REGION 1 RVP NOTES – Nov 2011  Augie Stratoti, Acting RVP

A NEB meeting was held 15-17 November 2011 at NARFE HQ in Alexandria.  Below are informal notes, observations and comments.

LEGISLATION

NEB approved the appointment of Julie Tagen as NARFE’s new Legislative Director.

Director of Legislation Julie Tagen provided a legislative update and progress report on the Protect America’s Heartbeat (PAH) campaign. The PAH campaign update included the success of the campaign since its inception in February 2011. The campaign has resulted in many more “rapid responses” being generated from members to offset the ongoing negative press.  Ms. Tagen further emphasized the success of the “boots on the ground” concept in which an organizer is assigned to a single state or a group of states to allow for maximum participation from our members in contacting representatives and senators. 

 Calls to NARFE’s toll free number, 1-866-220-0044 are still important. Even though there was short notice for the November 2 call in day, there were over 3,800 calls

 PRE-RETIREMENT SEMINARS

The NEB terminated NARFE’s Pre-Retirement Seminar program. The recommendation to terminate the program was based on the following reasons: A consultant was hired to determine if NARFE could actually obtain a GSA Contract, but to meet the criteria for a GSA Contract, NARFE would be considered a large business and would have to meet the criteria established by the Small Business Administration (SBA) regarding much of our day to day operations in house which would incur more cost and change the way we operate as an association, and if we did not meet the criteria of the SBA, we would be fined. NARFE would also have restrictions on the contractors that were hired.  In addition, federal agencies are reducing their training budgets, which place the responsibility of obtaining retirement information on the employee, and the cost of maintaining the NARFE PRS program. 

BYLAWS

Mary Williams, Chair of the Bylaws Revision Committee (BRC), reviewed and discussed in detail the committee’s most recent revision of NARFE’s bylaws and standing rules.  She stated that the committee expects to be able to provide a copy of the documents for access by the members soon so that the members can provide comments well before the convention.  Suggestions and recommendations were discussed for possible consideration by the committee.  (Note: The BRC has the authority to include or not include all suggestions/recommendations submitted). At the Federation President’s meeting in July, it was announced that the NEB would recommend that the BRC include language in the revised bylaws to deal with the issue or HQ would handle the issue by a referendum to determine how the votes for e-chapter 2363 would be distributed.  Since that time, the BRC has determined that this is a subject outside of their charter to revise the bylaws.

The NEB addressed the issue of disseminating e-chapter 2363 votes to the Federations and after considerable discussion and various motions, the NEB decided to reconsider its decision to move forward on a mechanism to make this happen.  In addition to the fact that the bylaws do not permit this, the basis for rescinding the development of a method of distributing the votes of the members of chapter 2363 is the problem of voting rights and the more specific wording of the new DC statute on voting rights.  This subject needs more review with advice of counsel. The NEB will prepare a recommendation to be acted on by a referendum or at the National Convention. .

MEMBERSHIP

National Secretary (NS) Elaine Hughes began with a presentation of the 2012 membership growth plan that was approved in the budget. (Membership growth plan on file and posted on the website)  She emphasized that the plan is more aggressive in taking control of our membership decline.  She also stated that it was essential to seek outside expert advice and assistance in designing an appropriate growth plan. Following her report, we were provided with an overview of planned actions from the President of MGI, Rick Whelan, who discussed how each of the proposed projects and programs would help NARFE grow membership.  

NS Hughes discussed the 2011 membership progressive report. (Report on file) She distributed material illustrating NARFE’s renewal/reinstatement efforts and highlighted the additions and improvements made to the process.  She distributed a sample of two NARFE magazine “wraps” for the months of November and December targeting lapsed and prospective members.  She also distributed a listing of the requests for the informal PRS kits.  She anticipates that the process and follow-up for requesting these kits will be greatly improved in the next few months.  Action Item:  NS Hughes was asked to determine if a code could be assigned to the recruiting/prospective members gained from local and state events.

NS Hughes announced the retirement of John Clements, Director of Membership Development, effective February 29, 2012.  The NEB expressed their appreciation for John’s service for the past 12 years. 

