“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” JFK
This 2023 annual appeal letter begins with a huge Thank You for all the good you do! Your generous financial contributions to the Association of BellTel Retirees are proof that you endeavor to be better and to do better. In return, your volunteer Board of Directors will always work tirelessly to respect and honor your stellar example.
As your treasurer, it is my honor to write this appeal letter. I firmly attest that the entire Board of Directors and our staff ensures that every dollar you donate is spent wisely and every expense is scrutinized. In fact, I practice the very same diligence with my own finances and charitable donations.
Your Association continues our commitment to partner with like‐minded organizations. This includes Retirees for Justice, Pension Rights Center, Pioneers, TelCo Retirees Association, and many others. We endeavor with the knowledge that strength in numbers gives us a stronger voice to protect the earned benefits of ALL retirees and active employees.
Recall our collective outrage when AT&T slashed the already modest life Insurance and sickness and death benefits. TelCo Retirees Association passionately and aggressively attempted to dissuade AT&T from taking this despicable, discriminatory action. Your Association emphatically believes that AT&T must, at the very bare minimum, balance what top leaders lavish upon themselves at the ultimate expense of all shareholders (this means you!). Alas, AT&T did not amend or reverse their decision.
In response, your Association initiated our first AT&T proxy proposal. We intended to publicly abash AT&T and to discourage Verizon and others from pursuing similar actions. Unsurprisingly, AT&T asked the S.E.C. to exclude our proposal on the bases it, “…seeks to micromanage the company.”
We are utterly disappointed the S.E.C. ruled in favor of AT&T, which means our proposal will not be included in their 2023 Proxy Materials. This setback will not deter your Board of Directors at the Association. In fact, it compels us to move onward with intensified vigor! ”All great successes are the triumph of persistence.” R.W. Emerson
Your Association has successfully filed two (2) proxy proposals for year 2023. We strongly urge you vote “FOR” our two Verizon proposals, Golden Parachute and Executive Clawback. Please see our Spring 2023 newsletter for details of both proposals.
Your Board of Directors encourages you to exercise your collective power as shareholders with two simple words: Just Vote! As Abraham Lincoln purportedly quipped, “What kills a skunk is the publicity it gives itself.” Know that your Association of BellTel Retirees will continue to sniff out and repel all attempts to diminish your retirement security.
I am ever optimistic you will continue to generously support our efforts to advocate for all retirees and active employees during 2023 and beyond. Your financial support is the foundation to continue our core mission: Protect and enhance pensions and benefits for all current and future retirees.
As usual, you can send a check (see address change notice below), make an online credit card donation and you can set up automatic donations that recur monthly, quarterly or annually. There are other donation options such as a Qualified Charitable Distribution or you may consider including the Association of BellTel Retirees in your estate planning.
We strongly urge all active employees to donate to the Association via Verizon Foundation, which qualify for matching funds. Currently, retirees are not eligible for matching Verizon funds when you donate to your Association. We know that senior executives at Verizon read our newsletters and our appeal letters. We do hope Verizon will voluntarily correct this short-sighted, biased policy without additional persuasion from our army of BellTel Retiree members.
We are a 501c(3) organization and your contributions are tax deductible. Feel free to call our office for more information.
NOTICE! Our address for mailing ALL donations has changed as follows:
Association of Belltel Retirees, Inc. Department 3170, PO Box 986500, Boston, MA 02298-6500
In closing, I humbly request your help to encourage new members to join the Association of BellTel Retirees. Kindly share this letter with your fellow retirees, co-workers, family, friends and neighbors.
THANK YOU in anticipation of your continued support!
Yours in perpetual gratitude and solidarity,
Una Kelly
Treasurer
Association of BellTel Retirees, Inc.
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