A few short months ago Deere & Co CEO, Robert Lane, delivered some nationally noted remarks in which he announced that Deere & Co. is “not a family.”  We must prove to one another that “WE ARE A FAMILY.”  The Flex Retirees Organization has retained the law firm of Martin & Bonnett P.L.L.C. of Phoenix, AZ and we are seeking their legal advice.  We must now look to ourselves to raise a minimum of $250,000 to fully support this effort. Family members do not let other family members down.  This cannot become a “let George do it” project. The suggested contribution schedule is as follows:

Grade at retirement 1 - 5 6 - 8 9 - 11 12 & up

Suggested Contribution $200 $300 $400 $500

We are asking each and every FRO member, who is financially able, to contribute at a minimum, the suggested amount. To those who have already made this commitment, thank you.  To those who have yet to make a contribution, please make your check payable to FRO and send it to:

Flex Retirees Organization
PMB 188
4343 16th Street
Moline, Illinois 61265

Beginning in 2009, FRO membership will be $50 per year.  If both spouses were employed at Deere and now retired, membership for that "Double Deere" couple is a total of $75 per year.  Dues can be mailed to the address above by the 31st of January.

A number of individuals have asked about anonymous contributions. We welcome your support and offer the following options for supporting the FRO mission:

1. The ultimate anonymous contribution is cash.

2. Cashiers Checks can be sent anonymously by asking your bank to not include your name as the remitter of the check

3. You can contribute and include your contact information and notify us that you wish to remain anonymous; the Flex Retirees Organization will hold your name in very strict confidence. Your name would only be known to two individuals (for disaster backup purposes) who have pledged not to divulge this information to anyone, not even other FRO Officers or Directors.

4. All anonymous contributors can establish their own 6 or 8 digit personal code (example 6Tv98Ja) and send that with your contribution. That code would be recorded on FRO records along with the amount of the contribution. If in the future for some reason, any of the contributed funds were to be refunded, we would announce that here on the FRO website and you could send us your contact information and personal code. We would then send you your prorated refund. REMEMBER: You are responsible to remember your own personal code.

Deere & Company management regularly views the material on our website. They will be reading what you are reading. They want us to fail. We must disappoint them and with the help of everyone we will not fail because

We are a family!