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2018 REFCO NominationsFollowing the September board
meeting, the Nominating Commit teesubmitted the following slate of can-didates for 2018. A nominee for oneboard position will be an nouncedlater. All other candidates areincumbents.Voting will be held at the January
lunch, at which time nominationsfrom the floor will also be accepted.• President: Bob Dowell*• 1st Vice President: Judy Lemos*• 2nd Vice President: Regina Wheeler• Membership Secretary: Joy Clark• Recording Secretary: Dick Estel• Treasurer: Linda Robinson• Assist. Treasurer:Marianne Messina• Board of Directors(terms expire end of 2019)Sue Wirt, Don Nelson, JulieHornback and one position to beannounced
* 2nd year of two-year term
We have just enjoyed our Labor Dayholiday with friends and family mem-bers while celebrating the U.S. work-force both public and private. I knowyou are all anxious for fall (cooler)weather to return to our valley and theopportunity for outdoor activities thatfall weather presents to us. During the summer months your
REFCO Board members have been busyaddressing retiree issues throughmonthly meetings and attendance at theFresno County Employee’s RetirementAssociation (FCERA) meetings. OurBoard has presented luncheon speakersto entertain and enlighten our attendeeswhile selecting menus that delight and avenue that adds to the opportunities tomeet and greet fellow retirees.Your Board members have participat-
ed on the 2018 Health Insurance ratesand plans selection committee and werepresented REFCO in the pre-retire-ment seminars for active employeesconsidering retirement options. We alsomonitored State legislation that mightinfluence the quantity or quality of yourdefined benefit retirement plan.Your REFCO Board members have
worked closely with the CaliforniaRetired County Employees Association(CRCEA), which is the statewide organi-zation representing over 180,000
retirees from twenty1937 Act counties.CRCEA providespersuasive and anef fective voice inSacramento, organ-izes two informativeconferences eachyear and enablesretiree associationsthroughout theState to share vital
information when retiree challengessurface, which can or has the potentialto affect our defined benefit retirementawards.In closing, we want to sincerely thank
each of you for your support and mem-bership in your REFCO organization.Our membership roll stands at 2,600which gives us strength in numbers andyou personally are the strength of ourretirees’ organization. Please encourageany fellow retirees you know who havenot as yet joined REFCO to do so. Bylaw, REFCO represents all 7,500+retirees, but we would like to have asmany REFCO members as possible.Please enjoy your fall season and, if
possible, join us for one of our lunch-eons for excellent food and good fellow-ship with your fellow retired friends inthe Fresno County retirees’ family.
PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE
PAIDFresno, CA
Permit No. 722
REFCOP.O. BOX 26384Fresno, CA 93729-6384
PARDINI’S2257 W Shaw, corner ofW Shaw & Van Ness
Fresno CACheck-in: 10 a.m.
Sit-down luncheon servedat 11:30 a.m.
“JACKS IN THE BAG”Raffle, $9050/50 Raffle
Food Drive benefiting:POVERELLO HOUSE
Books, CD & DVD Exchange
HEALTH FAIRReservations $14 members;
$17 nonmembers. Please makeyour check payable to REFCO,and mail to:
REFCO, P.O. BOX 26384FRESNO, CA 93729-6384Deadline for reservations is
Saturday, October 14. Yourcheck must reach us by thatdate, so please mail it early toallow for the USPS delivery.Except for free lunches,
PHONE RESERVATIONSWILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.You may cancel your reserva-
tion by calling MarianneMessina at 559-439-9524 priorto the deadline of October 14. Ifyou get her answering machine,please leave your name, phonenumber and that you are canceling your reservation.
CANCEL LATIONS AFTERTHE DEADLINE
CANNOT BE REFUNDED.
