to it that we enjoyed both financial and administra-tive support for RAQ operations, the MondayMorning Forums and the Human History of Queen’sproject. We are very grateful. I hope we can maintainsuch a positive relationship with interim PrincipalTom Williams.

Some Views Now, a fewthoughts on voluntarism, defined as“the principle of relying on volunteeraction rather than compulsion.” Wherewould RAQ be without the volunteerefforts of its Executive and Council,Committees, and general members?Many thanks to all who were involvedin RAQ activities over the past year –

many people and many hours. RAQ members, including those on Council, are

highly active as well in community volunteering –forexample, in charitable organizations such as theSeniors Centre or those related to health, nature, cul-ture, or civic matters. Most of us who volunteer find itsatisfying and enjoyable. It provides structure toretirement, a sense of purpose, and an opportunity tomeet new people.

Volunteering can also provide challenge andadventure. We recently received interesting informa-tion from a new NGO about volunteer opportunitiesin the developing world for retired university staffand faculty. Check out Academics for HigherEducation and Development (www.ahed-upesed.org)for more information and a description of projectsunderway. AHED assists with capacity-building in

higher education in

developingcountries and supports projects related toboth academic and non-academic aspects of tertiaryeducation. It strikes me as a good fit for the expertisevested in retirees such as ourselves who’ve hadcareers in this field.

arlene aish President

Another AGM is just past, this timethe sixth. The attendance was mostgratifying, and feedback during theluncheon indicated that the twoissues that kept RAQ particularlyoccupied in 2007-2008 were impor-tant to members.

The first was concern about changesproposed in the operation of thePension Committee – a committee thathas so well served the interests of activeand retired faculty and staff. RAQ’sPension and Benefits Committeebelieved these changes would reducethe influence and initiative of thePension Committee and transfer more decision-mak-ing to the Board of Trustees, which is responsible foruniversity finances as a whole. A great deal of workwent into this issue. Many meetings, phone calls,drafts of letters, etc. were involved, especially on thepart of Bill Wright. Largely due to his diplomatic yetfirm efforts, we still have a Pension Committee able toact on our behalf. (Please see Bill’s report on page 2.)

The other issue relates to the Academic Partnershipbetween Queen’s and RAQ. The working group, head-ed by Henry Dinsdale, met several times with repre-sentatives from Administration. As presented at theAGM, a still-developing description of the partnershiplists its purpose, objectives, administration andresources. It will be interesting to see how this part-

nership evolves. Although initially only afew faculty

and staff may bedirectly involved, I believe it is to the benefit of us allto have this kind of formal relationship with and sup-port from the University. (For more news and photosfrom the AGM, see pages 2, 3 and 4.)

Speaking of support, former Principal KarenHitchcock certainly will be missed by the Retirees’Association. She was a pleasure to work with and saw

PresidentialNews

and Views

Newsletter of the Retirees’ Association of Queen’s May 2008 Vol 6 No 3

RAQnews

Retiree appointed PrincipalSee AGM coverage – page 3

2

Score one for retirees – and cautious optimismIn late January we provided youwith a copy of a letter regarding theQueen’s Pension Plan that RAQ hadsent to William Young, Chair of theBoard of Trustees.

In this letter, we expressed ourstrong opposition to some pro-

posed changes in the operation of the existingPension Committee. Reaction to this letter from asignificant number of RAQ members was uni-versally favourable.

Mr. Young acknowledged receipt, and in a sec-ond letter he again thanked us for our input,clearly stated that the intent of any change wasnot to usurp any Pension Committee responsibil-ities, and praised the Pension Committee for itsexcellent history in investment returns as well asin balancing the best interests of plan membersand the University. He also expressed a hope thatongoing discussions would result in a mutuallysatisfactory solution.

