REGION 1 NEB Comments – Jul 2008
An NEB meeting was held
16-18 Jul 2008. Below are informal
notes, observations and comments. I apologize for the lateness of this report. While I was away from home
at my temporary address, I was using my laptop computer. The hard disk went and
I lost all my addresses and contents on the computer. The disk has been replaced
and I have been reconstructing my database and addresses. I am almost there.
Actions taken:
Parliamentarian
Comments.
The first morning we heard from Paul Lamb, NARFE’s Parliamentarian. He went
over some of the information in Robert’s Rules of Order and reviewed some
proposed procedures to be used at the National convention. One rule change
proposed was: In order to pull any resolution, the member must put it in writing
and have it seconded by another delegate from a different chapter and presented
to the Secretary not later than 30 minutes prior to the discussion. Implementing
details need to be worked out. The Ballot & Teller Committee members will
count votes on the floor instead of the Sgt-At-Arms members, and in accordance
with voting procedures, no exits, nor entries will be permitted during any vote
counting. Between 15 and 17 voting machines will be used in Louisville and more
flexibility will be provided on the use of the machines. A PHOTO ID CARD
WILL BE REQUIRED TO VOTE.
Legislative
Comments.
Dan Adcock gave a legislative report and announced that the 2009 National
Legislative Conference will be held on March 7-10, 2009 at the Hyatt in Crystal
City, Arlington, VA. [NOTE: The NEB meeting will be held March 4-6, 2009] By
this date, we should know the make up of the new Congress, Committee Chairs,
etc. He also stated that Laura
Scott would be leaving at the end of July to pursue a law degree. We are
interviewing for her replacement. A Training Manual for Legislative Chairs is
being developed and is an ongoing project. He hopes to have the new manual no
later than the 2009 National Legislative Conference. Dan wants reports from each
Regional Vice President on activities by each federation within their regions
during the August “Meet the Candidate month”. Please get those reports to me
by the end of September. NARFE was
deeply involved in getting Congress to overturn and pass the Presidential veto
that would have reduced Medicare reimbursements to physicians. The latest CPI is
now 6.2% which is great, however if the COLA remains high we may see Congress
(or the President) propose legislation to limit our COLAs in the future. We may
have a battle on our hands and we need to be ready to respond to any proposed
adverse legislation. OPM Director Linda Springer has submitted her resignation.
She has been very cooperative with NARFE and we only hope the new director will
be as receptive.
There
was a reception held at the Capitol Hill Club in Washington, DC for Judy Park.
Over 100 people attended this event that included prominent members of Congress
as well as former Legislative staff coworkers. This was a memorable occasion.
Judy will be missed by all.
Finance.
The Finance & Investment Committee met during the NEB meeting. The last few
months have not been good as the overall market has been dropping. However, our
funds have, in most cases, performed better than the associated benchmarks. The
investment mix is generally being held to 50% equity and 50% fixed income. The
committee will continue to monitor these funds closely. The Investment committee
feels strongly the market will turn around and we should continue holding our
ground and that it would not be prudent to make any changes to our portfolios at
this time. The National Treasurer reminds us that NARFE is financially strong
and dues are the major source of revenues. Our investments are a very small
portion of our revenues.
Membership.
The Membership report was presented by John Clements.
As of June 30, 2008, we have 324,264 members and 1,461 chapters. There
are 58,942 members on dues withholding; 10,378 Honorary members; 26,853 Life
members and 23,407 Active Federal Employee (AFE) members. We mailed out, via OPM
blind mailings, 47,000 packets to recent retirees and received a return of 6.5%.
In the spring of 2007, we received a return of 7.2%. We had a larger drop in
membership than is normal due to the free memberships the NARFE Federal Credit
Union gave out last year and only 2% renewed their membership. We continue to
work the lapsed membership list, with a 2.1% return rate. Government Executive
Magazine mailing had only a 0.9% return rate. FEEA mailings resulted in a 1.4%
return rate. Extensive mailings are being launched in September and October.
Declining membership continues to be a high priority for the NEB and the only
way we can turn this around is to get more members, chapters and federations
deeply involved in recruitment and retention. This remains as an important
overall Association initiative.
The members of the NEB discussed the proposed policy
change on chapter presidents also holding chapter treasurer positions. All
agreed this was not a very good practice and should be discouraged. The National
Secretary was asked to request that this subject be put on the agenda for the
upcoming Federation President’s meeting in Louisville. After input is received
from that meeting, the NEB will develop a policy and inform the membership.
There was also some discussion on chapters mixing funds in their treasury. That
is, keeping chapter funds in personal accounts. This is definitely not a good
procedure and Federations should check to ensure chapter funds are kept in a
separate account. Audits should also be conducted at least once a year!
Retirement
Benefits.
David Snell, Director of Retirement Benefits Services gave a short report. The
Question and Answer Book revision is nearly complete and being readied for the
printer. No price has been established as of this date. They are hopeful it will
be ready by the time the National Convention starts.
Public
Relations.
Chuck Timanus, Public Relations Director submitted a report stating what his
plans were for advertising outside the beltway. The NEB approved his plan and
increased his budget by $30,000.
