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National Active and Retired Federal Employees

Association

Florida Federation of Chapters

2007 Convention Edition Newsletter

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The Gavel Has Been Passed

By Benjamin J. Pappa Jr.

The gavel has been passed. On May 17, 2007 at

the formal Convention banquet, it was my honor to

administer the “Oath of Office” to the newly elected

officers of the Florida Federation of Chapters, and

pass the gavel on to President Donald Stewart. I

believe that under President Stewart’s leadership,

and support of both the elected officers and his

appointed staff, the Florida Federation will continue

to be an example of what and how a Federation

should be.

Over the past two years, I have served the Florida

Federation with the support of both a very

dedicated Executive Board and staff of appointed

officers. I have been able to introduce several

changes to the operation of the Federation over the

past several years, and as a parting gesture,

introduced a new program known as “Florida

Federation Chapter Assistance Program”. This

program will replace the “Chapter Award Program”,

and make it possible for more Chapters with a

need to be able to receive funds to assist them

within the fields of recruitment, retention and PR.

President Stewart has appointed Past President

David Whalen to Chair this program. I’m sure that

Chapters will be receiving detailed information

about this program shortly. I wish to thank you, the

Chapter Members, and Delegates at the

Convention for placing your trust in me for the past

two years as your Federation President.

Beacon of Hope

The Florida Federation held its Fifty Fifth Annual

Convention May 15-17 at the Hilton Hotel in

Altamonte Springs. The Convention, was

organized and expertly managed by Federation

President Ben Pappa and 1st VP Don Stewart.

Scores of NARFE members from around the state

helped the effort, which included fund raising

raffles, a hobby show, and two excellent banquet

dinners.

The Convention started off with Convention

Chairman Don Stewart introducing 2

nd

V.P.

Roepke, who introduced Federation Officers and

honored guests, followed by an impressive honor

guard from the JAFROTC Honor Guard from Lake

Brantley High School, Altamonte Springs, carrying

the American flag, and then the Parade of

Banners.

This is a Special Edition of the Florida

Federation Newsletter. It is being posted on

our website, www.narfefl.net, and is not being

mailed. In this way, we hope to get to all of

our Chapters up to date information about the

recent Federation Convention, information we

hope Chapters will use in their Newsletters

and websites. Our regular Newsletter will be

mailed to all Chapter Presidents and

Secretaries in July.