Download File - Medtronic VSP Retiree Group Minnesota

VSP Newsletter
April 2014
VSP Board
Chair
Ron Stuedemann
763-755-6548
[email protected]
Secretary & Treasurer
Carol Baumgartner
651-464-6049
[email protected]
Social Events
Jan Miskowic
763-425-0508
[email protected]
Volunteer Events
Connie Langager
763-784-2458
[email protected]
Marketing/Membership
Jan Prazak
763-544-9612
[email protected]
Newsletter Editor
Judy Bergman
651-295-4507
[email protected]
Benefits
Kathie Kelly
763-757-3421
[email protected]
Member-at-Large
Dianne Ohlenkamp
763-786-8379
[email protected]
Lunch & Learn Events
Jerry Hartlaub
651-633-0281
[email protected]
Webmaster
Jerry Hartlaub
[email protected]
Our website: mdtretirees.org
Learning – Connecting – Serving
In Remembrance:
It is with sadness that we inform you of the loss of a friend and
remarkably beautiful soul, Barb Fellegy. Barb lost her battle with
lung cancer on March 23 in Atlantis, FL, where she had gone to
be with her daughter, Amy.
Barb’s career at Medtronic began in 1978 where she worked parttime in the marketing area and then in the Neuromodulation
Business group. For many years Barb supported Win Wallin in
his position as CEO. After Win left Medtronic, Barb worked in
sales meeting planning and in CRDM education before retiring in
2007.
Barb will be remembered as a fun-loving, gentle and giving
person. She treasured her years at Medtronic and after
retirement took on the role of Medtronic VSP Retiree Group
President. She was also active in the Cancer Benefit Fund and
volunteered at community events such as New Brighton
Stockyard Days and Winter Carnival.
Barb loved entertaining friends and family, gardening, and her
little dogs, Timmy and Maggie. She was an avid fan of the
Farmers Market and several of the vendors knew her by name.
She lost her husband of 45 years, Bob, in 2011.
Barb will remain an inspiration to us as someone who knew the
importance of dignity and the value of humor in getting through
difficult times. A memorial service is planned for late May in New
Brighton.
Annual Dues Discontinued
A reminder that the Medtronic VSP Board has decided to
discontinue the annual $10 dues. By providing an email or postal
address to Carol Baumgartner, all Medtronic retirees are
automatically members unless they “unsubscribe”.
Medtronic VSP Retiree Board Changes
The VSP Retiree Organization continues to grow and evolve in its
continuous support for Medtronic, our communities, and its
retirees. Our organization is very fortunate to have individuals
step forward to take leadership positions to continue the growth
and development of the VSP Retiree group. We are especially
appreciative of the time and effort put forth by these individuals
in helping retirees fulfill that which Earl Bakken has always
taught us - “you can retire from work but not from life”.
Connie Langager
Connie will be leaving our board after four outstanding years as our Volunteer Coordinator leader.
She not only expanded our volunteer base but has also extended our reach in the Twin Cities nonprofit arena. She has also worked very hard in creating an expanded relationship with Medtronic
Philanthropy and in arranging volunteer outings with current employees.
Connie spent almost 25 years at Medtronic in the Neuro Division. She had multiple roles throughout
the organization in Clinical, Sales and Marketing, Customer Education, and Neuro Ventures. After
receiving her BSBA degree from Northwestern in 1997, she moved into an exempt position as a Sr.
Product Performance Specialist in Neuro Regulatory Compliance and Quality from which she retired in
2007.
Connie has a passion to give back. As such, she joined the VSP Board as this offered an effective
means for her to benefit the community by assisting various non-profit agencies that are involved in
distributions of food, furniture and house-wares, medical supplies, and school supplies. She has also
recently became a member of the Generations Guild, Children’s Hospital Association, delivers Meals
on Wheels monthly in New Brighton, and looks forward to continuing her contribution to our
community. She and her family are also members of Christ the King Lutheran Church in New
Brighton. Connie also enjoys golf, reading, quilting, and playing with her granddaughter.
Judy Bergman
Judy joined the VSP Board in 2013 and assumed the responsibility for our monthly newsletter. During
the past year, Judy enhanced the newsletter process by contracting with Constant Contact for its
distribution. It also provides a means for maintaining our distribution lists and communication with
our members.
With Connie leaving the board, Judy has stepped forward and taken over the responsibility of
Volunteer Coordinator. We appreciate everything Judy has done in the Newsletter arena and look
forward to her work in the Volunteer area.
