POINTS TO PONDER
Issue 02-17
From Your Federation President
NARFE Members of California:
CLOSING A CHAPTER - There are a few California Chapters who are
threatening to close their doors and disband.
I do not relish the thought of losing Chapters because the Chapters are SO
IMPORTANT to the success of our Association. The Chapter is the muscle necessary
to pursue legislative actions that benefit federal retirees. One NARFE member
individually does not have the clout to get the attention of his/her Congressman. But,
as a Chapter of 100 or more members, the Chapter President represents that many
voices when addressing issues with a Congressman. The Congressman is more likely
to consider the position of 100 or more individuals rather than one individual. This is a
critical time for our Association, and we cannot afford to jeopardize or lessen the
rapport we have established with our Congressmen.
Of course, one can argue that when a Chapter closes, all members transfer to another
chapter which results in more clout for the other Chapter. Sounds good, except when a
Chapter closes; (1) many members lose interest in NARFE and drop their membership
because the new chapter is too far to travel to attend meetings; (2) the new chapter is
often in a different Congressional District, so you now have new officer's dealing with the
Congressman in the District of the closing chapter, because the new Chapter expanded it's
boundaries to include the Congressional District of the closed Chapter; (3) the new chapter
may not offer the same services to the members of the closed chapter, i.e., luncheons,
newsletters, social activities, camaraderie, visits to Congressional fund raisers supported
by NARFE-PAC funds, and other benefits that individual chapters offer.
Usually the reason a chapter decides to close is because no one wants to take on the
position of the Chapter President, or the membership does not support the President by
filling the other Chapter offices. From my viewpoint, as I travel around the state visiting
chapters, it appears the members have become complacent, they are getting older and
tired, many have recycled as chapters officers, because other members will not support
the chapter by participating as an officer or committee chair. But, you know in most cases,
there ARE members who would participate if personally asked.
Many chapters overlook younger, newer members, because of the perception that they
don't know about the Association and how the chapter operates, or they haven't been a
member long enough. But these new members bring youth and potential leadership to our
chapters. Many chapters also tend to overlook current federal employees, because they
are working and cannot attend meetings. Well, that's not to say they couldn't be active in
the Chapter, doing some committee function, such as public relations, newsletter editor,
even membership, national/state legislation, or telephone trees. They could certainly send
a written report to the President to be read at the meeting, or include their report in the
newsletter. Most of all, these current employees provide a pipeline into some agencies that
we might not have had in recent years. These newer, younger members are the future of
this Association, without them, our numbers will continue to drop, as our members age, and
someday, as this continues, there may not be a NARFE to fight for our earned benefits.
I hear the same story, that no one wants to be an officer, particularly not President. I'm
told that chapters continually ask for volunteers at our meetings and in our newsletters.
It's a rare person who will jump up and volunteer under those circumstances. Your Chapter
Executive Board needs to talk to a member individually, explain the duties of the position,
that they will have assistance and training, that there are written guidelines for performing
the job, and that the time involved is an average of 1 - 2 hours/week. Your Federation
Executive Board has prepared a letter/survey titled "NARFE Needs You" that can be sent
to ALL chapter members (not just those who attend the meetings) which encourages volunteers.
Chapters should consider using this letter/survey when searching for officers. There are at
least 10% of your chapter members who will volunteer, if they know they are needed and are
properly approached.
Serious consideration should be given before suggesting the closure of a chapter. But, if
all else fails, the following steps must be taken towards closing a chapter.
1. Advise the Federation President and District Vice President that the chapter is in trouble.
2. A letter must be sent to all chapter members advising them of the intent to close the
chapter.
3. The members need to vote to close the chapter or not. The majority of those voting rule.
4. If the majority rules not to close, then you have members who should be willing to be
officers.
5. If the majority rules to close, then you need to initiate the following steps:
a. Advise the Federation President, who is required to reassign the zip codes.
b. Members will be assigned to another chapter.
c. The closing chapter needs to provide per capita dues ($1 for each member) to the
chapter assigned.
d. The balance of the Treasury needs to be dispersed by vote of the chapter members,
by either:
(1) Sending to National Headquarters to hold for 5 years and would be available if
the chapter re-instates within five years. At the end of five years, the money is turned over
to the California Federation.
(2) The money is distributed proportionally to the chapter(s) to which members are
transferred.
(3) The money is given to a charity, such as Alzheimer's.
(4) The money is used by chapter members on a close-out function.
Till Next Time....
Lea D. Zajac, Your California Federation President
Return to Start