NARFE - Idaho Federation
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Federation Gemette Newsletter

 IDAHO FEDERATION

NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYES

GEMETTE                            August 2020

 

PRESIDENT’S CORNER – Ken Barr

NARFE National Election in August 2020 – The June/July issue of the NARFE magazine (pages 48 and 50) describes issues dealing with the August 2020 national vote.  Paper ballots will be published in the August issue of the Narfe magazine.  Voting takes place in August and closes August 31, 2020.  The August issue of the magazine should arrive in late July.

Note that information on the proposals addressed by this election can be read at www.narfe.org/2020Balloting.  National and Chapter members will be affected by the proposal B-2020 to increase annual member dues 20% from $40 to $48 per year.  Also of interest to chapter members, proposal S-2005 reduces new member rebates to chapters from 1/3 to 1/6 of the membership fee – a 50% reduction.  Proposal B-2021 proposes to reduce member dues rebates to Federations from 10% of the national dues to 3%, another 50% reduction.

While cost increases are concerning, it is not surprising for costs to generally increase with time.  We have all experienced that.  What is surprising and very concerning is the magnitude of the proposed dues increase and how the dues will be shared across the organization.

 

 

The only justification for the 20% increase in NARFE dues is a recommendation by the “NARFE Membership Advisory Committee.” We are never told the basis for the recommendation.  I believe the 20% increase is substantial and the membership deserves more explanation before this issue goes to the ballot. I recommend we vote NO until more justification is provided to the membership to support a 20% dues increase.

Take a critical look at B-2004. The wording gives the National Executive Board, NEB, unnecessarily wide latitude to bypass the election process and, perhaps eliminate Regions in the “interest of continued fulfillment of NARFE’s mission” without any membership input.  I recommend rejection of B-2004.

Also, take a critical look at Proposal S-2005.  The justification for the dollar reduction talks about how the distribution of the funds are not proper.  The magazine states, “The reduced rebate rate will be more in sync with most chapter dues amounts.”  A justification that doesn’t properly address the issue is NO justification at all.  If there is really a lack of equity, then why is that inequity not fixed by the proposal instead of reducing the amount of the distribution?  It appears that, no matter what it is called, the reduction is an attempt to increase Headquarters funds at the expense of chapter funds.  I recommend rejection or S-2005.

Similarly, consider bylaw proposal B-2021 which proposes a reduction of national dues paid monthly to Federations from 10% to 5%.  There was no justification for the dollar reduction published in the magazine.  The magazine only identified, “This will severely limit federations’ abilities to serve chapter and national-only members in their federations.” BRC (Bylaws and Resolutions Committee) recommends rejection.  I agree with that statement and recommend rejection of B-2021.

Until there are better explanations of expenditures and the need for the dues increase and reductions to chapter and Federation dollars, I urge you to vote NO on proposals B-2004, B-2020, B-2021 and S-2005.

 

Advocacy – For now and the months until there is an effective vaccine available to the general population, advocacy will continue to mostly be limited to indirect contact using written correspondence via postal letters, letters to the editor, and electronic emails.  Narfe.org has the capability to send written communications to all of our representatives, different committee chairs and our local newspapers in addition to President Trump.

While none of these written options are as good as direct personal contact, we should try to use all the options available to us to the best of our ability.  A good start would be to keep knowledgeable on issues affecting us through the periodic use of the advocacy information on the narfe.org Action Center.  With NARFE HQ out of the office due to the virus, current information can be difficult to obtain.  Please don’t give up advocating for our active and retired brothers and sisters.  If you have questions on advocacy, please contact Congressional District Leader (CDL) Keri Gibbs for District 1 at www.gibbsnarfe@frontier.com, or CDL Ken Barr at www.kbarr9@q.com for district 2. Either Keri or Ken will work to help you with congressional issues.

Finally, don’t forget the use of letters to the editor of your local newspaper.  All of our representatives have staff who monitor the Idaho newspapers daily.

Impacts of the Coronavirus – As with other aspects of our lives, the coronavirus has had significant impacts on NARFE Idaho’s Federation, chapters and national meetings. FedCon20 (National Conference), originally scheduled for late August/early September has been cancelled and rescheduled for August 2022 in Scottsdale, AZ.

The Idaho Federation Training Conference scheduled for this past May in Boise, was one of the early casualties of the Coronavirus.  Our aging membership was one of the groups experiencing the most significant consequences of the virus, and I felt cancelling the conference was my duty to keep members as safe as possible..

One of the items planned for the conference was the announcement of the early 2020 Federation officer election results. The new officers were sworn in on May 14, 2020, near the time the installation would have taken place at the cancelled Training Conference.  The new Federation Officers sworn in for 2 year terms were: Ken Barr, Federation President; David Blocker, Federation Secretary; and Harold Kehr, Federation Southeast Area Vice President. In accordance with the Federation bylaws, Harold also becomes the Federation Executive Vice President since he is from the same geographic area as the president.

       

Ken Barr                David Blocker        Harold Kehr

Other Federation officers reelected to new two year terms are; Bob Mallis, Southwest Area Vice President; Steve Franklin, North Area Vice President; and Joanne Hancock, Treasurer.

Keri Gibbs will continue as the Federation Past President, and along with officers named above become the Federation Executive Board.

 

AREA VICE PRESIDENTS SPEAK OUT

As the North Area VP, Steve Franklin attended Federation board meetings using Zoom, These meetings were worthwhile as the Federation continues to conduct business during these interesting times.  Future meetings are planned.  We want all members healthy and safe, and if there is anything we can do to assist you, please contact us.

Due to the Coronavirus cancelling meetings, newly elected Southeast Area VP, Harold Kehr has been unable to attend meetings to get to know the members and find out where he can assist them.