Founded 2004, Revised Bylaws in 2010.

Purpose: Objectives of the international Retiree Association of Flight Attendants-CWA are to unite retired members in a cohesive organization to advocate for retiree and pre-retiree needs by organizing and participating in legislative, educational, civic, social, economic and community activities to advance and enhance the interests of its membership.

Membership: 1,000+ members world wide. Membership drives are ongoing. Retired members of AFA-CWA are eligible for membership and a category of membership is open to friends and supporters of RAFA. Members are enfranchised and an executive board is formed by the presidents of all RAFA local councils.

Councils: RAFA has councils in California and in Washington State. Members worldwide may choose her/his preferred council.

Meetings: Local councils have quarterly meetings. Local councils determine fundraiser meetings, social meetings, business meetings and combinations. Local councils choose participation activities in legislative, social and outreach organizations. Electronic conference meetings of the executive boards, officers and committee members are routinely used between regular in-person meeting sessions.

Alliances: RAFA councils independently choose various outreach groups. RAFA is a member of the Alliance Coalition of the United Airlines Historical Foundation. Preferences at local levels include Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) and the Alliance for Retired Americans.

Community Projects: RAFA officers and representatives participate in legislative conferences at Federal and State levels yearly and whenever priority retiree issues arise. Actions include lobbying, leafleting and testifying for the well-being of retirees and pre-retirees. Fundraiser events for projects include memorial tributes to airlines crews who gave their lives on 9/11, participation in the Revlon/Walk/Run events to raise funds to fight women’s cancer and promoting the United Airlines Historical Foundation.

Publications and Communications: Updates to members and supporters are via electronic mailings and templates, yearly milestone chronicles and communal presidents’ letters to all members. RAFA representatives are enrolled in ongoing electronic network training via internet.

Web Sites: www.afanet.org and www.cwa-union.org and www.unitedafa.org and www.afalax.org

Purpose: The purpose of Clipped Wings® is to support Special Olympics and other philanthropic projects as well as to maintain a social network of friendships among former and current flight attendants. It is a nonprofit 501(c) (3), nonpolitical, noncommercial, nonsectarian and nonpartisan organization.

Membership: 1,300. Membership is open to all United Airlines Stewardesses, Capital Airlines Hostesses, and former and current United Airlines Flight Attendants. The membership year is from October 1 – September 30. The five National Officers are President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Editor.

Chapters: There are currently 31 chapters in 20 states and the District of Columbia. This includes a Members-at-Large Chapter, which offers membership to those residing anywhere in the world.

Meetings: A National Biennial Convention is held in September of every even-numbered year. Local chapter meetings vary among the various chapters, but most meet on a monthly basis.

Alliances: United Airlines Historical Foundation

Community Projects: Local chapters support many different charities in their communities (see our web site for a partial listing). Nationally, Clipped Wings® supports its main charity, Special Olympics, as well as CAUSE, Flight 93 Memorial and the UAHF.

Publications: The Clipped Wings® Quarterly newsletter is mailed four times a year to all members; a National Roster and Bylaws is mailed once every two years to all members; and a monthly President’s Letter is mailed electronically to all National Officers, Chapters Presidents and National Chairmen and is also posted on the Clipped Wings® website.

Purpose:  The main goals of the IAM Local Lodge 1781 Retirees Association are to enhance the well-being of its members though social and educational forums and events. 

Membership: 200+. Open membership to retired IAM members and family and friends of the Association. Executive Board, direct election by membership, Committees formed by Executive Board.

Chapters/Clubs: One chapter is headquartered at IAM Hall in Burlingame, Calif.

Meetings: Monthly membership and executive board meetings are held. One annual picnic gathering is sponsored.

Alliances:  United Airlines Historical Foundation, California Alliance for Retired Americans and Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA and ARA), Congress of California Seniors.   

Community Projects: Members work during a monthly three day preparation of food distribution sacks for unemployed workers and families through the San Mateo County Central Labor Council (AFL-CIO). Members participate in a wide range of social, political, educational and economic issues that are of concern to its members.

Publications:  Trade Winds newspaper from IAM Local 1781 carries IAM retiree news.

Purpose:  RUAEA is the Retired United Airlines Employees Association. It was organized to maintain and develop new friendships between retired United employees and it serves as the proactive voice of United Airlines retirees’ interests, issues and causes.

Membership:  As of March 31, 2008, the current RUAEA membership is 8,615.  Any person who is officially retired or on long-term disability from United Airlines may become a regular member. Widows or widowers of deceased regular members may become associate members. 

The RUAEA Executive Board consists of six officers, ten regional directors and the Membership/Support Manger and Newsletter Manger are appointed positions.

Chapters: RUAEA has 61 chapters in 16 states including:  Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia and Washington.

Meetings:  The RUAEA Executive Board meets three times per year and the full membership meets annually at the national convention.  Local chapter meetings may vary by chapter but most hold monthly meetings.

Alliances: United Airlines Historical Foundation

Community Projects:  Most local chapters support charities and host events within their area.

Publications: The “RUAEA Newsletter” is a monthly publication available to members via U.S. mail or online on the organization’s website.

Purpose: The purpose of the RUPA organization is to enhance the welfare of and to maintain the friendships and association of its members. 

Membership:  3,200; retired pilot or retired flight operations employees from United Airlines are eligible for membership; honorary and associate members are other classifications of membership; active pilots may be associate members. RUPA national officers consist of President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer and twelve board members. 

Chapters: Twenty (20) informal luncheon groups with varying attendance.  California 5, Florida 5, Illinois 2, Arizona 1, Colorado 2, Nevada 1, Ohio 1, Washington 1, Hawaii 1, Washington
 D. C., 1.

Meetings: Meetings vary with the groups from monthly, bi-monthly and quarterly. 

Alliances: United Airlines Historical Foundation

Community Projects: Philanthropy and/or other types of support and work (e. g., legislative, community services, sports, etc.) Due to its informal organization, RUPA does not generate income.  RUPA does occasionally make grants to the United Airlines Historical Foundation and United Airlines Retired Pilots Foundation, Inc.

Publications: RUPANEWS, Journal of the Retired United Pilots Association

Web Site:  www.rupa.org