FROM THE BOARD – Barb Frank, President
OPINION NEEDED!
Are you interested in purchasing personal “business” cards to pass along your contact information that also identifies you as an Intel retiree? The card would be issued by the same vendor who produces the Intel business cards, and would need to display your @intelretiree.com email address. The cost would be around $17.00 for 250 cards, the minimum order. Additional information is found here. If yes, click here so the IRO board can determine if there is sufficient interest to pursue. Please respond ONLY if you are interested.
ANNOUNCING OUR NEW SECRETARY
We are happy to announce that our new IRO Secretary is Vicki Valens. Vicki has agreed to do this in addition to her position as Folsom Site Coordinator. We want to thank Julie Peterson for volunteering as the IRO Secretary for the last six months and wish her well in her next endeavors.
AFTER 7+ YEARS, YOUR IRO COMMITTEE CHAIRS & OFFICERS FINALLY MEET!
Since 2007, all of our meetings have been by phone, but thanks to support from Intel, we had our first face-to-face in Portland on February 11th – 12th where many of us met for the first time. See pictures of us at dinner and at work in RS5-101 identifying IRO/Intel gaps and opportunities! We will meet with Intel in Q2 on next steps and report out in our June News Flash.
HEALTH/BENEFITS – Cheryl Pruss, Chairperson
SERMA DEADLINE IS MARCH 31
You have some extra time to submit SERMA claims for 2013 non-IRMP health insurance reimbursements. The SERMA reimbursement process allows for a “run-out period” from January 1st to March 31st to submit claims for premiums that occurred while you were eligible under the plan. Submit your 2013 claims with complete supporting documentation by March 31st, 2014. Go to the MY HEALTH BENEFITS website and log on. Then select SPENDING ACCOUNTS to file claims. For further information on SERMA and filing claims, go to the Intel Retiree Organization website. Click on BENEFITS, then on Retirement Timeline. Look under the heading Retirement Core Benefits. The following postings may be of assistance : SERMA Flexibility FAQs, About the SERMA claims process, and SERMA-YSA Tips.
ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH OUR RETIREMENT TIMELINE?
The timeline is a valuable resource that contains useful links to benefits data and discounts for retirees, as well as service provider and Intel contact information. Read more…
COMMUNICATIONS – Debbie Watson, Chairperson
THE SOFT SIDE OF RETIREMENT – CLEM RUSSO
There’s something soothing about the steady clickity-clack of a train gliding over the rails. Catch up with Clem Russo as he describes his two-room, model train hobby, his life in Florida, golf and traveling in his Tiffin diesel pusher motor home. All aboard!
INTEL’S SHARP-EYED SOCIAL SCIENTIST
Genevieve Bell, as a cultural anthropologist at Intel Labs, runs a team of about 100 researchers in Hillsboro. The team studies how consumers interact with electronics and develops new technology experiences for them. Read about Genevieve and her fascinating job in a February New York Times article.
2001 INTEL HOME PC PROGRAM SAFETY ALERT
Around 2001, Intel offered the Intel Home PC program. The program included APC Surge-Arrest power strips that have been recently recalled due to overheating and 55 reports of fires. Click here for details on what to do if you participated in this program and may still be using the included power strip.
VOLUNTEER – Ben Manny, Chairperson
RECYCLE LAPTOPS FOR A WORTHY CAUSE
Project Congo needs your functional laptop! Project Congo is a 501(c)3 charity supporting medical clinics and educational efforts in the war-torn Democratic Republic of the Congo. They need working laptops, notebooks, or netbooks with Windows 7 or Windows XP and ideally Windows Office. If you have not done so already, the systems will be wiped clean of data. Batteries will be replaced if necessary. If you are willing to donate your laptop or have questions, please email retiree Jean McNamara to arrange a pickup and receive a tax receipt.
2013 VOLUNTEER HOURS UP 15%
For 2013, 141 Intel retirees reported 44,000 Intel Involved volunteer hours for 194 different organizations. Last year 126 retirees reported 38,000 hours for 190 organizations. While these are increases, the overall percent of retirees reporting hours has decreased because of more retirees. Intel Involved matching grant checks will be mailed out this spring.
SITE UPDATES
ARIZONA
SCIENCE FAIR JUDGES AND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The Arizona Science & Engineering Fair will be held March 31- April 2 at the Phoenix Convention Center. Click here to learn more and to register as a judge or general volunteer. Judging will be on April 1. Participants from this fair go on to compete at Intel’s International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).
EVENT SCHEDULED WITH IAN
The Arizona Intel Alumni Network is holding a spring mixer in Chandler on April 17. To RSVP or find out more information, click here.
BAY AREA
JOIN US FOR EXCITING GET-TOGETHERS!
On April 16, we’re going to the beautiful California coast for our first lunch at the Crow’s Nest in Santa Cruz. Then on June 18 we’ll have lunch at The Fish Market in Santa Clara. The IRO annual dinner for the bay area group has been scheduled for Thursday, October 16 so mark your calendar now!
OREGON
GIRLS INC. OREGON VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Intel endorses Girls Inc., a program to inspire girls to become strong, smart, and bold by becoming a Girls Guide. Training sessions start in March. Visit their website for more information, or email Janet Rash at Intel with any questions.