We have made substantial progress in developing EKRA as an organization that can serve our members well. Here's an update on some of our recent accomplishments:

1. We have established EKRA as an official organization

EKRA Ltd. is a registered NY State not for profit corporation. We have a team of eleven people who are supporting various aspects of our operations and four more who willing to help with benefits issues as needed. We've elected an initial board and officers.  Our officers are:

President, Bob Volpe

Vice President, Mark Morris

Treasurer, Fern Hannum

Secretary, Torger Dahl

Other board members are:

Bill Carelton

Doug Dobson

Claire Steig

2. We have met and will continue to meet with Kodak

These conversations have been about how EKRA might be integrated into Kodak's retiree communications processes and have been positive. We are hopeful that our talks will result in a successful, on-going working relationship.

3. We are now recognized by members of Congress

Two members of our team participated in an NRLN session in Washington in mid-September where health insurance and other retiree-related legislation was discussed.  We have had direct conversations with House members Louise Slaughter and Chris Lee, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. We've talked with top-level staff members for Eric Massa and Dan Maffei.  We have started our reach to other members of Congress where large numbers of retirees live. The first of these was with Representative Mike McIntyre of North Carolina.  The focus of these discussions was supporting NRLN's recommended legislation regarding pensions, healthcare and prescription drugs. You can read the details of these positions at www.nrln.org.