Judy spent 33 1/2 years at Medtronic and retired in 2011. She worked in the battery business unit,
Corporate, Sales, and ended her career in the Human Resources Operations Center. Judy is also on
the Mounds View Community Theater Board, is training to run in Grandma’s half marathon in June,
and enjoys reading, quilting, and volunteer work.
Dianne Ohlenkamp
Dianne joined the VSP Board in 2013. For the past year, she has worked with Judy on the Newsletter.
With Judy now moving to Volunteering, we are pleased that Dianne has stepped forward to accept the
role of Newsletter Coordinator.
Dianne retired from Medtronic in 2012 after 23 years of work. She spent her early years in the Pacing
Business Units as an HR administrative assistant and then moved to Corporate Internal
Communications where she coordinated Twin Cities Daily News, sent out press releases, and posted
stories on myMedtronic. She completed her career at Medtronic in the Corporate Development Area.
Dianne is also part of the Medtronic Meals on Wheels group, volunteers at a local elementary school,
knits and crochets hats, etc for Bridging, Life Haven, and local homeless shelters. She also enjoys
reading, bowling in the Medtronic league, and caring for her Labrador Retrievers. She is lucky to live
close to and care for her three grandsons and new granddaughter.
Kathie Kelly
Kathie is new to our board having joined just recently. Kathie will take on a new role of being our
Retiree Benefit Liaison with the Medtronic Benefit Department. Her role will be to work with Benefits
on communication and timing of benefit enrollment and changes.
Kathie retired from Medtronic in 2011 after 12 ½ years at Medtronic. She worked in the Corporate
Law Department for the majority of the time with time also spent in the Compliance Area. She
returned to the Law Department and ended her career in the Legal Regulatory Group.
Kathie is also involved in the March of Dimes, especially the annual March for Babies, is a Befriender
along with multiple other roles at her church, volunteers at the Anoka County Library helping people
with technology challenges, and is a periodic volunteer at the Lyric Arts Community Theater in Anoka.
Kathie enjoys golfing, traveling, crocheting, reading, and lunches/dinners with family and friends.
She has special time for her eight grandchildren.
Please join me in congratulating Connie for her outstanding contributions to our organization and
community and thank her for all her time and effort in support for our communities.
Also join me in thanking Judy and Dianne on their past support and for taking on new roles and
responsibilities as we move the organization forward. We also thank Kathie for bringing her many
talents to our Board and for accepting a new role to help and support retirees.
I also want to thank Carol Baumgartner, Secretary/Treasurer, Jan Miskowic, Events Coordinator,
Jerry Hartlaub, Webmaster/Lunch and Learn Events, and Jan Prazak, Marketing/Membership for all
their time and effort that supports and benefits our organization.
Ron Stuedemann, VSP Board Chair
Medtronic Women’s Golf League
The Medtronic Women's Golf League is a way to have fun, relaxation, exercise, self-improvement,
challenge and friendly competition. A foursome is assigned a regular tee-time on one of three courses.
A team can consist of more than 4 players to allow alternating golfers. Golf scores are turned in
weekly to Judy Parmley (MVN42).
The Medtronic Women’s Golf League is 9-holes of golf weekly beginning the week of April 28 ending
the week of August 25 with two weeks off for holidays.
All golf is prepaid at the time of sign up. In addition to the green fees, there is a $15 one-time
payment to the Medtronic Women’s Golf League for event/banquet prizes. Checks are payable to
Medtronic Women’s Golf League and should be sent to Jan Mason, MVS23. The golf courses, days
and green fees are listed below.
Cost is total due per tee-time for the season and can be divided however you determine by your
team. (Carts are extra and can be paid per week at the course.)
Victory Links, Blaine (alternate weeks for front and back holes)
Wednesdays
$17.60 x 15wk + $15= $279
Brightwood Hills, New Brighton
Tuesdays or Thursdays
$14 x 15wk + $15= $225
Chomonix, Lino Lakes (alternate weeks for front and back holes)
Tuesdays, $17.00 x 15wk + $15 =$270
Substitutes: It is up to the golfer and sub to retrieve payment. The league suggests $10 to golfer
when subbing.
We do not keep track of handicaps. It is a fun league with all levels of experience.
If you are interested in golfing, please email: [email protected]. Include your name, phone
ext., and MS. Indicate full time, part-time, or sub only preference; and the golf course and tee times
preferred (please list 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices). If you are signing up a full team indicate all players
on one email please.
Retiree Women: Invitation from Barbara and Bobby I. Griffin to attend Dodoma Tanzania
Health Development’s “Mama Salama” Women’s Event – May 1, 7:30-9 a.m.
