A non-profit organization, led by volunteers, the SRA provides a forum for the pursuit of issues and discussion important to enhance the lives of retirees and their families.
Acting with openness and honesty.
All members are encouraged to openly share their opinions and view.
Working together building relationships to create value for the members.
Treat members with mutual respect and value their contribution.
Pride, enthusiasm and dedication in everything we do.
Dedicated to satisfying member needs and honouring commitments made to them.
Supportive of each other’s efforts to meet our shared goals.
Accepting responsibility for one’s actions
SRA Committees – Descriptions
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee supports the SRA in achieving its mission by aligning decisions with the association’s vision and strategic goals. It acts on urgent matters on behalf of the Board, ensuring transparency and adherence to policies. The committee reviews and recommends governance policies, monitors the implementation of board directives, and ensures decisions prioritize member benefits. Additionally, it provides oversight and support to the SRA President, fostering accountability and collaboration.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee provides leadership in financial policies, planning, and controls to support the Board’s strategic direction. It advises on financial matters, oversees budgeting and long-term business planning, ensures compliance with policies and regulations, and liaises with the Board-appointed auditor to maintain financial integrity.
Growth & Communications Committee
This committee drives membership growth and engagement by identifying opportunities, collaborating with member organizations, and enhancing external communications. It ensures members stay informed on pensions, seniors’ issues, and health and dental services. Key responsibilities include producing the SRA newsletter and Annual Report, conducting membership surveys, and managing website updates to support member satisfaction and retention.
Group Benefits Committee
This committee oversees the SRA Health and Dental Plans, ensuring sustainability, growth, and member value. It monitors industry trends, reviews premium rates and coverage, and leads renewal processes. The committee works closely with insurers to address member needs and collaborates on communications. It also explores additional benefits and provides regular updates to the Board on plan performance and key developments.
Governance Committee
The Governance Committee ensures a strong governance structure that aligns with the SRA’s mission, mandate, and strategic direction. It oversees the review of bylaws, policies, and procedures, maintains governance records, and ensures compliance with relevant laws. The committee also evaluates committee mandates, manages honorary memberships, and collaborates on Board succession planning to ensure a diverse and well-qualified leadership team.
Pensions & Issues Committee
The Pensions & Issues Committee monitors and responds to pension-related issues affecting SRA members. It manages SRA’s relationship with Plannera, leads advocacy efforts with external stakeholders, and develops research-based discussion papers to inform the Board and membership on key pension and advocacy matters.
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee manages member inquiries, oversees the application process, and maintains an up-to-date membership database. It also reviews and addresses membership issues to support the needs of the SRA, its Board, and committees.
All Committee Members are Volunteers and Include:
A Chair who is a member of the SRA Board, 2-3 members also from the Board and 1-2 members who can volunteer from the general membership. The President of SRA sits on each committee ex officio. Committee members are volunteers and are recommended by the Chairperson and approved by the Board.
The SRA Bylaws include a provision for Honorary Lifetime Members. The following members have received this award for their service to the SRA:
Roland (Rolli) Bachelu has provided invaluable service to the SRA with his tireless efforts to build a reliable membership database and tracking/communication process for the many members. He has been involved at the Board and Committee level for over twenty years, taking on the challenge of rebuilding the member roster after part of the history was lost. Rolli has also served as a mentor to several Committee and Board members that continue to serve the SRA in various capacities. An avid sportsperson, Rolli continues to be active, vibrant and involved with his contagious passion and energy.
After many years of service to the Ministry of Health, it was a natural transition for Marian to join the SK Retirees Association Board of Directors and continue her contribution to improve others’ lives. Through her involvement at the Board and the Group Benefits Committee, Marian demonstrated her compassion, dedication and future focused thinking to assist the success of the SRA.
Jack retired in the mid 1990’s after a career in both the cooperative system and the public sector. Jack volunteered with the SRA, where he spent time contacting members that were in arrears in paying their membership fees. Most of these fees were collected due to his diligence and persistence. This was done over several years. Jack was also involved with the Group Benefits Committee in process of reviewing tenders sent to various insurance companies. Eventually, the SRA continued its relationship with GMS. He was involved in negotiations with GMS to establish a marketing commission for the SRA. Jack was always involved in the planning for the Annual General Meeting to ensure members had a positive experience while meeting to discuss the business of the organization.
Frank May spent 35 years working for the people of Saskatchewan in various positions related to Education, Science and Technology in Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Regina. With his retirement in 1987, Frank soon found another opportunity to continue his contribution to Saskatchewan. As part of the Saskatchewan Government Superannuates Association, which later was renamed the Saskatchewan Retiree Association, Frank began a lengthy period of successful volunteerism. His contributions to the SRA are many, with years as a director, committee member and through his stewardship of the financial operations of the organization. Frank served as the Treasurer/VP, Finance for over a decade where he managed the operations with care and diligence as the SRA membership expanded, and the Board of Directors began to transition to new leaders. With changing times, Frank continued to participate, helping new directors understand the mandate of the SRA and reminding many of the view of the founders from 1975. He has served as a leader, mentor and counsellor to ensure that the direction and purpose of the SRA stays focused on the needs of all members across Saskatchewan. While Frank chose to step back somewhat in 2020, he continues to be an able historian that can be relied upon for advice, ideas and good humour as he always has the interests of SRA close to his heart.
With a background of service in Executive Government, Jack has been actively involved in the continued development and modernization of the SK Retirees Association. His leadership at the Board level and in chairing the Group Benefits Committee ensured that the current benefits plans remained relevant and continued to meet the needs of the many retirees of the provincial public sector.
Linda has served as part of the SRA for an extended period as a member, including serving on the Board of Directors in the early 2000’s. She is very involved in the labour movement through SGEU and the SK Federation of Labour. Linda is an activist that cares deeply for the rights and concerns of workers in Saskatchewan. Through her service she has participated at many levels in organizations interested in the well being of older adults. Linda has often played a role less visible, but equally effective in ensuring that her views were well known and understood. Linda is a tireless worker whose contribution is worthy of consideration as an honorary member of the SRA.
Robert (Bob) Walker has served the SRA for many years, both as an active member and as part of Committees and the Board of Directors. He was a key leader, working behind the scenes in the development and introduction of the SRA Health Plan, key to the continued success and funding of the Association. Bob has a keen sense of history and is aware that the foundational members are now fewer, so has made efforts to pass on the history and documents to a new generation of leaders. Never afraid to ask a question and complement, Bob’s contribution has been significant the success of the SRA.
Alf’s involvement with the SRA is marked by a legacy of achievements. His involvement in launching the SRA Health and Dental Plan was important but his landmark achievement was the success in getting partial indexing for public sector pensioners so they would have some protection for their future incomes. As a member of the Board, including Board Chair for over 10 years, Alf has left an indelible mark on the Association. He also was instrumental in recruiting future leaders so the organization would continue to thrive and succeed. His determination is well known, unafraid to ask the hard questions and drive for the results he believed were important, even when it was less politically acceptable to follow a certain style and direction. His long-term contribution set the stage for the SRA that continues to attract members in record numbers.
