New Finance Manager Shelley Litke

The GSI Board of Directors is pleased to announce several staff changes that have happened in recent months.

After 19 years of service as GSI’s Pension & Benefits Administrator, Barb Fortier has been appointed as Executive Director of GSI, April 1, 2025. 

GSI is pleased to welcome Shelley Litke as our new Finance Manager. Shelley brings over 30 years of experience in finance and has a CPA designation. 

The Board would also like to wish departing Executive Director Lisa Thiessen a wonderful next chapter in her life after 23 years in this role. 

Outgoing Executive Director Lisa Thiessen, new Executive Director Barb Fortier, and Board of Directors Chair Rev. Dr. Gordon Jensen at the ABT Bishop’s Study Conference, February 2025

The value of a good sleep cannot be overestimated. People who have obstructed airways caused by sleep apnea do not sleep well. In many cases, good sleep can be restored through use of a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) or similar machine. Over the past 25 years or so, CPAPs have become smaller, cheaper, and easier to use.

If prescribed by a sleep physician, CPAP machines are covered under the ELCIC Group Benefits Plan at 100% of the eligible amount. In some cases, there may also be provincial coverage available. Members are entitled to two masks per year, with the Plan covering up to $350 per mask. In addition, hoses and filters are included under the Plan’s coverage.  

Members are eligible for a new CPAP every 5 years. However, the CPAP must be defective to be eligible for reimbursement.

Manulife strongly recommends that Members submit an estimate before purchasing their CPAP machine, initially and after the five years. This allows the Member to see exactly what the plan will cover in advance.  

There is no specific form required for submission. Members can request an estimate directly from their provider and submit it through the Plan Member Secure site. Once the estimate is approved, they can proceed with the purchase and then submit the claim through the same secure site. 

Ozempic, Wegovy and other brands of semaglutide medications are covered prescriptions drugs when indicated for the treatment of diabetes. Your physician will be required to complete this form: Group Benefits Drug Prior Authorization Ozempic (Semaglutide).

If you as the Plan Member (or covered dependent) are prescribed this medication for weight loss, it will not be covered under the plan of covered prescriptions.

This Summer Salad Recipe is full of delicious, fresh ingredients and made perfect with Lemon Poppyseed Dressing. You will want to bring this easy-to-make salad to all the summer picnics and BBQs! 

Salad Ingredients: 

• 3 Romaine hearts, chopped 
• 1 cup roasted walnuts 
• 1 cup blueberries 
• 1 pint raspberries 
• 10 small radishes washed, trimmed, and sliced thin 
• 5 oz goat cheese (or feta), crumbled 

Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing 

• 2/3 cup olive oil 
• 1/3 cup lemon juice  
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar (optional)
• 1/8 teaspoon salt (or just a pinch) 
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard 
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds 
• 1 tablespoon honey (optional)

Instructions 

1. Toss all of the salad ingredients gently together in a bowl. 
2. Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, sugar, salt, and mustard until the sugar is completely dissolved. Taste and add more lemon until it has enough of a lemon flavor for you. Add more honey if it becomes overwhelmingly acidic. 
3. Stir poppy seeds into the dressing. 
4. Serve salad dressing on the side and allow people to dress their salad to taste.