Rome, 21 December 2017

Dear Members,

Amazing as it may seem, another year has come and gone.  We want to remind you that your annual membership in FFOA is about to expire.

During the past year, your membership and participation has helped the Association:

*        Maintain our office that is open 5 days a week from 9:30 to 13:00 hours, with a "Duty Officer" from your Executive Committee in attendance from 10:00-12:00;
*        Protect your interests and follow up on all queries and concerns with the medical insurance provider, Alliance Worldwide Care. The transition from the previous partner was not without problems and addressing these without delay is a continuing high priority for the Association; we have also been carefully monitoring the renewal of the Allianz contract, which is now in the process of being renewed for a further 2 years; see our latest NewsBrief for full details;
*        Deal assertively with the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) as new pensioners faced long delays in seeing their first payments; calls to the CEO as well as a meeting during the Annual General Assembly were organized to get the facts and share without delay with our members; the processing now seems to be back to normal;
*        Prioritize communication on pressing, emerging issues, ensuring that members have the latest factual information, as quickly as possible.
*        Offering a pre-retirement temporary membership to smooth the transition towards retirement.
In the coming year, important areas of activity will include:
*        Close monitoring, through our participation on the FAO Joint Advisory Committee on Medical Coverage, of the performance of the medical insurance provider, to ensure that pensioners needs are fully met, as well as staying attentive as discussions begin on the next contract;
*        Continuing the dialogue with the UNJSPF and raising individual member issues;
*        Our vibrant social and support programme, bringing together active members to share pleasant moments, and providing assistance to the less fortunate among us, including our Emergency Fund, which was re-activated last year.
But if FFOA is to keep working on your behalf, your continued membership support is essential. Our members give us strength in ensuring secured services and improvement for UN retirees. It is through your contribution that the Association flourishes. We appreciate very much the support of our life-members, who should skip the message hereunder.

Renewing your membership is easy. You can make your Euro 25 payment:
*        in cash at the FFOA Office,
*        by cheque in the name of "FFOA" (mail the cheque to FFOA, c/o FAO,
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153, Rome, Italy;
*        by bank transfer to the bank account of "FFOA" with the Intesa San Paolo at FAO Headquarters, IBAN: IT50T0306903356007326370137;
*        by transfer from your UNFCU account to the FFOA UNFCU account No. 1017710700001.
To be sure not to forget to renew, you can even instruct your bank to make the payment annually, via a standing order.

If you have any questions about your membership or benefits, or suggestions about how FFOA could better meet your requirements, we'd love to hear from you, either by email or letter.  And, if you have the time and want to be more directly involved in the work of your Association, there are many opportunities to put your expertise to the service of the FFOA.

We look forward to receiving your membership renewal. Thank you again,




Alan Prien
President





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