bulletin - 1199SEIU Funds

1199SEIU Retired Members Division
BULLETIN
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2009
330 West 42nd St. Q New York NY 10036 Q (646) 473-8666 Q www.1199SEIUBenefits.org
The Economy
and Your
Pension Funds
The stock market crash of 2008 has taken an especially steep toll on those with private retirement accounts like 401(k)s
and devastated the life savings of many retired workers. And even though you stand apart from most retirees by
enjoying a secure defined monthly pension benefit, your 1199SEIU Pension Funds were also deeply impacted by the
crash. Along with other labor-management funds around the country, they have lost a great deal of money – billions
of dollars, in fact.
While you will continue to receive the pensions that you have earned, the collective bargainers may have to take steps in
the future to protect the health of our Pension Funds. Your Union, your Funds, and all 1199SEIU members will have to work
hard over the coming years to keep our benefits secure. The healthcare industry at large is being hard hit by the economy.
Hospitals are teetering on the edge of bankruptcies, some of our institutions are in delinquency and cannot pay for
members’ benefits, and unfortunately, job lay-offs are being seen on the horizon. Although we have so far protected
our members’ and retirees’ benefits, the Governor’s proposed budget slashes more than $1.4 billion from our hospitals,
nursing homes and home care agencies.
As the country turns its efforts toward economic recovery, we know that the health of our Funds will improve. Even so, it will
take years to undo the damage that has been done. However, you can rest assured that we will keep you informed every
step of the way.
IN THIS
ISSUE
Page 2
1199SEIU RMD President’s Message
Page 6
Member Profile: Marye Newfield
Page 3
1199SEIU Benefit & Pension Funds
Executive Director’s Message
Page 7
Activist Page
1199SEIU President’s Message
Page 4
NYC Calendar of Events
Page 8
Upcoming Events/Trips
Page 5
Out-of-State Retiree Chapters
1199SEIU RMD
President’s Message
Mensaje Del Presidente
John Perkins
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Queridos Hermanos y Hermanas,
This past year was filled with
life-changing events, from the
worsening economic crisis to
the election of our first AfricanAmerican President. More recently,
and closer to home for many of us,
we witnessed “the miracle on the
Hudson” as a US Airways plane
crash landed without any serious
injuries or deaths. It was an event
that defied the odds for survival.
El pasado año estuvo lleno de acontecimientos que cambiaron radicalmente nuestras vidas, desde el empeoramiento de la crisis económica
hasta la elección de nuestro primer
presidente afroamericano. Recientemente, y muy cercano a las casas de
muchos de nosotros, presenciamos
“el milagro en el Hudson”, en el que
un avión de US Airways cayó en el
río y logró posarse sobre las aguas
sin provocar muertes o heridos de
gravedad. Fue un acontecimiento
que desafió al destino.
Our 1199SEIU Benefit and Pension
Funds are similar to this “miracle
on the Hudson.” Even in this bleak
economy, we are defying industry
standards of care and benefits.
At a time when so many jobs are
being cut, benefits reduced and
pensions frozen, our 1199SEIU
Funds still remain afloat.
Please remember how fortunate
we are to have these benefits that
we fought for over so many years.
This year will hopefully be one of
many positive changes, so stay
involved and informed by coming
to Chapter Meetings and checking
our Calendar of Events.
2
Nuestros Fondos de Beneficios y Pensiones de 1199SEIU se asemejan a
este “milagro en el Hudson”. Incluso
en esta economía debilitada estamos
desafiando los estándares de la industria en cuanto a atención y beneficios. En un momento en que tantos
trabajos se han perdido, se han reducido beneficios y las pensiones han
sufrido una paralización, nuestros
Fondos de 1199SEIU aún permanecen a flote.
No deje de tener en cuenta cuán afortunados somos de tener estos beneficios por los que hemos luchado por
tantos años. Este año esperamos que
sea un año de muchos cambios positivos, así que manténgase involucrado
e informado asistiendo a las reuniones
de las agrupaciones y consultando
nuestro Calendario de Eventos.
As always, I encourage you to try
something new and take advantage
of the many opportunities our
Retired Members Division offers.
Como siempre, le exhorto a que pruebe
algo nuevo y aproveche las numerosas
oportunidades que nuestra División de
Miembros Jubilados le ofrece.
In Solidarity,
En solidaridad,
John Perkins
John Perkins
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2009
Attention
Florida Retirees:
You asked for your own
Medicare Advantage Plan –
and you got it!
Beginning this spring, many
Florida retirees will be able to
receive enhanced benefits through
Humana's Medicare Advantage
Plan. Keep an eye on your mail
for more details.
