POINTS TO PONDER
Issue 02-21
From Your Federation President
NARFE Members of California:
WHAT DO I GET FROM THE FEDERATION? - Many of us will be
attending the annual California Convention in Sacramento on June 10 - 12, 2003.
There will be at least two resolutions presented at the Convention; a biennial
California Convention and a per capita dues increase. Both of these resolutions
have been presented at previous California Conventions and perhaps neither were
presented in a manner that was clearly understandable to the delegates expected
to vote for or against adoption.
On the subject of per capita dues, many members ask, "What do I get from the
Federation?" The following is an attempt to answer that question.
First of all, you need to understand that YOU ARE THE FEDERATION.
Contrary to popular belief, the elected Executive Board IS NOT the Federation.
You elect the members of the Executive Board to lead and represent the 102 California
Chapters, which are the "California State Federation of Chapters." The Executive
Board is only there to serve you.
The Executive Board tries to do this by:
-Providing information and training to those who take on leadership roles in their chapter.
-Providing conventions where we can elect our leaders and see and hear National Officers.
-Providing payment of expenses to ensure Judy Park, National Legislation
Director attends and speaks at our Convention.
-Keeping a close vigil, and advising you, on pending legislation at the National and State
level that will impact federal employees and retirees.
-Providing a united effort, state-wide that will have more impact on our elected officials,
especially the two U.S. Senators. (Writing to them as Federation President of over 39,000
members may have a greater influence.)
-Providing assistance to chapters that want to put on pre-retirement seminars.
-Collaborating with other organizations at the state level that have similar missions
(Senior Coalition, Agency on Aging, etc.)
-Revitalizing chapters that are struggling to find leadership.
-Visiting chapters and providing them with up-to-date information and encouragement.
-Establishing new chapters.
-Providing a California State Alzheimer's Coordinator who keeps the chapters
apprised of the monies contributed to the Alzheimer's fund.
-Providing a California State NARFE-PAC Coordinator who keeps the chapters
advised of Congressional Representatives requesting funds from our PAC.
-Providing a California State NARFE-FEEA Coordinator who keeps the chapters
up-to-date on the NARFE disaster fund and NARFE scholarship awards.
-Providing a California State Service Center Coordinator who works with the
fourteen (14) California Service Centers.
-Providing a California State NARFE-NET Coordinator who keeps the chapter
NARFE-NET Coordinators up-to-date on current events.
-Providing a California State Webmaster and web site.
-Providing assistance and information to Chapter members/officers who are
requested to attend and promote NARFE at other organization's conferences.
-Providing membership programs which finance contests membership drives
and rebates.
-Providing eight (8) Standing Committees (Public Relations, Constitution and
Bylaws, Service, State Legislation, National Legislation, Audit, Convention City
and Nominating) to assist chapters throughout the year.
-Sponsoring financial assistance (matching funds) to chapters sponsoring booths
at Health Fairs, County Fairs, etc. to promote NARFE.
-Providing information and assistance to chapters wishing to visit the offices of
Congressional Representatives and State Legislators.
-Providing the California Federal Retiree newsletter/magazine.
-Providing chapters with the California Directory of Chapters, and updates as
necessary.
-Providing chapters with copies of the California Constitution and Bylaws.
-Providing printing and mailing services for the minutes of the Executive Board
Meeting to each chapter.
-Providing payment for services of a parliamentarian to facilitate the smooth
running of the annual convention.
-Providing chapters with Call to Convention, Resolution Books, Delegate Rosters,
transcriptions of Judy Park's annual speech and an annual convention Summary.
-Providing services of a recording secretary at the annual convention.
-Providing flowers for the Eulogy at the annual convention.
-Providing the cost for the Past Federation Presidents and their spouses/guests at
the annual Recognition Luncheon which honors our Federation Past Presidents.
I hope this answers the question, "What do I get from the Federation?" Keep in
mind that the items listed above are mandated by National Headquarters and/or
stipulated by the Chapters.
Till Next Time....
Lea D. Zajac,
Your California Federation President
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