August 2024 NEB Meeting Notes

Notes from Robert Allen, Region X Vice President, NEB Meeting
We made some important decisions that will have positive, long-lasting 
effects for NARFE.
1.  We approved a new marketing and membership plan that will get the NARFE
name out there to more potential members than ever before. The plan will be
completed incrementally, with the results from each stage leading to the 
next. This incremental approach allows us to pay as we go, instead of 
having to pay for the entire contract up front. I believe this is the 
approach we need to get our membership numbers up.
2.  The NEB also approved a new strategic plan that will convert NARFE from 
a 501(c)5 to 501(c)4 with a 501(c)3 arm. The (c)3 component will allow our
members to make tax-deductible contributions. We can use (c)3 contributions 
to fund the educational side of NARFE (webinars, etc.) without having to 
use our operating budget funds. We will not have to rely so heavily on 
our calendar/note card/holiday card contributions, which, as you know, 
are not tax deductible. Of course, we will still have to pay dues, 
but our dependency on dues to funds NARFE operations will decrease. 
This strategic change will benefit NARFE for years to come.
3.  The Board also is making a concerted effort to sell the building. 
We heard two proposals, and the one I think will be the way to go is 
to sell the building with NARFE financing. This method should garner 
more prospective buyers. I'll keep you posted as we go along.
4.  We approved reviewing our bylaws amendment policies and procedures. 
The amendment process is convoluted at best and needs to be cleaned up. 
This review should provide us with a better method that we can implement 
for 2026.
5. We're at a critical point in repealing the unfair WEP/GPO. Congress 
will be back in session this September and there is a discharge petition 
to get the WEP/GPO voted on the House floor. I urge you to contact your
representatives to vote for the petition, because even though there are 
well over 300 co-sponsors of HR82, if they don't vote for the discharge 
petition, the bill won't get to the floor without having to go through 
the committee process. Also, be sure to contact your Senators because 
we'll need them to vote for the companion Senate bill. If we can get 
these votes, this will be one of the greatest achievements for federal 
employees that NARFE has had a significant hand in making happen.