1. Healthcare

Retired Public Employees Council
Chapter 6 – Everett Area
Newsletter: February 3, 2015
Our Strength is Your Security
Working to protect and enhance the pension and health care benefits
of Washington retired state, county and local government employees
You can participate in Chapter 6 activities as a representative of our 500 members even if you
cannot attend our meetings. You will also receive 2 email reminders for each meeting. Please
send an email with your name to Maryhelen at [email protected].
Dear RPEC Chapter 6 Members
23% of our members have incorrect phone
& Guests, (Bring friends!)
numbers listed.
February 3, 2015 at 1:30 PM
Meeting at the Carl Gipson Senior
Center of Everett
325 Lombard Ave, Everett 98201
February 3rd Meeting:
Speaker:
Maria Britton-Sipe,
RPEC Executive Director. Here
is her statement:
State of Washington Faces Dire
Financial Situation:
There is an
estimated budget shortfall of $2.5 billion
to 4 billion in the state of Washington,
and as a result, the spring legislative
session is anticipated to be heated as
lawmakers battle over what to cut and
what to spare.
Impact on Retirees: As the legislature
searches for available money, we must
be united and vigilant in fighting to
ensure the full funding of pensions, in
opposition to a Plan 4 that would
destabilize the current plans, the
maintenance of the PEBB subsidy for
Medicare eligible retirees, and for a Costof-Living Adjustment for Plan 1 retirees.
New efforts are also underway across the
country to undermine public sector
pensions from eroding transparency to
funding
media
attacks
disparaging
retirees.
Please attend this meeting to hear
how you can help us fight to protect
your benefits.
If your phone number or email has
changed, take this opportunity to
Contact Chapter 6,
Jim Brandley at 425-337-0884,
[email protected]
OR Melissa Mills at
RPEC 1-800-562-6097,
[email protected]
Feb. 3rd Additional Agenda:
Legislative Day, February 22-23,
2015: finalize plans for those planning to
attend the Meet & Greet on February
22nd and Legislative Day February 23rd.
Budget 2015: Discussion & Approval.
January 6th Meeting:
Brenda Williams, our District 1
Executive Board Member, spoke on
how to have effective meetings:
1) Allow participation by everyone
without judgment.
2) Keep the conversation on the
current subject. Do not stray onto
items that are not chapter
business.
3) Encourage
all
members
to
participate in committees and
events to accomplish the chapter
business.
She handed out pamphlets describing the
history of AFSCME retirees, the structure
of AFSCME and how to participate in
AFSCME meetings.
WSARA: We are now affiliated with the
Washington State Alliance for Retired
Americans. Bob Hilgenberg will serve
on their Executive Board.
(Continue on next page)
Retired Public Employees Council
Chapter 6 – Everett Area
Newsletter: February 3, 2015 Page 2 (continued)
January 6th Meeting (continued)
Legislative Day February 22-23,
2015: Meet & Greet with Legislators on
February 22nd. Olympia will do all the
meeting coordination with legislators on
Legislative Day on February 23rd. Those
expecting to attend filled out paper
registration forms.
Chapter 6 Constitution: Amendments
were approved by the membership so
the constitution can be sent to Olympia
with the minutes from this meeting.
Senior Focus Ad: Membership Chair,
Jim Brandley, received approval to
enter our ad for RPEC recruitment in the
Senior
Focus
Newspaper
for
February/March.
Gloria St. Denis won the drawing.
RPEC Chapter 6 Meetings
Carl Gipson Senior Center of Everett
3025 Lombard Ave
Everett, WA 98201
1:30 PM 1st Tuesday of each month
Except July & August
February 3, 2015
March 3, 2015
April 7, 2015
May 5, 2015
June 2, 2015 **
** We may meet at a restaurant
Visit www.sib.wa.gov the Washington
State Investment Board website.
Visit www.rpecwa.org frequently for the
latest information on RPEC activities.
Chapter 6 Officers
Jim Kresge
Ph. 360-652-8811
[email protected]
Vice President:
Mathalie Mericle
Ph. 360-436-3709
[email protected]
Secretary:
Rebecca Ziegler
Ph. 425-760-2654
[email protected]
Treasurer:
Maryhelen W. Hudson
Ph. 360-659-1541
[email protected]
President:
Chapter 6 Board Members
Clair Olivers
Jim Brandley
Bob Hilgenberg
Ralph Knutson
Ph. 425-252-4302
[email protected]
Ph. 425-337-0884
[email protected]
Ph. 425-258-9643
[email protected]
Ph. 360-435-2665
[email protected]
Visit www.sssc.org Senior Services of
Snohomish County for all kinds of assistance
to seniors. We know it best for Meals on
Wheels, but it can also provide maintenance
for your home or garden, legal services, help
with health care concerns.
If you can come to the meeting, please
let me know.
Sincerely yours,
Maryhelen W. Hudson
Treasurer
Phone: 360-659-1541
Cell:
425-330-2430
Email: [email protected]
Don’t Forget
February 3, 2015 – Chapter 6 Meeting at 1:30 PM
February 22, 2015 – Evening Meet & Greet with Legislators
February 23, 2015 – Legislative Day