Here to Serve Those Who Have Served
Our Association is a network of former RCMP employees investing in each other for mutual support today, tomorrow and always.
The RCMP Veterans’ Association (RCMPVA) has been in existence since 1886. It was incorporated under the name Royal Northwest Mounted Police Veterans’ Association by Letters Patent under the Companies Act on January 14, 1924, and steps were taken on December 1, 1954, to change the Association’s name to reflect the present-day name of the Force.
Our Mission
To be responsive to the physical, psychological, social and economic welfare of all former employees of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and their families.
Our Vision
To provide exemplary service and support to our family of retired peace officers and employees and their families today, tomorrow and always.
Our Values
Diversity, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Teamwork, Service and Leadership.
Newfoundland and Labrador Division Members supporting the Gander Food Cupboard – 2024
Our Purpose
The RCMP Veterans’ Association is a dedicated family of former employees of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The members of the Association possess shared life experiences and unique skills and abilities that are reflected in all we do for the greater good of our membership and all of the RCMP family. We are proud of our career contributions to the preservation of peace and security in Canada and our role in the rich history and traditions of the Force. Together we are stronger, and we welcome you to become a member of the venerated family of Veterans.
The RCMPVA (The Association) is governed by a Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors are dedicated Association members who are investing in the greater good of the Association membership by volunteering their time and taking on the responsibility for overseeing the business activities and other affairs of the Association. The board is comprised of up to 11 directors who are elected by the membership during the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The Board then elects members of the board to take on the four Officers positions of President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. The other board members (Directors) then take on the leadership of committees to conduct the operational aspects of the Association with the support of the Chief Administration Officer. Each board member agrees to serve a three-year term with the Board.
Robert (Bob) Byers
President
Officer of the Association / Sole Member - RCMPVA Foundation
Based in Alberta
Warren Gherasim
Vice President
AGC Chair / Membership Director
Based in Saskatchewan
Derren Lench
Secretary
AGC Member / Communications Committee / Quarterly Liaison
Based in British Columbia
Brenda Picklyk
Treasurer
Officer of the Association / AGC Member
Based in Ontario
Sandra Conlin
Past President
Liaison to RCMP / Nomination Committee
Based in Ontario
Steve Walker
Director
Pension, Benefits & Advocacy Program / Liaison to VAC & NPF
Based in Manitoba
Tammy Patterson
Director
Communications / Chair - Communications Committee / AGC Member
Based in Saskatchewan
Janet Steel
Director
Support Advocacy Services / Veterans Homelessness Program / Communications Committee
Based in Ontario
Robert (Bob) Myhill
Director
Policy & Systems - By-Laws and Governance / Chair Finance & Audit Committee / AGC Member
Based in Ontario
Howard Eaton
Director
Membership (East) / Transition Team Liaison
Based in Nova Scotia
The Association Secretariat is responsible to provide the bulk of the operational and administrative support for the Association. In addition to this they also lead the development of responsible standards and assurance mechanisms, mange stakeholder engagement, communications, oversight of the membership program, and supporting divisions for day to day issues and larger events (AGM).
Glen Siegersma
Ralph Mahar
Josh Belanger
Office Manager
Mark Gaillard
Veterans Homelessness Program Coordinator
Alan Treddenick
Operational Director - Strategic Engagement
TBA
Communications Lead
The RCMPVA Board of Directors conducts its oversight functions in concert with key committees so the association and its board operate effectively and in accordance with a high standard of corporate governance that adheres to the requirements of the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act.
Association Governance Committee (AGC)
Chair: Warren Gherasim (SK)
Secretary: Derren Lench (BC)
Treasurer: Brenda Picklyk (ON)
Communications: Tammy Patterson (SK)
Member: Bob Myhill (ON)
CAO: Glen Siegersma (ON)
Communications Committee
Chair: Tammy Patterson (SK)
Social Media/Website: Ralph Mahar (ON)
Member: Derren Lench (BC)
Newsletter: Jennifer Lejeune (NB)
Support: Glen Siegersma (ON)
Historian: Gordon Cave (AB)
Membership Committee
-
Lorne House (Atlantic)
-
Mike Dornian (Pacific)
-
Cornel Stuart (Prairies)
-
Robert Boivin (Quebec)
-
Ted Therrien (Ontario)
Support and Advocacy
Chief Support Advocate: Janet Steel (ON)
Advisor: Mike Duffy (AB)
Advocacy
Pension Advisory Committee (RCMP PAC): Steve Walker (MB)
Pension Finance Oversight Committee: Steve Walker (MVB)
Member Benefits Chair: Steve Walker (MB)
RCMP Benefit Trust Fund: Steve Graham (NS)
Dental Advisory: Bill Brydon (NS)
Graves Committee: Jack O’Reilly (NS)
Nomination Committee
Chair: Sandra Conlin (ON)
Two active members to be appointed for 2026
Honours & Recognition Committee
Chair: Ralph Mahar (ON)
Derren Lench (BC)
Veterans Homelessness Program
RCMP Veterans’ Association Foundation
Chair: Keith Trail (BC)
Vice Chair: Ian Atkin (NS)
John Francis (ON)
Luisa Russo-Lemay (ON)
Robert Hurman (NL)
Jerry Plastow (AB)
David Mitchell (AB)
Board Representative: Bob Byers (AB)
Veterans’ Women’s Council
Co-Chair: Jane Hall (BC)
Co-Chair: Vivienne Stewart (BC)
Dr. Darlene Worth (NS)
Ron Lewis (ON)
Ruth Roy (NS)
Sandra Conlin (ON)
Chair: Sandy Glenn, Kentville, NS
Al Rivard, Dieppe, NB
Dave Leblanc, Gimli, MB
Cal Small, Orleans, ON
Tim Hoban, Miramichi, NB
Rick Morris, Toronto, ON
Bill Patton, Edmonton, AB
Keith Trail, Nanaimo, BC
Board of Directors
The RCMPVA (The Association) is governed by a Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors are dedicated Association members who are investing in the greater good of the Association membership by volunteering their time and taking on the responsibility for overseeing the business activities and other affairs of the Association. The board is comprised of up to 11 directors who are elected by the membership during the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The Board then elects members of the board to take on the four Officers positions of President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. The other board members (Directors) then take on the leadership of committees to conduct the operational aspects of the Association with the support of the Chief Administration Officer. Each board member agrees to serve a three-year term with the Board.
