Post date: Apr 07, 2009 3:22:53 PM
IBM Tampa Bay Retiree Club
Steering Council Meeting
April 2, 2009 Meeting Minutes
Presiding: Jim Hughes
Attendees: Hari Arora, Donna Fryza, Susan Gryzbowski, Dianne Hartt,
Mary Ann McCoy, Norm Prenzel, Harry Schaffhauser
Jim opened the meeting and advised that Judy Manowitz had to cancel. IBM liaisons,
Linda Wizner and Janell Ray had conflicts.
Membership Report - Jim Hughes
Jim received communication from an employee who retired the end of February interested
in becoming a steering committee member. It was voted to bring her on board. Harry will be moving out of state the end of this month; however, he will continue to maintain the website.
Treasurer's Report - Norm Prenzel
Norm reported the current account balance to be $1,578.17. We will recuperate the $500 deposit given for the June 5 golf outing.
Retiree Database and Membership Registration Report – Mary Ann McCoy
The membership database is much easier to manage via the new website. After adding 14 new entries and making 6 changes, the database contains 750 records. Agreed to include a note in the cover letter encouraging retirees use the database via the website to enter any changes in their personal information.
Website Report – Harry Schaffhauser
The new retiree website created using Google is up and very functional. The former site has
a link directly to the new website. The new site is very informative and user-friendly. There
are two types of pages to build; some are easier to maintain than others. Harry created a photo gallery with a screen-show on the home page. Donna located a free logo website and chose
a logo which is now posted throughout the site. Harry can maintain the site remotely. Jim will serve as back-up. The registration of our domain is due in August. Need to ensure this doesn’t lapse so we don’t loose our domain name.
Social Events Report
Judy was not available to report. We agreed to still not hold a “Day at the Races” or a “Picnic” this year.
Seminars Report – Susan Gryzbowski
The Tax Update Seminar held February 25 was attended by 30 people and went very well. We are holding a Hurricane Preparedness Seminar on May 6 in which active employees will also be invited. Donna mentioned that Stu Bean, Tampa’s Senior Location Executive, notified employees of the seminar via his monthly newsletter. The team discussed the contents of the Financial in October and Medical Benefits Seminar in November. Conference rooms have already been scheduled. It was decided that all three of these seminars should be held annually. Will need to look into converting traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs for 2010 for the Financial Seminar.
Golf Event Report - Dianne Hartt and Donna Fryza
Donna stated the flyer and registration form for the June 5 outing at Plantation Palms has been posted on the two IBM facility bulletin boards for about two months. Its also posted on the retiree website and will be posted on the IBM Club website. Dianne will send an email along with the forms to the distribution list sh had of all past golf outing participants. Registration deadline is May 26. A copy of each form will be included in the April mailing. Dianne mentioned that her contract with IBM will expire on April 30. Her current plans are to remain a committee member.
Volunteer Council Report - Mary Ann McCoy
Mary Ann discussed all the volunteer opportunities recently sponsored by the IBM Tampa Bay Volunteer Council and a few that are upcoming. She had a few retirees and active employees volunteer at the Gasparilla Arts Festival that she coordinated. She ensures current volunteer information is maintained on the website.
IBM Club Synergy - Donna Fryza
Donna continues to include a paragraph in Stu Bean’s monthly newsletter. The IBM Club will soon begin selling discounted MOSI admission and Body Worlds tickets. By the Fall, they will be selling Entertainment 2010 coupon books. All discounted items sold by the IBM Club are posted on the retiree website via the “Florida Discounts At A Glance” document.
Mailing and Mass Email Report – Mary Ann
The next mailing will be within the next two weeks to include the cover letter from Jim, seminar information from Susan and golf outing information from Dianne and Donna. Materials are due to Donna by end-of-day Monday, 4/6. Mary Ann will obtain the envelopes from the mailroom and label them. She will help coordinate a team to come to the office on to stuff the envelopes. Donna has already advised the IBM Mailroom staff for the need of envelopes, copying and mailing.
Miscellaneous
Jim mentioned that AARP has an online Driver Safety Course that will save him $72
a year for three years once taken. The charge is $15.95 to AARP members and $19 for non-members. Donna advised that GEICO also has a similar program.
Next Meeting: Monday, August 3 from 11 AM to 1 PM at IBM Harborview in Room 103