To all GMLSRC Members and GM Salaried Retirees everywhere.

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GMLSRC President’s Message 

As I approach the end of my third year as President, I have many to thank. My tenure would have been much more difficult without them. They really did all the work. I'd like to thank V.P. Marv Thomson. He spearheaded efforts on looking into the offer of the club becoming a spo0nsor for a particular medical plan, plus the survey of folks to determine where they'd like to see the club go. Thank you to our faithful Secretary of many years, Shirley Sanborn. She's always on hand to take notes, keep us on track, and send out minutes and agenda for the next meeting. Thank you to Treasurer John Bond for modernizing and computerizing our financial operations. His reports at each board meeting are complete and concise. Working hand-in-hand with John is Fred Kane, Chairman of the Membership Committee for many years. Let me tell you, he does a tremendous amount of work for the club, including receiving, recording, and depositing all monies received for dues and events. That involves many trips to the bank and post office every month. Fred also keeps the computer files of member information up-to-date for the hard copy and website rosters, and quarterly lists of changes for the newsletters. I wish to thank Don 'Soko' Sokoloski for continuing a find job on the newsletter, and being our liaison with webmaster Dan Foltz. You both honor us with a user-friendly and information-handy website.

Proceeding on to the heads of annual events, I first want to thank John Fox for mother-henning the bus trips.  The Auto Show and Tigers trips are enjoyed by many, and John makes certain all are well cared for.  He also monitors actions of the National Retiree Legislative Network, and reports at our monthly meetings.  Thank you Larry Parker for doing a superb job on the summer golf outings.  He makes the golf course arrangements, procures all the prizes, and with spouse Carol’s help, runs the 50/50 raffle at all our events, helping to make them self-sustaining.  Thank you to Larry Koster for his long run at making arrangements for the annual meeting at the Kellogg Center.  This year he’s been coaching Bob Benezette to take over the job.  Thank you Bob, youngest member on the board, for enthusiastically supporting the club with that new responsibility, and helping with innovative ideas.  One of Bob’s ideas, implemented last year, is the modernized renewal notice mailing system.  Thank you Larry Lennon for your leadership in organizing tours of the Lansing Delta Township Assembly Plant.  Larry is also our close contact with the REOTM, and has done the legwork for our new initiative, the September 28 open house.  A big shout out of thanks to Al Stock, new Chairman of the Snow Bird Social, organizing this year’s outstanding event.  I also appreciate our other two board members, Dick Schairer and Ray Stanley for stepping in to help out where needed.

In the fall, we’ll again be faced with medical insurance options for 2011.  See Marv Thomson’s article about the websites and phone numbers of organizations that can help you sort through that process.

Also in this issue, you’ll see the list of candidates standing for election at the annual meeting, as put forward by the Nominating Committee.  As President for three years, it’s time for me to pass on the reins.  Current Vice President Marv Thomson has agreed to be nominated for President.  Marv has had the experience of chairing board meetings while I’ve been away for the winter.  Board member Bob Benezette has graciously agreed to fill the spot on the slate for Vice President.  The other current officers, Secretary Shirley Sanborn, and Treasurer John Bond, along with all existing board members, are on the ballot for another year of leading the club.

Go out and get a 2011 calendar, and be certain to mark the dates for next year’s events as soon as they are announced.  The best way to improve participation is to block out the time well ahead.

• Snow Bird Social – January 29, 2011

• Detroit Auto Show Bus Trip – January (TBD), 2011

• Detroit Tigers Bus Trip – (TBD), 2011

• June Golf Outing & Social – June 14, 2011

• July Golf Outing & Social – July 19, 2011

• Annual Business Meeting – September (TBD), 2011

Since adding the Members Car (Re)-Collection page to the club website, we’ve gotten only one posting – from Neil Miller.  I know there are many enthusiasts out there with pictures and stories to tell, so send them in.  The website gmlsrc.org will tell you how to do that.

I hope to see many of you at the Annual Business Meeting, Wednesday, September 15, at the MSU Kellogg Center.  We’ll all be listening closely to what the GM speaker has to say about the state of the business.

Enjoy the rest of this hot, but always awesome Michigan summer.