Since that time, further meetings of both the

Pension Committee and the Board of Trusteeshave been held. I can now report that althoughdocuments are still being drafted, the originalplan to create a new Board Advisory Committeeon Pensions has been abandoned. The proposedconstitution for the existing Pension Committeewould seem to be a positive development for allplan members. At its meeting in early March, theBoard of Trustees discussed these governanceissues, and it would seem that the problems arebeing addressed in a positive manner.

We are very pleased to report that Bill Cannonhas agreed to carry on in his role of chairing thePension Committee. He is highly respected by allparties, and no doubt will continue to workeffectively for all plan members.

As retirees, you will have received a letterfrom the University that outlines the current sit-uation in somewhat greater detail. As final draftsare prepared, RAQ’s Pension and BenefitsCommittee is to be fully involved. When mattersare finalized, we will keep you informed. It isyour committee’s hope that our current cautiousoptimism will continue to prove to have beenjustified. bill wright Chair

Pensionand

Benefits Committee

Report

Thanks to the advocacy of RAQand a special committee headedby Past-President Joyce Zakos,any retired faculty or staff mem-ber who feels an urge to go backon campus as a student will finda warmer welcome in the

Registrar’s Office from now on. With the supportand endorsement of the Faculty of Arts andScience and Vice-Principal (Academic) PatrickDeane, Registrar Jo-Anne Brady has announceda new and simplified admission process forretirees who want to study for an undergraduateB.A. or B.Sc. credit.

Previously, retiree applicants, even those with

one or two university degrees, had to providetheir high school records – a near impossibilityafter 45 years or more. Negotiations for a simpli-fied procedure were initiated while Joyce wasstill president and have involved Dan Sobermanand Christiane Fleig-Hamm for RAQ and BrendaRavenscroft, Associate Dean (Studies), for theFaculty of Arts and Science.

If you wish to be admitted to a course for cred-it, please contact Stuart Pinchin, AssociateRegistrar (Undergraduate Admission), inGordon Hall. He will facilitate what Ms Bradycalls “a streamlined individual-based admissionprocess.”

Registrar offers special help

to retiree ‘students’

At the AGM (l-to-r) President Arlene Aish reports; Communications Chair John Gordon (2nd right) listens; Past President Joyce Zakos nominates.

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Taking care of Business: RAQ’s 6th AGM

That evolving ‘Partnership’At its meeting preceding the AGM, Council put itsstamp of approval on a document entitled AnAcademic Partnership of Retirees and Queen’sUniversity. It was distributed at the AGM andposted on the Web site(http://www.queensu.ca/retirees/Projects/AcademicPartnership.html). This documentreflects Council’s thoughts about the Statement ofIntent signed with the University last Novemberand published in the newsletter at that time. Bothparties are proceeding with discussions, and yourCouncil invites comments and suggestions. Thosewithout Web access can write to Joy Hoselton atthe RAQ office or call her at 613-533-6986 for aprinted copy of the new document.

Patrick Deane, V-P Academic, and AlistairMacLean, Dean of Arts and Science, have been theUniversity spokesmen in these deliberations, whileRAQ is represented by Henry Dinsdale, JohnMeisel, Arlene Aish, Alison Morgan and GeorgeBrandie.

(Were you wondering about the naming contestannounced in the last issue? It is postponed until thepartnership is better defined.)

New Principal confesses failureThe applause was warm and the moment was his-toric when RAQ President Arlene Aish launched

the 6th Annual GeneralMeeting on April 28 bycalling upon Queen’snew Principal and Vice-Chancellor, TomWilliams. The welcomecame from the manyfriends and admirers hehas earned among the90 members presentduring his 30 years andmultiple careers with

Queen’s. In fact, he saluted many of them byname when citing the wealth of human resourcesavailable to him in RAQ. And historically, he’s thefirst Professor Emeritus named to the post in 166years. He opened with a disarming confession. “Ishould never have been accepted at Queen’s,” hequipped, “because I’ve already flunked threeretirements.” [He has been Dean of Education,Vice-Principal (both Operations & Finance andInstitutional Relations), Professor and ActingDirector, School of Policy Studies.] Details of hisappointment, with past and current involvementswith Queen’s and Kingston, are on theUniversity’s Web site. Follow the links toAdministration.