Many of you will recall retiree and former Medtronic Executive Vice President Bobby I. Griffin’s
presentation last year at the Medtronic Retiree Ice Cream Social on his years of work alongside his
wife, Barbara, to help develop a high-quality, Tanzanian-led, sustainable medical center – Dodoma
Christian Medical Center – in central Tanzania. Bobby has been grateful for the ongoing inquiries and
support for this project from the Medtronic VSP group, and he and Barbara welcome the women of
this group to attend Dodoma Tanzania Health Development’s 2nd Annual “Mama Salama” (Kiswahili for
Safe Mothers) Women’s Event. This women-only event is dedicated to women’s and children’s health
in Tanzania and supports the Safe Motherhood programs at the medical center. There is no cost to
attend.
Event details:
Date – Thursday, May 1, 2014
Time – 7:30 a.m. doors open, coffee served
8 a.m. – 9 a.m. main event
Place – Golden Valley Country Club
7001 Golden Valley Road
Golden Valley, MN 55427
RSVP – Registration is required by Wednesday, April 23
Call (763) 432-6589
Cost – There is no fee to attend this breakfast event.
Donations to the Mama Salama fund are encouraged
For more information on the work of DTHD and the medical center go to www.dthd.org. Or visit them
on facebook at Dodoma Tanzania Health Development – DTHD.
Annual VSP Spring Luncheon and Meeting – Wednesday, May 14
Join your fellow retirees at the annual VSP Spring Luncheon and Meeting on Wednesday, May 14 at
Edinburgh USA. Deadline to register is Monday, April 28. See registration form at the end of this
newsletter.
Upcoming Lunch and Learn Event
At the Wednesday, May 21, 2014 Lunch & Learn event you'll learn about preparing an effective estate
plan. It's a free mid-day educational event addressing a topic important to all retired people. Enjoy
time with other Medtronic retirees. Plan to attend! Read on!
Topic: Preparing Your Estate Plan (see Topic Overview below)
Speaker: Jack T. Reed, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones
Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Time: 11:30am - 1:15pm, Program starts at noon
Place: World Headquarters Campus: Cafe A/B Room
Invitees: All Medtronic VSP Retiree Group members and their significant others
Cost: free
Please RSVP: If you expect to attend, email Jerry at [email protected] or call 651.633.0281
Meeting Logistics:
11:30 am - Arrive at the Visitor Entrance (via employee parking ramp) and sign-in. If brownbagging, you'll be directed to the meeting room. If buying lunch, proceed to the cafeteria
and then to the meeting room.
11:30 am - Lunch
noon
- Introductions and planning
12:10 pm - Speaker (60-minute presentation)
1:15
- Presentation complete; additional Q&A
2:00
- Event Adjourned
Topic Overview:
Most elements of an estate plan are described including Wills, Trusts, Taxes, Asset Transfer,
Beneficiaries, Executor, Probate, Health Care Directive, Living Will, Power of Attorney, and Life
Insurance. Particular investing strategies will not be featured.
American Heart Association Heart Walk – Saturday , May 31
The 2014 American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Heart Walk will occur on Saturday,
May 31st at Target Field.
This year Medtronic has targeted a fundraising effort of $100,000 and 500 walkers across multiple
sites in the Twin Cities. As the VSP Retiree Group is considered an Employee Resource Group of
Medtronic, we have also been asked to participate in this effort. As such, you can go to the AHA
website, www.twincitiesheartwalk.kintera.org/medtronic and register to walk or make a donation. If
you make a donation, make sure to “double your dollars” through Medtronic’s matching gift program.
Many thanks for helping Medtronic continue its support for our local community with time, talent, and
resources.
Minnesota Twins vs. Cleveland Indians – Tuesday, July 22
Mark your calendar and save the date for an outing to Target Field to cheer on the Minnesota Twins.
Game time is 7:10 p.m. See registration form at the end of this newsletter.
Discounts Available to Medtronic Retirees
Are you looking for a discount to a theater, museum, auto sales and services, home service,
professional service, retail and restaurants, travel, hotels, resorts, etc. There are several options
available to you. Check out the MERSC website for the many discounts available to retirees of MERSC
member companies - www.mersc.org. Or see what discounts are available to you through the
Medtronic Voluntary Benefits and Discounts Program –
http://communications.beneplace.com/medtronic/
Volunteers Needed – Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities
For 94 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities (BBBS) has been matching young
people ages 7-12 with volunteer adult mentors. Big Brothers Big Sisters provide friendship, emotional
support and hope to young people in the Twin Cities metro region.
