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Memphis - NBMBAA Newsletter Memphis on the Move
January/February 2009
In this issue....
:: Kriner Cash to be Keynote at 1st Annual Diversity Breakfast
:: New Executive Board Takes Flight
:: One-on-One with President Leslie Coleman
:: New Stimulus Bill Includes Health Insurance Subsidy for Laid Off Workers
:: How to Recession Proof Your Career
Kriner CashThe Memphis NBMBAA Hosts Superintendent Kriner Cash at 1st Annual Diversity Breakfast:  "Inclusive Leadership"
  
On Tuesday, March 31st the Memphis Chapter will be hosting its 1st Annual National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) Diversity Breakfast. The breakfast will take place at the Memphis Marriott East from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM.
 
During the event, each guest table will engage in an interactive, diversity-centered discussion facilitated by a Thought Leader or Diversity Captain who will be a key local business executive within the Memphis community.    
 
The highlight of the morning promises to be Kriner Cash, Superintendent of the Memphis City Schools. This dynamic session promises to bring together key corporate, government, and academic leaders of Memphis to engage in dialogue and unite to promote inclusive leadership, scholarship, and economic growth in our city.
 
Seats for this event are available for purchase at a rate of $20.00 members/$25.00 non-members. For more information on how to purchase tickets, please visit our website http://www.nbmbaamemphis.org or contact our VP of Fund Development, Alexcius Branch at (901) 725-4166.

 
New Executive Board Takes Flight

 
On Thursday, February 12th over 75 people were on-hand for the first Membership Drive of 2009! 
 
The keynote speaker of the evening was Gwendolyn Rouzan, Managing Director, Human Resources - FedEx Express Corporation. 
 
Other highlights of the evening included drawings for the people who brought the most guests resulting in new members for the organization.  Prizes included floor seats to The Color Purple at the Orpheum Theatre, an executive resume portfolio and an all expenses paid membership in the NBMBAA. 
 
The event was a tremendous success with 20 new members added to our roster at the closing of the program. Here's to Overdrive in '09!
New Stimulus Bill Includes Health Insurance Subsidy for Laid Off Workers 
 
If you find yourself amongst the millions of recently laid off employees who are concerned about their continued health insurance coverage, please note that help is on the way.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 was signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009. The ARRA includes a $787 billion stimulus package that provides $24.7 billion to subsidize 65% of COBRA health care insurance premiums for employees laid off from Sept. 1, 2008, through Dec. 31, 2009.

While many other details and requirements are forthcoming, please find below some frequently asked questions & answers regarding the aforementioned COBRA subsidy:

Q: Is anyone laid off from Sept. 1, 2008 through Dec. 31, 2009 eligible for the premium subsidy?  
Yes, with two exceptions. Under the first exception, employees terminated for gross misconduct would be ineligible for COBRA and the subsidy. In addition, the subsidy would not be available to laid-off workers with annual adjusted gross incomes exceeding $125,000 for individuals and $250,000 for couples in the year or years the subsidy was available.

Q: The subsidy begins March 1. Would individuals laid off since Sept. 1, 2008, and who opted for COBRA then be entitled to a subsidy for the months in which they paid the full premium?
No. The subsidy is prospective. It would be provided only for coverage starting on or after March 1.  

Q: Would an employee who declined COBRA coverage prior to the March 1 effective date be eligible for the subsidy?  
Yes. Employees laid off since Sept. 1, 2008, would have a new right to enroll, with the federal government paying 65% of the premium. Eligible beneficiaries would have 60 days once they are notified to enroll.

Q: When does the 65% federal premium subsidy end?  
The subsidy ends if any of a number of events occur, including the beneficiary becoming eligible for health care coverage from another employer or for Medicare. Beneficiaries would be required to inform their former employers of their new eligibility. That is different from unsubsidized COBRA coverage in which eligibility ends only when a beneficiary enrolls in new group coverage or Medicare. In addition, beneficiaries who received the subsidy to which they no longer were entitled would be required to repay 110% of the subsidy to the government.

