Last update: 07-May-2012 rev 1
Important Information Regarding "Survivor Benefits"
For all spouses of retired COMSAT employees!!! Don't lose your health and life insurance benefits. You need to review the checklist provided by COMARA benefits team now based on the latest developments: Click here for checklist.
Important Information Regarding "Survivor Benefits"
A recent widow received two notices within a few days after she notified the
Lockheed Martin (LM) Benefits office of the death of her husband.
The first was a "Summary of Benefits" letter from LM stating that she could
continue participating in the LM medical plan as long as she is "eligible"(undefined)
and pays the premium. She received a second letter a few days later
from an insurer offering her COBRA insurance, at a much higher cost for only 36 months.
She assumed the second letter was then her only and financially devastating option
She contacted COMARA and Jack Hannon was able to help her maintain her medical benefits
and LM has already sent her the life insurance proceeds ($10,000). Jack prepared
a "benefits checklist" to help retirees and surviving spouses avoid this problem.
Read more at Survivor Benefits Checklist.
Joint IRA/COMARA Picnic at Seneca Creek State Park - Sunday May 20 - Noon to 3pm.
See the full announcement at: 2012 IRA/COMARA Picnic
Join us Sunday, May 20, for a picnic at
Seneca Creek State Park. The picnic will be at the Buck Pavillion. The entrance to Seneca Creek State Park is from Clopper Road in Gaithersburg, a few minutes from I-270.
This is an amazing park with miles of hiking trails, lake with boating activities,
disk golf, and many picnic areas. Come for the picnic, then take advantage of some
of the park activities, watch the deer throughout the woods at dusk.
Menu:
- Peruvian chicken
- grill our own burgers and dogs
- refreshments
- limited wine and beer (guests are also permitted to BYOB)
- dessert
- Cost:
- $18.00 each or $35 per couple (in addition to entrance fees for those under age 62)
- Please mail check payable to:
- Intelsat Retirees Association
3210 N. Leisure Blvd., #705
Silver Spring, MD 20906
RSVP/payment must be rcvd not later than Friday, May 11.
- RSVP as soon as possible to: picnic@comara.org
2012 Dues
Dues for 2012 are $15. COMARA depends on dues from members to cover its operational expenses, including those associated with the COMARA web site.
176 COMSAT alumni and retirees have paid already paid 2012 dues,
but we need another 150 paying COMSAT alumni and retirees to cover expenses.
If you have not already paid your 2012 dues, please mail a check for $15 to the PO Box referenced at the bottom of this page.
Your dues status is shown in the line just below the row of photos after you
Sign In. If your PIN is not
displayed on the Sign In form, you can have it sent to your email address by clicking the link on the form. After you Sign In, you can then view and update your registration information,
and view dues payment history by clicking the "Edit My Profile" link then found to the left. If you have any questions about dues or the web site, please email treasurer@comara.org or webmaster@comara.org.
COMARA-IRA Night at Strathmore 2012 - March 24, 2012
48 members of INTELSAT Retirees Association and COMARA attended the all Mozart concert
by the National Philharmonic Orchestra at the Strathmore Music Center,
in North Bethesda, Maryland, on Saturday, March 24, 2012.
If you weren't part of the group, you missed a fantastic concert. An amazing horn
player, quartet, and hugh vocal chorus made this a wonderful evening. Having access
to the Circle Lounge adds a nice touch to the evening to only a few attendees.
Discount Hershey Park Tickets
Offer Expired
COMARA is offering discount tickets to Hershey Park for the 2012 season as one benefit of COMARA membership. The sales are handled by Fred Kelley. Fred wants to collect a list (e-mail preferred) of members that are interested in purchasing discounted tickets for 2012. One day tickets to the park for adults are $32.75 (save $24.20). One day tickets for children and seniors are $27.25 (save $8.70). Examples of the potential cost savings for a typical family of 4 (three adults and one junior) are in the announcement at
Discount Hershey Park Tickets. Fill out the brief form and Fred will receive an email
containing your interest. Fred needs your check by Wednesday, March 28, 2012. The tickets can be used any day during the regular Hershey Park season from May 4, 2012 to Sept 30, 2012. Fred will purchase tickets by April 2, 2014.
The prices above were valid until March 28. Fred advises that prices for tickets after March 28
have increased. Contact Fred if you want to see what is available.
Joe Pelton's SSPI History
Joe Pelton is the COMARA President and the Founding President of SSPI (Society of Satellite Professionals, Inc.). Joe shares an article he wrote for the SSPI Orbiter that provides some details about the founding of SSPI. The 25th Anniversary Gala will held March 13, 2012 at the Walter E Washington Convention Center. Read Joe's article:
In the Beginning: The History of the SSPI.
February 2012 Newsletter Available. The February 2012 Newsletter will be
distributed. A printed copy is sent to members without a working email address. An email notice
was sent to all members with a working email address. The newsletter is availabl in
two versions:
A web page:
http://comara.org/sent/Newsletter_Feb2012.htm [web].
Portable Document Format [pdf]:
http://comara.org/sent/Newsletter_Feb2012.pdf [pdf].
If you want to view the newsletter as designed or print a copy, use the pdf version.
Class of 2011 Directors
The COMARA Bylaws (see COMARA Bylaws for a copy)
state that the Board consist of nine elected Directors. This year, three Directors were
elected for a three-year term by aclamation. The Directors in the Class of 2011 are:
- Joe Pelton,
- Denis Curtin,
- Bob Kinzie.
Joe Pelton will continue as President.
Maury will continue as Secretary and Vice President.
