| | | July 2014 |
| In This Issue | | Message from the Chairperson | ^ | 
| Another CPBI Saskatchewan Region program year has come to a close, with the planning for next year already well under way. This past year was a huge success with our luncheons, breakfasts, professional development programs and of course, our annual Saskatchewan Regional Conference. These events allow members to extend their knowledge and insight into current practices, generate new ideas, and network with like-minded colleagues to share best practices.
Next year is shaping up to be even more exciting with many topics and speakers already confirmed! CPBI Saskatchewan is committed to bringing in high quality speakers related to Pensions, Benefits and Investments. In addition, planning is in full swing for our Regional Conference which will be hosted on April 22nd and 23rd at the prestigious Delta Bessborough Hotel in Saskatoon.
I would like to take time to thank our dedicated council for all of their hard work over the past year. They continue to search our province, our country, and abroad for speakers and topics that are relevant to our Saskatchewan region. Their countless hours have allowed the Saskatchewan region to continue to grow not only in membership, but also in recognition of the events we host. In addition, a special thank-you goes out to our talented administrator who continues to do all the things, big and small, that make our events and our region run so smoothly.
On behalf of the Saskatchewan Regional Council, I would like to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable summer. Saskatchewan is the “land of the living skies” and I hope that you are able to explore and experience our beautiful province with family and friends. I look forward to reacquainting with you all in the fall during our sessions. Enjoy!
Bob Wilhelms
Chair, CPBI Saskatchewan Regional Council
|
| | Highlights from the CPBI Saskatchewan Regional Conference: Pride & Performance | ^ | On April 9th & 10th, CPBI Saskatchewan Regional Council hosted its annual conference at the Hotel Saskatchewan in Regina. Pride & Performance drew record attendance from across Canada and included delegates from as far away as California.
|
 | Kathy Bardswick, President and CEO of The Co-operators Group, opened the conference with a discussion on sustainability and its importance in corporate culture. Drawing on her experience and knowledge of the Saskatchewan economy, Kathy laid the foundation for our two day event. |
 |  | The delegates moved to breakout sessions dedicated to either the pension or benefits stream: Defined Benefit Plans – Are They Sustainable? presented by Leah Fichter, Director, Pensions Division Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan, or Driving Better Benefits Performance Through Organizational Health presented by Kim Siddall, Principal, AQ Group Solutions. Leah is a regular feature at the Saskatchewan Regional Conference and always provides an informative session. Kim kept delegates engaged and entertained. |
 | Rounding out the morning was the Annual Meeting followed by luncheon featuring a presentation from Olympic Gold Medalist and host of the Amazing Race Canada – Jon Montgomery. Jon was riveting and shared his experience as an athlete, as a medalist, as an entrepreneur and as a human being who has faced his share of adversity. He spoke with honesty and passion; straight from the heart. He views the gold medal not as his medal but as “all Canadians’ medal” and he is on a quest to cover it with the finger prints of every Canadian. Jon was very accommodating to those who wanted to meet him, have their picture taken, and wear the gold medal. Jon was also gracious enough to kick off the conference game – the Amazing Race Saskatchewan – that saw delegates in a trivia race around the tables of the Regency Ballroom competing for the prize of a Nike GPS sports watch. |
 | The afternoon offered further concurrent sessions - Global Private Equity – Thoughts & Considerations presented by Steven R. Pines (picture left), Senior Vice President and Christopher T. Ruder, Managing Director both from Portfolio Advisors, LLC; and Mental Health…Out of the Shadows and Onto the Balance Sheetpresented by Sean Slater, Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Homewood Health Inc. |
Jeff Stusek, President and Chief Executive Officer Information Services Corporation closed the day with Authentic Leadership. Jeff’s genuine approach challenged us to think about the way we present ourselves in the world each day.