By reaching out to children facing adversity and social stigma, BBBS impacts the lives of children who
would most greatly benefit from having another supportive adult in their lives. Of the youth BBBS
served in 2012
,
• 80% came from low-income households, based upon qualification reduced-fee and free lunch
programs
•
79% of those children served by BBBS lived in foster care, single-parent households or with
non-parental relatives
•
79% identified as children of color
•
21% had an incarcerated parent or significant family member.
National research demonstrates strong impact mentoring can have on a child’s growth. BBBS’
mentoring programs result in youth who are 75% more likely to receive a four-year college degree
than their similarly situated peers, and active Littles were 46% less likely to use illegal drugs. 1 In
2012, 82% of Littles matched at the beginning of their senior years graduated from high school,
compared to 56% of their similarly situated peers.
Quality youth mentoring programs are good investments in the future; they can deliver a $2.72
return for every dollar spent on effective mentoring programs in the state (MN) according to a 2007
study by the Wilder Foundation and the University of Minnesota.
Donate your money or time to help a child reach his or her potential. Go to www.bigstwincities.org .
Big impact, proven results. Start something today.
VSP VOLUNTEER REPORT
Thanks to these VSP volunteers for working at the Emergency Food Shelf Network in New Hope on
March 11. We packed enough rice to feed 2,620 people: Sue Ahstrom, Barb Bates, Susan Bitzan,
Judy Blaha, Tim Corrigan, Andrea DuCharme, Jerry & Trish Hartlaub, Ken Heruth, Joanne Klein,
Connie Langager, Roger Larson, Jan Miskowic, Char Paulson, and Nancy Sherman.
FUTURE VSP TEAM VOLUNTEER EVENTS:
*TO REGISTER FOR THE FOLLOWING EVENTS, PLEASE E-MAIL
JUDY BERGMAN AT [email protected]
- Bridging – Thursday, May 8, 1:00-4:00 PM
- Medtronic/Red Cross Blood Drive – July 21-24, 9:00-3:00
BRIDGING in Roseville: Thursday, May 8, 1:00-4:00 PM
Registration is open*! Plan to join the VSP volunteer group at Bridging located at 1633 Terrace
Drive in Roseville MN. Our work shift will begin at 1:00 PM and end at 4:00 PM, and will include a
break with snacks for some socializing time.
MEDTRONIC RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE – Monday-Thursday, July 21-24 - Registration is
open*! The format for the blood drive will be slightly different in that only greeters are needed; no
servers. A total of 14 greeters will be needed. The shifts will remain the same with a 9:00-3:00 shift.
The locations are:
-
Mounds View Mon., July 21 through Thurs., July 24 – 8 greeters needed
WHQ Tuesday, July 22 only – 2 greeters needed
Rice Creek, Wed., July 23 and Thurs., July 24 – 4 greeters needed
OTHER COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES FOR VOLUNTEERS:
Festival of Nations -The International Institute of Minnesota is seeking volunteers for their 82nd
annual Festival of Nations. The event will take place May 1-4 at the St Paul RiverCentre. For your
commitment of 3-4 hours you will receive free admission to the festival. Those working student hours
on Thursday and Friday will receive an additional ticket to return over the weekend. Please invite
your friends and relatives to join in on the fun as well. Information and application can be found at
www.festivalofnations.com/volunteer.html. Or contact Linda Kilcher at [email protected] or
763-360-7156.
Meals on Wheels Drivers, Roseville Area - Drivers are needed to deliver meals to 8-10 homes,
weekly on Thursdays from 11:00 am-12:30 pm. A six month to one-year commitment is requested.
Training is provided. Call Jyni, 952-945-4162, or Email Jyni for more info.
Medical Appointment Driver--Provide transportation for older adults to medical or dental
appointments using your own vehicle. Volunteer as few or as many hours as you'd like. Training is
provided and mileage reimbursement is an option. A six month to one-year commitment is requested.
Call Jyni, 952-945-4162, or Email Jyni for more info.
Stamp Out Hunger on May 10, 2014 - Save the date for the largest one-day food drive in the
country. This year marks the 22nd year of the National Letter Carrier Food Drive. The concept is
simple—place a bag of non-perishable food donations at your mailbox, and your letter carrier will
deliver it to a local food bank. Stay tuned for more details!
Volunteer at the Bakken (ongoing) Consider being either a mentor or a volunteer in the Bakken
Museum Outreach Programs to help show students how important it is to wonder, try, discover and
share! Opportunities are available at the Bakken Museum on Saturday mornings and afternoons and
Thursday evenings. Contact Justin Spencer [email protected] or John Pawloski (Volunteer Mgr)
at [email protected] or call 612-926-3878, x220.