Robert (Bob) Byers
President
Officer of the Association / Sole Member - RCMPVA Foundation
Based in Alberta
Warren Gherasim
Vice President
AGC Chair / Membership Director
Based in Saskatchewan
Derren Lench
Secretary
AGC Member / Communications Committee / Quarterly Liaison
Based in British Columbia
Brenda Picklyk
Treasurer
Officer of the Association / AGC Member
Based in Ontario
Sandra Conlin
Past President
Liaison to RCMP / Nomination Committee
Based in Ontario
Steve Walker
Director
Pension, Benefits & Advocacy Program / Liaison to VAC & NPF
Based in Manitoba
Tammy Patterson
Director
Communications / Chair - Communications Committee / AGC Member
Based in Saskatchewan
Janet Steel
Director
Support Advocacy Services / Veterans Homelessness Program / Communications Committee
Based in Ontario
Robert (Bob) Myhill
Director
Policy & Systems - By-Laws and Governance / Chair Finance & Audit Committee / AGC Member
Based in Ontario
Howard Eaton
Director
Membership (East) / Transition Team Liaison
Based in Nova Scotia
Secretariat
The Association Secretariat is responsible to provide the bulk of the operational and administrative support for the Association. In addition to this they also lead the development of responsible standards and assurance mechanisms, mange stakeholder engagement, communications, oversight of the membership program, and supporting divisions for day to day issues and larger events (AGM)
Glen Siegersma
Chief Administration Officer
Chantal Renaud
Executive Assistant
Steve Graham
Benefit Trust Fund (BTF) – Manager
Ralph Mahar
Honours and Recognition – Operational Director
Sandra Conlin
Membership – Director (Acting)
Alan Treddenick
Strategic Engagement – Operational Director
Committees
The RCMPVA Board of Directors conducts its oversight functions in concert with key committees so the association and its board operate effectively and in accordance with a high standard of corporate governance that adheres to the requirements of the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act.
Association Governance Committee (AGC)
Chair: Warren Gherasim (SK)
Secretary: Derren Lench (BC)
Treasurer: Brenda Picklyk (ON)
Communications: Tammy Patterson (SK)
Member: Bob Myhill (ON)
CAO: Glen Siegersma (ON)
Communications Committee
Chair: Tammy Patterson (SK)
Social Media/Website: Ralph Mahar (ON)
Member: Derren Lench (BC)
Newsletter: Jennifer Lejeune (NB)
Support: Glen Siegersma (ON)
Historian: Gordon Cave (AB)
Membership Committee
-
Lorne House (Atlantic)
-
Mike Dornian (Pacific)
-
Cornel Stuart (Prairies)
-
Robert Boivin (Quebec)
-
Ted Therrien (Ontario)
Support and Advocacy
Chief Support Advocate: Janet Steel (ON)
Advisor: Mike Duffy (AB)
Advocacy
Pension Advisory Committee (RCMP PAC): Steve Walker (MB)
Pension Finance Oversight Committee: Steve Walker (MVB)
Member Benefits Chair: Steve Walker (MB)
RCMP Benefit Trust Fund: Steve Graham (NS)
Dental Advisory: Bill Brydon (NS)
Graves Committee: Jack O’Reilly (NS)
Nomination Committee
Chair: Sandra Conlin (ON)
Two active members to be appointed for 2026
Honours & Recognition Committee
Chair: Ralph Mahar (ON)
Derren Lench (BC)
Veterans Homelessness Program
RCMP Veterans’ Association Foundation
Chair: Keith Trail (BC)
Vice Chair: Ian Atkin (NS)
John Francis (ON)
Luisa Russo-Lemay (ON)
Robert Hurman (NL)
Jerry Plastow (AB)
David Mitchell (AB)
Board Representative: Bob Byers (AB)
Veterans’ Women’s Council
Co-Chair: Jane Hall (BC)
Co-Chair: Vivienne Stewart (BC)
Dr. Darlene Worth (NS)
Ron Lewis (ON)
Ruth Roy (NS)
Sandra Conlin (ON)
Board of Governors
Chair: Steve Walker , Winnipeg, Man
Al Rivard, Moncton, NB
Dave Leblanc, Gimli, MB
Cal Small, Orleans, ON
Tim Hoban, Miramichi, NB
Rick Morris, Toronto, ON
Bill Patton, Edmonton, AB
Keith Trail, Namaimo, BC
Bill McCheyne, Surrey, BC
Dale Lively, St. Andrews, NB