Networking is one of the great opportunities the Conference provides and this year was better than ever. CBPI Saskatchewan Regional Council hosted a Wine and Cheese Networking & Member Appreciation Event. Later in the evening, the party moved to Beer Bros. for the Total Ex’Beer’ience – Conference Delegates Dinner. A five course food and beer pairing was expertly served including a Cheddar Ale soup, braised Short-rib, and a Saskatoon Berry Butter Tart. One of our delegates from Vancouver was determined to get some of that soup home in his suit case! It was a wonderful evening of exceptional food and service that was enjoyed by everyone. |
| Pride & Performance provided another full day of learning! Day 2 opened with an engaging Panel Discussion Corporate Social Responsibility: Insight, Implement, Adhere. Moderated by Joe Hornyak, Executive Editor, Benefits and Pensions Monitor, the Panel included Kim Siddall, Gerry Wahl, Managing Director and Senior Consultant, Ampersand Advisory Group, and Ryan Pollice, Mercer. |
Under Joe’s expert leadership, the session was supported by great audience participation and really opened a discussion on social responsibility policies, their application and governance.
The delegates again moved to concurrent sessions featuring Making Investment Monitoring More Meaningful presented by Dave Makarchuk, Partner, Mercer, with Denise Kehler, Teachers' Retirement Allowances Fund, and Optimizing Drug Plan Performance by Mike Sullivan, President, Cubic Health Inc. |
 | Lunch was served in the Regency Ballroom with Special Guest Speaker Clark Gillies, professional Hockey Player (retired), Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and Senior Vice President, Hilton Capital Management, LLC. Clark was one of the toughest players in the NHL and never shied away from ”dropping the gloves”. Through the course of his presentation, Clark showed us a very sentimental side and expressed true gratitude for the game he loves, and for all of the doors that have opened to him because of it. Don’t miss the article later in this newsletter – Gillies & Bourne Fulfill Childhood Dream for Jon Montgomery.
|
Photo: Clark Gillies with Alana Shearer-Kleefeld, Chair of the Conference Planning Committee.
The afternoon concurrent sessions included: DC Funding – Get(ting) it Right! with Gerry Wahl, andVoluntary Benefits in Canada –What Does the Future Hold? presented by Marilee Mark, Vice President Market Development Group Benefits, Sun Life Financial. Closing the conference was an uplifting seminar from author Patricia Katz, Fueling Enthusiasm – Taking Pride in Your Performance. Based on feedback received during and after the conference, the conference was considered to be a great success. Of course, without the support from our sponsors, events like this would not be possible. We would, once again, like to thank the following organizations for their support:
|
Photo Left to Right: Doug Volk, Sheryl Armstrong, Bob Wilhelms, Jon Montgomery, Don Rowell, Glenda Schlosser, Trina Kistner, Alana Shearer-Kleefeld, Erin Conly, Karen Lovelace.
|
A huge “Thank you” is extended to Alana Shearer-Kleefeld for taking on the role as Chair of the Conference Planning Committee, and for her dedication and commitment to this role. As well, we extend another huge “Thank you” to all Council members who served on the Conference Planning Committee and for their countless hours and efforts.
Lastly, we extend a huge "Thank you" to all of you for supporting our event and showing once again that pride lives here! It is the generosity of our sponsors and the commitment of our delegates that made Pride & Performance a resounding success.
Photo credits: Sheryl Armstrong and Trina Kistner
|
|
|
| | Gillies & Bourne Fulfill Childhood Dream for Jon Montgomery | ^ | 
Left to Right: Bobby Bourne, Jon Montgomery, Clark Gillies.
| Jon Montgomery arrived at the Hotel Saskatchewan ahead of his speaking engagement and joined CPBI SK Council for lunch. Jon asked, “Is Clark Gillies here?” We told him that Clark would not be arriving until the next day. Jon was disappointed as he told us that Clark Gillies was one of his childhood idols and that he had a photograph taken with Clark Gillies and another hockey player when he was a little boy. He could not recall who the other hockey player was. Jon asked his wife to send the photo to him in the hopes that he could get Clark Gillies to autograph it. CPBI SK Council members told Jon to leave the photo with us and we would get it autographed for him.
The next day, Clark signed the photo, and remarked that the other hockey player was Bobby Bourne. It just so happened, that Bobby Bourne was being inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame on the very same day. The Sports Hall of Fame is right next door to the Hotel Saskatchewan. Clark and Bobby had already planned to meet, and Clark promised we could get Bobby's signature for Jon as well.
