, bowling days, barbecues, luncheons, day trips, sugar bush visits, and coffee socials for members. Some chapters also organized longer tours and trips to such diverse destinations as New York City and Georgian Bay. As well, more and more chapters were organizing annual dinners for their members.

Chapter executives were kept busy during 2001 encouraging membership participation in social and community events, and some were very innovative:

• Well known for its unique tutoring program at the Guelph Corrections Centre, a medium-security prison in Ontario, Grand Saugeen chapter is about to launch another program with the Wellington Learning Center in Arthur, Ontario (see story, p. 7).

• Geographically dispersed, Trent Severn chapter is currently surveying its members on the establishment of district councils to facilitate the organization of social and community activities.

• With six very active councils in this widespread chapter, Central Yukootok is a good example of how to use councils to increase member involvement.

• The 5,000-plus volunteer hours worked by Van Fraser members on the restoration of the Railway Mail Car 3704, and the $7,000 raised for the project, finally paid off in last year’s grand unveiling of the train.

• Kebec chapter continued its support of the Christmas card exchange, and more than 1,250 students participated in the program.  And more than 800 members took part in fun events like the chapter’s banquet and its popular golf tournament.

• Many social activities were organized last year for the pleasure of Laurentides-Lanaudière members, such as aquafit classes, a seven-day fishing trip, 18 golf days, a dinner-theatre event, and seven meetings for members.  More than 2,500 members participated in these activities.

Captions:

1. Members of the Grand Saugeen chapter enjoy a variety of social activities during the year, like this tour of Niagara Lights, which included a visit to a local winery.
2. Trent Severn’s Belleville members get together each month for lunch and a hearty chat.  At their luncheon last Christmas, members combined fun with charity.  Each person brought along a item to donate, and a large box of food was later delivered to the Salvation Army food bank.
3. Richelieu chapter members enjoy many activities throughout the year, like their annual golf tournament, followed by dinner. Members love these events because they are an opportunity for former colleagues to socialize and reacquaint themselves with-or get to know-members who are still working.  Shown here at last year’s tournament, the chapter’s eighth, are Normand Hurtubise (right) and Bernard Giguère, a lucky winner during one of the evening’s draws.
4. Richelieu vice president Jean-Jacques Langlois (left) presents a cheque to Monique Poisson, co-ordinator for L’Écrit tôt, one of several literacy organizations this chapter supports through its fundraising efforts.
5. Confederation chapter members get together for a Christmas dinner and dance.  This year, president Bernie Bougie (third from left) presented beautiful Year of the Volunteer bookmarks to (from left) Roland Brazeau, Cécile Gratton, Roger Joly, Thérèse Brazeau, Marie Parent, Rita Noonan, and Maurice Clairoux.  These people spend countless hours in volunteer service every year.  And Bernie Dixon (far right), national president, was on hand to honour Bernie Bougie with a souvenir of his own for all the work he does as volunteer.
6. Last fall, Terra Nova chapter held a “Reunion 2001″ dinner and dance attended by more than 100 guests. Members came from all over Newfoundland and Labrador.  So successful was this event that plans are under way for “Reunion 2002.”
7. Terra Nova members joined their former colleagues to collect more than 10,000 lbs of food for their annual food drive for the Stephenville Emergency Food Services in Newfoundland.
8. Laurier chapter president Jules Hébert (left) and first vice president Léopold Ricard present a cheque to Ginette Huard, co-ordinator for La Cité des Mots.
9. Heartland chapter members take part in a myriad of social and business-related events.  As one small example, by participating in Canada Post’s Mystery Shopper Program last fall, they raised $700.  The money was distributed to the Empty Stocking Fund and Spirit of Christmas, the youth shelter Rossbrook House, the Children’s Wish Foundation, and the Salvation Army’s Grace Hospital.  Shown here is president Mike Mykytyn (with Santa hat) writing a cheque, flanked by vice president Harry Onagi (left) and treasurer Mike Bonnie.
10. Yellowhead chapter donated significantly to literacy last year.  For example, $250 each went to the W.P. Bate School for its literacy program and to the Holy Family School in North Battleford to purchase books for the library.  And on the occasion of its 50th anniversary, St. Michael’s Community School in Saskatoon received a cheque for $500 from Bud Kobussen, president, shown here (left), for the school’s literacy program.