OTHER COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES: Please check the following websites for other individual
and small group volunteer opportunities:
http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/index.jsp?r=20.0&aff=&l=Minneapolis%2C+MN%2C+USA&o=
recency&s=11
MEDTRONIC PHILANTHROPY GRANTS
(VOLUNTEER AND MATCHING DONATIONS)
To log your hours for the 25-hour annual Volunteer Grants and to match monetary donations to
qualifying charitable organizations dollar for dollar through Medtronic Philanthropy’s Matching Grants
program, go to the Mission in Motion website at http://medtronic.yourcause.com/yourcausesso/contractorlogin.aspx?subdomain=medtronic.
If you have never used the site before, fill out the Retiree Registration form here:
https://medtronicfoundation.wufoo.com/forms/medtronic-retiree-registration/. Submit your e-mail
address. Within 48 hours, you will receive login credentials for the Mission in Motion community
accessed above through Google, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Internet Explorer.
For questions about this process or website, contact Alison Stinar at [email protected] or
Cory Gregory at [email protected]
Medtronic VSP Spring Luncheon
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Arrival and Social Hour - 11:00 – Noon
Lunch served at Noon
Edinburgh USA, 8700 Edinbrook Crossing, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
(Hwy #252, west on 85th Ave. 1 ½ miles to Edinbrook Crossing and turn right)
www.edinburghusa.org
Highlands Ballroom (located upstairs)
Entrees Choices
Chicken Marsala – Sautéed Breast of Chicken, Button Mushrooms, Marsala Wine Sauce, Chive
Mashed Potatoes, Summer Squash and Green Beans Sauté – $15
Sautéed Walleye – Canadian Walleye Fillets, Toasted Almonds and Capers, Lemon Garlic Butter
Sauce, Two-Potato Hash with Spring Vegetables – $21
Bistro Steak – Marinated Sirloin, Merlot Sauce, Provencal Herb Butter, Roasted Yukon Gold
Potatoes, Green Bean and Carrot Batons - $19
Shanghai Stir Fry – Garden-Fresh Asian Vegetables with Water Chestnuts, Mushrooms, Baby
Corn, Spicy Soy Sauce, Ginger and Sambal Olek. Atop a Bed of Jasmine Rice and Wonton
Crisps - $20
All entrées are served with a Spinach Salad, freshly-baked artisan sourdough baguette, sweet
butter, coffee or tea. A dessert will also be included with your meal.
The tax and gratuity will be paid by the VSP Group.
SPRING LUNCHEON REGISTRATION
(Registration Deadline: Monday, April 28th)
Retiree Name ____________________________________________
Guest Name _____________________________________________
Address _________________________________________________
City/Zip __________________________________________________
Phone ____________________ E-mail ________________________
____ Chicken Marsala @ $15
$ _______
____ Sautéed Walleye @ $21
$ _______
____ Bistro Steak @ $19
$ _______
____ Shanghai Stir Fry @ $20
$ _______
Amount Enclosed
Check # ________
Please make checks payable to Medtronic VSP and mail to:
Carol Baumgartner
1900 Rush Lake Trail, #422
New Brighton, MN 55112
$ _______
vs
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Game time 7:10 pm
$28 per Ticket
Join your fellow retires to cheer on the Twins as they take on their division rivals, the Cleveland Indians.
This is the 5th season for the Twins at Target Field. Target Field is the envy of major league baseball and
will host the All Star game this year. Come join in the fun, baseball played outdoors the way it should be.
Tickets have been reserved for Medtronic VSP members and their guests in Section S on the Skyline
Deck. The seats are located between the upper deck and the box seats on the third base line midway and
between third base and the outfield seats.
Transportation will not be provided. If you would like to ride the North Star Line
(http:www.metrotransit.org) to Target Field ($6 round trip) you can board it at the Fridley Station which is
located at 61st Avenue & Main Street NE (one block east of East River Road). The train leaves the
Fridley Station at 5:39 and arrives at Target Field at 5:55. An extra north bound trip leaves Target Field
after the last out.
Tickets will be mailed to you during the week of July 14th. Make checks payable to Medtronic VSP and
mail with completed form to: Carol Baumgartner, 1900 Rush Lake Trail, #422, New Brighton, MN 55112.
Deadline to Register – Friday, June 27th
Name: __________________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________
City & Zip: _______________________________________________________________
Phone: __________________________
____ tickets @ $28.00 each
Total enclosed __________ Check # __________