1. Chapter Presidents’ Meeting

Given the current situation regarding COVID-19 in our province, the STS Provincial Executive at its’ meeting on September 15^th postponed the Chapter Presidents’ meeting originally intended to occur on October 28, 2021, to a new tentative date of March 18, 2022.

2. Provincial STS Recreational Events

Earlier communication indicated that no STS provincial recreational events would occur for the remainder of 2012.  The STS Recreational Committee would like to communicate that local Chapters who had been previously approved to host an event will be given preference for hosting in 2022.  Never the less, Chapters are asked to re-submit a request to host a provincial recreational event to the STS office so we are aware of your intentions.

3. Extended Health and Dental Plan

The STS Extended Health and Dental Plan has had a positive financial experience as reported by Saskatchewan Blue Cross at financial year end June 30th. We have now entered the final year of the agreement with Saskatchewan Blue Cross which means negotiations towards a new Agreement will be occurring in the coming months.

4. Health Spending Account

A Health Spending Account was implemented for members of the Extended Health and Dental Plan on July 1, 2021.  This provides an allocation of $250 for primary plan holders to utilize these funds for a wide range of Canada Revenue Agency allowable health expenses.  These funds are available until June 30, 2023.  Please see the STS website as well as Frequently Asked Questions for more information at www.sts.sk.ca.

5. International Day of Older Persons

The International Day of Older Persons was established by the United Nations General Assembly and occurs yearly on October 1.  STS supports the work of the Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism (SSM) and invites you to watch for information and a media presence from SSM as they launch a new initiative in combination with this important day.

6. STS Office

The STS office continues to be open to the public at 2311 Arlington Avenue.  However, members are required to wear face masks as they enter the building and are asked to proceed directly to the STS office.  Members continue to be served via phone and email if that is their preference.

If you have further questions or concerns regarding any of these items, please utilize the email sts@sts.sk.ca and not reply to directly to this email.  Thank you!  Memo to Chapter Presidents Sept 17 2021                                                                                          Memo to Chapter Presidents Sept 17 2021

Good Day Everyone:  Attached please find a document written by Dave and Sandra Baron.  Dave and Sandra have distributed this document to several local newspapers and have asked me to pass it on to our membership.  I wholeheartedly agree with their comments and I suspect that you do as well.  I invite you to follow their recommendation and contact our MLA’s.  Our rural health care system is being eroded and we are one of the groups who are directly affected by the reduction of services.

Once It Is Gone

Attached please find my March 2021 Chapter Liaison Report for distribution to your chapter members. I certainly enjoyed our telephone conversations and hope that the information in the attached report will be useful to members especially regarding the upcoming AGM.

Thank you for making this information available to everyone and please call or email if you have questions or comments.

Again, it was great to connect with you!

Have a fine day,

Terri Mitchell
STS Chapter Liaison                                                                                                              March 2021 Chapter Liaison Report

Good day everyone:  The Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism is celebrating “Let No One Be Alone” week from January 25th to the 31st. Let No One Be Alone week is dedicated to reaching out and connecting with older adults who live alone as well as those living in care facilities.                                                                                                  Spiritual Practice                                                                                                                      Art                                                                                                                                              Exercise                                                                                                                                    Communication                                                                                                                        Music                                                                                                                                        Nature                                                                                                                                        Virtual Travel and Events

Good Day Everyone and Happy New Year.  2020 has been a trying year in many ways.  Some of us have had personal losses and all of us have been struggling to deal with the effect that Covid-19 has had on our lives.  However, we bat on as best we can knowing that 2021 will be a much better year.

Good afternoon, everyone!

The Provincial Executive met via Zoom yesterday.  I have prepared the attached report for distribution to our membership and I would greatly appreciate your help in facilitating that process.  Of significant interest is the decision to move to a virtual format for an AGM in the new year, and there will certainly be much more to follow in that regard.

I hope you are all enjoying the warmer weather this week and staying safe and healthy. I very much appreciate your messages and updates regarding your Chapters as well as news of your families and various other activities.

Thank you for your continued attention to STS matters and I look forward to further communications with you.

Have a fine day,
Terri Mitchell
Chapter Liaison                                                                                                          STS Chapter Liaison Report and Greetings from Terri Mitchell, November 3, 2020

1. STS Office Opening 

The STS Office has opened by appointment only as of October 13, 2020. In order to protect the health and safety of visitors and staff, we ask that you:

• call (306) 373-3879 to schedule an appointment
• wear a mask as you enter the building at 2311 Arlington Avenue
• read and follow the signage in the building
• use the available hand sanitizer upon entering the office
• wait in the hall if staff is seeing another member
• not enter the office if you are feeling unwell

2. Audited Financial Statements

Typically copies of the audited financial statements for both the Superannuated Teachers of Saskatchewan and the STS Extended Health Fund are distributed at the fall Presidents Meeting.  Given the COVID-19 situation and the inability to gather for a Presidents Meeting, you will find the two sets of Audited Financial Statements for the year ended June 30, 2020 attached to this email.  Some summary comments about the statements are found below.  If you have further questions regarding these statements, or would like a hard copy of the statements mailed to you, please contact the office.

                STS Operating and Contingency Funds

• The auditing firm Deloitte provided a clean audit with no concerns expressed
• The Operating Fund is in a strong financial position and had 2019-20 revenues exceeding expenses by $410,137 largely due to the impacts of COVID-19, such as:
  • Postponement of 2020 AGM
  • Reduced Executive expenses due to electronic meetings
  • Reduced office expenses due to delays in technology enhancements
  • Reduced Outreach expenses due to cancelled issues
• STS Policy Handbook Guideline 9 provides guidance regarding the allocation of this surplus to the Reserve Funds

                STS Extended Health Fund

• The auditing firm Deloitte provided a clean audit with no concerns expressed
• The Extended Health Fund is in a strong financial position and had 2019-20 revenues exceeding expenses by approximately $4.2M largely due to the impacts of COVID-19, such as:
  • Reduced claims for paramedical services
  • Reduced claims for regularly scheduled dental visits
  • Changed patterns of accessing benefits
• This completes the second year of what is now a four-year agreement with Blue Cross extending to June 30, 2022

3. Chapter Rebates

Chapter rebate cheques and membership lists will be mailed to Chapter Treasurers in the next week.

4. STS Extended Health Plan Travel Benefits

Many questions are being asked regarding Extended Health Plan Travel Benefits.  Travel benefits have not specifically changed with the COVID-19 situation.  However, please be reminded if you contract COVID-19 or experience any kind of illness or injury prior to leaving on your trip for which symptoms occur and/or require medical investigation, diagnosis, treatment or hospitalization within three months immediately preceding your departure date, it will likely be considered a pre-existing condition and medical coverage will not occur.  Travelers are also recommended to be aware of, and follow, Government of Canada Travel Advisories.  See the Blue Cross website for more information

https://www.sk.bluecross.ca/covid-19-information.

Please Note: If you have further questions or concerns please use the sts@sts.sk.ca email. Do not reply to this email.