NEXT EVENT:CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON
DECEMBER 7
Thursday,October 19Luncheon
ReservationsALL RESERVATIONS
MUST BE MADE BY CHECKBob Dowell
OCTOBER 2017 Representing over 7,504 retirees and their families www.refco1.org • INCORPORATED 1978
FRESNO COUNTY RETIREESOFFICIAL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
The GrapevinePresident’s Message
HICAP Provides Free,Unbiased Medicare CounselingDid you know there is a program that
offers FREE counseling and advocacyservices to help Medicare beneficiariesmake informed decisions about theirhealthcare? The Fresno-Madera HealthInsurance Counseling and AdvocacyProgram (HICAP) is a volunteer support-ed program that educates Medicarebeneficiaries of any age about:• Medicare Benefits and Rights• Appeal and Billing Problems• Long Term Care Policy Analysis• Medicare Savings Programs• Medicare Advantage Plans• Prescription Drug Coverage• Supplemental Health Insurances(Medigaps)• Medicare Fraud and AbuseAll HICAP services are free, unbiased
and confidential, focusing on theMedicare consumers’ individual healthinsurances and financial needs. HICAP
See HICAP on page 2
2 The Grapevine • October 2017
Who to Call for HelpRetirement Office .559-457-0681• Retirement Check• Withholding Forms• Beneficiary Change• Address Change• Retirement Board Meetings
Employee Benefits ..559-600-1810• County Health Insurance
REFCO ...................559-431-5032or [email protected] REFCO, P.O. Box 26384,Fresno, CA 93729-6384.• Grapevine• Membership• Address Change
Don [email protected]• New/Changed E-mail Address
Marianne ................559-439-9524• Luncheon Reservations
Don’t Expect theUS Post Office to Tell UsWhen You’ve MovedNew US Post Office regula -
tions require REFCO to main -tain mailing addresses that areupdated no later than 90 days.To help us keep costs down,we need you to immediatelynotify us when you move.
The GrapevineDisclaimer StatementThe information printed in “The
Grapevine” is believed to be fromreliable sources. However, noresponsibility is assumed by “TheGrapevine” for inaccuracies con-tained herein.
Privacy StatementREFCO recognizes the need for the
privacy of its members and iscommitted to protecting your personalinformation. The Officers andDirectors of REFCO restrict access toinformation about you to those whoneed to know the information toprovide services to you.The information that REFCO has
about you is your name, mailingaddress and payment of membershipdues. This list of members is providedto us by the Retirement Office.REFCO does not disclose any of this
information about our members andformer members to third parties. Theinformation is limited to those whoassist us with mailings such as TheGrapevine Newsletter. The companieswho act on our behalf are obligated tokeep this information that we providethem confidential.REFCO does not sell or share our
member list.
PO Box 26384 • Fresno CA 93729-6384Website: refco1.orgContact Information:Phone: 559.431-5032Email: [email protected]
OfficersPresident .............................Bob Dowell1st Vice President ..............Judy Lemos2nd Vice President ........Regina WheelerRecording Secretary.................Dick EstelMembership Secretary ...........Joy ClarkTreasurer .....................Linda RobinsonAsst Treasurer..........Marianne MessinaImm Past President ....Linda Hutcheson
DirectorsJune Breese-McClellan
Julie Hornback Janet SmithDon Nelson Sue Wirt
Patrice WhiteRetirement Bd
Bob Dowell Mary Ann Rogozinski (alt)
Committee ChairsAdvocacy ............................Judy LemosBenefits ...........................Les JorgensenBy-Laws..............................Judy LemosCRCEA Delegate ....................Dick EstelCRCEA Alternate ........................VacantCommunity Outreach .......Patrice WhiteEvents ...........................Regina WheelerFinance & Budget .........Linda RobinsonGrapevine ...............................Joy ClarkHealth ....................................Annie LeeLegislation ...........................Bob DowellLuncheonReservations .............Marianne MessinaLuncheon Masterof Ceremonies ....................Ken Smith
Media Manager ....................Don NelsonMembership ...........................Joy ClarkNominating............................Dick EstelParliamentarian.....................Dick EstelScholarship ........................Janet SmithSunshine ...................Virginia QuintanaWebmaster ........................Daniel Moore
DIRECTORY OF REFCO OFFICIALS/VOLUNTEERS
• Meetings – 9:00 am, FCFCU Admin Offices, 2550 W Shaw Ave• Luncheons – Lunch at 11:30 am, Pardini’s, 2257 W Shaw Ave• Christmas Party – Lunch at 11:30 am, Pardini’s, 2257 W Shaw Ave
2017 REFCO Activities CalendarJANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH
12: Board Mtg 9: Board Mtg 9: Board Mtg19: Luncheon
APRIL MAY JUNE6: Luncheon 11: Board Mtg 8: Board Mtg
13: Board Mtg
JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER13: Board Mtg 10: Board Mtg 7: Bingo Bash20 : Luncheon 14: Board Mtg
OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER12: Board Mtg 9: Board Mtg 7: Christmas Party19: Hlth Fair Lunch
At our October 19, 2107 REFCOHealth Fair Luncheon we will be featur-ing the Poverello House. Poverello Houseworks to enrich the lives and spirits ofall who pass their way by providingmeals, socials services and temporaryshelter. They work with partnering agen-cies to better assist those in need.Poverello House provides three meals
a day, 365 days a year to men, womenand families along with services thatimprove people’s quality of life. Theseservices include clothing distribution,emergency food bags, a medical clinic, a
Men’s Resident Rehabilitation program,temporary overnight shelter for men andwomen, and social services for individu-als seeking to end their homelessnesssituation. Poverello House follows PapaMike’s philosophy: Listen with compas-sion, give with a warm heart and asmile.For this next food drive, let’s see if we
can double our efforts in food items andcash donations. Don’t forget that withevery can/single item or $1 donated,you will receive a raffle ticket for achance to win the $50 cash prize.
