President’s Report – January 2023

As I write my first message as President of Vancouver Division, I am hoping that we can get back to our normal activities after the Covid related turbulence of the last three years.  Although the World Health Organization still considers Covid a global emergency, here in BC, we seem to have put most restrictions behind us.  Our first General Meeting of 2023 will be held on February 16 and our guest speakers will be John Robin and Janis Gray who will be giving a presentation on Friends of Ukrainian Law Enforcement.  We look forward to seeing your there.

This year, the 150^th Anniversary of the RCMP is being celebrated.  The RCMPVA Annual General Meeting is being hosted by Ottawa Division on May 26-27 with many interesting events on tap.  Further information will be forthcoming from Ottawa Division.

The Musical Ride is coming to our area in June.  Planning is underway for 3 shows in Surrey on June 24 & 25, a show in Burnaby on June 26 and a show in Chilliwack on the 27^th.  The Veterans Association has been asked to participate in these events.  Further details will follow.

The Support and Advocacy program is an important part of our Association.  I would like to thank John, Murray and Alain for their time and dedication to the program.  John has taken on the additional role as one of the two National Chief Advocates. If you are interested in assisting with the program, please contact John, Murray or Alain for further information.

If you have any ideas for speakers or events, we welcome your input.  A list of our current Executive is attached, so please contact any of us.

Please check the Division Website for more updates and information:

http://www.rcmpveteransvancouver.com/

FEBRUARY GENERAL MEETING:

The next General Meeting is being held on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at Hazelmere Golf & Tennis Club, 18150 8 Avenue, Surrey B.C.  Doors open at 11:00 a.m. with buffet lunch being served at 12 noon.  The cost for lunch is $40.00 per person. 

Our guest speakers are retired RCMP members John Robin and Janis Gray who will be presenting information on Friends of Ukrainian Law Enforcement.  John spent 14 months (2019-20) in Ukraine, leading a team of police officers from across Canada, focused on training and mentorship for the National Police of Ukraine, supporting that country’s police and justice reform initiatives.

Pre-payment by e-transfer, or cash only at door.

Attendance by Reservation Only

Contact Dorothy Martinson, Veterans’ Social Director

(604) 261-4630 or demartinson@shaw.ca

no later than Monday, February 13, 2023

2023 DUES:

Your 2023 Annual dues are now payable.  Unlike what seems like everything else, your annual dues have not increased and remain at $65.00.  All renewals are done through National headquarters at this time.

On January 1, 2023, the National portion of your dues increased from $45.00 to $50.00.  After a discussion based on our financial situation, Vancouver Division Executive voted that Vancouver Division will not raise the yearly dues for 2023 and they will remain at $65.00.  We will operate our Division on $15.00 per person that we receive from your $65.00 per annum.  Please note, however, that in all likelihood an increase in 2024 will be necessary.

All membership dues are to be paid to the RCMP Veterans’ Association in Ottawa, Ontario since the administration of membership information has now been centralized since earlier in 2021.

Your Dues are not accepted at the Division level, by our Treasurer, Rupert BULLOCK. 

Dues are to be paid direct to National by one of the following methods:

1. Online (credit card):  Members can pay online on the National RCMPVA website by going to: https://rcmpva.org/ “Log in” and click on “Memberships” and on the far right of the page click on the “Renew” option and pay by credit card.
2. Cheque:   Members wishing to pay by cheque may do so directly to the National association office. **Please provide your name and contact information, and clearly indicate which Division and which year you would like funds applied to**.

NOTE:  All cheques must be made payable to “RCMP Veterans’ Association”.

Please send the cheque to:

RCMP Veterans’ Association
P.O. Box 8900 Canadian Police College
1 Sandridge Road
Ottawa, Ontario
K1G 3J2

For those who have not paid their 2022 dues, please ensure that they are paid up at your earliest convenience. National has advised that for those who have not paid their 2021/2022 Dues, by January 1, 2023, you will be removed from the (Vancouver) RCMP Veterans Association Roster.

If you know of one of our Senior Vets, who has not been able to pay their Dues because of health issues (hospital/care home), please let us know so we can reach out to them.

We urge you to renew, as although travel is limited over the past 2 years (but showing signs of bouncing back), your voice is still important to our Vets.

Should you wish to update your personal Information or check on the status of dues paid, you need to do it yourself through the National Membership Management System directly (www.rcmpva.org), as it can no longer be done at the Division level. 

UPDATING RCMPVA PROFILE:

 Are you receiving the bulletins from RCMPVA National office?  Many have not updated address, telephone number or e-mail address since they joined the association.

As noted above:   Your information can no longer be updated at the Division level – you must do it yourself through the National Membership Management System directly, (instructions are listed below)

You must sign into the MEMBERSHIP SYSTEM area of the National website and make the necessary changes to your profile: https://membership.rcmpva.org

A few steps will ensure that you receive communication for the Association:

1. Open the National Website:www.rcmpva.org.
2. Click on MEMBERSHIP SYSTEM
3. Click on MEMBER LOGIN.
4. On the login screen, enter your e-mail address and your password.
5. Click on RCMPVA MEMBER PROFILE UPDATE.
6. Click on the EDIT PROFILE bar.
7. When you have made the changes, click on SAVE the changes and updates and exit.

If you have difficulties contact: membership.admin@rcmpva.org

EXECUTIVE 2023:

SUPPORT & ADVOCACY PROGRAM:

One of the important functions of our Association is members helping members and the Support and Advocacy Program is a key component.  Our Division Vice President, John Sherstone shares the role of Chief Advocate at the National level.  He is assisted at the Division level by Director Murray Macham and Alain Duplantie.  Together, they have assisted members and their families with pension issues, VAC applications and survivor benefits to name a few of the areas.

A number of their clients are not members of the Veterans Association, however, the Advocates have provided them with assistance.  As evidenced by our former career, it is not within our nature to say NO when someone asks for our help.  We do ask those who are seeking assistance from the Advocacy program to join our Association.  Further information and applications for membership can be found on the National website:  https://rcmpva.org/

 VETERANS OMBUD TOWNHALL MEETINGS:

Representatives of the Office of Veterans Ombud have scheduled an upcoming visit to BC. During the BC trip, they will be doing a number of Town Halls at various locales.  Serving RCMP members and Veterans are invited to attend. Please see below for the Town Hall that have been planned.

Veteran and serving CAF and RCMP members, and their families, are invited to join Veterans Ombud, Colonel (Ret’d) Nishika Jardine and team members at the town halls in British Columbia.

They look forward to hearing about the issues that impact local Veterans and their families, to ensure the work they do can best serve you.

Please join us.

Please RSVP at vac.ovo.communication-communication.bov.acc@ombudsman-veterans.bc.ca

CLOVERDALE LEGION – PEACEKEEPERS:

Each MP in Canada has been asked to determine if they have a Peacekeeper in their riding that would be willing to be interviewed. We have been asked by John Aldag’s office (MP Cloverdale/Langley City) if we might know of someone.  If you, or someone you know, was a Peacekeeper and is in Mr. Aldag’s riding, could you please contact our office as soon as possible at 604-574-5300 ext. 5.

Thank you

Rosanne Mitchell, Membership Chair
Cloverdale Legion Branch 01-006
604 574-5300 Ext. 4

VOLUNTEER DRIVERS NEEDED:

The RCMPVA, Vancouver Division has received a request from the Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society who need volunteer drivers.  Full details of the program can be found at:  https://volunteercancerdrivers.ca

You can also contact Gord Locke, Director – External Communications at 604-813-3978 or gord.l@volunteercancerdrivers.ca for more information.