Utility District Employees Association

Programs: The utility district employees association (udea) promotes a spirit of friendship and unity among the employees of the district through: the sponsorship of social recreational activities; the sympathy and good wishes to members who suffer misfortune; the acknowledgment of members who retire; and the promotion of recreational activities of interest in the community by providing special rates and discounts that may be available through udea membership. Udea negotiates group rates for various activities and then uses revenues from membership dues to further reduce the cost of these activities. Udea offers these discounts available to members, former lifetime members (retired udea members who were a part of udea for over 5 years while actively employee with the district) and their families. All functions run by udea are performed by udea members who volunteer their services. Udea membership dues, which comprises of most of udeas revenue are used to subsidize activities. The primary activities are summarized below: employee bi-annual picnic this is udeas most resource intensive activity and was the primary source of subsidies in 2017. In 2017, only reserves were set up for the picnic event to be held in august 2018. It is held for employees, retirees and families, usually during the month of august, providing an opportunity for fellow employees to spend more time together in a fun, social non-work setting. Traditionally it is held at an amusement park or similar facility able to accommodate a large number of people. In 2018, udea will have a tailgate party at the oakland coliseum prior to an oakland as baseball game. There are various activities and a bbq style lunch is served. There are many activities for children as well as adults. In 2017 the districts board officially voted to reserve $7,500 in funds received from dues to be used for the 2018 event. Children's holiday party in 2017, the childrens holiday party was also a major component of udeas expenditures. For employees with children / grandchildren between the ages of 0 to 12, the udea childrens holiday party was held in december which small gifts were provided for each child. This was the highlight udeas activities in 2017. And was an important event that helped promote a family and fellowship among employees. The volunteer committee selected toys, gift wrapped them, set up the event, invited families, decorated the facility where the event was held, provided entertainment for the children and facilitated all activities. Toys were purchased in bulk at discount rates. Additional toys were sold to members with children / grandchildren at the discounted rate. Udea does not make a profit on these sales and uses the proceeds for the subsequent years childrens holiday party. Sympathy, get well and congratulationswhen a member has a hardship, such as an extended illness or a death in the family, udea sends a sympathy card to the family on behalf of fellow udea members. This is done by a volunteer coordinator. Events throughout the year these activities happen throughout the year where udea volunteers obtain discounts for members for ticketed events. They are family oriented activities to help strengthen family ties. The udea does not make any profit on these sales. They include discovery kingdom, great america, legoland, universal studios, water world, monterey bay aquarium, winchester mystery house and movie ticketscorporate discountsthe udea arranges discount tickets without a subsidy for some activities of general interest. Members are provided web sites or phone numbers and then deal directly with the providers. These include uc basketball, participating ski resorts, disneyland, california academy of sciences and discounts on cell phone, automobile purchases and dell computers. Special eventsthe udea arranges for special discounts and a block of seats for entertainment and sporting events during the year. Handled by a volunteer coordinator these special discounted tickets are sold to members and their families. Events in 2017 included professional sports games; horse races; theater productions; circuses; monster jam, fishing expeditions; garlic festival field trip, and discounted visits to the academy of sciences. Sponsored athletic events udea sponsors (8) golf tournaments and (2) softball leagues. In 2017, udea developed an in-house weight loss program to promote fitness, good health and a spirited camaraderie between members to promote better health and nutritional dieting.