The Lucent Retirees Organization was chartered in January 2003 in the state of New York. It's purpose is to address the interests of 127,000 individuals under the Lucent pension plan that embodies all Lucent and Bell Labs retirees, including those who retired when the company was known as Western Electric and/or AT&T Network Systems, plus subsidiaries such as Teletype and Sandia.

The LRO was formed to leverage members' Lucent stock ownership power, their long-standing and influential relationships not only with Lucent but with Lucent's customers and their influence with lawmakers and regulators. The LRO wants to assist Lucent in returning to its former position as the premier telecommunications leader in the world.

 The organization endeavors to safeguard the pensions and benefits that Lucent has committed to provide its retirees, spouses and dependents. In addition, the LRO helps its members and their families with issues relating to their pensions, benefits, Social Security, Medicare and other aspects that impact their quality of life.

We currently have over 11,000 members. LRO membership is open to current retirees with a Lucent pension, a person vested for a Lucent pension, or the spouse of any such retiree or vested person.  The LRO is incorporated as a non-profit organization.  'JOIN US' to become an LRO member.

LRO BYLAWS

READ THE FULL BY-LAWS HERE

SECTION 1. Pension Benefits.
Preserve and urge the enhancement of pension, healthcare and other benefits earned by Retirees while employed by Lucent and its predecessor and/or successor companies.  Retiree for the purposes of this document is defined as a person who has met the requirement of Lucent and its predecessors and successors to retire from the Company with retirement benefits.

SECTION 2. Strengthen Lucent.
To the extent consistent with Retirees’ interests, help strengthen Lucent to the best of its ability.

SECTION 3.  Support Lucent
To the extent consistent with Retirees’ interests, use its network of Retirees and lobbying and Public Relations assets, to support Lucent’s business initiatives.

SECTION 4.  Protect Retirees. 
Work to ensure that fairness and justice are given to its universe of Retirees - Retirees who planned the finances of their senior years based on Lucent commitments made to them upon their retirements.

LRO MISSION

Overview. The Lucent Retiree Organization’s (LRO’s) mission is dedicated to three major purposes:

First: To urge the preservation and, if possible, the enhancement of pension, healthcare and other benefits earned by Retirees;

Second: To help strengthen Lucent to the best of its ability and, to the extent consistent with Retirees’ interests, use its network of Retirees and Public Relations assets to support Lucent’s business; and

Third: Work to ensure that fairness and justice are given to its universe of Retirees.

The LRO’s membership consists of those Retirees who have elected to join and whose pensions are paid from the Lucent Pension Trust Fund. The LRO Directors and Officers are volunteers drawn from the LRO membership universe. They perform their duties on a volunteer, non-salaried basis.

LRO Code of Ethics/Conduct

The following is a Code of Ethics/Conduct for approved and adopted by the LRO Board of Directors. It has been written to set forth guideposts for the LRO Officers and Directors, as well as for those volunteers who actively support said Officers and Directors, as they collectively strive to meet LRO missions. Each individual’s agreement and signature is required.

Know what’s going on. The business, economic and legislative segments of our culture are in constant motion. Activities that impact Retirees are occurring almost daily. These impose a far-reaching responsibility on all concerned. To keep as informed as possible, the LRO, its Officers, Directors and Members must strive to use all reasonable sources of relevant information. When appropriate, conference calls must be held so that the aforementioned persons can discuss the aspects and potential impacts of recent events. The objective of such calls being to share knowledge and collectively determine various approaches that might be taken by individual Retirees to reach what best suits her/his personal situation (i.e.: as regards medical, legal, financial counseling, etc., etc.)

Mind your own business. Our programs are to be determined solely on the basis of what is in the best interests of the Retirees. Under no circumstances should any agreement or understanding be entered into with any outside persons or organizations until approved by the LRO Board of Directors. The LRO is responsible to its membership for its policies and procedures; this must be kept in mind when formulating policy and plans for action on any particular front. No member shall be granted more favorable consideration than any other.

Steer clear of conflict. Our Officers, Directors and active supporters must avoid dealing with any person or firm with whom they, as individuals, have any connection or financial interest. Propriety demands that, if such a transaction with such a person or firm is absolutely required, a disinterested associate handle it. One’s position must never be used to promote or advance personal interests, even indirectly. One of the most important deterrents to such conflicts is disclosure; interests of any person in authority that could raise possibilities of a conflict are to be disclosed to the Board of Directors for resolution.

Know how to keep a secret. Information obtained as the result of activities within the LRO must be held private, and should never be revealed to unauthorized persons. Such information must never be used for personal advantage; nor should it be used to the advantage of others. This shall be adhered to until such time as the responsible party or parties publicly disclose the information.

Say thank you, but no thank you. Gifts and excessive entertainment from outside sources that may be trying to sway LRO actions for one reason or another are to be courteously and tactfully declined. Acceptance of anything that may be construed as attempts to attain personal gain on the part of a responsible LRO person is highly improper and courts severe censure.

Be wary of outside interests. Acceptance of outside employment and membership on outside boards (except those of civic, charitable or religious groups), while not in itself objectionable and often helpful from a public relations standpoint, involves possible conflict of interest and should be reviewed with the Officers and Directors. No official shall direct the allocation of LRO funds, whether they are purchases, endorsements, or whatever to second parties with the direct or indirect objective of obtaining preferred consideration in return.

Don’t knock interacting organizations. Interaction with inter-related organizations must always be positive and courteous. Friendly relations are far more effective and permanent than derogatory remarks. Such behavior is contrary to the character of the LRO and is to be avoided.

Give service, not advice. Members may often seek advice from the Officers and Directors that have could have a significant impact on the asking individual’s lifestyle. We must be extremely careful to avoid any statements that might be construed as advice-giving. Do not recommend attorneys, accountants, insurance brokers or agents.

Be a good citizen. As previously implied in the foregoing section entitled Know what’s going on, enlightened interest in governmental affairs and dedication to meeting responsibilities of good citizenship (i.e.: by voting in all elections), is important to the strength of our mission achievements. Participation in political activities should be done in a manner that gives positive credit to the LRO.

Remember, you are the LRO. It must always be remembered that to each person with whom you are interacting -- whether by personal contact, correspondence or telephone – you represent the LRO. Its reputation and prestige are enhanced or diminished by the way you act. Empathy for every Retiree and her/his situation is significant and very important. Assure that LRO affairs are conducted in a manner that fosters its favorable image and reputation.

Live a life of which we can all be proud. The conduct of each life should reflect positively on the LRO. A reputation for good morals, ethics and integrity is essential; every Officer and Director must remain above reproach. Ethical and legal behavior is each individual’s responsibility.

Any individual found to have violated any of the foregoing policies shall be subject to removal in accordance with applicable LRO rules and by-laws.

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