Points to Ponder #05-16

POINTS TO PONDER
Issue 05-16

 From CSFC President Helen Zajac

 CATEGORY:  MEMBERSHIP        October 28, 2005

Subject:  NARFE Public Relations through Editorials

At recent Chapter Visits members have asked how they can obtain information regarding federation retirees/employees in their area.  Due to the Privacy Act, this information is not available to us.  However, we have learned that in California there are currently 222,214 Federal Retirees and 244,863 Current Federal Employees – for a total of 467,077 potential NARFE Members.  Our CA NARFE membership is currently 33,300 members or a 7.1% of the total federal population.

NARFE National does have an agreement with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to issue a “blind” mailing twice a year to all recent federal retirees.  This “blind” mailing is paid for by NARFE HQ with the anticipation of obtaining new members.  NARFE provides pertinent information to a mailing house, who matches this information to a list of federal retirees and addresses provided by OPM.  Only the mailing house knows the names and addresses of the recent federal retirees.  It has been relatively successful; 8 - 9% join NARFE, however, unless all NARFE Chapters provide a visible presence in every community, many potential NARFE members will not take advantage of the information provided through the “blind” mailing.  Thus the local chapter must identify their presence within each community. 

It has been brought to my attention by a Federation Past President, Jo Murphy, who is serving as President of the Oceanside Chapter #706, that her Chapter Secretary, Doris B. Clements has had some reasonable success with providing “Letters to the Editor” regarding NARFE; in fact, she has been able to recruit 14 new members for the Oceanside chapter by using the following sample letters.  This is designed to be a continuing series of letters, which can identify all aspects of NARFE membership and community involvement.  The whole purpose is designed to notify the community that there is an organization which is dedicated to preserving and enhancing the benefits of the federal community.  Best of all, there is no cost to the chapter to put these letters in the newspaper – only time and effort is expended.  This concept was also addressed at the Chapter Management Development Symposium held in Reno in September 2005.

In addition, Alzheimer’s Chair, Rayfield Ozier, of the San Bernardino Chapter #73 recently informed me that he was able to sign up three new members because of NARFE’s support of Alzheimer’s Research.  There is also a sample letter to use to identify NARFE’s partnership with Alzheimer’s Research.

These letters are designed to be used as samples to get your thought process started.  There are many other areas of NARFE that can be identified to the public, such as our Service Officer, and the community involvement that many chapters have for support of local charities – these too, can be a subject of a letter.  The main purpose is to get the name of NARFE out to the public, so they know we exist and that we work to preserve and enhance the earned benefits of the federal community.

NARFE HELPS PROTECT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES’ RIGHTS

 This letter is to alert all retired and current federal employees and to inform those, who do not know that we have a chapter here in (city), of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE).

We meet each month (day, location, time).  Our dues are currently (amount) per year.  That’s right, a year!  We are actively recruiting new members at this time.

We are a great bunch of people that help our members both before and after retiring.  We keep up with all the legislative actions that affect our group.  Most federal workers do not even know we exist.  If I had known, what Social Security does to a government worker’s benefits, which do not affect private sector workers at civilian companies, because of the unfair laws that have been passed against us in the past 20 years, I would have joined NARFE while I was still working.

For more information, please call (phone number).  Our next meeting will be (date).  You are welcome to join us.  We have good speakers at each meeting, plus beneficial knowledge, help, new friends and even refreshments.

(Name, position, chapter & number, city)

-and-

 MANY GOOD REASONS TO JOIN NARFE

If you are an active federal employee and are planning on retiring soon or are currently retired, we could really use your help by joining our NARFE Chapter (number & name).  Here are some very good reasons to join the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association.

We are the only organization that protects the interests of the federal retiree.  We are political, but nonpartisan.  We sponsor and support legislation to protect our earned benefits.

 Our monthly magazine is a bonus and keeps us updated on things that are happening to the benefits we now have.  Our National network provides the way to deal with Congress in an organized way.  We have a Service Officer (name) to assist you at the (Service Center) every (day and time).

 We have already accomplished getting amendments to 12 legislative laws such as an amendment for the same COLA protection for federal and military that was given to Social Security that had completely bypassed federal civilian and military retirees.

For more information, call or come to our next meeting (day, date, time) or call (name, phone number) for any questions.  (Name) will be the guest speaker.

(Name, position, chapter & number, city)

 -and-

ORGANIZATION OF FEDERAL RETIREES SEEKS MEMBERS

Membership in the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association is one way to keep watch on Congress and what they try to do to federal retirees and employees. There is no better insurance policy than NARFE membership, at about 9 cents a day. You receive the latest information about actions in Congress that could affect your earned benefits.

You also need to be aware of legislative issues, retirement income benefits, health care, taxation and cost-of-living increases. These are the most important items that Congress tries to take away from federal retirees and current employees. They have been known to freeze our annuity for two or more years.

If you have questions about wanting to join our chapter, please call (name, phone number). Our next meeting will be at (time, date, location).

We will have an informative speaker. Visitors are always welcome. (Name, position, chapter & number, city

-and-

NARFE MEMBERS SUPPORT ALZHEIMER’S RESEARCH PROGRAM

Local members of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) Chapter (name and number) have been joining with other NARFE members throughout the country in playing a major role in seeking a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.  In collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association, NARFE members have donated over $6 million to Alzheimer’s research since 1985.  These contributions are strictly voluntary and have been collected over the years at chapter meetings and by fund raising efforts by chapter members.

Through this active partnership, NARFE seeks to support research into the cause, prevention, treatment and cure for Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders; educate the public on the need for research; encourage and support legislation at the federal, state and community level that addresses the needs of Alzheimer victims, and their families, including home and institution-based, long-term care; and encourage NARFE members to volunteer at day care centers and other respite care facilities, and to provide assistance to families of Alzheimer victims.

NARFE is the only association dedicated to protecting the earned retirement benefits of federal employees, retirees and their survivors.  Founded by 14 federal workers in 1921, NARFE has become an effective and highly respected legislative voice for federal workers and retirees.  Membership has grown to over 350,000 federal employees, retirees, spouses and survivors united to preserve the economic security and well-being of federal employees on the job and in retirement.  For more information about NARFE, please call (name, phone number) or visit our monthly meeting which is held at (location) on (date, time).

(Name, position, chapter & number, city)

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