President’s Message – February 2025

Hello.  Welcome to 2025!  Where did 2024 go?!  Normally for the newsletters I describe something that the Board has been doing which we think will benefit our organization or something that impacts our members.

For this newsletter, I want to do something a bit different.  I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who is a member of REA.  Our members are our greatest asset.  We have continued to grow our membership and currently have over 1700 members.

The ongoing contributions of our membership is key to the success of REA and our ability to continue to attract new members.  Whether it is going to our monthly meetings or annual holiday event, or participating on one of REA’s events such as donating to the SD Food Bank, your time and effort are essential for the success of REA.  I invite you to attend an REA event.  We have quite a few interesting and informative speakers for 2025.  At our monthly meetings, you can listen to interesting speakers, meet old friends or even make new ones.
There are about 8000 currently retired City employees. With the current membership of about 1700 we have room to grow. You may well know a retiree who for one reason or another is not a member of REA.  I encourage you to reach out to City retirees who are not REA members and urge them to join our important association.

Thanks again and take care. Have a great 2025.