ERAC November 2015 Page 1 Newsletter ERAC Newsletter E S S O R E S O U R C E S A N N U I T A N T C L U B November 2015 Publisher - Susan Sawka Editor—Diane Cook Happy Holidays! It’s that time of year again! A magical time when snow falls and blankets the city making it look like a winter wonderland. When people decorate the inside and out- side of their homes with lights, baubles, and bows. When people bake lots of nummy cookies. And when people get together to share good food and spirits and enjoy each other's company. The Board of Directors, and the newsletter team — Susan Sawka (Publisher) and Diane Cook (Editor) wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! An Autumn Evening at Fort Calgary This year, the ERAC is doing something new! Instead of our traditional Christmas Party, we’re go- ing to have a Fall Event. This year’s event is “An Autumn Evening at Fort Calgary”. See page 10 for more details on this event and how to register. ERAC November 2015 Page 2 Newsletter OFFICERS AND ANNUITANT CONTACTS CHAIRPERSONS CONTACT RICK KRY JUNE 1, 2015 - MAY 31, 2016 (see Membership article) to report a change in name, address, telephone number or EXECUTIVE marital status, AND PRESIDENT Howard Gallimore 242 8181 CALL the IMPERIAL OIL ANNUITANT VICE PRESIDENT Luise Merk 257 1900 HELP LINE - TORONTO TREASURER Doug Goebel 554 7455 Toll Free at: 1-800-387 0621 SECRETARY Connie Scruton 202 0320 to report changes in the above PAST PRESIDENT Rick Wards 282 1486 or 1 866 769 8524 for info regarding benefit forms, BOARD OF DIRECTORS medical cards, medical/insurance coverage, pensions or any Randy Ottenbreit 251 4104 Rick Kry 259 2951 other concerns. Susan Sawka 239 1930 Ian Walker 258 0912 In addition to calling the Helpline, changes to address and Gary Scruton 202 0320 Don Schaef 966 6361 bank accounts may be made by accessing Managing Your Benefits web portal on www.iolemcbenefits.ca STANDING COMMITTEES Auditor Peter Ramsay 256 6429 Membership Rick Kry 259 2951 Nominating Rick Wards 282 1486 NEWSLETTER DEADLINE Newsletter Diane Cook (Editor) Susan Sawka (Publisher) 239 1930 January 16, 2016 for February Issue Email articles and images to: Outreach Dorothy Kaethler 278 9982 Diane Cook at [email protected] Joan Johnston 271 2087 United Way Rick Trow 874 8769 VIP Program Rick Wards 282 1486 Any questions, concerns, or feedback, contact Visitation Dorothy Kaethler 278 9982 Cliff Kippen 238 1819 Susan Sawka, Publisher, at (403) 239-1930 or [email protected] ACTIVITY COMMITTEES Arts & Crafts Angela Wards 282 1486 Bowling Peter Perry 270 0704 Bridge Rosemary Kry 259 2951 IMPERIAL OIL’S VIP PROGRAM Community Care Peter Baltais n/a pays up to $1000 a year to charitable and XC/SS Skiing Dave Varga n/a non-profit associations supported by Curling Dennis Heacock 241 6492 employee and annuitant volunteers. Dinner Theatre Christa Schaper 281 9699 For details of the program access the Fall Social Luise Merk 257 1900 web-site www.imperialoil.ca, Rick Wards 282 1486 then search for VIP Program Garden Janice Hawking 278 6369 and follow the links. Gloria Fleck 251-4214 If you have any difficulty obtaining the Golf Connie Scruton 202 0320 application form please call Hiking Sue Deyell 851 0443 Rick Wards at (403) 282-1486 Lawn Bowling Jean Abbott 281 6593 Photography Derek McClure 770 0246 Spring Lunch/AGM Howard Gallimore 242 8181 HOTEL AND CAR RENTAL PROGRAM Luise Merk 257 1900 Annuitants are able to take advantage of Imperial Oil’s Spring BBQ Don Schaef 966 6361 negotiated pricing for car rentals and hotels. Imperial Oil Summer BBQ Ian Walker 258-0912 Technology Rene Bialek 247 0946 has agreements with National Car Rental and several Tent & Trailer Diane & Nick Weyland 938 1446 hotel chains that cover rentals in Canada and the US Travelogue Richard Sawka 239 1930 plus a number of other countries. If anyone would like to Wine Appreciation Dwain Weckman 239 2394 use this program, please contact a member of the ERAC Woodworking Rick Kruse 938 5407 Board of Directors and that person will provide you with the details of the program. ERAC November 2015 Page 3 Newsletter MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Howard Gallimore—(403) 242-8181 [email protected] Nadine and I participated in our first Lawn Bowling event over the summer and had a wonderful time. I was asked to participate again next year on the condition that I bowl on the other team! The summer is now behind us and activity groups such as Hiking, Golf, Lawn Bowling, and Garden- ing have all wound up. It won’t be long before we will be into the detail preparations for our 2016 AGM. Next year's AGM & Spring Luncheon will be held at the Glenmore Inn once again due to our increasing membership. Our next ERAC event is the Autumn Evening at Fort Calgary on November 17th. This is a new event and maximum attendance is 150. We expect the demand to be high so register early. I hope to see many of you at this event! Some