Breaux re-elected CRA president
President Ernie Breaux of the Chevron Retirees Association (CRA) was unanimously re-elected to that position at the organization's 38th Annual Meeting held May 15-17 at the Hilton New Orleans Airport Hotel. His second one-year term begins July 1.
Overall attendance at the 2010 annual business meeting - including directors, alternates, members-at-large, spouses and invited speakers and guests - was nearly 200. Among first-timers at the conference were 18 new chapter presidents.
Congratulating CRA President Ernie Breaux, left, for his re-election is John Watson, Chevron chairman and CEO.
A major highlight of the two-day business meeting was an intense open workshop on "CRA 2020" led by John Dewes, former Association president, and John Bulla, Midwest area vice president (AVP). As a significant workshop exercise, each AVP was asked to take the podium and "make a best guess on where the CRA and its geographic regions (11) might be in 2020 in terms of members and number of chapters." All AVPs forecasted a decline in membership and number of chapters.
Overall estimates based on current numbers indicate a reduction of approximately 23 and 30 percent, respectively, in membership and chapters. Reduction in membership may be less if affected members join the Unaffiliated Chapter.
Other meeting highlights
It was announced Open Enrollment of the CRA Dental Plan will be held annually from March 1-31. In 2009 there was a new enrollment of 1,400 retirees in the Dental Plan, which helped increase the CRA's paid membership total. Providing that information was guest speaker Kevin O'Brien, assistant vice president of HDH.
Among other announcements: CRA records retention will become digital . . . Job descriptions for Committee Chairs will be updated . . . Two South Atlantic Seaboard Area chapters, Southwest Florida and Central Florida CVX, with a combined 80 members have closed. Total chapter count is now 96.
Breaux introduced the four new CRA area vice presidents. They are Ron Akers, Gulf Coast; Bob Bradbury, Canada; Lee Johnson, The Plains; Vic Revenko, Northern California/Hawaii/Nevada. They will be featured in an article in the next Encore.
Returning AVPs: Daryl Brennick, Northwest U.S./Alaska; John Bulla, Midwest; Frank Coe, South Texas; MJ Stone, Intermountain; Herb Farrington, Southern California; Kevin Ryan, North Atlantic Seaboard; Rudy Treml, South Atlantic Seaboard; Bill Mather, Unaffiliated.
Chevron speakers reports
Regarding Health Care Reform: Claudia Polidori, Manager, Enterprise Benefits, reported that the Company currently is assessing the legislation's many provisions to determine how they affect the benefits offered Chevron employees and retirees. Immediate focus is on the provisions that may be potential areas for change in 2011, including age 26 dependent eligibility requirement and elimination of lifetime maximum dollar amounts for certain health benefits. Employees/retirees will be notified of any updates, as appropriate. As of now, there is no action required from employees or retirees.
Deb McNaughton, manager of Internal Communications, praised CRA members for their overwhelming support of the Chevron Humankind Program. She said 2,500 retirees participated last year in this volunteer program, which resulted in nonprofit organizations receiving $4 million in matching contributions. She also pointed out that matching education contributions will be wrapped into the Humankind Program. For details about Humankind, go to CRA website at www.chevronretirees.org.
Guest speaker Betsy Ricketts, political programs coordinator, discussed the importance of Chevron's Advocacy Network Program. She emphasized that, when called upon, all CRA retirees could play a vital role in writing letters to U.S. government leaders re issues of import to the Company. In response to her presentation, and to further enhance the CRA's continued value to the Company, chapter members will be encouraged to take a more active role in the Advocacy Program. Go to www.Chevronadvocacynetwork.com for more details.
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