City of San Diego Retired Employees Association

March 8, 2022 

General Meeting Minutes

Meeting held via Zoom

President Dick Wilken welcomed members to the meeting.

Cynthia Queen informed members that the SDCERS budget will be presented to their Board at their next meeting. She also informed members that SDCERS’ call center will always ask a caller five security questions; this is to protect member accounts.

Dick told members that the Board had voted unanimously to propose to the members that REA raise dues from $2 per month to $3 per month (per the bylaws, the annual dues may be fixed at any noticed regular member meeting upon a majority vote of the members present). The reasons for this increase included: rising general costs and expenses since the last dues increase in 2006; outsourcing some duties to professionals; our Image Enhancement campaign; an improved website; and other advances. He also said that REA provided members extensive advance notice about the proposal, including through the newsletter and on the website.

He then opened the floor to discussion, with those in favor leading off, to be followed by those opposed. There were two statements in favor, and none opposed.

Voting was conducted by show of hands for those members on video and by voice vote for those using phones or otherwise not visible. All of those on video raised their hands in favor and those on the phone stated Yes to the motion. Dick then asked for opposing voters to either speak out or raise hands; there was no response.

M/S/C (no opposition) to increase the REA dues to $3 per month for members paying by pension deduction and to $45 per year for those members paying annually.

PROGRAM

The program was Deputy District Attorney Steve Spinella, who informed members of consumer fraud scams. He told members to be extremely wary of phone calls from the IRS and other agencies; they never make phone calls and they do not accept gift cards as payment. He also warned of emails from companies you may be dealing with that address you by something other than your name (ie, “Dear Customer”). Also look for discrepancies in the “sending company’s” email address, and never click on any reply button in the message. These can be phishing links or malware. He gave the following resources to contact if you believe you have been defrauded:

  1. Your own financial institution
  2. The Federal Internet Crime Complaint Center: www.IC3.gov
  3. The Federal Trade Commission: www.ReportFraud.ftc.gov