Annual Florida
Retiree Banquet
Monday, March 30, 2009
Coral Springs Marriott Hotel
11775 Heron Bay Blvd.
Coral Springs, Florida
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with Keynote Speaker
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$10/member, $20/guest
(Bus transportation will be available
in retiree chapter areas.)
Contact:
Marilyn Silverberg
Florida Field Coordinator
(561) 369-8340 (Palm Beach Cty.)
(877) 369-8340 (Toll-free)
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A Message from
Un Mensaje de
Mitra Behroozi
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Dear Retired Member,
Querido Miembro Jubilado
After the painful collapse of our economy,
our new president‘s resolve to lead us toward
economic recovery is a welcome breath of
fresh air and hope. But as President Obama
reminds us, it will probably take years to
rebuild, and this will be true for almost
everything affected by the stock market
crash – including your Pension Funds.
Después del doloroso colapso de nuestra
economía, el empeño de nuestro nuevo presidente
de guiarnos hacia una recuperación económica es
un bienvenido aliento de aire puro y esperanza.
Pero como el Presidente Obama nos recuerda,
probablemente nos costará años reconstruir y esto
será así para casi todo lo que ha sido afectado
por la caída de la bolsa de valores, incluyendo su
Fondo de Pensiones.
Although your monthly benefit payment
is secure, your 1199SEIU Pension Funds
were not immune to 2008’s volatile
market, and have lost a lot of money. And
over the coming year, we may have to
take steps to protect our Pension Funds,
just as we once took steps to protect your
health benefits.
Si bien el pago mensual de su beneficio de pensión
es seguro, su Fondo de Pensiones de 1199SEIU no
resultó inmune a la volatilidad del mercado en el
2008, y ha perdido una suma considerable de
dinero. En el año recién comenzado es posible
que tengamos que tomar medidas para proteger
nuestro Fondo de Pensiones, así como lo hicimos
una vez para proteger sus beneficios de salud.
ˆÃÌi˜ˆ˜}Ê ÌœÊ Ì…iÊ …>À`ň«ÃÊ œvÊ œÕÀÊ ˜>̈œ˜½ÃÊ
workers and retirees, you understand
how fortunate we are to have our defined
pension benefit and even health coverage
for many retirees. However, the future of
these benefits for your working brothers
and sisters now hangs in the balance. New
York State is facing a $15 billion deficit,
and our hospitals, nursing homes and
home care agencies are facing dramatic
cuts that could challenge their viability.
Al escuchar todas las dificultades que enfrentan
los trabajadores y jubilados de nuestro país,
usted puede entender cuán afortunados somos
de tener nuestro beneficio de pensión definido e
incluso una cobertura de salud para la mayoría
de los jubilados. Sin embargo, el futuro de esos
beneficios para sus hermanos y hermanas que
trabajan, depende ahora del balance. El estado
de Nueva York está enfrentando un déficit de 15
mil millones de dólares y nuestros hospitales, casas
de reposo geriátricas y agencias de cuidados en
el hogar están sufriendo cortes dramáticos que
pudieran amenazar su funcionamiento.
We have survived tough economic times
before, and we’ll do so again. In the
meantime, remember that your Benefit
and Pension Funds are here for you. Our
Retiree Service representatives can answer
any questions that you may have about
your health or pension benefits, and we
encourage you to call us at (646) 473-8666
or (800) 892-2557.
Hemos sobrevivido antes a épocas económicas
difíciles, y lo haremos nuevamente ahora. Mientras
tanto, recuerde que sus Fondos de Beneficios
y Pensiones están a su disposición. Nuestros
representantes de Servicios para Jubilados pueden
responder cualquier pregunta que pueda tener
sobre sus beneficios de salud o de pensión, y lo
exhortamos a que nos llame al (646) 473-8666 ó
(800) 892-2557.
Sincerely,
Sinceramente,
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Movie Series
Wednesday, March 4
12:45 pm to 2:45 pm
“Duel in the Sun” (1946)
Jennifer Jones & Gregory Peck
Wednesday, March 25
12:45 pm to 2:45 pm
“Harriet Craig” (1950)
Joan Crawford &
Wendell Corey
1199SEIU RMD
330 West 42nd Street, 9th Floor
For more information,
contact the RMD Main Office
at (646) 473-8666.
Vision/Hearing
Screening
Friday, March 20
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
First-come, first-served
1199SEIU RMD
330 West 42nd Street
9th Floor
Shakespeare Class
The Retired Members Division
Shakespeare Class is currently
studying “Twelfth Night,” the
fifth play in our Shakespeare
Series. Classes are held every
Tuesday, 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm,
at the Retired Members
Division, 330 W. 42nd Street,
9th floor.
