proudly serving our members since 1963 volume 51 ... · asst. treasurer john g. olsen 703-569-4193...
TRANSCRIPT
NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
CHAPTER 893SPRINGFIELD, VIRGINIA
PROUDLY SERVING OUR MEMBERS SINCE 1963
VOLUME 51 – NUMBER 14 VFC AREA IX DECEMBER 2016
PRESIDENTJoseph E. Bush
VICE PRESIDENTTerri Darko
TREASURERJim Wagner703-644-5192
Beverly Clemsen703-924-0152
[email protected] DIRECTORS
Virginia CarterAt-Large
703-978-6547Jesse Hill
Elizabeth [email protected] PRESIDENT
Deanna [email protected]
ASST. TREASURERJohn G. Olsen703-569-4193
[email protected] A. Sachs
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE“Celebrating the Holidays – Welcoming the New Year”
On November 9, 2016, Chapter 893 members attending the monthly Chapter meeting elected a full slate of Officers to serve in 2017: Joe Bush, President; Terri Darko, Vice President; Beverly Clemson, Secretary; and Jim Wagner, Treasurer.
Our Officers were sworn into office at the Chapter’s Holiday Party on December 15, 2016, by NARFE National President Richard G. Thissen, who graciously accepted our invitation to serve as Guest Speaker at the event. Other distinguished guests included William “Bill” Shackelford Region X Vice President, and Donna Shackelford, Virginia Federation of Chapters’ Alzheimer’s Chair.
Despite strong wind gusts and cold temperatures, 51 members (including four Past Presidents) attended this year’s Holiday Party and Luncheon. Our venue, The Fairfax, did not disappoint. Rather, our expectations were exceeded. Our hosts provided an elegant environment in the Main Dining Room overlooking a lake and fountain with professional holiday table arrangements. We enjoyed a bountiful buffet and cash bar. The Old Dominion Trio entertained us again this year throughout the event with beautiful music and seasonal songs. Our celebration was capped by six attendees winning a raffle with $20 Panara Bread gift cards. The Fairfax provided beautiful bags with custom gifts as we left for buses to visitors’ parking.
Our Guest Speaker, NARFE National President Richard G. Thissen, provided an assessment of NARFE’s accomplishments over the past year. Significantly, he referenced the members’ historic mandates, approved at the National Convention in August of this year for One Member, One Vote, and the option of Chapter membership. President Thissen will lead a new Strategic Planning Committee and the National Executive Board to implement these mandates. He and National Secretary-Treasurer Jon Dowie were elected unanimously for an additional term at the Convention in Reno.
Among numerous accomplishments during President Thissen’s two-year term in office, members have set new records for contributions to NARFE-PAC, helping to elect fed-friendly members and raising NARFE’s
continued on page 2
NARFE Springfield Chapter 893 Page 2 December 2016
President’s Message continued from page 1
visibility among legislators. Webinars offered by the Federal Benefits Institute have shown progress in membership recruitment and increased organizational stability.
Anticipating a new Administration, President Thissen stated his commitment to set goals for NARFE’s legislative initiatives to meet current and future challenges. He pledged to continue to stave off congressional attacks on federal and retiree benefits and “to ensure that NARFE evolves, survives, and thrives.”
Closing out the party, our President for 2017, Joseph E. Bush, thanked the members of Chapter 893 for his election to the Office of President. He also stated his appreciation for National President Thissen to have personally sworn in the Chapter’s Officers. Joe recognized the 2017 Directors on the Board: Virginia Carter (At-Large); Jesse Hill; and Elizabeth (Beth) Lynch. He pledged that he, as President, and the Board’s Directors will work hard in the coming year to keep 893 on its current successful track. Joe then drew the raffle tickets for “lucky” members’ gift cards.
The party was described by several attendees picking up their gift bags from The Fairfax before leaving as, “the best party ever!”
Several photographs, taken by Dorie Waddick, are included in this newsletter. Additional party pictures will be loaded as soon as possible onto the Chapter’s website at www.vanarfe.org/893.