He made it clear that any reference to him as a“caretaker principal” would be “dead wrong,”since he intends to move Queen’s forward inevery possible way during his term of office. RAQwas grati-fied that hisattendanceat the AGMwas one ofhis firstpublicappearancesin the newrole, justthree daysbefore taking office. His promise to keep thePrincipal’s Office supportive of RAQ was clearlyheard, as was his intention to draw on retirees’expertise and good will at such a crucial time forthe University’s future.

Keep it going, pleaseJoy Hoselton (Membership) reported that member-ship is holding steady at just above 500 and thatmany recent membership renewals arrived withnotes of appreciation for the work done by BillWright and others on the Pension and BenefitsCommittee to preserve members’ best interests. (Seepage 2.) Since there is such strength in numbers, thePresident appealed to current members to talk upRAQ to their friends and try to recruit new mem-bers from among their former colleagues.

Time to pay up! Membership Chair Joy Haselton (right )accepted lunch money and membership fees from 90 AGMattendees at the University Club.

4

2008-9 Executive and Council

These are the members of RAQ’s Executive and Council present for the 6th AGM. FRONT ROW, l-to-r: Councillor Pat Bogstad, Past-President Joyce Zakos, President Arlene Aish, Founding President John Meisel(Partnership group) and Secretary Bruce Hutchinson. STANDING: Councillors David Bonham (Finance), Barbara Aitken (Treasurer), Joy Hoselton (Membership & Admin. Assistant), Bob Smithies (new electee), Henry Dinsdale (Partnership), Jim Kelly (Events), Vice-President George Brandie (CURAC and Web site) and John Gordon (Communications). ABSENT: Mary Balanchuk, Alan Green (Finance), Bill Wright (Pensions &Benefits), and new electees Barrie Frost, Susan Miklas and Cherrilyn Yalin. (Photo by George Zakos)

Council comings and goingWarm thanks were expressed to three people wrap-ping up their terms as RAQ Councillors. ChuckCampling has served loyally since April 2004, and heintends to keep on attending the monthly lunches,with his wife Laura, and mingling there with old RAQfriends. Juliet Milsome has served for three years, atthe same time putting her love of music and art towork for the Events Committee – as she’ll continue todo. Jerry Roddy, a Councillor since December ’06, willgo on organizing the monthly lunches, appreciatedand attended by about 20 people each outing.

Because of a vacancy last year, there are now fournew Councillors, not three, nominated by JoyceZakos’ committee in accordance with RAQ’s policy ofequal representation from faculty and staff. Bob

Smithies (ex-Physiology) and Cherrilyn Yalin (ex-History of Medicine) are the new staff Councillors.New faculty members are Barrie Frost (Psychology)and Susan Miklas (Law). Six members were re-electedto two-year terms: Mary Balanchuk, George Brandie(Vice-President and Web manager), Henry Dinsdale(Partnership group), John Gordon (Communications),Alan Green (Finance) and Bruce Hutchinson(Secretary).

President Aish also had kind words for a not-yet-member, Gerry Pynenberg, who’ll retire soon fromPrinting Services. She cited not only his courteous andefficient facilitating of RAQ’s newsletter, but also hisabove-and-beyond collaboration with virtually allmembers, whatever their departments, since startingin 1968.

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Reports of Past Events – Winter 2008 The show must go on – but not always the audienceThe Drama Department production was UNITY 1918by Kevin Kerr. The date for RAQ to see it was March 8. Unfortunately, the worst blizzard of theseason occurred on that day, and of the 20 RAQmembers who had hoped to attend this student per-formance, only eight were able to make their way tothe campus for the matinee. Indeed many, myselfincluded, didn’t even make it out of our driveways.This was a pity, because UNITY 1918 was a great pro-duction, according to those who did manage toattend. A friend whose judgement I respect told methe subject was fascinating and the students’ perfor-mances (under director Tim Fort) very laudable.

