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Present: Ken Bernander, Joe Dykstra, John Roy Gray, Jackie Holloway, John Jones, Charlie Kuykendall, Tom Lemons, Marigrace Kirstowsky, Pete Lotts, Dave Reichle, Mary Helen Rose, Joe Setaro, Troy Trotter, Bob Wesley, Bill Wilcox, Don Wood, Bob Worrell

1. Opening Remarks. Kuykendall stated that the biggest thing we have to overcome is the feeling on the part of DOE and the contractors that there is no surplus money in the Pension Fund, because they are faced with increased medical insurance costs. They seem to have trouble keeping the two benefit sources separate in their thinking. He distributed copies of Troy Trotter’s memo on "Pension Benefits," in which Troy urged that we make a stronger push for the items set forth in our 2002 Position Paper.
2. Secretary & Treasurer’s Report. Mary Helen Rose highlighted her Treasurer’s report, copies of which had been distributed to board members. Balance on hand December 31, 2002, was $35,349.01, with a total of about 1,619 Active Members.
3. Communications. Bob Wesley stated that he has sent to Retirement News a writeup for the next issue. The writeup focuses on the main points in our earlier letter to city and county officials in Anderson and Knox Counties. Retirement News has a new editor. Regarding the Treasurer’s report, Bob said it is a good thing we have accumulated considerable funds, in case we have to depend on ads, letters, and other forms of communication to get our story out.
4. CORRE Charter and Bylaws. The Bylaws and Charter work is complete, but Don Wood stated that he is still working on our Application for Tax-Exempt Status. He gave examples of some of the questions to be answered and the difficulty in knowing just how to categorize our organization. The question was raised as to whether we really need to complete the application. Don said we have 15 months in which to complete it. He will do more checking and come back to the Board later for a final decision. We have received a form for our Corporation Annual Report which is due by April 1. Mary Helen has completed the form for Charlie to sign, and will send it off, along with a check for the $20 fee.
5. Legislative Report. Kuykendall stated that trouble is brewing right now with regard to Los Alamos. Looks like the University of California could lose the contract. If a new contractor takes over, the retirement benefits questions will arise We probably need to be re-enforcing our argument with DOE that they need to have equal treatment for retirees throughout DOE installations. Inequity is the main argument that we have with our legislators. John Jones said the key is working with the congressional delegations.

Pete Lotts stated that, in addition to the earlier letter from DOE to Sen. Thompson, we also received a letter from DOE to Rep. Duncan. The letter stated what the company has been doing, but did not adequately address our letters. Lotts has drafted a letter to all our representatives.

Jones stated that he has set up an appointment with Linda Ponce of Rep. Wamp’s Oak Ridge Office for Tuesday, January 28, at 2:00 p.m. It was decided that Jones, Lotts, Kuykendall, and Jackie Holloway will attend the meeting. Lotts stated that we need to insist on an appointment with Wamp himself. Lotts and Jones will prepare a letter to take to Wamp’s office. Lotts will draft the letter.

6. Data Review and Calculations. Tom Lemons distributed copies and discussed two more data sheets. Kuykendall suggested we stick with data in our position paper for now, and have the further information in reserve in case it is needed. Lemons voiced strong objections to referring to the suggested schedule of increases in the position paper as recovering 75 percent of purchasing power lost to inflation, because the more recent retirees would fare better than this and the oldest retirees would get much less.
7. 2002 Position Paper – Reports/Activities. Joe Setaro stated that ORNL agreed to meet with us at least quarterly. He will contact them next week to set up an early meeting. Bob Worrell said he thinks it would be a good idea to meet with ORNL prior to meeting with BWXT. He will set up a meeting with BWXT when he knows the schedule for the ORNL meeting.
8. Web Site – Plans and Updates. Pete Lotts introduced John Roy Gray, who was present for the first time. Gray stated that he is in the process of learning about the Web site but can sit at the computer on a limited basis after his knee surgery. He hopes to soon be able to take over handling the Web site. Lotts talked about the desirability of having someone keep an e-mail data base. He will contact a person who earlier offered to help.
9. CORRE Membership Review Committee. Reichle distributed copies of a tentative scope and a list of some advantages and pitfalls to expanding membership to retirees from other DOE contractor organizations (Bechtel-Jacobs, Wackenhut, etc.). He stated that his committee (Gary Riser, Dave Mason, and Jackie Holloway) has not met, and that the information contains his own thoughts, along with some input from Gary Riser. He asked Board members to review the information and communicate to him any thoughts they have on it.
10. Nominations Committee Appointments. Kuykendall suggested the following persons for the Committee:

Bob Worrell, Chairman

Jackie Holloway

Marigrace Kirstowsky

Tom Lemons

Troy Trotter

Bill Wilcox

Don Wood

The Bylaws state that the committee shall consist of not more than seven members. The Bylaws also state that "The Committee will endeavor to enlist persons who have the expertise, contacts, and skills needed to achieve the CORRE purpose stated herein."

A motion passed to approve appointment of the committee as requested by Kuykendall.

11. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m.

Mary Helen Rose, Board Secretary