Q: How does the employer receive the 65% share of the COBRA premium paid by the federal government?  
The employer would be paid through reducing payroll taxes it remits to the government. If that does not recoup costs, the employer then would file with the Internal Revenue Service to receive the necessary payments.

Q: Must subsidy-eligible beneficiaries enroll in the same health plan they were in before they were laid off?  
Beneficiaries eligible for the subsidy can elect coverage in a plan in which they were last enrolled. The legislation also permits employers to offer beneficiaries plans that have the same or lower costs than the one in which they were enrolled before being laid off.    
 
- Martin Armstrong is the Director of Payroll for Harrah's Entertainment and an active member of the Memphis NBMBAA
RECESSION PROOF YOUR CAREER
Give Employers Reason to Keep You , But Be Nimble and Prepared to Move On 
 
These days hardworking citizens across the country are being laid off in record numbers.  Here are some tips from Vickie Elmer - Washington Post, which may help you to hold onto your career in a plummeting economy....
  • Show your company why you are important to them and build your bridge to the next job.
                                                   
  • Improve your attitude. Be a can-do problem solver.  Be the most positive person in the office. Position yourself to meet your company's short and long-term strategic goals and provide solutions.                                                                        
  • Focus on ideas that will save the company money. People who create value are the ones more likely to survive cuts.
                                                      
  • Develop your reputation and skills. Be the very best at all you do.         
                                                              
     
  • Network. Stay connected within professional groups and with former co-workers and bosses.                                                                                              
  • Document your successes: Keep a list of your achievements and kudos.  Promote your contributions with your bosses without being obnoxious.                                                                                             
  • Be Prepared.  Have your resume up to date and create a canned cover letter so if a position opens in a great company, you can act immediately.              
MARCH MEETING NOTICE:
 
Please join us for our monthly general body meeting.  Chapter meetings are regularly scheduled for the 2nd Thursday of every month.  The details for March are as follows:
 
Thursday, March 12th
6 PM - 7 PM
Racquet Club of Memphis 
5111 Sanderlin Ave
Memphis, TN 38117 
 
Special thanks to this issue's contributing researchers, writers and editors:
  • Opal Allen, MBA 
  • Martin Armstrong, CPP, MBA
  • Rafael Dodd, MBA

C'Nay Hines, MBA - VP of Communications
GETTING TO KNOW ....
Each month we've decided to help our readers get to know one of our local leaders on a more personal level.  In honor of this new chapter of our story we're getting to know Leslie Coleman, Memphis Chapter President!
 
Memphis NBMBAA: If you could star in any movie, what role would you play?
Leslie Coleman: Freedom Writers - the Teacher!!
 
Memphis NBMBAA: Which musical CD is currently in your car's CD player?
Leslie Coleman: Marvin Sapp - Never Would Have Made It!
 
Memphis NBMBAA:  What is the last book that you've read that inspired you?
Leslie Coleman:  The Audacity of Hope - President Barack Obama.
 
Memphis NBMBAA:  If you could invite anyone (alive or deceased) to a private dinner with you, who would it be and why?
Leslie Coleman:  My Mother - She lives in Brinkley, AR which makes having quality time precious.
 
Memphis NBMBAA:
What's the best advice you've received that helped you with your career?
Leslie Coleman:   Behind every face, there is a sad story and no story is as sad as the next!  Dr. Nacamum Williams, Sophomore Year - College.

Active Membership:  Be the Change You Want to See!


MemphisThe success of this renowned organization depends on the participation of its membership. 
 
Don't just join the NBMBAA Memphis Chapter - be a part of history!  Be the change you want to see and use your talents to help take our community to new heights! 
 
For more information about volunteer opportunities visit the 'Chapter Committees' section on our website.  You can sign up by sending an email to nbmbaamemphis@nbmbaamemphis.org
 
 
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National Black MBA Association | P.O. Box 181262 | Memphis | TN | 38181