“People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy."
- Anton Chekhov

Dear Fellow Retirees and Friends:

For the past couple of years NEREA has used a number of venues to increase membership. During our Convention in San Diego we held a luncheon at the Naval Station’s MWR Club for non-members residing in Southern California. At our2011 Convention in Virginia Beach we held a picnic at NAS Oceana for non-members residing in the Norfolk/Eastern North Carolina area. We had two mass mailings in conjunction with John Hancock to provide a brief history of the founding of NEREA and the benefits of being a NEREA member. These efforts have had limited success in increasing NEREA membership, but we are not discouraged. We
will continue our efforts to gain new members and strengthen our voice in protecting the benefits we worked for throughout our Navy Exchange careers.

Congress is in the process of developing strategies to reduce the financial debts facing our country. Discussions include major changes to DoD operating costs which may impact how our benefits are managed and administered. To this end, NEREA is in communication with other entities representing the exchange community - NEXCOM, American Logistics Association, and
AAFES Retired Employees Association.

NEREA’s Officers and Directors have been discussing the method of distribution for our Newsletter. Expenses for printing and distributing the Newsletter are increasing every year. The discussions have centered on: (1) shifting to e-mail distribution for the vast majority of NEREA members; (2) posting the Newsletter on our web site -- NEREA.org, and (3) mailing the Newsletter to members who want a hard copy of the Newsletter. Your Board will make a decision on which avenue(s) to follow at the 1 December 2011 meeting.

Our 18th Annual Convention will be held at the Country Inn and Suites, French Quarter, 315 Magazine Street, New Orleans from 25 to 29 March 2012. Inside this Newsletter you will find a schedule of Convention information and activities. The room rate is $115.00 plus tax with a complimentary hot continental breakfast. Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-456-4000 or by contracting the Hotel directly at 504-324-5400 extension 0 (zero) and ask for the Navy Exchange Retired Employees Association rate. Reservations should be made prior to 10 February 2012. For those wanting to extend their stay in New Orleans, the hotel has agreed to provide our convention rate to reservations made for up to two days before and after the Convention. Our tentative schedule of events during Convention week includes Oak Valley Plantation Luncheon and Tour, New Orleans City Tour, Steamboat Dinner Cruise, National World War II Museum and Lunch, and a visit to the local casino in the heart of the city.

During Convention week our business meeting will be on Tuesday morning from 0900-1200 and our evening banquet will be held on Wednesday at Mulate’s Cajun Restaurant at 201 Julia Street, New Orleans. Please note that business casual dress is appropriate for the banquet.

We look forward to seeing you in New Orleans in March 2012. Come join us and renew old friendships.

On a personal note: Throughout our working life there may have been a person in our organization that gave us good advice, a hand up, or mentoring guidance. For me that person was Bob Strong who gave me the opportunity to work for NAVRESSO, the forerunner to NEXCOM, in the mid 70’s. He passed away earlier this year. I am forever grateful.

Sincerely,

Bill Harper