All are invited. Prior knowledge
of Shakespeare is not
necessary. Just come with a
sense of humor and
your curiosity.
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2009
3
NYC MARCH CALENDAR & CHAPTER MEETINGS
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
3
Opera Appreciation Class 9:30–12
Art History
10:30–12
12–3
12:30–1:30
1:30–3
Photography
Drama Class
Art Class
Shakespeare Class
Discussion Group
9
10:30–11:30
12–1
10
Opera Appreciation Class 9:30–12
Art History
10:30–12
12–3
12:30–1:30
1:30–3
Photography
Drama Class
Art Class
Shakespeare Class
Discussion Group
16
10:30–11:30
12–1
17
Opera Appreciation Class 9:30–12
Art History
10:30–12
12–3
12:30–1:30
1:30–3
Photography
Drama Class
Art Class
Shakespeare Class
Discussion Group
24
Opera Appreciation Class 9:30–12
10:30–12
Art History
12–3
12:30–1:30
1:30–3
Photography
Drama Class
Art Class
Shakespeare Class
Discussion Group
31
Opera Appreciation Class 9:30–12
Art History
10:30–12
12–3
12:30–1:30
1:30–3
Photography
Drama Class
Art Class
Shakespeare Class
Discussion Group
30
10:30–11:30
12–1
4
10–12
10–12
12:30–4:30
12:45
1–4
Choral Group
Knitting & Crocheting (Beg)
Knitting & Crocheting (Inter/Adv)
Movie Series
Knitting & Crocheting (BK)
11
10–12
10–12
12:30–4:30
1–4
Choral Group
Knitting & Crocheting (Beg)
Knitting & Crocheting (Inter/Adv)
Knitting & Crocheting (BK)
18
10–12
12:30–4:30
1–4
Knitting & Crocheting (Beg)
Knitting & Crocheting (Inter/Adv)
Knitting & Crocheting (BK)
25
10–12
10–12
12:30–4:30
12:45
1–4
Choral Group
Knitting & Crocheting (Beg)
Knitting & Crocheting (Inter/Adv)
Movie Series
Knitting & Crocheting (BK)
THURSDAY
5
10–11
11–12
12
3–5
3–5
Tai Chi
Yoga*
Lunch Club
Arts & Crafts
Sewing
12
10–11
11–12
12
3–5
3–5
Tai Chi
Yoga*
Lunch Club
Arts & Crafts
Sewing
19
10–11
11–12
12
2
3–5
3–5
Tai Chi
Yoga*
Lunch Club
Birthday Party
Arts & Crafts
Sewing
26
9:30
10–11
12
2–3
3–5
3–5
Exec. Mtg.
Tai Chi
Lunch Club
General Mbr. Mtg.
Arts & Crafts
Sewing
FRIDAY
6
10–12
1–2
Quilting Class
Dance Class
13
10–12
1–2
Quilting Class
Dance Class
20
10–12
10–12
10–12
1–2
27
10–12
10–12
1–2
Vision/Hearing
Screening
LPN Meeting
Quilting Class
Dance Class
Vision/Hearing
Screening
Quilting Class
Dance Class
1199SEIU LPN Meeting
Friday, March 20
10:00 am – 12:00 noon
Retired Members Division
330 W. 42nd Street
9th floor
NEW HYDE PARK
ELEANOR TILSON CHAPTER
L.I.J. Schneider Children’s Hospital
Teaching Ctr. – Conference Room
269-01 76th Avenue
Tuesday, March 17, 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
QUEENS
ST. ALBANS CHAPTER
Guy Brewer Democratic Club
197-01 Linden Blvd.
Tuesday, March 24, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
HICKSVILLE
MILTON KONOWE CHAPTER
1199SEIU Hicksville Office
100 Duffy Avenue
Wednesday, March 18, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
NORTH BRONX
BERNARD MINTER CHAPTER
Holy Rosary Church
1510 Adee Avenue
Tuesday, March 10, 1:00 am - 3:00 pm
4
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2009
BRONX
JOSEPH JAMES CHAPTER
1199SEIU Healthcare & Education Center
2501 Grand Concourse, Room 301
Friday, March 13, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
EAST HARLEM
LEON DAVIS CHAPTER
Casita Maria Senior Center
55 East 102nd Street
Friday, March 27, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
MEETING TOPICS
March
The Five Senses
April
Sexuality, HIV and Older Adults
BROOKLYN
MATTIE SMALL CHAPTER
(Brooklyn Cluster)
25 Elm Place (bet. Fulton & Livingston Sts.)
Friday, March 20, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
BROOKLYN
MARSHALL DUBIN CHAPTER
Brooklyn College – Student Center
2nd Floor
East 27th St. & Campus Road
Wednesday, March 18, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
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*Sponsored by HealthCare Partners, IPA
2
10:30–11:30
12–1
23
10:30–11:30
12–1
All classes are open to retirees and free of charge.
