Brief History (Founding, Goals and Membership)

The Kaiser Permanente Retirees (KaPeRs) organization grew out of the desire of retirees to maintain contact with colleagues and friends made during years of working at Kaiser Permanente Northwest (KPNW). With an idea conceived by former Northwest Regional Administrator James DeLong and sponsorship from former Vice President and Regional Manager Dan Wagster, KaPeRs held its first membership meeting in February, 1988, and has held quarterly meetings and sponsored regularly scheduled events since then. All KPNW retirees (including KFHP/H, CHR, NWP and PDA ) are automatically members of KaPeRs. No enrollment forms and no membership dues are required.

      The founding Executive Committee of KaPeRs, formed in December 1987, proposed organizational goals which were related to social, educational, supportive and special interests. These were defined as:

  • KaPeRs is a social organization to renew and further friendships.

  • KaPeRs will promote social responsibility and the welfare of retirees.

  • KaPeRs will provide a forum for subjects of interest to retirees.

  • KaPeRs will provide an opportunity for development of special interest groups.

The KaPeRs name and above goals were endorsed by the full membership at its first meeting. The goals remain KaPeRs’ guiding principals today.

Kaiser Permanente Retirees Organization, NW Region PURPOSE AND GUIDELINES

Purpose:  KaPeRs is a social organization of Kaiser Permanente retirees in the Northwest Region, dedicated to renewing and furthering friendships, promoting social responsibility and the welfare of retirees, and providing opportunities for the development of special interest groups within KaPeRs.

Membership:  Membership is open to all former employees of Kaiser Permanente age 55 and beyond and eligible for retirement from Kaiser Permanent Northwest.  Spouse of retirees, and spouses of deceased retirees, are welcome to participate in meetings and planned events.  “Kaiser Permanente Retirees” refers to employees and professional staff of Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, Northwest Region; Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest; Northwest Permanente, P.C., Physicians and Surgeons; and Permanente Dental Associates.

Membership Dues:  There are no membership dues for Kaiser Permanente retirees.  However, a voluntary annual donation will be suggested to assist with operational expenses necessary to conduct the business of KaPeRs.
Officers/Executive Committee: The following officers shall be elected by the membership and shall comprise the Executive Committee:  President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Immediate Past President.

Committee Chairs, Members at Large:  The President, in consultation with the Executive Committee and with the support of the Board of Directors, shall be responsible for appointing Members at Large and the following Committee Chairs:  Membership, Programs, Special Events, Newsletter, Nominations & Recruitment and any other committee chairs deemed necessary to carry out the mission of KaPeRs.**  Assistant committee chairs may be appointed at the discretion of the President in order to maintain continuity.

Board of Directors:  The Board of Directors shall be the primary planning and operational body of KaPeRs, committed to providing programs, events and other opportunities that support the stated purpose of KaPeRs and the interests of KaPeRs members.  The Board shall be limited to no more than twenty (20) individuals and shall consist of the following:

Officers/Executive Committee

  • President

  • Vice President

  • Secretary

  • Treasurer

  • Immediate Past President

Committee Chairs

  • Membership

  • Volunteer Programs

  • Programs

  • Newsletter

  • Special Events

  • Officer Nomination & Recruitment

Membership at Large (many serve on committees, offer special expertise, represent various KPNW entities)

  • As appointed

**As of 2018, Programs and Special Events are combined into one committee; Volunteer Committee is active.

Term of Office, Term Limits and Succession Planning

President and Vice President:  The President and Vice President shall be elected to a one-year term and may serve up to two consecutive terms in the same position.  The outgoing President shall remain on the Executive Committee for one year as Past President.  The outgoing Vice President shall move to the position of President, and new Vice President shall be elected.

Secretary and Treasurer:  The Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected to serve a one-year term and may serve up to three consecutive terms in the same position.

Committee Chairs, (Committee Members), and Members at Large will be appointed for two year terms (and may serve up to two consecutive terms in the same position).  One-half of the (Committee) chairs (and their members) and one-half of the Members at Large will be appointed to terms beginning on January 1 of odd-numbered years; one-half will be appointed on January 1 of even-numbered years.  (New members of the Board of Directors are expected to commit to a specific committee membership on or before their second Board meeting.

Shared Duties of President and Vice President:  The President and Vice President shall share duties, with the President setting the meeting agendas and the two officers agreeing on how they will share other duties.  Specific duties may change from time to time.  They will include general leadership and direction of the KaPeRs organization.

Election of Officers:  The Immediate Past President shall chair the Officer Nomination Committee, and will select a committee no later than July of even-numbered years.  The Committee will present their proposed slate of officers at the August Board Meeting, and the final slate will be presented at the September General Meeting.  Voting, by voice, will take place at the December General Meeting.

Meetings

  • General Meetings: The membership will hold four General Meetings per year at places and times to be decided by the Board of Directors (usually February, May, September, and December). The Program Chair will be responsible for suggesting programs for the General Meetings, subject to approval by the Board of Directors.

  • Board of Directors Meetings: The Board of Directors will meet four times each year at places and times to be decided by the President. The President may, at his/her discretion, call special meetings of the Board.

  • Executive Committee Meetings: Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be at the discretion of the President.

Approved and Adopted at the meeting of the Board of Directors on the Thirteenth day of April, 2017 by:

President, Sue Hennessy; Vice President, Patti Lawler; Secretary, Connie Clemmens; Treasurer, Anke Kuindersma, Immediate Past President, Marci Clark.

Updated 5 May 2018 at 1151 EDT

Photo provided by Jared Chambers

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