From the Subud USA Board of Directors:
It's time for us all to rally for one of the most dedicated Subud workers in the history of Subud USA:
Melinda Wallis.
 Melinda, 1969
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Melinda (Mayrav Pleshe at the time) started working in the Subud USA
office in 1968, almost when the National Office itself started!
The office moved around, eventually landing in Seattle. Melinda moved
around, also landing in Seattle, and even with a few breaks over the
years, she has rendered some 32 years of service. The Board realizes
that it is normal business practice for non-profits to provide for
someone who dedicates even 10 or 15 years - we also realize that we
have an ethical and moral obligation. More importantly than
those, however: it's the human thing to do.
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| Melinda has helped plan and organize our annual congresses and
gatherings for years. Along with others she helped make these
events a sort of 'National Enterprise'. Over these many years
more than $100,000 has been raised through congresses. From her position as Office Manager, Melinda writes a considerable portion of the material which appears in our newspaper. She has stretched our contribution dollars to cover our multitude of expenses, and even personally raised $13,000 to make a series of helpers' retreats possible. |
 Standing: Robert Bachelor, Harlan
MacWillis, Labasir English, Mas Prio,
Hamidah White, Vita Dodson, Levana Solaini. Seated: Joe Koach, Melinda, Russell Weinberg, Oswald Lake, Richard Staggers. |
Aliman Sears & Deliana Fuddy with Melinda at the national office, 2006
So, growing out of an appreciation for Melinda's service and a love for her personally we are now starting to plan a pension for Melinda, who is already 65 but plans to continue working for us all. She loves this job, working for you in Subud.
Our goal is to provide a pension of $500 per month for Melinda in addition to what she will receive from Social Security.
Melinda's pension plan will have three components. The first component is similar to an IRA or a Keogh plan. During our national congress last year in Vancouver, $3,300 was raised for Melinda. Our budget will add $2,100 per year to this account, which will build to $15,000 in five years. The $15,000 becomes Melinda's personal money, and she will be able to withdraw that amount when she chooses.
In addition, when Melinda retires, Subud USA will continue paying $2,100 per year, which is $175 per month, directly to Melinda as part of her pension. We calculate that this $175 per month, plus the revenues from the $15,000, will be equivalent to a payment of $250 per month.
The third component is more novel. We will build a Pension Endowment Fund, for Melinda and for future employees of Subud USA. The principal of this Fund will remain (forever) with Subud USA, but the interest income earned from this Fund will be used to augment Melinda's pension. Our goal is to raise $65,000 for this Pension Endowment Fund. Assuming interest rates hover around 5%, this fund will then provide another $250 per month for Melinda.
Of course we need your contributions to provide a pension for Melinda.
Please make your check payable to Subud USA, and mark it 'For Pension Endowment Fund - Melinda'.
This and all donations to Subud USA are tax deductible.
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You may simply send a check to: Subud USA 14019 NE 8th St #A Bellevue, WA 98007 You can donate via PayPal at our website: http://www.subudusa.org |
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If you prefer to send a contribution using a credit card, you may do so by filling in the form HERE.
 Melinda |
 Helaine, Hampton & Maryka |
Working hard preparing to send supplies to our adopted school in Slidell, Louisiana, after Hurricane Katrina
 Melinda - SD and Teen Moms, at an Alternative Fair |
 Melinda - at the Clear Path International booth |
 Melinda & granddaughter Rachel |
 Rubber Ducky! |
 Hampton Pleshe, Melinda's son |
 Emmanuel Pleshe, Melinda's son |
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Photos from the 60s and 70s
 Cheering! - with Latifah Taormina |
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 Melinda with Rusdi Lane & the Karapetians |
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 Leonard, who told Melinda about Subud, all those years ago! |
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