NARFE 101

PRESENTED BYMike Ferri, Federation Budget Chair & Chap. 193

Editor Rich Wilson, Federation Vice President & Chap. 1404

PresidentMay 31, 2013

PURPOSE

To provide you a brief overview of NARFE, the Washington State Federation of Chapters (WSFC) and the many benefits of NARFE membership

topics

What is NARFE?

111

Resources/Links

Washington Federation

To safeguard and enhance federal employee health benefits, retirement benefits, and pay issues for Active Federal Employees (AFE) and Annuitants

NARFE’S MISSION

To persuade public policy makers that federal workers ought to have economic security in retirement as compensation for devoting their careers to public service.

WHY NARFE WAS CREATED

The ONLY organization solely dedicated to safeguarding and improving the benefits of federal employees, retirees, and families since 1921

Grassroots, Lobbying organization; it is NOT a Union

Advocate for both Active and Retired federal employees before Congress and the White House

WHAT IS NARFE

WHAT IS NARFE Governed by an elected leadership of four

National Officers and ten Regional Vice Presidents

Has over 259,000 members; 54 federations, and more than 1,341 chapters

eChapter has 13,513 members as of 5/17/13

NARFE National National Officers Regional Vice Presidents National Executive Board (NEB)

State Federations Executive Board

Chapters

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Any person who is or will be eligible to receive an annuity or survivor annuity from any of the civilian retirement programs of any agency of the US government (CSRS, FERS, State Department, NOAA) or of the District of Columbia and his/her current spouse, without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, or age.

2004 – Incorporated AFE’s into NARFE’s family

WHO CAN BE A NARFE MEMBER

Regular Members: Members who pay National and Chapter dues. Only Chapter members are considered Voting Members of a Chapter. Life Members:Members who pay present and future National dues in a lump sum. A Life Member, who was or is a Chapter member at the time a National Life Membership was or is purchased, shall maintain membership in the Chapter. Failure to do so shall result in suspension of Chapter membership rights and privileges

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES

Distinguished Member – A member who has reached the age of 85 and has been a NARFE member for at least 20 years may be recognized as a DM upon request and certification by the Chapter to National Office that criteria has been met. DM must continue to pay NARFE dues.

Honorary Members – Members who have been granted the right to a National membership without further payment of National dues prior to the establishment of Distinguished Member Recognition Program (2008 Convention)

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES

Members-at-Large (National Only Members) – Members who belong to the National Association but not to a Chapter. They pay National dues. They are non-voting members.

Associate Members – NARFE members who affiliate with any Chapter other than their “Home Chapter.” Must pay Chapter dues and may hold office within the Chapter but cannot be included in the total Chapter membership count for determining representation at National Conventions.

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES

On-Line Membership Option

Open to Active and Retired Federal Employees

Same benefits as regular membership

All communications are electronic (except NARFE Magazine)

eNARFE Chapter 2363 – Washington, DC◦ State eNARFE Chapters are now being formed

E-NARFE MEMBERSHIP

NEW MEMBERS – First Year Dues

$45.00 (Active and Retired)

$2.00 rebated to Chapter who recruited new retired member

$8.00 rebated to Member who recruited new active (AFE) member

NATIONAL DUES – NEW MEMBER

Chapters can establish Chapter dues for their own activities

Collected from the members in the National Dues Collection System

CHAPTER DUES

Current Regular, eNARFE Members and Members-at-Large

$40.00 for 1 year, $72.00 for 2 years, $102.00 for 3 years

$34.00 for Dues Withholding (AFE’s not eligible)

$10.00 Cash Rebate from Federation under Cash Rebate Incentive Program

NATIONAL DUES - RENEWALS

Annual Dues - $34.00 versus $40.00

1/12 of membership dues and 1/12 of chapter dues are deducted from monthly annuity

Complete a DW-2 or DW-3

Cash Rebate Incentive Program - $10.00 cash rebate from Federation

DUES WITHHOLDING

Held Biennially 33rd Convention – Orlando FL, Aug 24–28, 2014

Each Chapter is entitled one delegate for each 50 Chapter members or fraction thereof

Chapters can cast as many votes as the number of delegates entitled. Proxy votes can be cast. Limited to three proxies per voting delegate