Poverello House to Benefit from Food Drive
does not sell or endorse any insuranceproducts or companies. If you wouldlike to schedule an appointment withone of their certified counselors, pleasecall the HICAP office at 559-224-9117.As a volunteer supported program,
HICAP is recruiting volunteers tobecome state-certified counselors tocontinue offering these valuable servic-es to their beneficiaries. If you are
looking for a rewarding volunteer expe-rience, consider HICAP. Their volun-teers make a difference in the lives ofseniors and people with disabilitiesevery day.HICAP volunteers must be able to
present facts without bias, learn newinformation quickly and exhibit goodcommunication skills. If you think thiswould be a good fit for you, or wouldlike more information, please contactHICAP Volunteer Coordinator LeahBigham at 559-224-9117.
HICAPContinued from page 1
The Grapevine • October 2017 3
Dental, Vision, Identity Theft,Car, Home, Life, Accident,Travel, Legal, Pet, & MoreDuring the second half of
October, all retirees will receive the2018 REFCO Benefits OpenEnrollment package. These benefitsare offered exclusively to REFCOmembers. Available to members aretwo high benefit level dental plans,a VSP vision plan, legal, identityshield, pet, travel, accident, hearingaids, and much more.The Open Enrollment deadline for
the dental and vision plans is strict-
ly enforced. Your enrollment formmust be postmarked no later thanNovember 17 , so don’t delay! If youare currently enrolled in any of theREFCO benefit plans, your coveragewill automatically continue for2018. You do not need to do any-thing if you are not makingchanges to your coverage.At the REFCO Health Fair
Luncheon, on Thursday, October19, our benefit plans administrator,Pacific Group Agencies, will be inattendance and will be able toanswer your questions.
REFCO Benefit Plans Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment for Plan Year 2018is scheduled to begin on Monday,October 23, 2017 and will continuethrough Thursday, November 9,2017. Open Enrollment is the onetime during the year that you mayenroll in one of the County’s healthinsurance plans or make changes tothe plans you are currently enrolled inwithout a qualifying event. If youchoose to enroll or make any changes, coverage will take effect January 1, 2018.
What Changes Are ThereFor Plan Year 2018?For the 2018 plan year, the County
of Fresno will continue to of ferAnthem Blue Cross HDPPO, HartfordSupplemental, and Kaiser SeniorAdvantage High and Low Options. Ifyou do not want to enroll or make anychanges to the plans you are currentlyenrolled in, no action is required onyour part. The new rates for plan year2018 can be found on the next page.Please note: these rates are contingentupon Board approval; rates are sched-uled to be approved at the September26, 2017 board meeting.
Can I Make ChangesTo My Health Insurance PlanOnce Open Enrollment Closes?Once Open Enrollment closes, you
will not be permitted to enroll or makechanges until the next OpenEnrollment period, unless you experi-ence a qualifying event as defined bythe IRS. If you experience a qualifyingevent, you must submit the requireddocumentation to Employee Benefitswithin thirty (30) days of the qualify-ing event date.
