The Official Newsletter for the Reconnect Program Welcome Message Chief PSP Happy New Year. January is the perfect time for resolutions and reflection. This year, I hope that Reconnect can help you and your family reach some of the goals you may have set for yourselves. Here are some common resolutions and ways Reconnect can help. Would you like to better manage your money? SISIP Financial Services and the Canadian Defence Community Banking can offer assistance to get you on track.

Drop In to Reconnect Centre For Free Programs

Would you like to be healthier, more physically active? PSP offers access to local fitness facilities, workshops and the expertise to get you started.

Mondays 10 AM Cards/Games 1 PM Crafters Guild

Would you like to see your family and spend more time with loved ones? Take advantage of travel discounts and great deals offered through the CF Appreciation program. Would you like to update your home? Visit Canex for the latest in furniture, electronics and appliances. Would you like to make a difference in your community? Learn what you can do to Support our Troops, join our advisory committee and learn about other Reconnect volunteer opportunities. Whatever you decide to do in 2012, I hope the coming year brings you health, happiness and opportunities to Reconnect. To learn more about the Reconnect program, visit www.reconnect-cf.ca H.R. Helgason Chief Personnel Support Programs Personnel Support Programs Division

Tuesday 10 AM Coffee /Discussion Wednesday 10 AM Walking Club Thursday 10 AM Travelogues Friday 1 PM Friday Movies Volume 1 Issue 2 Winter 2012

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1223 Michael Street Ottawa, www.reconnect-cf.ca 613-998-6241

WHAT’S NEW Wreaths Across Canada

Wreaths Across Canada Inc. is a non-profit organization started in 2007 by Craig McPhee a veteran of the Canadian Forces. On December 4, 2011, Wreaths Across Canada formally debuted its mission by placing a wreath on the headstone of every veteran buried at the National Military Cemetery (NMC) at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa. They invited the public and encouraged young Canadians to participate in this most personal act of remembrance. They are committed to repeating this gesture of remembrance annually in Ottawa, and their vision is to have this ceremony of commemoration spread to every military cemetery across Canada. Learn More: www.wreathsacrosscanada.ca

Vacations for Vets Available to Ill or Injured CF Members Shell Vacations Club (SVC) Canada and the Canadian Forces Personnel and Family Support Services (CFPFSS) are pleased to announce Vacations for Vets is now available to serving or former members of the Canadian Forces who have sustained an illness or injury attributable to military service in a Special Duty Area (SDA) or Special Duty Operation (SDO) and are in receipt of a Veterans Affairs Canada benefits for that illness or injury. The program provides eligible members of the Canadian Forces, and their travelling companions, with one week of free lodging at a Shell Vacations property. For more information on eligibility, how to apply log on to: http://www.cfpsa.com/en/corporate/NewsCentre/Support/VacationsForVets_e.asp

NEW PROGRAMS Gourmet Club Do you want to try a new culinary experience and enjoy a wonderful evening with great company? Join our Gourmet Dining Club. The third Thursday of every month we will visit a new restaurant and try out new dishes from other cultures. You must prebook for this club. Please note that you would be responsible for payment of your own meal. Chili Cook Off Do you have the best chili recipe? Cook up a batch of your favourite chilli and bring it to the Reconnect Centre on February 24th at 1:00PM. We will all sample the variety of chilli’s before our guest judge will announce the 2012 Chili Cook off winner. Join us for a fun filled afternoon of great food, great conversation and good company. Please register as either a Chef or as a Chili taster. Sushi making Workshop This course will give you a firm foundation in the essential techniques of sushi making. This fun interactive workshop will have you making sushi like a professional Chef. Once your sushi is made, and you have learned a new skill you can now sit back with good company and sample the Sushi you just made. Join us February 1st at 1:00 PM for this fun workshop. Winterlude Experience Ottawa has a great deal to offer over the winter months. Winterlude is a big part of the winter celebrations in Ottawa. Meet us at the Elgin Café February 16 th at 1:00 PM then we will walk over to discover and view the ice sculptures in Confederation Park, then warm up with a bite to eat back at the Elgin Café.

The Reconnect Advisory Committee

As a former member you are aware of the needs of your community. Help us develop a strong Morale and welfare program for you and your family. What types of programs and services would you like to see offered? Join us on Tuesday January 24th at 2:00 PM Refreshments will be served

STAY ACTIVE WINTER WALKING TIPS Ease into it. Start slowly to give your muscles a chance to warm up. Walk at a moderate or slow pace. The bigger your strides, the higher your risk of falling. Bring water. Dry winter air is dehydrating, and you do sweat away water in winter. Stay safe. Always wear reflective gear. If it gets really cold, try walking at the mall. Three layers of clothing are advisable and avoid cotton Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from snow glare. Try studded outdoor walking shoes, which give you extra traction on slippery surfaces. Don't layer your socks – you can get blisters. Instead try thin socks designed to keep feet warm OUTDOOR WALKING CLUB For 20 years the Nepean Nomads have been walking all over the National Capital Region. Join them on one of their walks. The walks take between 1 to 2 1/2 hours depending on which walk you do (5km or 10km). Questions? [email protected]

FREE FLEXIBITY WORKSHOP Offered By The Athletic Club will teach you how flexibility will help to speed up recovery after a workout, improve circulation and posture, improve sleep patterns and increase your range of motion, and lower your risk of injury. Workshop will run on January 18th at 10 AM.

