We will try to get the policy included in Appendix A. The policy would:

Maintain proactive oversight of pension benefit values.

Make no restrictive obligations on the adjustment process.

Secretary & Treasurer’s Report. Mary Helen Rose highlighted her Treasurer’s report, copies of which had been distributed to board members. Balance on hand June 30, 2004, was $45,911.50, with a total of about 2,225 Active Members.

Communications. Sandy Dean reported that she has talked to the editor of Retiree Newsletter, and found that it will be a few days yet before the current issue is completed. She read a list of "lessons learned" that she had compiled from last year’s Annual Meeting. (The meeting was discussed further under Item 8 below.)

Meeting/Presentation at BWXT Y-12. Reichle reported that he and Bob Worrell met July 2 with Norm Sparks at Y-12. Dennis Ruddy was not present, and they learned at the last minute that Steve Smith, head of HR, was away on vacation.

On the issue of reducing cost of the spouse option to only 2% (as was recently done for current employees), motion passed to approve Reichle’s pursuing the change for retirees and adding this request to CORRE’s 2004 goals.

Lotts stated that we should document the cases where changes in pension benefits have been made for current employees, and that we should press for the same change for retirees.

Meeting/Presentation at DOE-ORO July 13. Reichle and others met at ORO on July 14 with Gerald Boyd, Dan Wilkins, and Robert Brown (Deputy for Administration) in a very welcoming atmosphere. At the end of the meeting, Boyd said he would bring up the subject of pension adjustments for retirees next time he meets with contractors. He said, if they brought an acceptable proposal to him, he would go forward with it to DOE-HQ.

ORNL Benefits Advisory Group. Joe Setaro stated that almost all of the meeting he attended last week was concerned with health benefits of the employees and retirees, and the possibility of health savings accounts in 2005. Persons over the age of 65 cannot have these accounts. Retirees under age 65 could be eligible. There will be another meeting on Monday.

Legislative Committee (Pete Lotts, Chairman; Ken Cowser, Kaye Johnson, John Jones, and Bob Keil; Dave Reichle and Joe Setaro, ex officio). Lotts stated that he and others will meet with Linda Ponce of Rep. Wamp’s office on Friday to see what our strategy should be. He said we should insist on meeting with Senators Alexander and Frist personally, even if we have to go to Washington.

Working with a list prepared by Ken Cowser, Mary Helen had prepared letters/package to be mailed to about 90 area elected officials. Some packages were taken by board members for personal delivery; the rest will be mailed this afternoon or in the morning.

Reichle asked Mary Helen to prepare transmittal packages to Congressmen Davis, Duncan, and Wamp, and to Senators Alexander and Frist. Enclosures would include copies of the petition with signatures.

Time Line for Possible Annual Meeting/Public Rally. At the last board meeting, Reichle had asked Ben Gaylor to study the time line for a possible public rally. Gaylor discussed the various options for a place to have a rally. Reichle asked Gaylor and Bob Keil to co-chair planning the rally, working with Sandy Dean, Chair of the committee for planning the Annual Meeting. There was much discussion about a date and place for the event, but nothing could be settled. Reichle asked Sandy Dean to schedule another committee meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 29 at the senior center.

Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 4:20 p.m.

Mary Helen Rose, Board Secretary