From Doing Luncheon to Making Beds—Busy Days for TVARA in 2025
By VICKIE ELLIS, TVARA Valleywide President
TVARA has been very busy this year!
Latest on our to-do list, we would like to welcome the many new retirees who recently joined our ranks. We look forward to your participation with our organization.
Bicentennial Volunteers Inc celebrated its 50th anniversary in September and to acknowledge this milestone, BVI made a donation to the nonprofit organization Sleep in Heavenly Peace. This organization builds beds for children who don’t have a bed to sleep in. Many children around the Tennessee Valley sleep on the floor (with or without bedding) or share a couch. TVARA is sponsoring bed building days in cooperation with TVA,BVI, and other local organizations to ensure children in our communities have a better place to sleep.
TVA hosted its annual Retiree Appreciation Luncheon in Chattanooga in September at the Chattanooga Convention Center. We had about 600 attendees this year. Exhibitors representing TVA programs, BVI, various retiree-benefit vendors, and school robotics programs filled the banquet space. Speakers from TVA, BVI, and students participating in Valley robotics programs provided us with updates and key information. TVA speakers included Jessica Dufner, Vice President of Communications; Bert Robinson, Senior State Director of Tennessee & the Greater East Region; Allen Clare, Senior Vice President, Generation; and Bryan Williams, Senior Vice President, Generation Projects & Fleet Services. We very much appreciate TVA’s hosting this event for our retirees. Please plan to attend the luncheon next year and reconnect with your friends and colleagues.
As a result of our recent strategic planning effort, TVARA is re-evaluating its programs and services. One of the overall messages we received during the process involved our need to place additional efforts in utilizing more ways to communicate with members. Shortly, we will be launching some new opportunities in this and other program areas, including obtaining more feedback from members.
Our December chapter meetings are always the highlight of the year for retiree members and their spouses. Please check the details for your chapter meeting and make plans to attend. You will have a great time!
I hope you have a safe and happy holiday season!