Deanna ShepherdPast President, Springfield Chapter 893
Continuing Resolution PassedWith funding from the previous continuing resolution (CR) ending on December 9, Congresspassed another CR to keep the government funded through April 28, 2017.
Medicare “Hold Harmless” Bill Falls ShortRepresentative Dina Titus, D-NV, introduced H.R. 6428 which would have limited the Medicare Part B premium increase to $4 for those not held harmless and not subject to higher premiums due
♦ LEGISLATIVE UPDATES ♦
Swearing in of Officers Current and Past Presidents
to higher incomes. However, legislation to prevent a disproportionately large increase in the 2017 Medicare Part B premium failed to receive further congressional action.
NARFE will continue to fight in the next Congress for a permanent fix to the unfair situation created by the hold harmless provision.
President Revises 2017 Alternative Plan for Locality PayOn December 8, President Obama revised his
NARFE Springfield Chapter 893 Page 3 December 2016
During the month ending November 20, 2016, Chapter 893 was joined by new member Chris Rodgers. Linda Callender transferred into our Chapter. Guido De Angelis, Connie Palta, John D. Evans, and Gary Traub were reinstated. Welcome to our six members!
We regret to inform you that Chapter members Donald Chapman of Troy, Virginia, and Betty L. Nunley of Slanesville, West Virginia, recently passed away. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their family members and friends.
♦ MEMBERSHIP UPDATE ♦
original locality pay plan for a 1.6 increase to an average of 2.1 percent for federal employees. The revision will maintain the 1.0 percent across-the-board base pay increase and incorporate varying locality pay increases of 1.1 percent of basic payroll. The pay adjustments will go into effect during the first pay period of the New Year.
NARFE-PACDuring the 2015-2016 election cycle, NARFE-PAC disbursed $674,500 to 216 congressional candidates. Of those candidates, 193 won, 17 lost, one race is still undecided, one retired, one died, one dropped out, and two decided to run for another office after the NARFE-PAC contribution was made.
NARFE-PAC contributed an additional $140,000 to party committees this cycle. Combined with contributions to candidates, NARFE-PAC disbursed
$814,500—almost 85 percent more than was disbursed last cycle. NARFE members contributed more than $1.4 million to NARFE-PAC during this election cycle, a 54 percent increase!
OPM Data Breach UpdateEffective December 1, federal employees and retirees must now re-enroll with another company(vice Winvale/CSID), ID EXPERTS, to continue to receive monitoring services. Individuals who are already enrolled with ID EXPERTS, following the second-announced (July 9, 2015) cyber attack will not need to take any action. OPM will notify by letter those individuals who must re-enroll. More information can be found on OPM’s website.
115th CongressThe 115th Congress will convene and be sworn into office on January 3, 2017, and the Presidential Inauguration will be held on January 20, 2017.
The Lunch Bunch will meet at the El Paso Mexican Restaurant, located at 6804 Commerce Street,
Springfield, VA (telephone: 703-912-6166), at 11:00 a.m., in advance of our January 11 meeting.
Please call Eleanor Erickson at 703-768-4460 or email her at [email protected], so that a reservation can be made in advance. Enjoy meeting and socializing with fellow Chapter members and guests at lunch.
Eleanor Erickson
THE LUNCH BUNCH
Wednesday, January 4, 2017 – Chapter Board Meeting, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., in the Conference Room, Kirkwood Presbyterian Church.
Wednesday, January 11, 2017 – Monthly Chapter Meeting with Guest Speaker President Scott Pinckney, Lifetime Learning Institute of Northern Virginia. Social and registration period, 12:30 p.m., meeting from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall, Kirkwood Presbyterian Church, 8336 Carrleigh Parkway, Springfield, Virginia 22152.
Thursday, January 12, 2017 – Little Theatre of Alexandria (LTA) performs Anything Goes at 8:00 p.m.
March 12-15, 2017 – NARFE 2017 Legislative Training Conference, Hilton Mark Center, Alexandria, VA.
April 2-5, 2017 – NARFE 2017 VFC Convention, Doubletree by Hilton Williamsburg, 50 Kingsmill Road, Williamsburg, VA.