Fortunately, the weather is seldom so wicked. Iam looking forward to bluer skies for our next the-atre outing in the Fall. Watch for the date and title ofthe production in the September issue of RAQnews.

For the many who had reserved but were unableto attend UNITY 1918, the Drama Department has gen-erously offered a cash refund or, if members prefer, todouble their tickets for the next major production.

marion meyer

Consuming Canada at LIVE8:Where music meets sociologyOn Wednesday afternoon, March 19, Dr. Kip Pegleyspoke to a disappointingly small but fascinated audi-

ence of RAQeteers in the Graham George SeminarRoom, Douglas Library. Dr. Pegley joined the Schoolof Music faculty as a Queen’s National Scholar in2002. She has an unusual cross-appointment to theDepartment of Women’s Studies, since her researchinterests lie in the fields of popular music and gen-der studies.

She examined the recent popularity of benefit con-certs held to raise funds for such worthy world-widecauses as the Asian Tsunami and food for children inAfrica. She showed video clips of the CTV coverageof Canada’s part of LIVE8, staged in Barrie in sum-mer 2005, as well as scenes from benefit concerts inLondon (UK) and Paris. These concerts are not mere-ly benign fundraisers, she noted; they also help toinfluence the international audience’s ideas aboutrace, gender and nationhood. She examined the line-up of bands performing: predominantly white maleswho play their own instruments and write much oftheir own material. “Girl groups” and female singershave been sidelined in the face of the overwhelmingpopularity of rock music. The final act and the high-light of the Barrie concert was the Kingston-basedTragically Hip, who have become for both Canadianand overseas audiences the quintessential Canadianrock band. After her talk, there was a lengthy discus-sion about various aspects of rock music, includingthe effect of its loud volume on hearing.

juliet milsome

Events of interest this Spring Queen’s Great Debate on Healthcare in CanadaWhat is the right healthcare modelfor Canada: public or private?

Saturday, May 24Room 1101, Biosciences Complex(Arch St.)3:30 to 5:00 pm

Dr. Carolyn Bennett, MP(St. Paul’s), Dr. Tom Courchene,School of Policy Studies, and moderator Hugh Winsor, Queen’s alumnus and Globe and Mail columnist emeritus. Free admission

Beethoven Concertby Queen’s School of MusicSaturday, May 24Grant Hall8 to 10 pm

Featuring Gisele Dalbec-Szczesniak (violin),Wolfe Tormann (cello) and pianists Michael Szczesniakand Cynthia Szabo. Tickets $12 at the door or $10 inadvance from the Performing Artsoffice (JDUC) or by calling MiniUat 613-533-2060.

www.alumni.queensu.ca/miniUhas details.

MiniU SpecialsAs this newsletter reaches Kingstonarea mailboxes, the AlumniAssociation is counting down toQueen’s MiniU (May 23-25), withits apt slogan, “What Queen’s givesbest is education.” Previous issuesdescribed this continuing educationand recreation initiative andpromised a warm welcome forretirees – although the program wasalso designed for younger peopleand even children. Queen’s world-class faculty, some notable gradsand talented students will be show-cased, with the campus at its bloom-ing best. Even without full registra-tion you can enjoy some MiniUevents, including these two.

parking lot (outer Princess St.) by3:45. The bus will arrive back inKingston by 10.30 pm. PortabelloBistro has again promised a deli-cious pre-concert dinner for $30,including taxes and tips. You’llpay for your own meal at therestaurant. A choice of entrée willbe requested on the registrationform.

This now-annual musical out-ing to The County is enjoyable andpopular, so please mark your cal-endar, watch for a registrationform in mid-summer, or downloadone from www.queensu.ca/retirees.Last year’s bus filled early, so it’swise to complete and return theform promptly, with your chequefor $50 per person ($25 for bus +$25 for the concert).