SHARE A FITNESS OR HEALTHLY LIFESTYLE TIP ON THE RECONNECT FACEBOOK BETWEEN JAN 15 –30 2012 AND HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN A 1 MONTH MEMBERSHIP TO THE ATHLETIC CLUB!

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PAST RECONNECT EVENTS 1. CF Sports Awards Ceremony 2. Remembrance Day Tribute 3. DND Photo Contest 4. Reconnect Social 5. Holiday Wine & Cheese

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COMMUNITY BANKING CDCB Celebrates Three Years of Exceptional Service Canadian Defence Community Banking (CDCB) is celebrating three years of exceptional service provided by BMO Bank of Montreal. To commemorate this occasion, CDCB is pleased to announce several enhancements to the program. “New this year, in recognition of the dedication to service of Canadian Forces members, CDCB has reduced the eligible age for BMO’s Senior Plan from 60 to 55 with no monthly plan fee,” announced Brigadier-General F. G. Bigelow, Director General Personnel and Family Support Services. Moreover, BMO has launched an exclusive new website for members to conveniently open bank accounts, review special offers at www.cdcb.ca, and will also be increasing the number of ATMs on bases/wings/units throughout the coming year. “As the official bank of the Defence Community, BMO is proud to be a part of Canadian Forces communities across Canada. We’re also proud to offer program enhancements designed for military lifestyle to better serve the men and women who serve our country.” remarked Nick Mastromarco, Director, Retail Partnerships and Direct Sales, BMO Bank of Montreal. To learn more about the program offers and enhancements, visit www.cdcb.ca, your local BMO Branch or call the dedicated CDCB toll free number at 1-866-548-7490. If you are already a BMO customer but not a CDCB member, simply let BMO know that you are part of the Defence Community so you can start receiving your benefits today.

Read online at www.guardofhonnournews.com

It’s RRSP Time Again… Pierre Goulet, CFP, FMA, FCSI Practice Manager Financial Planning and Insurance Services, January and February are typically the time of year when many Canadians make their Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) contributions. The first sixty days of each new year gives us the time to top-up contributions, borrow to make contributions if we haven’t done so throughout the year, or to start a new contribution plan. All contributions made up to and including February 29, 2012 can be claimed either on your 2011 or your 2012 tax return. 1. Don’t wait until the last minute You work hard for twelve-months of the year to earn your money. Don’t wait until the deadline to seek out your investment options. It’s easier to invest in small doses. Try making your investment decisions throughout the year, when you will have more time to reflect on these decisions, and you can avoid the February rush. 2. How much to contribute? When contributing to a RRSP, time is money! However, because we can carry over our unused contributions for an indefinite period, some of us have a lot of contribution room. Decide how much effort you want to make towards your 2011 contribution and what you would like to contribute in 2012. Be reasonable, do not invest every dollar of your surplus cash or borrow too much through a RRSP loan.

This could cause you financial difficulties and prevent you from properly planning future contributions. If you do not have surplus cash and you do not want to borrow, it is better to simply focus on the year ahead and start a monthly contribution plan into a RRSP. Doing so will put you ahead of the game at this time next year. 3. Whose RRSP to contribute to? Generally, the purpose of a RRSP is to build savings that will provide a source of income at retirement. If you have a retirement savings plan and your spouse does not, you may wish to make spousal RRSP contributions. Such contributions are still deducted from the income of the contributor, but help build a retirement income for the spouse with no retirement savings plan. 4. Determine your investment objective and investment choices An understanding of your objectives and risk tolerance is crucial to your investment success. You may be considering a Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) which allows up to $5,000 every year into an account that grows tax free. Let a SISIP Financial Services (SISIP FS) Certified Financial Planner (CFP) assist you in determining your investment objective and the appropriate investment vehicle; professional advice can really pay off. Visit your local SISIP FS office, call 1-800-267-6681 or visit us online at www.sisip.com.

This article is for general information purposes only and reflects solely the opinion of the writer.

Launched in June of 2011, the Canadian Forces Appreciation Program is the official discount program designed to give back to the entire CF community. We have discounts and promotions from coast to coast, and we continue to add new local and national industry partners on the www.cfappreciation.ca web site every day. A couple of useful hints when using the website: Use the search box if you are looking for a specific keyword, company name or city. It will help narrow down the search results. When looking into vacations through the CF R&R Club, it is important to book your flights and accommodations in tandem. We recommend that once you have chosen the desired location, find and book your flights before the accommodations. Over 10 000 CF community members have already signed up for our program. Joining the program is free - you simply fill out a registration form from our website and, e-mail it to us at [email protected], and you will then be sent membership card in the mail.

National Capital Ski Club (NCSC) Members of the NCSC get to participate in Wednesday ski trips to the area's biggest ski resort - Mont Tremblant. This season, the price of a lift ticket at the hill ticket counter is $88-92 (plus tax), so sit back, relax and let us do the driving. We have two pick up points -Ottawa and Gatineau and for your convenience, The east end pick up is conveniently close to the Reconnect Centre. Call the Club for more information on all their programs and services offered. 613-521-9216.

To find the retail store nearest you log on to www.canex.ca

NEW PARTNER

The Personal Insurance Company provides home and auto group insurance to CF members, DND employees and retirees. Insurance products can vary across Canada. To find out more www.thepersonal.com