Subject: enronoptions - your stock option program it is amazing and yet not surprising how much enron has accomplished in the first six months of this year . you continue to make it happen . we recognize that you work hard every day to accomplish enron  , s business goals , and we are pleased that many of you have shared in the company  , s financial success through enron stock options . as you may know , the current employee stock option program ( also known as the all employee stock option program or aesop ) began in 1994 and provided value to participants through 2000 . employees who have participated in this program from its inception have realized a 1 , 119 % increase in the value of their stock options ( assuming a stock price of $ 70 ) over the life of the program . enron stock options are a valuable part of your total compensation package and a contributing factor to your performance and to enron  , s continued success . therefore , the enron executive committee and the compensation and management development committee of the enron board of directors have decided to continue to offer stock options as a part of your compensation package . on may 1 , 2000 , the committee approved an employee stock option program for calendar years 2001 - 2005 ( enronoptions  ) your stock option program ) . it is expected that enronoptions  ) your stock option program will be granted , effective on or about december 29 , 2000 , for those employees who are eligible on that date ( please see note below ) . the new program , which is subject to final approval by enron  , s board of directors , is as follows : ? enronoptions  ) your stock option program will give stock options to eligible full - time and part - time regular employees in domestic and international companies / locations . ? the grant of non - qualified stock options will equal 25 % of annual base salary ( 5 % of annual base salary for each year of a 5 - year period ) on december 29 , 2000 . ( salary calculation and value may vary in some international locations . ) ? the board will grant the stock options on december 29 , 2000 . ? eligible employees hired in subsequent years will receive a prorated grant of stock options . why commit your talent and energy to enron ? enronoptions  ) your stock option program , among other good reasons  ( that  , s why . in the coming weeks , you will be receiving more details about enronoptions  ) your stock option program . to provide information and answer your questions , we will introduce a special link on the human resources web - site , host several espeak sessions and continue to communicate with you on a regular basis . in the meantime , if you have immediate questions , please contact your human resources representative . note : in addition to final approval by enron  , s board of directors , granting of options will be subject to new york stock exchange and state and federal regulatory requirements . it is expected that enronoptions  ) your stock option program will be available to most enron employees ; however , some enron companies  , employees may not be eligible due to legal , accounting , tax , labor or business issues . as you know , enron changes to meet the needs of the marketplaces we serve . given that need to change , we will continue to refine the eligibility for enronoptions  ) your stock option program and will communicate more details throughout the year with final eligibility being determined on december 29 , 2000 .