The following article appeared in the print issue of Ponca City Monthly magazine, which includes hyperlocal stories about Ponca City. Get full access to all online articles, videos, and content by becoming a paid subscriber. We offer free and paid subscription plans. Find rack locations to pick up your free print copy here, or subscribe here to get online access plus exclusive content.
The ConocoPhillips Retirees Association, CRA for short, is more than just a network of retirees. They are a vibrant group of citizens who are continuing to do good in our community after their years of dedication and service to one of our town’s major employers. Through CRA, they are giving back while also creating a lively atmosphere of camaraderie that will help them continue to flourish as they grow more experienced with time.
The CRA was founded in April 1992 “with a mission to provide a support network for retirees and a communication link back to the parent company Conoco, [which] has expanded to include Phillips 66 and ConocoPhillips retirees since the ‘Merger of Equals’ in 2002 between Conoco and Phillips 66.” The group has three main goals they are trying to support. They plan social and volunteer events to get members out into the community. They share information they believe is relevant to retirees and their significant others, and they provide information and assistance to members on navigating Social Security and company retiree benefits.
The CRA has an active social calendar. Board members meet once a month for regular Board business. The group plays Bunco on the second Monday of every month at the Senior Center from 1-4 p.m. This is a relaxed event, no experience is required, and attendees are promised a good time. The Board plans interesting and different quarterly events where they visit local attractions like the Marland Mansion, Conoco Museum, and Pioneer Woman Museum, for example. These events are meant to be an engaging way to keep retirees connected to our community. The Board also facilitates &/or participates in a handful of annual events throughout the year that members look forward to attending.
They host a Spring Fling in the spring of each year. This lunch event includes social time and bingo. They host a Refinery Management Lunch in August each year (previously this event was a breakfast but is transitioning to a lunch event this year.) This is an important event to the retirees and current Phillips staff alike. At this event, retirees are brought up to date on various changes made within the company over the past year. Phillips 66 sees the importance of sharing their continued hard work, progress, and commitment to advancing the company with those who helped build its foundation.
Each fall the CRA hosts its annual meeting. At this informational meeting, Board members for the upcoming year are announced and voted into office. Information is also shared relevant to retirees such as insurance updates and benefit changes. Current events and volunteer opportunities are discussed as well. The CRA hosts an annual Christmas Party every December. This is one of their bigger events with many retirees coming back to Ponca City to attend. This is an evening of fun, food, and fellowship that allows past employees to catch up with each other. Retirees are given an update by the Refinery Manager and board members are recognized for their service.
Phillips 66 is a Partner in Education (PIE) through the Chamber’s PIE Program with Garfield Elementary School. Each year, the CRA adopts Garfield’s Kindergartners. Retirees volunteer on Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. as part of this program. Darcey Austin, Kindergarten Teacher at Garfield has this to say about the CRA and their contribution. “The retirees are wonderful. They come once a week on Tuesdays for 30 minutes and work with our Kindergarten students on alphabet recognition and sight word recognition. They do a Christmas Party, Valentine’s party and end-of-year party with our kids. They also make a donation to our Kindergarten class to buy each child a nice gift bag with things like Play-Doh, blankets, a small toy, mittens, hats, etc. I can’t say enough good things about the impact they have at Garfield. We love them.” Many of the Retirees also participate in Book Buddies with Garfield Elementary. Being a Book Buddy is a commitment to read with a Garfield student each week. Many of the volunteers spend a little extra time before their Tuesday commitment reading with a child. The time they spend volunteering at Garfield is a gift to our students. More volunteers are always welcome.
CRA is open to both retirees and their spouses, this includes anyone who worked for any of the three heritage companies (Conoco, ConocoPhillips, and Phillips 66). If you have been involved with CRA in the past but have lost contact with the organization, you are encouraged to update your contact information with the group on their website, as some contact info was lost during recent technology changes. You can also sign up to become a member online. Membership is free, and the social benefits are an added bonus.
Retirees can also become members of the PCSEA as a part of their CRA membership. The PCSEA is the Ponca City Site Employees Association. CRA members and their families, children and grandchildren, are invited to participate in all PCSEA activities. PCSEA hosts bingo on the third Saturday of the month during the fall and winter months at 6:30 in the Atrium Cafeteria. They also host other fun family events throughout the year like the Ponca City Refinery Family Fun Day held each summer.
For more information visit the CRA website at www.cra-ponca.com or their Facebook page at CRA-Ponca. Event dates can be found on their website. You can also find copies of their current and past newsletters ,The Afterglow, on the website. These newsletters give a great overview of what the group is all about. They can also be contacted via email at [email protected] or via mail at P.O. Box 201, Ponca City, OK, 74602.
➡️ Opt in or out of different newsletters on your “My Account” page.
➡️ Learn more about Ponca City Monthly+
Ponca City Monthly is a locally owned publication that delivers hyperlocal news in print and online.
Like what we are doing? Feel free to forward this along and tell a friend.
Sponsorship information/customer service: email [email protected]