How Do I Enroll In One Of TheCounty Retiree Plans?Complete the applicable form(s) and
submit to Employee Benefits, alongwith any required supporting docu-ments via:• Email: [email protected]• Fax: (559) 455-4787• In person: On the 14th Floor of theCounty Plaza Building• USPS mail: 2220 Tulare Street,14th Floor, Fresno, CA 93721Please note: All forms and support-
ing documents must be received byEmployee Benefits no later than 5:00pm on Thursday, November 9, 2017.Employee Benefits is not responsiblefor forms sent through USPS mail thatare lost or delayed and therefore notreceived by the deadline. In order toconfirm receipt of forms and/or sup-porting documents, please contactEmployee Benefits at (559) 600-1810or email [email protected].
Any Questions?Please contact Employee Benefits at
(559) 600-1810 or email:[email protected]
Additionally, you can visit the OpenEnrollment website at:www.co.fresno.ca.us/openenrollmentThe site is very informative and
includes detailed summaries, providerinformation, rates, forms and muchmore!
OPEN ENROLLMENT: Plan Year 2018Who Is Eligible To Be Covered On My Health Insurance Plan?
• REFCO Luncheon (Retirees only)*Thursday, October 19, 201710:00am-2:00pmPardini’s2257 W Shaw AveFresno, CA 93711* In order to attend the luncheon,you must RSVP by October 13and the cost is $17. Please mailyour check, made payable to:
REFCOPO BOX 26384
Fresno, CA 93729-6384
• HEALTH FESTWednesday, October 25, 20177:30am-2:00pm2220 TulareStreet, Plaza LevelFresno, CA 93721* This is your opportunity toobtain information from differentvendors and the County’s healthinsurance carriers all at onelocation.
Health Plans and Monthly Premium Summary
Open Enrollment Events
4 The Grapevine • October 2017
PACIFIC GROUP AGENCIES, INC.
If you know a business that wouldbe interested in advertising and inter-acting with our members, please askthem to become a Business SponsorMember. Request a Busi ness SponsorMember ship appli cation from JoyClark – email her at:
For AcademicSchool Year2017-18The REFCO
Board has votedto award two$2,000 Anna B.Lund MemorialScholarships toeligible studentsattending CSUFand one $1000 scholarship to an eligi-ble student at Fresno City College thisschool year. Chelsee Armsworthy isthe daughter of Gayle Johnson (retiredfrom Fresno County CAO’s Office).Selene Oaks is the granddaughter ofLeandro Cano (retired from theSheriff’s Depart ment). Dayna Swain isthe daughter of Nancy Hedge (retiredLicensed Clinical Social Worker inChildren and Family Services, QualityAssurance). Chelsee Armsworthy is approach-
ing her junior year at Fresno State.She is majoring in Child developmentre-credential and minoring in German.In the spring of 2018 Chelsee will bestudying abroad in Luneburg,Germany for a semester. Selene Oaks is in her third year at
California State University, Fresno.She is a Biology major and on theroad to getting her bachelor’s degree.Her goal is to be a biologist and helpchange the world. She is the oldestchild in her family and has threebrothers and two sisters. She discov-ered she wanted to become a biologistwhen she realized only science classesreally made her happy. This reallyopened a door for her; helping her tofind what she was passionate about.Dayna Swain is a re-entry student
CSUFresno and Fresno City CollegeScholarship Recipents Named
Selene Oaks Dayna Swain
at Fresno City College. She plans tograduate in December 2017 with aMedical Of fice Professional II,Associate of Science degree. Herdream has been to become aRegistered Nurse and is striving toobtain that goal in the future. All three students have been invited
to attend our October 19th Luncheonto meet everyone and express theirthanks for the scholarship awards.REFCO’s scholarship programs are
administered by CSUF & FCC for chil-dren, grandchildren and great grand-children of REFCO members. If youhave an eligible student in your familywho would benefit from a CSUF orFCC scholarship follow these instruc-tions: CSUF & FCC are only availableonline. For CSUF log on towww.csufresno.edu/scholarships/scholarshipapplication. The ScholarshipOffice phone number is (559) 278-6572. For FCC log on to www.fresnocitycollege.edu/index.aspx?page=1469The Scholarship Office phone numberis (559) 442-8293.Scholarship applications can be
submitted for:• CSUF starts September 1, 2017through March 2, 2018• FCC starts October 1, 2017through March 2, 2018.
Chelsee Armsworthy
BUSINESS SPONSORS
