Points to Ponder #05-07
POINTS TO PONDER
Issue 05-07
From CSFC President Helen Zajac
CATEGORY: Federation May 8, 2005
Subject: Benefits and Advantages of Federation Affiliation
TO: All CSFC Members
This is issued as a result of the Executive Board Meeting, where concern was raised about Chapters not understanding the purpose and value of the Federation. This is an update and a supplement to Points to Ponder 02-12 and 02-21 which can be located on the Federation Web Site, www.csfcnarfe.org.
OBJECTIVES: As stated in Article II of the Constitution of the California State Federation of Chapters (CSFC); The Objectives of this Federation shall be to unite all regularly chartered chapters of NARFE in California into a Statewide organization for the mutual benefit of all members; to coordinate the activities of the member chapters in safe-guarding and improving the interests and welfare of all persons eligible to be members of NARFE; to support and assist the National Association in all its authorized projects; to promote and actively participate in the retention of current members and recruitment of new National and chapter members; and to encourage and assist in the formation of new chapters.
The acronym CSFC and the word Federation are synonymous. The Federation consists of all chapters within the state, who have joined together to form one unified association. The Federation is basically a liaison between the chapters and the Region and/or the National Office. The Federation is governed by an Executive Board consisting of a President, Executive Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and one District Vice President representing each District in the state who are elected by the delegates at the state convention. The Immediate Past President is also included on this Executive Board to provide continuity and guidance as necessary. The current Federation Executive Board consists of 15 members.
- Members of the Federation Executive Board provide leadership and guidance of the implementation of field programs and disciplines mandated by both National and Federation Constitution & Bylaws.
- The Federation’s 10% Fund provides financial support for statewide membership recruiting and retention drives, campaigns and related activities.
- The Federation receives Per Capita Dues of $1 per member (excluding Honorary Life Members) from each chapter.
- The Federation provides funding, oversight and presides over biennial California State Conventions to provide a forum for members and chapters to elect their leadership and establish rules for self-governing.
- The Federation Executive Board provides for the planning and preparation of the biennial California State Conventions.
- The Federation plans, develops programs and funds formal training for chapter officers, appointees and members, designed to improve individual performance and field operations.
- The Federation provides funding and support for the day to day operation of the California Federation Web Site.
- The Federation provides funding and support of the telecommunications information network (NARFE-NET) which coordinates legislative alerts, and other timely message and reports to members and chapters.
- The Federation coordinates special legislation lobbying efforts for maximum effectiveness during “Action Alerts” and other activities, which may jeopardize the earned benefits of members and their families.
- The Federation coordinates with the National Office department heads for the effective promotion and support of all major field programs.
- The Federation publishes and distributes the following materials to chapters:
o Directory of Chapters
o Minutes of CSFC Executive Board Meetings
o Annual Federation Financial Reports
o Calendar of Events
o Resolution Books
o Convention Roster Books
o Summary of Convention
o CSFC Constitution & Bylaws
The Federation President is responsible to coordinate and establish the annual budget, which is approved by the CSFC Executive Board. The Executive Board is the fiscal body of the Federation.
The Federation President is responsible to appoint Special Assistants in support of vital field programs and in support of affiliated chapters, such as:
- CSFC Executive Board Recording Secretary
- Federation Alzheimer’s Fund Coordinator
- Federation Convention Recording Secretary
- Federation Webmaster
- Federation NARFE-NET Coordinator
- Federation Historian
- Federation Federal Employee & Assistance Fund (FEEA) Coordinator
- Federation NARFE-PAC Coordinator
- Federation Parliamentarian
- Federation Service Center Coordinator
- Other Administrative Positions as necessary
The Federation President appoints, approves funding, and supports the operation of seven (7) Standing Committees to support chapter activities in the field between federation conventions. Volunteers are accepted from chapter members in conjunction with the Convention Call issued to chapters prior to the biennial convention. Every attempt is made to appoint one member from each District, who will in turn coordinate activities within their own district. The Standing Committees are:
- Audit Committee (conducts annual audit of Federation financial records)
- Constitution & Bylaws Committee (provides counsel and guidance for compliance with CSFC Constitution & Bylaws and reviews/advises on recommended changes.)
- National Legislation Committee (plans, develops and implements the national legislation agenda in accordance with Federation and National Office goals and objectives)
- Nominating Committee (seeks a qualified slate of candidates and interviews them to fill vacant Federation offices)
- Public Relations Committee (plans, develops and implements a viable public relations effort in accordance with Federation and National goals and objectives)
- Service Committee (plans, develops and implements an effective service program in accordance with Federation and National goals and objectives)
- State Legislation Committee (plans, develops and implements the state legislation agenda in accordance with Federation goals and objectives)
The Federation President appoints, approves funding, and supports the operation of six (6) Convention Committees to coordinate/facilitate the business portion of the federation convention. Volunteers are accepted from chapter members in conjunction with the Convention Call issued to chapters. These committees and their members serve during the federation convention and are disbanded with the conclusion of the convention. The Convention Committees are:
- Ballot & Tellers Committee (Establish voting methods, count the written ballots and report on the results of the necessary elections)
- Credentials Committee (Ensure that only voting representatives assigned by chapters are allowed to cast a written ballot and ensure the number of votes allowed for each chapter are identified.)
- General Resolutions Committee (for Resolutions not otherwise allocated)
- National Bylaws Committee (reviews National Bylaws and any resolutions proposed by chapters, and brings them to the convention assembly for vote)
- Rules Committee (reviews the Rules of Order and proposes adoption or modification for the convention rules)
- Sergeant-At-Arms Committee (Provides for order at federation conventions and assists in various tasks at the convention)
The Federation Executive Vice President has oversight responsibility for the Federation Membership Program and Training Activities, including:
- Planning and coordination of pre-retirement seminars and similar activities
- Develops and schedules statewide training activities for chapter officers and committee chairs as necessary.
- Developing incentives and awards for membership drives and campaigns
- Conducts a continuous study of district population and alignment to recommend necessary changes
- Conducts a vigorous campaign to form new chapters and reactivate dormant chapters
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