A Brief History of the Outaouais Branch
2025
The Integrated Member and Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Program (IMVRR), implemented in September 2023, was the subject of an in-depth evaluation by Board members and staff during a Lac-à-l’Épaule meeting held in June 2025. Among the changes, it is worth noting that the monthly newsletters were replaced in September 2025 by shorter, more dynamic “Latest News” bulletins distributed as needed based on the news cycle.
During 2025, we produced, in both official languages, 6 newsletters (January to June), 5 “Latest News” bulletins from the Outaouais Branch (September to December), and 25 mass messages for our members regarding various activities and events. The number of followers on our Facebook page increased from 1,300 to 1,500. We organized 10 videoconferences attended by 2,366 registered members and held two luncheon conferences that welcomed a total of 108 participating members, as well as an NAFR Christmas banquet at the Palais des Congrès de Gatineau.
For the second year in a row, the NAFR Outaouais was present at the Auto and Electric Vehicle Show in April and at the Transition Expo for Canadian Armed Forces Veterans in May. In addition, for the second consecutive year, our Branch co-organized a barbecue with the Académie des retraités de l’Outaouais (ARO) for our respective members in August. For the third consecutive year, our Branch participated in the FADOQ Outaouais 2025 Fair. These events gave us significant visibility and helped us recruit new members.
2024
The regional discount program now includes more than 25 local and regional partners. Negotiations are currently underway with the Ottawa Branch to establish an agreement allowing one branch to benefit from the other branch’s discounts, thereby improving the range and scope of services offered to members of both branches.
2023
The Branch has set as its strategic mission to “advocate for the best interests of its members and serve as a respected voice supporting efforts to ensure a secure, healthy, and dignified retirement for federal retirees and all Canadians.” It must be representative of federal retirees. However, to achieve this goal, the Branch must increase its membership rate and maximize its financial and human resources. That is why the 2023 Board of Directors established a new program called the “Integrated Member and Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Program” (IMVRR), which encompasses the majority of the Branch’s administrative activities and operations. A reassessment and update of the IMVRR was conducted in 2025 to ensure its continuity and relevance within the Association.
2022
The Branch’s 30th anniversary is celebrated with a holiday banquet. It attracts 174 people. This is the first in-person event in nearly two years. At that time, there was a decline in the number of partners in the regional discount program. A new administrative staff member joined the team to review the member and volunteer recruitment and retention program, including the discount program.
2020
The Branch holds numerous information sessions on topics of interest such as hearing loss, signs of deafness, sensory deprivation, communication strategies, and cognitive aging, to the great satisfaction of members. During the pandemic, videoconferences are held in both official languages. They are so popular that the Branch decides to continue them post-pandemic, as they allow it to reach members outside the region. The Branch connects with its members through its Facebook page (853 followers), its tab on the national website, and through bilingual monthly newsletters (since 2020) and inserts in the national magazine SAGE. The Branch’s bilingualism was adopted to better serve English-speaking members, who represent more than 20% of the Section’s membership.
2019
Information sessions were held to present the services offered by key partners, such as a session on financial literacy. Lunch-and-learn events featuring guest speakers were organized and seemed promising. Then the pandemic struck. In-person activities organized by the Branch and its partner organizations were suspended until further notice.
2017
The Board of Directors launches several studies to identify issues related to member recruitment and retention. A strategic plan is developed, recommending a series of recreational, personal development, and recognition activities, with a focus on individuals living in remote areas or on low incomes. Membership increases in the following two years.
2011–12
The Outaouais branch ranks first nationally in new member recruitment. An 8.3% increase brings the total to 8,239 members. This distinction is received for three consecutive years. There are now 29 partners in the discount program.
2011
The passage of the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act in 2011 meant that our branch, along with the five other branches in the same situation (Quebec, Montreal, xxxxxxx, xxxxxx, and Ottawa) had to join the national entity of the NAFR in order to standardize their operations and bring their financial management into compliance with the requirements for non-profit organizations. After several years of hard work to adapt our branch’s bylaws and administration, it finally joined the National Association in 2016.
2009
The association has over 6,000 members. It recruits through the Salon des Générations, the Seniors’ Fair, local newspapers, and community television. Recruiting volunteers remains a challenge. A considerable effort is made to secure partners for the member discount program.
2004
The Outaouais branch has approximately 3,600 members. Christmas and Valentine’s Day dinners and coffee meetups are organized. The coffee meetups are not very popular; two seminars on funeral costs are then organized. A partnership with the Académie des retraités de l’Outaouais (ARO) allows the branch to offer members cultural and recreational events to compensate for the lack of volunteers.
1992
Founded in 1992, the Outaouais Branch was incorporated in Quebec under Chapter III of the Companies Act. The new Outaouais Branch of Federal Retirees had approximately XXX members at its inception.
Our Presidents and Their Contributions
Here is a brief overview of the many presidents who have served over the years and their key contributions to the advancement and sustainability of our chapter.
Réal Fortin (2024 – present)
Donald Déry
- Aligned the branch with the Canadian Code of Volunteerism and realigned its activities in accordance with the “2019–2024 National Strategic Plan”
- Developed partnerships with regional coalitions. He organized a meeting of Quebec chapter presidents to develop a shared vision for the 2019–2024 National Strategic Plan
- Establishes a partnership with the Association québécoise de défense des droits des personnes retraitées et préretraitées de l’Outaouais (AQDR)
- Organizes, in October 2019, in collaboration with AQDR Outaouais, a public debate among party representatives to discuss local issues (retirement income security; national strategy for seniors; increased federal health transfers; and programs to help seniors remain in their homes).
Ghislain Dussault
- Renews the administrative staff and develops a training and swearing-in session for new administrators
Pierre Laflamme
- Oversaw the dissolution of the Incorporated Branch, established the Chartered Branch, and transferred members and assets to it
André Lapierre
- Established a committee for social activities
- Improved the branch’s financial situation and created a financial reserve to defend members’ interests;
Marie Bergeron
- Continues the development of the Affinity Program and oversees the transition;
Pierre Cousineau
- Proceeds with the incorporation of the Branch
- Signs the first agreements under the Affinity Program with Chartwell Residences and Groupe Dignité
- Implements initiatives for the recruitment and retention of Branch members;
Guy Gaumont
- Helps implement an online membership management system
- Creates our Branch’s website
Jean Godin
- Serves as interim president
Réal Charest
- Initiates the establishment of effective communication with the National Office
Clément Bergeron
- Founder and first president of the Outaouais Branch