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It seems like there is little else to talk about than the issues of losing our GM health care coverage, the dwindling state of the Big Three automakers, and the effect of that on our pensions.  With the inundation of news in these areas, the club website, GMLSRC.com is good place to go for information.  When interesting and informative articles are brought to our attention, we arrange to post either a copy or a link to the article.  Don Sokoloski is our liaison person with our webmaster Dan Foltz, so if you think an item is worth posting please contact Don.

One source of much information is the OverTheHillCarPeople website, overthehillcarpeople.com, hosted by GM retiree Jack Dickinson.  At the October meeting, the board authorized payment of OTHCP dues for board member Marv Thomson to become a member and review all new material that is e-mailed out, or posted on their website.  Marv has already arranged through Don to post several of the OTHCP articles.

Also on the club website is a link to subscribe to the GM Retiree eNews newsletter.  Published by GM Retiree Communications, it is sent out approximately weekly.  Normally there are articles about GM and the auto industry, new products, status of our competitors, and answers to reader questions.  Lately, however, there have been mainly articles about the auto industry bailout plan, and what political action retirees and others can do to show support for GM and the industry in general.  If you’re a computer user, and not already a subscriber, I highly recommend that you sign up.

Another action that the club has taken for several years is to support board member John Fox’s membership in the National Retiree Legislative Network.  This operation is run by Bill Kadereit, a very devoted advocate for retiree rights.  He is also a leader in an organization of retirees from Lucent Technologies and Bell Labs, and the various companies that they evolved from over the years.  They act as a lobbying organization for the rights of retirees, including the auto industry.  Lately their focus has been primarily on protection of health care benefits and pensions.  John regularly follows news from NRLN and reports at the monthly board meetings.  There are NRLN articles posted on our website, along with a link to go directly to the nrln.org site.

One result of GM’s sales decline is the high number of folks retiring November 1 and December 1.  We have lists of names from various sources, but GM does not give out addresses.  The board would like to let those new retirees know about what the GMLSRC has to offer for them.  The Membership Committee, particularly Brenda Curtis, has made an effort to find those addresses by various means.  Chairman Fred Kane then sends each a package consisting of a letter explaining the club, a copy of the latest newsletter, and a form to send back if they would like to join.  The system is good, but not that good, so if you are aware of a non-member retiree, new or old, either talk to them personally, or let Fred know the contact information.  We’ll all thank you.

A couple notable occasions have come to the leadership recently:

- Board member John & Marilyn Fox – 50^th wedding anniversary
- Golf chairman Larry & Carole Parker – 50^th wedding anniversary

Larry Koster arranged for another superb annual meeting on September 11.  On a gorgeous fall day at the MSU Kellogg Center, 77 people were in attendance to renew friendships, and elect club officers.  We enjoyed an excellent meal and a very interesting presentation by Jim Cotter, Director of Admissions at MSU.  When Jim gets going on his presentation about his college, he achieves the elegance and fire of a Southern Baptist preacher.  He really bleeds green.  All present went away enthused about MSU.

See other newsletter articles for information about events coming up this winter.  One thing you’ll notice right away is the inclusion of the Membership List roster.  Through some previously mentioned cost savings measures, we’ve been able to return to publishing this annually, without raising dues.