Apple-Picking Outing in The CountyLunch and tour ofOstrander Orchards, Prince Edward CountyWednesday, October 1

For the first time, we plan anApple-Picking Outing to Lake onthe Mountain in Prince EdwardCounty. Ostrander Orchards tell usthe following types of applesshould be available: Spartans,Macs, Sweets, Empires andCrabapples, as well as someautumn vegetables. Current planscall for a noon lunch at a localrestaurant, followed by a trip tothe orchard.

Mark the date in your calendarnow and look for all other neededdetails both in the Septembernewsletter and on the RAQ Website www.queensu.ca/retirees.

Go Greek: Monthly LuncheonReminderRAQ monthly luncheons continueto be a popular choice for mem-bers to meet informally and sample the cuisine of variousKingston-area restaurants. Theluncheons are usually held on thelast Monday of each month. OnMay 26 we’re at The Greek Islands,331 Bath Road. Everyone is wel-come – including members’ spous-es and friends. Contact Jessica (Jerry) Roddy, jroddy@kingston.net or 613-353-6959 for details and reservations.

Lake Opinicon Pot-Luck PicnicWednesday, July 23 11 am (Rain or Shine)

This will be the fourth RAQSummer Picnic at Lake Opinicon.If the day is bright and sunny,we’ll enjoy eating outside in thepark-like setting. If it rains, wewill eat in the Research Station’scomfortable pavilion. Please joinus again or for the first time for avisit to this delightful spot on theshores of Lake Opinicon to see theBiology Department’s renownedresearch facility and grad students’current projects with the area’sflora and fauna. The enclosedRegistration Form has details anddirections. Cost is $6 per personplus a picnic lunch dish to share.Please register by July 15.

6

RAQnews is published three times a year by The Communications Committee, Chair, John Gordon.Contributors to this issue: Arlene Aish, Bob Crandall, George Brandie, Bruce Hutchinson, Joy Hoselton, Jim Kelly, Marion Meyer,Juliet Milsome, Marjorie Pinkerton, Bill Wright, and Joyce Zakos. Photos: John Gordon and George Zakos.Editor: Cathy Perkins; Design and Production: Peter Dorn; Web site manager: George Brandie.Printing and mailing: Special thanks to Queen’s Printing Services, Queen’s Post Office and RAQ volunteer stuffers.RAQ’s postal address is: Mackintosh-Corry Hall, Room B410, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6.Telephone 613-533-6986. E-mail raq@post.queensu.ca Web site www.queensu.ca/retirees.

Coming RAQ Events Spring / Summer 2008Summer Campus TourThe ‘new’ University Avenue

A preliminary discussion has beenheld with University officialsregarding a RAQ tour of theUniversity Avenue project. Theexact timing will depend on com-pletion of the remaining construc-tion, but at the moment it lookslike late August would be a goodtime to have the tour. Watch theRAQ Web site –www.queensu.ca/retirees – forupdates and registration detailsfor this event.

Prince Edward County Music Festival tripThursday, September 18Bus trip, dinner and concert in Picton

The music-lovers’ program for thisdate bridges old and new:Mozart’s clarinet quintet,Schubert’s cello quintet, andBringing Down the Tiger from theMountain (cello and piano) by theFestival’s first female composer-in-residence, Alexina Louie. She haswon many honours, not only forconcert works, but theatre, operaand ballet music (notably 2007’sWolf’s Court, for the NationalBallet). Stephane Lemelin, artisticdirector and pianist, will be joinedby the celebrated PendereckiString Quartet, clarinetist AndreMoison, and returning cellistTanya Prochazha. For more festi-val details, see www.pecmusicfestival.com.

RAQ has booked a larger, morecomfortable bus than last year’srickety one. Please be at Toys R Us