IBM Retirees' Club (Midlands), Amendments to Constitution
Introduction
The purpose of this document is to amplify certain areas of the Constitution as they apply to the IBM Retirees Club (Midlands).
The Club Committee is bound to some degree by rules set down by the company as will be seen in the following text. However, where it is seen as desirable and we are able to do so, we have made changes suited to the IBM Retirees Club Midlands. The paragraph numbers against each topic refer to those in the Constitution.
Club Membership (paragraph 3)
Any employee who retires from IBM aged 50 or over and takes the company pension immediately is eligible to be a full member of the retiree club. An employee who retires before the age of 50 or one who is 50 or over and defers receipt of the pension may not be a full member but may, on payment of an annual fee (currently £25), become an associate member on receipt of the pension. Associate members do not progress to full membership.
Surviving spouses of members may continue with the membership but have, unfortunately, to opt for this in the paperwork at the time. No one on the committee considers that it is appropriate to enquire if the person wishes to continue club membership at such a time.
Ex employees who were transferred to other businesses, e.g. AT&T, and those leaving on sickness payments are not eligible for club membership of any type.
The Club committee may not override these rules.
In most cases new members are notified to the Membership Secretary by H.R. at Greenock. Note this location, we, as a club, do not interface with North Harbour. New members brought on in this way are automatically included in our membership list. Occasionally an approach is made to the committee by, or on behalf of, an ex employee with a view to their joining the club. The membership secretary has to have the eligibility of the person confirmed by H.R. Greenock before they are included on the list. No matter how well the person involved is known to committee members we have been left in no doubt that we may not make the decision to include them in the club.
IBM Club Warwick (paragraph 4)
IBM Retirees are eligible to attend events run by IBM Clubs.
See web site http://warwick.ibmclub.org.uk/
Details of sub-sections can be found under 'useful information'.
IBM Retiree Club Management (paragraph 5)
Whilst we elect a Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary to the Committee, we have also found it desirable to add a Membership Secretary and also a Newsletter Editor due to the specific workload in these areas.
Responsibilities of Officers (paragraph 6)
In addition to Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary, add the following:-
Membership Secretary has responsibility for the following:-
Maintaining a current membership list using data provided by Human Resources at IBM Greenock.
Making initial contact with new members of IBM Retirees Club Midlands to check names, addresses, email addresses, whether they wish to receive the Newsletter and if so by post or via our web site.
Keeping the membership list up to date using information provided by members.
Maintaining the email distribution list for those members who have indicated that they wish to receive information in this way.
Newsletter Editor has responsibilty for the following:-
Producing the newsletter which will contain information about Club activities which will be of interest to members.
Maintaining the Club process and procedure documents
Maintaining an archive of old newsletters and Committee minutes.
Changes to Personal Details (paragraph 12)
Each January Greenock sends a copy of their membership list for our club to the Membership Secretary so that our list and theirs can be compared and any differences resolved. There are rarely many differences between the lists as they send some amendments throughout the year too. There are occasions when our local information is correct and the Greenock file incorrect as changes sent to pensions by members don't always get through to Greenock! We hear of the changes locally.
It would be much appreciated if members could let the Membership Secretary know directly of any changes which affect their details, particularly Name, Address, Telephone (if you wish) and particularly email address as we don't get these from Greenock at all, it would be a great help in maintaining the list . Contact information is in each Newsletter.
Date and Details of Amendments
January 2007 Update and additions to existing documents