A new Public Relations handbook (FH-9 dated 05/08) is
now available and can be order either on line or via the F-18 order form. He
again reminded everyone that requests for matching funds have been very slow.
Chapters and Federations are encouraged to submit requests for matching funds
for recruitment, retention, health fairs, etc. For those members asking about
“promotional items”, i.e., things with NARFE’s name on it to give away at
health fairs, etc., matching funds are available for that purpose too.
Alzheimer’s
Association reports that as of 6/30/08, NARFE members have contributed $7,548,155.89.
This means for FY08, we’ve raised $558,944.91. Any donation any member makes to Alzheimer’s is also tax
deductible. Projections are by June 2009, we will hit the $8 million
mark.
Resolutions.
The NEB agreed to stick with their position of supporting the “One Association
Dues” resolution. That is the concept of One Association Dues.
There was some discussion of whether or not to
support a resolution to reduce the number of National Officers and the NEB felt
that this decision should come from the delegates, therefore did not take a
position on this issue. NOTE: It should be pointed out that the NARFE
Parliamentarian stated that if the current resolution passes without an
effective date in the resolution, it would take effect immediately after the
vote was announced!
A discussion on “spousal membership” was held and
it was generally agreed that the NEB not take a position on this issue and to
let the delegates decide what is best for NARFE.
Site Selection.
Lanny Ross, Chair of the Site Selection committee gave a short report as to what
would occur in Louisville. Each city/hotel will be given 10 minutes on Tuesday
morning to make their presentation. Only one city/hotel will be allowed in the
general session room at a time. A spread sheet, with information on the hotels,
will be in the delegate bags, to assist the delegates in making their decision.
Strategic Plan.
The Strategic Plan will be reviewed by the new NEB at the November, 2008
Executive Board meeting in Alexandria, VA. By consensus, it was agreed that
NARFE will stop using the slogan “Your Future-Our Focus” because it is being
copyrighted by a local college.
Miscellaneous
Topics. The
subject of forming a 501 (c) (3) foundation or subsidiary for NARFE was
addressed. By consensus, the NEB agreed to not consider this idea any longer.
Generally, it was agreed that the negatives outweighed the benefits.
There was some discussion of reverting to the old F-7
form, as requested by several Federation Secretaries. The following motion was
entered: “Move that NARFE Headquarters revert to using the F-7 form dated
10/03”. Motion failed to pass. It was pointed out that any secretary could
still use the old form for their purpose.
The feasibility of printing some of the NARFE
magazines in larger print was discussed and after some discussion, by consensus,
that the cost would be prohibitive and would not be feasible and the magazine
will continue to be printed in its current form.
After a discussion on the use of the NARFE logo by
chapters and federations, it was agreed that local chapters and federation may
use the logo as long as it was not modified, or the merchandise sold for
personal benefit. The logo may be used on hats, tee shirts, pins, etc.
The subject of Liability Insurance came up. This
insurance covers only guests, not members. All agreed, it lacks a lot, but in
the event of a law suit, the company will offer advice and/or assistance. For
$75, this benefit could be worth the price if a large group of non members are
present at a Chapter or Federation Facility or if the meeting places insist on
the Association having liability insurance.
NARFE
Web Site. The NARFE National Office has developed a secure and easy-to-use
customized site and will provide the program and assistance to Federations or
Chapters interested in starting your own chapter web site for a small fee of
$29.95. For details go to: www.narfe.org/hosting.cfm
The NARFE web site at, www.narfe.org
has frequent changes and should be reviewed on a weekly basis
National Convention Notes.
The National Convention will start on Sunday,
September 7th and end after the banquet on Thursday evening,
September 11, 2008. Delegate Orientation will be Sunday, September 7th
at 2 PM in Ballrooms ABC, 2nd Floor, East Tower, with opening
ceremonies in the same location at 4:30 PM.
The Regional Caucus for Region I will be held on
Tuesday afternoon, September 9th from 2-5 PM in the Stanley room, 3rd
Floor, East Tower. Candidate Table Drawing will be at 8AM on Saturday, September
6th in the Archibald/Cochran room, 3rd Floor, West Tower
of the Galt House.
Exhibits/Candidates Booths, located in the Archibald/Cochran
Ballroom, 3rd Floor, West Tower will be open Sunday 12 Noon – 4:30
PM; Monday 8 – 9 AM, 12 Noon – 2 PM & 5 – 6 PM; and Tuesday 8 – 9 AM
and 12 Noon – 2 PM. Additionally,
Electronic Voting Practice Sessions will be in the Clements Room, 2nd
floor, East Tower Monday
12:30 – 6 PM, and Tuesday 12:30 – 2 PM and 4 –
6 PM.
The NEB spouses have obtained or made some very nice
items from their area to raise funds for the NARFE Federal Employees Emergency
Assistance (FEEA) Fund. There will be over 20 baskets or items. Tickets may be
bought to place in containers for each item. Winning tickets will be drawn from
the containers. All donations are tax deductible
Augie Stratoti, Regional Vice President Region I