Bobby Bourne actually came into the ballroom near the end of Clark's session and asked a question at the microphone, "Who was your favourite player?" Clark chuckled and replied “That would have to be Bobby Bourne”.
Jon was thrilled when CPBI Saskatchewan mailed him his photo with not one, but two, original signatures from two hockey legends!
| |
| | Regional Volunteer of the Year: Doug Volk | ^ | 
Bob Wilhelms, Chair, CPBI Saskatchewan Regional Council (right) presents the 2014 Regional Volunteer Award to Doug Volk (left).
Photo credit: Sheryl Armstrong
| Doug Volk is currently the Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Superannuation Commission, where he is responsible for strategic planning, program design, investments, policy, and governance of the branch within the Ministry of Education that delivers pension and benefits services to teachers in Saskatchewan. Doug is an experienced industry professional, with many years of previous service in pension & benefits at various plans, including the City of Regina, Crown Life Insurance, and the Public Employees Benefits Agency. Doug has been a member of CPBI since 2003, and the CPBI Saskatchewan Regional Council has benefited from his wealth of industry knowledge since he joined Council in 2007. He has served on various committees at both the Regional and National levels, and has also shared his expertise on pension plan design as a presenter at the Pension Basics seminar. His tireless commitment has helped the Saskatchewan Region to grow its membership and brand itself as a forerunner in terms of providing educational and professional growth opportunities to members. Doug was a key player on the planning committee that launched the first rebranded CPBI Saskatchewan Regional Conference, which has enjoyed great success each year since its initial launch in 2011. He was also instrumental in the establishment of a partnership between CPBI and Humber College, which provides Saskatchewan members local access to pension and benefit programs and the associated designations, as well as professional development programs for Board Trustees. Most recently, Doug completed a successful two year term as Regional Chairperson. His support and efforts on behalf of the CPBI Saskatchewan Regional Council continue to be invaluable to the region. |
| | Welcome to our New Council Member | ^ | | The CPBI Saskatchewan Regional Council has the privilege of introducing a new Council Member. Please join us in welcoming Kendra Dumont. |  | Kendra Dumont has been a CPBI member since January 2012. Kendra graduated from the University of Regina with a degree in Actuarial Science, and subsequently worked for several years as an Actuarial Analyst with Aon Hewitt. There, she prepared both funding and accounting actuarial valuations, performed plan cost and data analysis, and worked with plan amendments, plan governance, and legislation. Kendra was also involved in pension plan administration, including member calculations and year-end schedules as well as direct communication and meetings with clients. Further, she contributed to the social culture at Aon through her work with the Social Committee helping to plan various staff functions. One of the clients she served during her time at Aon Hewitt was the University of Saskatchewan, where she is currently the Pension Manager of their five pension plans. She prepares annual audited financial statements for each plan and manages plan administration, including member meetings and correspondence. Kendra also serves as the correspondent to plan custodians, consultants, actuaries, investment managers, and auditors. She is now the Team Manager of the Financial Services Division dragon boat team at the U of S. Kendra’s broad experience and actuarial background make her a perfect fit for the CPBI Saskatchewan Regional Council. Good luck in the dragon boat races, and welcome to Council Kendra! |
| | CPBI Saskatchewan Regional Council: Committees | ^ | Finance and Audit
Glenda Schlosser (Chair)
Christine Taylor
Alana Shearer-Kleefeld
Tony Whitworth
Bob Wilhelms Professional Development Programs
Bud Anderson (Chair)
Sylvia Rempel
Glenda Schlosser
Sheryl Armstrong
Doug Volk
Erin Conly
Dara Sewell-Zumstien
Bob Wilhelms Communications
Erin Conly (Chair)
Don Rowell
Dara Sewell-Zumstien
Trina Kistner
Bob Wilhelms | Sponsorship and Membership
Narinder Kempa (Chair)
Don Rowell
Rochelle Dobni
Glenda Schlosser
Bob Wilhelms Governance and Nominating
Doug Volk (Chair)
Narinder Kempa
Christine Taylor
Kendra Dumont
Bob Wilhelms Conference Planning
Trina Kistner (Chair)
Rochelle Dobni
Don Rowell
Glenda Schlosser
Narinder Kempa
Sheryl Armstrong
Dara Sewell-Zumstien
Kendra Dumont
Alana Shearer-Kleefeld
Bob Wilhelms
| Would you like to get involved? If you are interested in volunteering and participating on a committee, providing a presentation at one of our seminars, or submitting an article to be published, let us know! Please send your questions and submissions, along with your contact information, to our administrator, Karen Lovelace, at [email protected], or one of our council members. A strong, active Council means high quality programs and professional development opportunities for Saskatchewan CPBI members. Thank-you for considering volunteering with CPBI.
