FROM THE BOARD – Barb Frank, President
DISCOUNT REMINDER
The Intel Vault Discount Program offers both national and local discounts on a variety of products and services, including restaurants, electronics, theme parks, movie tickets and more. The program is available to you as a retiree. Order your Vault Card online using our website. These cards are authorized until 12/31/2014. If you have lost your card, you can reorder at any time.
HEALTH/BENEFITS COMMITTEE – Cheryl Pruss, Chairperson
REMINDER – SUBMIT SERMA CLAIMS FOR 2012
Retirees have until March 31st to submit SERMA claims for 2012 expenses. Supporting documentation is required for approval. Contact the Intel Benefits Center at 877-466-9236 for more information.
MEDICARE ADVANTAGE – 2013 AVAILABILITY AND PREMIUMS
As Intel retirees near Medicare eligibility and each year thereafter during Medicare open enrollment, they will need to decide which Medicare plan will be their best fit. Intel retirees have the IRMP Medicare plan (with or without prescription drug coverage) available to them. For many retirees, it may be advantageous to look at other plans that are available in the open marketplace. For information that compares various Medicare plan options, an interesting article was published in December 2012 by the Kaiser Family Foundation. This can be especially useful for retirees who will become eligible for Medicare during 2013. In a future News Flash, we will provide information about the new Medicare Advantage Five Star rating system and how to locate a Medicare Advantage plan.
COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE – Debbie Watson, Chairperson
INTEL LOOKS BUFF AND CLEVER AT CES 2013
There are few narratives tech journalists love more than a good David-and-Goliath story. Read what Matt Smith of Digital Trends has to say about Intel’s domination at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
WELCOME GELL GELLMAN!
The Communications Committee welcomes Gell Gellman as a new writer. If the name sounds familiar, it may be because she was the subject of December’s Life After Intel article and brings 30+ years of Intel experience to the committee. Our committee is always looking for aspiring writers, editors and reporters. If you want to join Gell and the rest of us dedicated to providing important communications to our membership, drop a note to chairperson, Debbie Watson.
MEET MARIE VALLEJO – HER LIFE AFTER INTEL
Last May, we wrote about Marie Vallejo who lives in the Philippines and had authored a book of historical significance. For those who missed her exciting story, we are repeating the article.
VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE – Ben Manny, Chairperson
BEN MANNY – OUR VOLUNTEER ROLE MODEL TELLS OF HIS EXPERIENCE
Ben Manny reflects on his experience after volunteering as Oregon’s Head Project Judge for the Oregon Robotics FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Lego League Challenge. Through Ben’s eyes, find out more about this organization and the benefits of volunteering.
EVERYONE WINS WHEN YOU VOLUNTEER
How about a New Year’s resolution that’s a pleasure to keep? Volunteer! Check out general Intel opportunities or opportunities specific to your communities: All Intel sites, Arizona, Bay Area, Folsom, and Oregon. Giving back to the community through volunteerism is good for you and good for the non-profit organization. The qualifying non-profit of your choice receives the benefit of your time and expertise, and gets paid $10 an hour through the Intel Involved Matching Grant Program. Everybody wins! If you don’t see your favorite non-profit listed, you can “sponsor” a non-profit and have it posted on the IRO website. See the guidelines for posting volunteer opportunities. Finally, if you want to share a story about your volunteer experience, just fill out the volunteer template and submit it to the Communications Committee to get your article published.
JUDGES NEEDED FOR NORTHWEST SCIENCE EXPO AT INTEL JONES FARM
Judges are needed to review science fair projects for the Beaverton Hillsboro Science Expo on February 15 at the Intel Jones Farm Conference Center in Hillsboro, Oregon. This can be a very rewarding experience for the judges and your chance to mentor and encourage a rising star. See our announcement for registration, hours and contact information.
WEBSITE COMMITTEE – Judy Goodman, Chairperson
WEB PROGRAMMERS NEEDED
Want to learn some new web technology? Want to keep your technical skills up but not spend a lot of time committed to the task? Then let Judy Goodman know. Judy is looking for some people who are interested in helping to support our website and want to contribute new ideas to our site. If you understand software, then you can easily join our team.
SITE UPDATES
Bay Area – Who was there? Check out photos from our January Wine & Cheese Party.