One delegate from a chapter is designated as Voting Rep

NATIONAL CONVENTIONS

Washington FEDERATION EXECUTIVE BOARD

Federation President

District Vice Presidents (5)TreasurerSecretaryVice President Immediate Past President

Elected by Delegates at the Biennial Federation Convention for 2 Year Term

District Vice Presidents - Elected by Delegates from Chapters in Their Respective Districts to two year terms

All Federation Officers are limited to Two Consecutive Two Year Terms

Federation officers - elected

• Appointed Officers Appointed by President and Approved by Executive BoardService Officer, Parliamentarian, Public Relations Officer,

Chaplain, and Sergeant-at-Arms

• Committee ChairsAppointed by President and Approved by Executive BoardAlzheimer’s, NARFE-PAC, Membership Chair, Nominations,

Resolutions, Editor, Webmaster, Auditing, Balloting, Budget, and Credentials

APPOINTED OFFICERS/CHAIRS

ResponsibilityProvide Policy and GuidanceCarry out mandates of Federation ConventionDirect the management and authorize disbursement of

Federation funds Composition

Federation Elected Officers Immediate Past Federation President

Meetings Meets quarterlyAll meetings open to members of Federation

FEDERATION EXECUTIVE BOARD

Membership – 6,739 (May 20, 2013)

22 Chapters 1 Closing (1801, Evergreen) Smallest Chapter – 67 Members (1070,

Longview/Kelso) Largest Chapter - 922 Members (181, Bremerton) Average Size – 306 Members Chapters Broken Down into Five Districts, with District

Vice President Responsible for Chapters in His/Her District

Washington Federation

District I:Chapters 32, 239, 856, & 1247

District II: Chapters 43, 193, 196, 1404, 1701, & 1966

District III: Chapters 131, 163, 236, 1070, & 1801

District IV: Chapters 181, 881, 888, & 1006

District V: Chapters 237, 238, & 1192

Washington Federation Districts

Washington Federation – Held Biennially

Chapter or District Serves as Convention Host

One delegate for every 25 members or fraction thereof, plus Chapter President

Elected Federation Officers are Delegates-at-Large

Proxy Votes are Allowed

Federation Officers elected

Resolutions Voted on at Convention

FEDERATION CONVENTIONS

NARFE Website: www.narfe.org WA Federation Website: www.narfewa.net Federation Newsletters Chapter Newsletters NARFE Magazine GEMS (Global Electronics Messaging System) NARFE News Watch Chapter Officers Chapter Members District Vice President

RESOURCES

Every Member’s Responsibility

Practice the 3-R’s - Recruiting, Retention, and Reinstatement

Reminder Post Cards are available for Retention

Every Member should be a walking advertisement for NARFE

MEMBERSHIP

Notify NARFE Member Records Office and Chapter Secretary of name, address, phone number, email address, and member status changes

Dues Inquiries and chapter assignments should be addressed to Member Records or Chapter President and/or Chapter Secretary

Renew Membership online at memberrecords@narfe.org

Or Call: 800.456.8410

CHANGE IN MEMBER RECORDS

Attend Chapter Meetings

Become engaged in Chapter activities

Volunteer to help with Chapter projects

Put your Skills to work in the Chapter

Enroll in GEMS (Go to NARFE website and follow directions – need Member ID and birth date)

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

Establish a NARFE account at www.narfe.org

Be a NARFE “Activist” on Legislative Issues

Strive to become a future Chapter Leader

Attend District Training

Don’t be afraid to ask questions or offer suggestions for improving the Chapter

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

Website: www.opm.gov/retire

Always have CSA or CSF Retirement Claim Number handy when contacting OPM

Retirement Eligibility 888.767.6738 retire@opm.gov

Retiree/Annuitant 888.676.6738 retire@opm.gov

Retirement Operations CenterPO Box 45Boyers PA 16017-0045

Social Security Administration Website: www.ssa.gov Phone #: 800.772.1213 Always have Social Security Number and/or Claim

#

Medicare Website: www.MyMedicare.gov Phone: 800.633.4227

IRS Website: www.irs.gov Phone: 800.829.1040

IMPORTANT LINKS

Effective March 1, 2013, all federal annuity checks (Social Security, VA, Railroad, or federal benefits) will be electronic payments

Direct Deposit to Bank or Credit Union Prepaid Debit Card (Direct Express Card)

Paper Checks will no longer be mailed

Direct deposit of annuity

QUESTIONS