NARFE News

Submit to the 2021 NARFE Photo Contest through April 2. Capture the image that conveys your interpretation of “Greetings From the USA.” For more information, visit www.narfe.org/photocontest.

Many of us will look back on the autumn of 2020 as a very challenging time, with good news in short supply. However, here at NARFE, several hundred of our members provided a positive spark that helped us end the year on a high note—they recruited more than 300 new members during the NARFE Fall Membership Drive. This achievement was even more remarkable because it took place during a global pandemic that limited their ability to make personal connections with prospective members.

While we don’t have the space to list all of our recruiters, we would like to recognize several people who brought in multiple members: Joseph Beyer, Mary Burkett, Kenneth Candell, Marsha Catlett-Weimer, Judith Davidson, John Hockenbury, Ilene McQuality, Gladyce Nelson, Dale Ollila, Marianne Polo, Rebecca Price, Yoggi Riley, Steven Roy, James Ryan and Nancy Story. A few recruiters, chosen at random, also received Amazon gift cards, and one received the grand prize, a new Kindle tablet. To all members who participated, we thank you for your support and your commitment to helping us grow. As an organization, we are stronger, and so is our message in Washington, because of you.

Moving forward, we have lots of exciting new programs and services coming online to help us work together to keep NARFE expanding and thriving. We’re working on more online programs with tips and information to guide the recruiting efforts of our members in the field, and we’ll introduce new ways to help our chapters engage with the NARFE members in their areas.

If you have questions, please call us at 800-456-8410 (press 1) or email us at membership@ narfe.org.

—BY DAVE BOWMAN, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Please welcome Evan Dean, who recently joined NARFE’s communications team as its digital communications assistant. He manages the NARFE NewsLine newsletter and produces the association’s webinars, daily news clips and social media content. He is also working with NARFE’s archive in anticipation of our centennial celebration.

Evan is a native Virginian and a 2015 graduate of the University of Mary Washington with a B.A. in political science. His previous experience includes strategy and communications work for various DC-area nonprofits, political field work for national and state-wide campaigns, and campaign management.

Evan is a classically trained musician and has performed with several professional choirs and ensembles. He enjoys cooking and spending time at home with his cat and domestic partner.

Evan can be reached at edean@narfe.org.

The only organization dedicated solely to protecting and preserving the benefits of all federal workers and retirees, NARFE informs you of any developments and proposals that affect your compensation, retirement and health benefits, AND provides clear answers to your questions. Who Should Join NARFE?

If your future security is tied to federal retirement benefits—federal retirees, current employees, spouses and individual survivors—you should join NARFE. • Access the NARFE Federal Benefits

Institute for powerful resources to help you fully understand and manage your benefits. • Visit the Legislative Action Center to contact your representatives about bills affecting federal benefits. • Get NARFE Magazine with news and insights for the federal community. • Save time, hassle and money with

NARFE Perks. • The opportunity to get involved at the local level by joining a chapter in your area.

q YES. I want to join NARFE for the

q Mr. q Mrs. q Miss q Ms.

Full Name

Street Address

Apt./Unit

City State ZIP

Phone

Email

q Active Federal Employee q Active Federal Employee Spouse q Annuitant q Annuitant Spouse q Survivor Annuitant

q Please enroll my spouse

Spouse’s Full Name

Spouse’s Email

1. Complete this application and mail with your payment

to NARFE Member Services / 606 N Washington St /

Alexandria, VA 22314-1914. 2. Join online at www.NARFE.org.

3. Call 800-456-8410, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

q Check, Money Order or Bill Pay (Payable to NARFE) q Bill me (NARFE membership will start when payment is received.) q Charge my: q MasterCard q VISA q Discover q AMEX

___________________________________________ Card No.

Expiration Date _____ /________

mm yyyy

___________________________________________ Name on Card

___________________________________________ Signature

___________________________________________ Date

$48 Annual Dues X ___________ = ___________ Per Person # Enrolling Total Dues Dues payments are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

LOOKING TO MEET OTHERS in the federal community and participate in NARFE at a local level? Call 800-456-8410 to learn about a NARFE chapter in your area. Would you like to receive a FREE one-year chapter membership? Choose one: q Chapter closest to home OR q Chapter #____________

MAY WE THANK SOMEONE? Did someone introduce you to NARFE? Please provide their Name and Member ID.

___________________________________________ Recruiter’s Name

___________________________________________ Recruiter’s Membership ID

NARFE respects the privacy of our members. Personal information is used to provide content and relevant communications to our members, and will not be sold or rented to third parties. (01/21)

If you’ve visited NARFE.org lately, you’ve probably encountered our new NARFE website. Phase I rollout began in early January, debuting a great new look with easier access to more resources.

A few highlights of the longanticipated website update: • The website is simpler to navigate, with visual links to relevant information. • Our new chapter locator helps potential members connect with NARFE chapters near them. • A robust new search function helps users pinpoint the pages they need. • Visitors can easily view videos from our extensive library of webinars on any device. • The new responsive design is right-sized for any screen you use, including smartphones and tablets. • The “Contact Us” form helps members send email to the appropriate Headquarters department. • It’s easy to share our awardwinning content, both by email and within your social networks, with just a few clicks.

You’ll still encounter links to legacy pages as you explore, but we’re launching new features regularly. We’d love to know what you think of the new website as we continue to refine functionality. Please send your feedback to communications@ narfe.org.

NARFE was formed less than a year after passage of the Civil Service Retirement Act of 1920, when 14 federal retirees met in downtown Washington, DC. At the time of that inaugural meeting, civil service annuities for the 16,500 federal annuitants were capped at $60 per month, with a maximum annual payout of $720. Retirement was mandatory for employees with 15 years of service who had reached retirement age. The new group, then named the Association of Retired Federal Employees, would work solely for “the betterment of the status of retired federal employees.”

This information was correct as of press time in late January; however, because of potential COVID-19 restrictions, please contact your federation to make sure these details are current.

COLORADO: October 7 in Aurora NORTH CAROLINA: May 12, virtual DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: April 24 (register by email to Register@ NCNARFE.org) ILLINOIS: September 27-29 in Normal OKLAHOMA: August or September, KANSAS: April 26 -27 in Salina to be determined MASSACHUSETTS: May 6-7, virtual (register at https://us02web.zoom. us/j/87354549958) OREGON: May 16-18 in Newport (if virtual, visit https://global. gotomeeting.com/join/748455997) PENNSYLVANIA: March 15 in York MISSISSIPPI: April 8-10 in Louisville SOUTH DAKOTA: August 18-20 in MISSOURI: April 22, virtual Pierre NEBRASKA: May 13-14 in Lincoln TEXAS: April 13-14 in San Antonio NEW JERSEY: April 21, virtual or VIRGINIA: October 11-13 in Richmond in person

ILLINOIS: May 19; nominations due March 31 Cynthia Soltes, cynthiasoltes@sbcglobal.net, www.narfe.org/il KANSAS: March and April by mail John Ourada, (785) 643-8506 or john.ourada@cox.net; www.narfe.org/site/ks/ MASSACHUSETTS: April 5-26 by mail; nominations due March 15 Gene Holt, 978-256-6818 or wgholtjr@ verizon.net; www.manarfe.org MISSISSIPPI: April 9 Rhett Hamiter, 228-596-0396, katrdh90@currently.com, www.NARFE.org/ms NEW JERSEY: April 21 John Szpyhulsky, ukijs@aol.com, www.narfe.org/site/NJ