OUT-OF-STATE RETIREES
FLORIDA NOTES
On Monday, March 30, 1199SEIU retirees will gather
at the Coral Springs Marriott Hotel for the 2009 Annual
Florida Retiree Banquet.
Reservations are required for the Banquet. The ticket cost is
$10 per member and $20 per guest. Registration opens at
9:00 am. The morning session will start with a Continental
breakfast at 10:30 am, followed by a town hall meeting. A
banquet luncheon will be served at 11:45 am, followed by
entertainment and dancing until 3:00 pm.
Bus transportation is available only in chapter areas,
and you must reserve a seat. Be sure that you arrive at
the bus location in time to check in, because the bus
will leave on schedule! Check the chapter listings for
bus departure times and parking information.
All room reservations for the Marriott Hotel must be
made either online at www.marriott.com or by calling
(800) 311-8018. A block of rooms has been reserved
under “1199 Retirees” at a special rate of $149 per
night. (This rate is only available until March 9.) Check-in
time is 3:00 pm, but arrangements can be made directly
with the hotel for those who need an early arrival.
Tickets can be purchased at the February retiree chapter
meetings (there are no scheduled March meetings). If
you are unable to attend the chapter meeting or live
outside the chapter areas, and would like to come
to the banquet, please call me at (877) 369-8340
(toll-free) or (561) 369-8340 (Palm Beach County).
FLORIDA CHAPTERS
NO CHAPTER MEETINGS WILL BE HELD IN MARCH.
PLEASE SEE CHAPTER LISTINGS BELOW FOR BUS
INFORMATION FOR THE MARCH 30 BANQUET.
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Sincerely,
Marilyn Silverberg
NORTH & SOUTH CAROLINAS CHAPTER
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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2009
5
MEMBER PROFILE: MARYE NEWFIELD
“We 1199SEIU Retirees Are a Very Lucky Bunch”
When 1199er Marye Newfield decided to retire last June
called in. We had lots of questions and all of them were
vÀœ“Ê …iÀÊ œLÊ >ÃÊ >Ê V>ÃiÊ “>˜>}iÀÊ >ÌÊ œ˜}Ê Ã>˜`Ê i܈ÅÊ
answered in easy-to-understand language. Altogether, we
Medical Center, she followed her Pension Fund’s advice.
spent an hour there.”
She made an appointment with a Pension Counselor more
than three months before she planned to stop working
full-time.
“It was absolutely a very positive experience. And since
then, it has all worked out well. On the first of every month,
my pension check is deposited in my ac-
“I made the appointment and then
count. My prescription drug program is
everything just fell into place,”
the same as when I was working. It is just
Mayre recalled. “When my hus-
wonderful.
band and I showed up at 9:30 in
the morning, the waiting room was
filled. I said to myself, we’re going
to be here all day! But it wasn’t like
that at all. Five minutes later, I was
asked to fill out some forms, and
a few minutes after that, we were
“We 1199SEIU retirees are a very lucky
bunch. All over the country, workers
and retirees are losing their health and
pension benefits, while we can still depend on ours. I am very thankful that I’m
a member.”
La Situación Económica y Su Fondo de Pensiones
>Ê V>‰`>Ê `iÊ >Ê LœÃ>Ê `iÊ Û>œÀiÃÊ i˜Ê iÊ ÓäänÊ …>Ê >viVÌ>`œÊ iëiVˆ>“i˜ÌiÊ >Ê œÃÊ µÕiÊ «œÃii˜Ê VÕi˜Ì>ÃÊ `iÊ ÕLˆ>Vˆ˜Ê
privadas como la 401(k) y ha desvastado los ahorros de toda una vida de muchos trabajadores jubilados. Si bien
usted se diferencia de muchos otros jubilados por el hecho de disfrutar de un beneficio mensual definido de pensión,
sus Fondos de Pensiones de 1199SEIU fueron profundamente afectados por esta caída. Al igual que muchos otros
fondos de administración del sindicato por todo el país, ellos han perdido una gran cantidad de dinero, miles de
millones de dólares, en realidad.