♦ CHAPTER CALENDAR ♦
NARFE Springfield Chapter 893 Page 4 December 2016
At our Holiday Party, two NARFE Chapter members were recognized in addition to the exceptional volunteers who have received Certificates of Distinguished Service over the past two years at our meetings and events.
Dorie Waddick, a Director on the Chapter’s Board for four years, has been vital to our special events’ success, has served as the Chapter’s photographer, and has continued to successfully recruit members for our Chapter. Dorie’s contribution to the Board’s decision-making process has been highly valued. She has encouraged teamwork and demonstrated a results-oriented approach to problem solving. While remaining a member of our Chapter, Dorie has chosen to spend more time traveling with her husband, lending her talents to many groups, and pursuing other interests after her exceptional volunteer service on our Board.
Ann Collins, Past President of Chapter 893 and Past President of the Virginia Federation of Chapters, offered her assistance at the beginning of my tenure to support my efforts as a new President
and to champion our Chapter’s activities.
Ann tutored me on NARFE and the Chapter’s practices and procedures, as well as our history and its impact on past and current initiatives. Her input allowed me to quickly master NARFE’s technology requirements and understand my obligations and responsibilities. She was a sounding board for me and Executive Board members, as we faced challenges and opportunities.
Ann continues to personally and generously support every single member of NARFE as well as our Chapter’s leadership team. She exemplifies the fact that each of us is important to the protection and continuation of our members’ and annuitants’ interests. Ann’s long-standing commitment to NARFE reminds us that when we choose to volunteer for our Chapter, we will value and enjoy serving others and become better because of it.
♦ LEADERSHIP RECOGNITION ♦
Dorie Waddick Ann Collins
♦ STAY INFORMED ♦Visit the NARFE Website: www.narfe.org; Visit the VFC Website: www.vanarfe.org;
Visit the Chapter 893 Website: www.vanarfe.org/893.
NARFE Springfield Chapter 893 Page 5 December 2016
As I write and coordinate the issues covered by this, my last newsletter as Editor, I am reminded of the challenges, successes, friendships, and collegial relationships that we have experienced together over the past two years.
At our Holiday Party on December 15, I received a Certificate of Distinguished Service, presented by William Shackelford, Regional Vice President, Region X, and Richard G. Thissen, National President. The Citation states, in part, that I was being “recognized for [her] outstanding leadership the past two years as President of Springfield Chapter 893.”
I am seldom speechless, but I was overwhelmed in receiving this honor. While I was the recipient, the award recognizes our leadership team, the dedicated members who have come to our Chapter meetings, our new and sustaining members, and
the assistance we have received from our Area, Regional, and National NARFE supporters. One of my favorite quotes is, “Give me where to stand, and I will move the Earth.” From my perspective, we did make the ground move—just a little!
I am proud to have served you as President for the past two years. It has been a valuable learning experience for me, and I have had an opportunity to get to know you and share in our Chapter’s present and future. Thank you for all you have done for and with me and all you continue to do for NARFE.
I look forward to serving our members and the Executive Board as your Past President in the coming year.
With best regards and appreciation, Deanna
♦ HAIL AND FAREWELL ♦
Bill Shackelford, Deanna Shepherd, Ann Collins, and President Thissen
Non-Profi t Org.U.S. Postage
PAIDMerrifi eld, VA
Permit No. 2750
NARFE Springfi eld Chapter 893P. O. Box 523118West Springfi eld, VA 22152-3118
SPRINGFIELD CHAPTER 893’sJANUARY 11, 2017 MONTHLY MEETING
GUEST SPEAKER PRESIDENT SCOTT PINCKNEYLIFETIME LEARNING INSTITUTE OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Registration and Social at 12:30 p.m.
Business Meeting 1:00 p.m.; Guest Speaker 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
8336 Carrleigh Parkway, Springfield, VA 22152
If Fairfax County Schools are closed due to inclement weather, the scheduled Board and/or Chapter Meetings are canceled.
Springfield Chapter 893 meets on the second Wednesday of the month(excluding June, July, and August)at Kirkwood Presbyterian Church
8336 Carrleigh Parkway, Springfield, Virginia 22152
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED