News1

This has been an eventful year for RAQ and its council has accomplished much.  One of the results of Council members’ activities is a growth in membership as well as a renewed interest in expanding RAQ’s presence in both the Queen’s community and in the community at large.

The most significant event this year has been the 50% increase in the Provost’s Office grant to RAQ and to the Monday Morning Forums, an amount that will allow us to do more for our members – and the university.  The very exciting news about our Bursary is that our first Bursary recipient has been named and was presented at the AGM.  We hope that members (and others) will continue to donate to the RAQ Bursary so that we can contribute to other students’ academic experience for many years beyond our original mandate.

RAQ representatives have had numerous meetings with the university administration to foster our members’ interests; for example, we’ve had several meetings with the VP Finance to discuss the status of our pension and benefits and to advocate for various enhanced services for retirees.  The Pension & Benefits Committee continues to work with monitoring pension changes and in advocating for better benefits.  To encourage currently retiring Queen’s personnel to join our organization, the Membership Committee has also negotiated a presence at meetings of prospective retirees organized by Queen’s Human Resources and has produced a promotional brochure to distribute there and elsewhere.

Photos used with permission.

RAQ representatives have had numerous meetings with the university administration to foster our members’ interests; for example, we’ve had several meetings with the VP Finance to discuss the status of our pension and benefits and to advocate for various enhanced services for retirees.  The Pension & Benefits Committee continues to work with monitoring pension changes and in advocating for better benefits.  To encourage currently retiring Queen’s personnel to join our organization, the Membership Committee has also negotiated a presence at meetings of prospective retirees organized by Queen’s Human Resources and has produced a promotional brochure to distribute there and elsewhere.

Council has been characterized by energy, enthusiasm, and hard work; members work together, sharing ideas between council meetings and are effective in making RAQ an important resource for Queen’s retirees and a valued support for Queen’s.  The Membership Committee continues to advocate for retiree discounts at various venues and for services from the university.  The Communication Committee is always seeking ways to enhance the different ways we have of keeping members up-to–date.  Council members Sue Miklas and Cheryl Descent have been engaged in a project to  review both our constitution and our policies to develop a handbook for RAQ and to bring our HR policies into line with Queen’s Best Practices.  Council will be reviewing the constitution in the coming months.  The gift of a discarded computer from the Smith School of Business will make RAQ more efficient and our Office Administrator less frustrated.  As most of you know, a “discarded” computer from the Business School is close to a “new” one for us. 

Among our goals for the coming year are an increase in RAQ membership; improved communication with and advocacy for members; a strengthened relationship with Queen’s and other organizations that foster issues important to our members; and increased involvement of members in our community and activities. 

           Eleanor Rogers, RAQ president