Si bien usted continua recibiendo la pensión que se ha ganado, los negociadores colectivos puede que tengan
que tomar medidas en el futuro para proteger la salud de nuestro Fondo de Pensiones. Su Sindicato, sus Fondos,
y los miembros de 1199SEIU tendrán que trabajar duro en los años venideros para mantener seguros nuestros
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instituciones están operando en negativo y no pueden pagar los beneficios de los miembros, y desafortunadamente,
se vislumbran en el horizonte despidos de trabajadores. A pesar de que hasta ahora hemos protegido los
beneficios de nuestros miembros y jubilados, el presupuesto propuesto por el Gobernador elimina más de
$1.4 mil millones de dólares a los hospitales, casas de reposo geriátricas y agencias de cuidados en el hogar.
A medida que el país se esfuerza por recuperarse económicamente, sabemos que el estado financiero de nuestros
fondos mejorará. Aún así, será necesario que pasen varios años para poder borrar el daño que ha sido hecho. Pero
puede confiar en que le mantendremos informado en cada etapa del proceso.
6
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2009
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ACTIVIST PAGE
A Message from
George Gresham
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Dear Sisters and Brothers,
President Barack Obama—with no small amount of help from our Union—
built the largest grassroots political campaign in US history last year. That
same kind of mass mobilization will be essential in the future if we are to
realize the “Change that Works” that we voted for.
President Obama has inherited a disaster: two wars, a shattered financial
system, millions of job losses and home foreclosures, an environment near
the breaking point, etc.
Of course we strongly support ending the Iraq war, vigorous environmental protection, giving our kids the necessary tools for a world-class education, and other Obama priorities.
1199SEIU is strong, but we have limits. We have to make choices:
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As a healthcare Union, we will fight with all of our resources for quality, affordable Healthcare for All. This has to be at the top of our list.
It is simply unacceptable that nearly 50 million Americans have no
healthcare coverage and most others are underinsured.
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Similarly, workers in our country have been battered for decades
by a system that favors employers and makes it extremely difficult for workers to join unions to protect themselves. President
Obama’s support of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), allowing workers to choose a Union free from employer intimidation,
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Our states are in trouble with unprecedented deficits. We
will face hard choices in climbing out of the hole we’re in.
But healthcare is a primary mission of government and should
not be at the top of every governor’s list when it comes to
making sacrifices.
Some have made no sacrifice for the common good. The insurance
companies and the pharmaceutical companies have only made profits, not sacrifices. Congress has given more than a trillion dollars to
bankers and private interests that got us into this mess. What about
the billionaires who have enriched themselves in recent years at our
expense? Where is their sacrifice?
So we know our agenda in the coming months: Healthcare for All,
Employee Free Choice, and defending our healthcare industry where
we live. It won’t be easy, but then again life has never been easy for
hard-working folk and retirees.
Get ready to fight.
In Solidarity,
deserves our active support also.
RETIRED MEMBERS DIVISION
DUES CHECKOFF AUTHORIZATION
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THIS PAGE IS PAID FOR BY 1199SEIU UNITED HEALTHCARE WORKERS EAST
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UPCOMING EVENTS/TRIPS
ATLANTIC CITY – BALLY’S CASINO
Monday, March 16, 2009
Pay $25 – Get $18 Back
Manhattan – 9:00 am
1199SEIU
310 West 43rd Street (bet. 8th & 9th Aves.)
Sylvia Williams (718) 271-3144
INTERESTED IN A TRIP?
Rich Worldwide Travel is presenting a number of trips in
the next few months. If you are interested in any of the
following trips, please email [email protected] or
call (914) 835-7600 ext 133 for prices and a brochure.
March 14 – 21
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footsteps on the Alabama Civil Rights
Trail (motorcoach)
March 30
Take a day trip to QVC in Chester,
Pennsylvania (motorcoach)
April 14
Visit West Point on a day trip with
guided tour and lunch at the Officers
Club (motorcoach)
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Clifton Rutherford (718) 657-8348
May 2 – 9
Relax at Club Med in the Turks and
Caicos (adults-only week)
All payments (check or money order only) are due by Friday,
March 6 and should be made payable to Fantastic Tours and Travel.
You must give your payment to your chapter representative or bring
it to the RMD Headquarters at 330 W. 42nd Street, 9th Floor.
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Travel on Amtrak’s “Southwest Chief”
from New York to Flagstaff, Arizona, and
then enjoy a motorcoach trip through our
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Brooklyn College
East 27th Street and Campus Road
Herbert Hicks (917) 971-7415
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1199SEIU Brooklyn Cluster
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Our 1199SEIU retirees have set up a Travel Committee to plan your trips! This change will also make it easier for you to pay for your trips through the tour companies.
While the Travel Committee will help choose the vacation packages, please note that the travel companies are solely responsible for the trips provided.