Did you make a New Year’s resolution for 2012? The start of a new year provides an opportunity to look back on accomplishments and plan for the future, in the short term or longer. A Webster’s dictionary defines resolution in several ways including a “decision as to future action.” Additionally, the month of January is named for the Roman two-faced god Janus who could look backward and forward and was said to be the “guardian of portals and the patron of beginnings and endings” according to Roman mythology. Several internet websites outline the most common resolutions which fall into the areas of fitness and health, spending more time with family and friends, budgeting and organization, learning something new, and helping others. Resolutions or goals seem to be the most effective when they are based in reality and hold realistic expectations.

At the end of January, the RESDC Board met for a strategic planning session. Our newly revised Mission Statement, “The Retired Employees of San Diego County (RESDC) is dedicated to being an advocate for retiree interests and to provide pertinent information, social opportunities, and services for its members” was used as a guide as we refined goals for 2012. We identified essential association activities that demonstrate the four components of our mission: (1) Advocacy, (2) Provide pertinent information, (3) Social opportunity and (4) Member services. The following goals reflect our Mission Statement and will guide the work of the Board of Directors and that of the association’s standing committees through the coming months.

RESDC will be well informed on legislative proposals introduced in both the U.S. Congress and the California Legislature and will maintain a strong advocacy on issues that impact our members.

RESDC will strive to provide: (1) Protection of currently held retirement funds; (2) Enhancement of benefits; (3) Communications with members; and (4) Monitoring SDCERA actions and operations and (5) personal communication with Board of Retirement members.

RESDC will ensure data displayed on the RESDC website and the monthly newsletter is current and accurate.

RESDC will increase membership and encourage participation on RESDC Board committees.

RESDC will review programs and services available in the community.

RESDC will continue to award merit scholarships.

RESDC will encourage volunteers to increase participation in RESDC activities.

Additionally, we recognized a need to involve new members in RESDC activities and will plan a social and informative get-together this year to encourage participation by our more recent retirees. Prominent in our planning for 2012 is the need to form an Ad Hoc committee to review and inalize the requirements, salary and benefits for the Association Manager position, then to recruit and hire that professional manager.

RESDC has 13 standing committees that carry out the activities of the Association, report to the Board of Directors, make recommendations to the Board and provide an opportunity for general members to participate. The committees are: Audit, Benefits, Bylaws and Policy Manual, Computer Systems/Website, Editorial, Elections, Finance, Legislation, Membership, Member Services, Programs, Scholarship and Volunteers. Some committees have regular meetings and activities and others meet as the need arises. In the coming months, you will read more about individual committees, and I encourage interested members to get involved by contacting the RESDC office.