NARFE Web Site  

Donna St. John gave an overview of the new design for the NARFE website.  Following the overview, Director of IT, Fred Hamidzada, gave a demonstration of the new F-7 and F-7A, which is based on recommendations from the NIAC.  He also demonstrated the new multi-activity design of the federation and chapter reports which includes the old officer/member rosters, activity reports, and F-7s.  The M-112s are now formatted in categories for new members, members transferred, dropped members, deceased members, and re-instates.  Also, officers can now email members from online rosters.  It is anticipated that the new changes will help federation/chapter leadership to better manage the information provided.  The changes were well received by the NEB and many expressed that these changes were a long time coming.

MISCELANEOUS TOPICS

The NARFE Policy Manual was reviewed, and revisions suggested by the NEB members. Following the meeting the Policy Manual, as well as the Procedure Manual were distributed electronically to the NEB and posted on the NARFE Web Site.

RVP Lanny Ross, Chairman of the Site Selection Committee, gave an overview of the committee’s mandate and updated the NEB on the committee’s progress.  He stated that the committee’s activities are a “work-in-progress.”  Sixteen (16) cities responded to the Request for Proposal (RFP) that headquarters sent out to host the 2016 NARFE National Convention.  The committee will continue working and report to the NEB next year.

National Treasurer (NT) Dick Thissen announced that a new contractor had been selected to manage NARFE’s cards and calendars fundraising efforts for 2012.  He also reported that we have procured the services of a new vendor, Randy Baldwin, for the NARFE General Store.  This is as a result of the new vendor selected for our cards and calendars fundraising activities.  Information pertaining to the change will be in the January issue of NARFE magazine and will be posted on the website. The new contractor for the cards and calendars fundraising effort will be designing a tracking system to determine trends in member donations.  We are negotiating a price to purchase the data history from the previous contractor.  The General Store information will be sent out through a GEMS message notifying members of the change.

NT Thissen discussed the following reports:  chapters without passwords, non-renewals vs. reinstatements, AFEs by federation, and dues withholding which were distributed to the NEB.  He urged the RVPs to continue discussing the reports with their respective federations and chapters.  At the request of NS Hughes for additional information for the monthly gain/loss report, he described the new, more detailed membership report, which he designed, and will be attached to the gain/loss report beginning in December 2011.

 NS Hughes gave an update on a joint partnership project with AFGE (Association of Federal Government Employees).  While it was highly anticipated that a joint partnership with AFGE might be feasible, it has been determined that a partnership with AFGE will not be advantageous to NARFE at this time.  Action Item:  NS Hughes to provide a statement of NARFE/AFGE partnership outcome.

RVP Helen Zajac discussed EIN IRS numbers for chapters and the need for instructions for chapters.  Further discussed how best to keep chapters informed and educated. Action Item:  This will be added to the F-10.  NT Thissen will send out a reminder notice every year and place an article in the magazine next year regarding filing of 990 IRS Forms.

National President Joe Beaudoin discussed offering federations the option of a Skype or GoToMeeting session for their respective 2012 federation conventions.  This option is offered for those federations which are not eligible for a National Officer or staff to attend their conventions.  It is also an option for those federations which are eligible as well.

National Vice President Paul Carew stated that the FEEA scholarship committee had agreed upon the essay question for the 2012 scholarship contest.  The essay question will be announced in the February issue of NARFE magazine.

RVP Ross discussed the fact that the application form in the magazine does not include the option to join the e-chapter.  After a discussion, it was agreed that this would be considered.  Action Item:  NS’s office will determine the feasibility of updating application in the magazine to include language regarding joining NARFE e-chapter.

The Board accepted the resignation of Gil. Blaisdell as Vice President for Region I, with regret.

The 2012 National Convention is being held at The Nugget in Sparks, NV and is hosted by the Nevada Federation. The Convention will be held August 26 – 30, 2012. Cost for lodging will be $110.83 per night; including tax. National Convention Committee Assignment Request Forms were to be mailed to Federation and Chapter Presidents on December 1. To serve on a committee, a member must be a delegate.

Augie Stratoti, Regional Vice President Region I