The Retiree

1 The RetireeVVVVVol. 35, No. 2ol. 35, No. 2ol. 35, No. 2ol. 35, No. 2ol. 35, No. 2 OctOctOctOctOctober 20ober 20ober 20ober 20ober 201111133333 American Red Cross Retiree Association431 18th Street, , W525F, Washington, DC 20006 Published by theFrom ARCRA President Maurice LeviteOfficersMaurice LevitePresidentRandy WeddleVice PresidentDave TherkelsenSecretaryCarl D. MillerTreasurer, Finance ChairJohn McDivittEx OfficioJohn LyterLinda VossField Unit ManagersNational Committee ChairsJudith HullAdministrativeJo Anne JonesCommunications(To Be Determined)Human ResourcesThomas J.

2 Kiousis, McDivittNominationsDon StephensPrograms and ServicesJim McColmRegionalRegion RepresentativesJames HaigwoodPacificLois BarkerWestFred LuckenbillMidwestDonna CurbSouthwestRichard JohnsonGreat LakesBrenda SimmonsNortheastJoby JesterMid-AtlanticTeresa CaverSoutheastAdministratorTel: (202) am writing this president s letter from my new home in Mobile, Alabama. To any of youwho may be contemplating a move once you veretired, I caution you to as the Boy and GirlScout motto prescribes Be Prepared! Cleaning out your attic/basement/storage shedis an absolute must because you don t want topay to transport items you ll never use.

3 Thereare companies that will come in and haul off allyour junk ..for a price. So many issues toaddress and remember! Red Cross retirees haveaccess to agreements with moving companiesthat provide discounts on also hotel discounts (in case youhave to stay in a hotel until your home isavailable), rental car discounts, telephonediscounts, etc, etc. Check the American RedCross Retiree Discount Program at or contact theARCRA office for d like to take this opportunity to thank ourARCRA Vice President Randy Weddle andothers who picked up the slack while I wasinvolved with moving.

4 I could tell the boardconference call meeting on August 29 wentextremely well without me, as I was sequesteredin closing/settlement at that time. Havingcompetent leadership volunteers makes apresident s job much next ARCRA board meeting will be heldin Washington, DC, October 24-25. Several RedCross senior staff members will meet with usto discuss the state of the American RedCross, financial issues, health care issues, andmany other important issues affecting you have any subjects you would likeaddresses with management, please let us knowand we will make every effort toincorporate them into our eligible retirees should havereceived annual health care enrollmentinformation.

5 If you have questions,please contact the Benefits ServiceCenter, 1-877-860-7526 (for pre-Medicare and Dental) or Aon HewittNavigators, 1-877-458-9657 (forMedicare eligible). Review yourchoices carefully and reach out forassistance as closing for now, I wouldencourage you to urge all retirees andsoon-to-be retirees to become part ofthe Retiree Association. Membershipis only $250. Annual membership is$25. Your support is the primaryfunding for the Retiree Association. Wedo hope we are addressing the mostpressing issues affecting retirees acrossthe nation.

6 Thank you for your service,and make sure to let us know of anyissues where we might be of the best to This IssueMission Statements2 Local ARCRA Group Activities3 ARCRA Leadership Team3,5,6 Local ARCRA Group Chair5 Money-Saving Benefits7 Michigan & Indiana Retirees7In Memoriam7 Keeping in Touch82 The RetireeAmerican Red CrossRetiree AssociationHeadquarters Red CrossBenefits Service CenterThe American Red Crossprovides one toll-free number and Website for Red Cross Retirement andLife and Health Benefits information1-877-860-7526 Pension InformationLife and Health Connection A toll-free program of your AmericanRed Cross Retiree Association 1-888-738-2724 Help in taking advantage ofservices, products and otherbenefits.

7 Assistance in renewingrelationships or contacts withformer Red Cross colleagues. Advocacy in navigating the systemand resolving Web StatementsA number of local ARCRA groups have developed statements forfocus and guidance. Eastern Pennsylvania has shared theirs, asfollows, and we will share others as we receive them:MissionThe Eastern Pennsylvania ARC Retiree Association seeks toencourage and promote the friendship and camaraderie Eastern Pennsylvania Group will expand its membershipby reaching out to new retirees, hosting semi-annual meetings andpublishing a newsletter to keep our members in touch with oneanother.

8 We will strengthen our meetings and programs and willalways be responsive and focused on the American Red Cross andits outreach to our local We respect each of our retirees and the value that they have broughtto the American Red Cross. We value good communications and will continuously seek newways to improve our communications to our members. We value the work of the ARC and will encourage our membersto find ways to make a difference through volunteer service tothe ARC and to support ARC fund campaigns wherever the needis the American Red Cross Retiree Association Leadership Manualincludes a Mission Statement to guide in planning:The mission of the American Red Cross RetireeAssociation is to enhance the financial, health, and socialwell being of its members and others who make up theRed Cross Retiree fulfill this mission, the Association currently provides.

9 An ongoing communication program designed to keepmembers informed about issues important to retirees and intouch with each variety of low-cost professional, commercial services, andproducts that are attractive and useful to assistance in solving and representation in Washington wheredecisions are made that affect pensions and to meet and socialize with former Red to volunteer in support of local Red Crossor other community service programs that help 20133 Local ARCRA Group Activitiescontinued on page 4 Cincinnati Group This group is still having meetings threetimes per year but is not so active in between.

10 They are small innumber, and some of the members are not in good health. GaryMiller is still active with the Red Cross chapter and is the chairmanof the group. Gary also just accepted the role of Volunteer Partnerfor Keith Alvey on the Crossroads Division Team. Dick Johnsonstepped into the role Tom Kiousis had with the national ARCRAB oard. Gary promises a photo from the next group Pennsylvania Group The Eastern Pennsylvania-New Jersey Retiree Group has a great interest in Red Cross servicedelivery to communities. In the wake of Hurricane Sandy sdevastation along coastal New Jersey, Mathieu Nelessen, RegionalChief Executive Officer, North Jersey Region, addressed a recentmeeting of this Retiree group.