Can you believe it? The Intel Retirees Organization (IRO) has served its community for over 15 years.
IRO became recognized as a sanctioned Employee Group by Intel in 2008. The effort had roots as far back as 2001, but official recognition and support from Intel marked a turning point. Today, IRO’s membership roster boasts more than 7000 official Intel retirees – approximately 40 percent of all U.S. Intel retirees — and a few hundred international Intel retirees among its ranks. It’s not bad for an all-volunteer-run organization.
Intel helps by covering out-of-pocket costs such as website hosting, mail distribution service, software, etc. When camaraderie-based events return, the company also subsidizes the costs of our annual dinners, complete with gourmet dining, the ability to renew social connections, door prize giveaways, and an opportunity to hear from Intel executives about news and events.
IRO has committees overseeing communication, healthcare, volunteering, website development and maintenance, social activities, and strategic planning.
IRO members can access intelretiree.com to get answers about healthcare benefits, discounts, volunteering, donating, and reconnecting with former colleagues.
Through its Mailbox program, IRO connects you to a volunteer who can help you with individual questions, address issues, or provide additional Intel contacts.
With recent Intel actions, IRO’s membership has been growing rapidly. For the moment, things look reasonably good. But as the Leadership Group looks out to the horizon, some areas of concern exist.
It’s not been easy lately for some of our most experienced IRO volunteers. A few face health issues, whether for themselves or their loved ones, forcing them to reevaluate their dedication to IRO. We have noticed an increase in retiree volunteers who are simply tired and need a break. They have given so much and deserve some rest.
It’s important for us to connect with our newer Intel retirees to serve their needs better and make necessary adjustments to benefit all members. We encourage these retirees to join our volunteer team so we can gain a better understanding of their relationship with the company and ensure that our organization is providing helpful support to everyone.
The organization is in good shape but needs new volunteers to bring their skills, energy, thoughts, and talents to keep IRO strong.
If you are interested in giving us a couple of hours a month, don’t hesitate to contact us via the IRO Mailbox, and we will get right back to you. The training we provide, the unwavering support we provide, and the fun we have are all part of our approach.