History
The Virginia Federation of Chapters (VFC) was established on April 9, 1955. Eighteen national members representing ten chapters and fewer than 1,000 members in the state established the tenth state federation of NARFE. The record of the earliest Chapter, still active in Virginia, dates back to 1947. There are 10 chapters remaining that record charter dates prior to 1955.
Mr. J. E. Blankenship of Norfolk was the first President. Other officers were First and Second Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, and four Members-at-Large. Officers were installed by Field Vice President V. P. Holm Nesline. The Secretary-Treasurer, Glenn Simcox of Arlington, collected $24.000 for Federation operations.
Richmond was the convention site for the next ten years. The expansion of chapter membership encouraged competition for the privilege of sponsoring the state convention, and chapter bids determined convention locations from 1966 until about 2005. As of 2005, the Board selects conference locations with careful consideration of accessibility for members and responsible expense management.
In 1971, the state was divided into four Areas, to which chapters were assigned by geographical location for more efficient operations. Area Representatives were elected at the assembled convention and assumed membership on the Federation Board. In the early 1980’s, the number of state areas increased to nine, and the title of Area Representative was changed to Area Vice President. In 1988, the Areas were changed into ten Districts.
The overall objectives of the Federation, set forth in its Constitution, and which were still effective until 19XX, were to aid the National Association in its objective, to unite for the mutual benefit of all federation chapters, to promote the general welfare of all retirees, including more liberal retirement lasws and annuities, and to support civic and patriotic activities upholding American institutions and ideals.
In 2018, at the NARFE National Convention, it was approved that the Delegate System would change to “One Member, One Vote (OMOV) as part of a major governance modernization effort. After this change, NARFE gradually began transitioning from “National Conventions” to National Conferences.” By the early 2020s, the “conference” terminology had become the standard language at the national level and influenced many federations and regions.
The Virginia Federation of NARFE (VFN) has 36 member chapters, with more than 4,247 members and approximately 6,405 National-only members. The state is divided into seven areas, with chapters assigned by geography for more efficient operations. The five elected officers assigned to the Executive Committee, the seven elected Area Vice Presidents, the seven Program Chairs, and the Immediate Past President serve as the 20 voting members on the Federation Board of Directors.