Clubs Merger Proposal

We promised to keep members updated on the situation regarding the proposed reorganisation of the clubs. The following paragraph is the latest news we have received from IBM.
As you are aware, IBM has proposed changes to its pension programmes about which we are currently consulting our employees. If implemented, these could have broad and significant implications for the future construct of Retiree clubs. For now, the company has decided to suspend current initiatives to make changes to the membership, funding and governance of Retiree clubs, although the ongoing work to update the constitution for Employee clubs will continue. IBM intends to review the situation during 2010 and will consider alternative approaches for Retiree Clubs which are appropriate to the outcome of the current pensions consultation. For now, IBM confirms that Retiree clubs will continue to be funded directly for their members through 2010.

New Rules on Eligibility for Associate Membership

As part of the discussions relating to the possible amalgamation of IBM Local and Retiree clubs it was identified that there was not a consistent approach being taken by the Retiree Clubs with regard to eligibility for Associate Membership. In addition, it was recognised that the criteria, for Associate Membership, did not recognise the changing business climate in which employees leave the company as part of outsourcing or divestiture agreements, or separation packages. The result, is that new criteria have been established for Associate Membership, these are:

• Employed by IBM for 15 continuous years or more but left with a separation package. For the period between leaving IBM and drawing his/her pension, Associate membership will be offered on payment of an annual subscription.
  
• Employed by IBM for 15 years or more continuously but left as part of an outsourcing deal or divestiture. For the period between leaving IBM and drawing his/her pension, Associate membership will be offered on payment of an annual subscription
  
  In addition, IBM will consider the Associate Member as a Full Retiree Member, and pay a grant in the following situations:
  
• Employed by IBM for 15 continuous years or more but left with a separation package and became an Associate member. Will be eligible to join when he/she draws a Defined Benefits pension.
  
• Employed by IBM for 15 years or more but left as part of an outsourcing deal or divestiture and became an Associate member. Will be eligible to join when he/she draws a Defined Benefits pension.

Envelopes

When sending in bookings for a trip please do not seal the envelope with sellotape. This makes an envelope very difficult to open.
Also please remember to send a self seal envelope for the return of your acknowledgement. We will not “lick and stick” but will just fold the flap in where a self seal envelope is not provided. Recently we have had a case where a cheque has apparently been lost in the post in this manner.

Forthcoming Trips

London Shopping (Westfield Centre)

This is a visit to Westfield London, the pioneering shopping and leisure destination. It is an innovative and dynamic place for a new generation of consumer to shop, to eat, and to meet.
Aspirational, yet inclusive, it is an architecturally stunning showcase for 5 anchor stores: Debenhams, Next, Marks and Spencer, House of Fraser, Waitrose and over 265 luxury, premium and high street retailers from more than 15 different countries. 80 percent are fashion-focused, 16 names are making their UK debut and 40 are luxury brands housed within the beautiful, boutique-style environment, The Village.
Food is as important as fashion at Westfield London. Nearly 50 exciting eating concepts boast 73 awards between them and offer some 25 styles and nationalities of cooking. 6 new to the UK and of those 5 are first ever seen brands. A bustling cluster of 17 restaurants run the length of Southern Terrace, the pedestrian street of dining, and open cooking brings drama to the collection of 13 counters on The Balcony where fresh food is prepared fast and to order.

Olympic London

This is a City & Village tour and includes morning refreshments and a main course lunch in the price of the trip.

Enjoy a moment in history and see the tremendous scale of developments that are transforming a neglected area of London’s East End into a series of world class venues for 2012. The tour will start at 1030 for morning coffee and biscuits in a local pub where we will also return for a roast beef lunch. It will then drive over to Pudding Mill and Fish Island in the Lower Lea Valley, an excellent viewing point for the Olympic Park. Nearby the aquatic centre is well under way and there will also be a vast shopping centre similar in size to Bluewater – all seen during a fascinating morning. The afternoon will include a trip to the ever changing landscape of the Royal Docks, the Sir Steve Redgrave Bridge, and Excel followed by a drive out to see the longest parade ground in the world at Woolwich Barracks where some of the shooting events will be held. Finally there will be a stop at the North Greenwich Arena which is how the Old Dome or now the O2 will be known come 2012 to avoid any suggestion of commercial sponsorship.
Walking will be kept to a minimum – approximately 300 yards at the Olympic Park and a short walk across the Piazza into the O2.
Please note that this trip is being run on two separate days as the pub booked for lunches can only cater for one coach per day. You should only request one day - if that day is full and there are vacancies on the other day you will be offered the alternative. (NB a vegetarian option will be available if required)

Christmas in Beautiful Bath

This is also a City & Village Tour

This festive day trip will include a morning visit to Bradford on Avon, a coach panorama of Beautiful Bath, plenty of Christmas shopping opportunities and a visit to the special Christmas exhibition at the American Museum.
One of the main attractions of this trip will be the Bath Christmas Market with arts and crafts, toys and decorations, as well as seasonal food and drink. It takes place in the streets and squares around the Abbey.
Please note that there are no refreshments or meals included in this trip.

Christmas Lunches at the Langstone Hotel:

WThe Christmas lunches last year were extremely popular and in spite of running them on three separate days we still had a few people that couldn’t be accommodated. Indeed we have grown the numbers each year since their inception. Consequently we are running these lunches on four days this year. The organisation of the lunches is quite difficult logistically so we are asking members to send in their bookings at the same time as last year i.e. by the end of October, but please note that you will not receive your confirmation advice until mid to late November.
A few other points should also be noted.

• We anticipate receiving requests for approximately 500 plus people to attend these lunches. Given the complexity of the organisation we cannot guarantee to book you on your preferred day, however we will do our best to book you on your first choice day.
  
• For the same reason we cannot guarantee to book you on the same day as other people (e.g. if you wish to come with friends) however see the note above.
  
• You should specify at least two choices of date to optimise your chance of being allocated a place.
  
• There will be no seating plans, it will be “first come first served” on the day.
  
• Anyone with restricted mobility who may require disabled access, or who may have trouble with stairs please see the note on the booking form. People with restricted mobility will be given priority for the lunches being held on the ground floor.
  
• There will be a vegetarian option for the main course for those not wanting turkey, however you MUST enter your requirement on the booking form – you will not be able to change on the day.
  

Allocation of Places on Trips

Following comments from some members on the subject of the allocation of places on trips that are over subscribed, we discussed the overall situation at our recent committee meeting. We have concluded that in future we will no longer use a “first come first served” approach but will shift to a random selection system following the bookings close date for any particular trip.
As a result of this change please note that you will not receive any acknowledgement of your applications until after the bookings close date has passed.

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