|
| | 2014-15 Events – Mark your calendar! | ^ | Luncheon/Breakfast Seminars
Regina: Hotel Saskatchewan
Thursday, October 16, 2014 – Luncheon
Thursday, November 13, 2014 – Breakfast
Thursday, January 15, 2015 – Luncheon
Thursday, February 12, 2015 – Breakfast
Thursday, March 12, 2015 – Luncheon Saskatoon: Radisson Hotel Saskatoon
Wednesday, October 15, 2014 – Luncheon
Wednesday, November 12, 2014 – Luncheon
Wednesday, January 14, 2015 – Luncheon
Wednesday, February 11, 2015 – Luncheon
Wednesday, March 11, 2015 – Luncheon Administration of Capital Accumulation Plans (ACAP) 1
Regina: September 29 to October 3, 2014
This is the first of two modules through Humber College.
Click here for details and to register Pension Plan Administration Certificate (PPAC) 3
Regina: October 27 to 31, 2014
This is the third of three modules through Humber College.
Click here for details and to register Pensions, Beyond the Basics
Regina: Dates and venue to be determined
On the heels of the success of the Benefits Beyond the Basics seminars, we are working on a Pensions Beyond the Basics 2-day seminar with a target roll out in early 2015.
2015 CPBI Saskatchewan Regional Conference "Connections & Creativity"
Saskatoon: Delta Bessborough Hotel
April 22 & 23, 2015
Watch for more details about our exciting 2014-15 Calendar of Events! |
| | CPBI Membership | ^ | Purchase your 2015 CPBI Membership after September 1st and receive a complimentary CPBI membership for the remainder of 2014! Click here for information regarding CPBI Membership. Just a reminder to members to check out the CPBI ADVANTAGE Program. This program gives CPBI members access to special discounts and promotions from Perkopolis, preferred rates on courses offered by Humber College and the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) program, and other benefits.
|
| | Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter | ^ | | CPBI Saskatchewan is now on LinkedIn and Twitter! Follow us for the latest updates |  |  |
|
| | CPBI Saskatchewan Regional Council 2014-15 | ^ | Chairperson
Bob Wilhelms, Saskatchewan Blue Cross | Christine Taylor
Capital Pension and Benefits
Narinder Kempa
The Co-operators
Rochelle Dobni
Credential Financial Strategies
Don Rowell
CUMIS Group Ltd.
Sylvia Rempel
University of Saskatchewan
Tony Whitworth
City of Saskatoon
Bud Anderson
3sHealth
Erin Conly
Saskatchewan Healthcare Employees’ Pension Plan
Dara Sewell-Zumstien
Public Employees Benefits Agency
Sheryl Armstrong
Hundseth Power Line
Kendra Dumont
University of Saskatchewan
| Vice-Chairperson
Alana Shearer-Kleefeld, 3sHealth | Treasurer
Glenda Schlosser, City of Regina | Secretary
Trina Kistner, Sun Life Financial | Past-Chairperson and National Board Rep.
Doug Volk, Teachers’ Superannuation Commission | | | |
| | Feedback | ^ | | Let us know if you like this newsletter or if you have ideas for things we can do to improve future issues. Please send your comments to: [email protected] |
| | Thank you to our 2013-14 Program Sponsors | ^ | Gold Sponsors:
Aon Hewitt
Great West Life
Mercer
Saskatchewan Blue Cross
The Co-operators
| Silver Sponsors:
ACE Special Risk
Desjardins Insurance
Industrial Alliance
Manulife Financial
Standard Life
Sun Life Financial |
|
|
|
| |