News

Two documents concerning the 2011 Tax Laws and planning for the year have been shared with us by Wells Fargo Advisors who do our "Retirement & Estate Planning Seminar Series".

Making Dreams Come True for Seniors & You
 
In hopes of inspiring one million people to volunteer with participating organizations, such as Neighbor Ride, Disney is celebrating volunteers' good works by giving each of them a 1-day, 1-theme park ticket to the Disneyland® Resort or Walt Disney World® Resort, free. There's no better time to help make dreams of continued independence come true for the seniors Neighbor Ride serves and let Disney make a few magical dreams come true for you!
 
Neighbor Ride is a volunteer-based nonprofit dedicated to decreasing isolation and helping Howard County’s older residents remain active and independent by providing transportation for health care appointments, cultural and social activities, community volunteering, fitness and educational classes, religious services and other personal needs, such as shopping and business appointments.    Extremely flexible and rewarding daytime, evening and weekend volunteer opportunities are available.  Volunteer drivers may choose to provide rides that both fit their schedules and are convenient to their homes and daily routines.  Parent volunteers are welcome to bring their children along for a wonderful intergenerational experience.  You can contact Rosemary Noble (volunteer@neighborride.org) or Colleen Konstanzer (community@neighborride.org) at (410) 884-7433 for more information.

 To volunteer with Neighbor Ride and participate in the Disney Give a Day initiative, pre-register at: Neighbor Ride - Disney give a Day initiative.   For Neighbor Ride, the “Day” is defined as three rides.  Volunteers new to Neighbor Ride will also be asked to participate in a one-hour volunteer orientation session.

50 years ago, President Kennedy established the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC).  The CFC enables Federal employee’s to donate to the charity of their choice through their payroll system.  Non-federal employee’s are still eligible to support their favorite charities through the use of cash or check donations.
 
Donating through CFC is one of the best ways you can give to charity because:

. it gives your charity steady revenue throughout the next year
. it has low overhead costs, so more money goes to your charity
. it's convenient for you (in most cases, you can donate online) and your tax records
. it shows all Americans that Federal employees care about our communities
 
As Federal employees, you serve America every day, at all levels of government. The CFC offers an opportunity to also serve privately, by supporting charitable organizations.  This year marks the 50thyear since President John F. Kennedy created the CFC. 50 years since he asked us to consider not what our country can do for us, but what we can do for our country. This year, I ask you to consider why we give.
 
We give because it feels right. Because we speak of high ideals, and we are as good as our word. Because we are moved by a word, an image, a catastrophe. Because we, too, have known hardship. We give in memory of those lost, and in hopes that others will be saved. We give because we can.
 
We give because we go beyond the call of duty to serve and protect the American people. You have an opportunity to make a pledge this fall. You determine how much you can contribute and which participating organization(s) receives your contribution. Even the smallest of donations can go a long way.

To learn more about the CFC, you can visit www.cbacfc.org to get all the latest news and updates, as well as to search through the more than 4,000 approved charities participating in the 2011 campaign. 

It’s that time of year again - your membership may need to be renewed. Please check your mailing label. If the first line contains R2009, A2009, W2009, P2009, or E2009, your membership expires at the end of December 2009. If you receive your Post Crypt electronically you can find how long your membership is paid on your quarterly mailing label or opposite your name in the on-line e-mail roster. You may also contact the office and they will be glad to give it to you. You may renew your membership by completing the form below and mailing it to The Phoenix Society along with your check for $25 for an annual membership. This year we are also offering the ability to pay your dues on-line using the PayPal system. See the Membership Renewal page on the Website (www.thephoenixsociety.org). Life memberships are also available based on your age (Age 55-60 $800; Age 61-69 $600; Age 70+ $400).

In addition to receiving our news publications, the Post Crypt and Phoenician, your membership will afford you the opportunity to socialize and travel with other retirees and friends. Our Directory of Members, membership database, and e-mail address listing will enable you to keep in touch or renew acquaintances. We provide notices of employment and volunteer service in the local community. Our Website, www.thephoenixsociety.org, is useful for items such as general Phoenix Society information, access to ticket purchases for commercial events, issues affecting health and retirement, and occasional publications of the Agency. Several areas are restricted to “Members Only” access, and more will be added in the coming year.

We are also taking this opportunity to update or correct member information. Even if you do not owe dues, please inform us of any changes in your address, telephone number, or e-mail address so we have complete and correct information in our database.

ICE stands for In Case of Emergency. If you add an entry in the contacts list in your cell phone under ICE, with the name and phone number of the person that the emergency services should call on your behalf, you can save the a lot of time and have your loved ones contacted quickly. It only takes a few minutes to do this.

Paramedics know what ICE means and they look for it immediately. ICE your cell phone now!

If you don't have a cell phone, make sure that you have an emergency contact identified in your wallet or on your person somewhere.