of our membership has already flown the coup to warmer climates and others are preparing to leave. Those staying to brave the winter, and that includes me (for part of it anyway), will have lots of club activities to keep us busy. Although I'm not a traditional winter sport enthusiast, I plan to at- tend some of these events over the winter months. Nadine and I would like to wish you and those around you a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year. Howard 2015 UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN Rick Trow—(403) 874-8769 [email protected] On September 28th, a group of volunteers met at the Imperial Oil Quarry Park offices to stuff enve- lopes for our 2015 United Way Campaign. We mailed 1,139 pledge forms and emailed 560 elec- tronic pledge forms to use the online link. As of Saturday October 17th, Annuitants have donated $118,526. This is a wonderful start to our campaign. Please keep the pledges coming in! If anyone has any questions about our campaign or if you need a pledge form, please contact me. You can also use the online link below. Just double click on it and follow the instructions to make your donation. Thank you very much for your generosity! https://donation.calgaryunitedway.org/IOL ERAC November 2015 Page 4 Newsletter OUTREACH We are ready to visit club members who Jean Hersak (403) 931-3325 are in Care Facilities, Seniors Homes, [email protected] or in their own home but are unable to Joan Johnston (403) 271-2087 come out to our club functions any- more! We do short visits several times The Esso Resources Annuitant Club extends sympathy to the family and friends of our late colleagues: a year and that enables us to keep in touch! Phil Baker – sympathy was extended to his wife, Eve- We may even tell some stories or jokes! lyn and family We would like to hear from you. Ed Bollinger – sympathy was extended to his wife, Dee Give us a call. and family Dorothy Kaethler 403 278 9982 Bill Zukowsky – sympathy was extended to his wife, Cliff Kippen 403 238 1819 Kay and family Dave Ellerington 403 851 1474 Sympathy was also extended to: Murray and Elaine Tempest on the death of their daughter, Barbara The family of May Ward, widow of our late colleague, Jim Ward Thinking of you and Best Wishes were sent to: Lorraine Barabash Morag Dornian Garry Strong Clarence Triffo ** NEW** We’re on the Web! Visit ERAC's Web page for more information on each Club's activity -- meeting dates, upcoming activities, images, and more! www.essoannuitants.ca Please note…. The deaths of all Imperial Oil Annuitants who have died during the past year are now recognized by a listing on our Esso Website. Click on the “In Memory” button to access the website www.essoannuitants.ca ERAC November 2015 Page 5 Newsletter COMMUNITY CARE Peter Baltais— [email protected] Our Community Care initiative continues to grow! Nine new people joined our volunteer activities over the summer. Welcome John, Laura, Leanne, Maureen, Nancy, Rita, Russ, Satish, and Sue. At our annual social on September 18 (left photo), we celebrated our achievements and dis- cussed how we can improve. Jim Langbein, President of the BP Alumni Volunteers outlined how the BP group is managed, how they interface with BP, the activities they support and examples where our volunteers could work with the BP Alumni. His presentation and the ensuing discussion gener- ated many ideas, some of which have already been implemented. Eleven people volunteered at the Pearce Estate Wetland on September 30 (right photo). This new activity was well received. Dave P. will coordinate regular visits next year. With an ever growing number of volunteers, we are exploring providing afternoon teas at senior resi- dences; additional activities at the Drop In Centre; sorting donated eyeglasses; GlobalFest; and Brown Bagging for Calgary Kids. We need activity coordinators to implement these activities. Let me know if you would like to help. Thanks to those who donated the 11 backpacks for the Drop In Centre. Let Jennie or Peter know if you have a neglected backpack that could be put to good use. Our web page has had a major renovation, including photos of our activities Visit www.essoannuitants.ca/commcare.php?annTheme=Style^esso,Text^smallText. We are making a difference in our community and having fun doing it! ERAC November 2015 Page 6 Newsletter CLUB MEMBERSHIP Rick Kry - (403) 259-2951 or [email protected] 38 Spokane Street SW, Calgary, AB T2W 0M5 We welcome the following new members to the ERAC Club and look forward to meeting you at up- coming club activities and functions: Angus Duffy and Hazel Isaac Bob Millen and Maria Marica Ron and Sonia Tibbatts Linda and Bruce Stewart Mark and Marie Pinsent Gertie Hegholz Al and Laurette Kennedy Ron and Sherry Sanders Dave and Ivey Fennell We now have 1,067 members, including 966 annuitants and spouses, 39 associates and spouses, and 62 Lifetime/Honorary members.