Without going into details the figures are very disturbing. We are losing membership both at the Federation and National level. To reverse this trend we need to address the problem at the chapter level. We must not let NARFE die!
Although WEP/GPO are important issues, in these hard economic times we need to stress what NARFE is doing for our members to save and protect our current hard earned benefits. As an example our health benefits are going up an average of 7% next year with Blue Cross/Blue Shield leading the way with a 13.3% increase and this is only the beginning!
Although NARFE has social aspects we tend to forget that NARFE is not a social club. NARFE is a lobbying organization fighting to protect our hard earned benefits. We need to get the chapter members more involved with the legislative side of NARFE including NARFE PAC.
NARFE is not a 9-month per year organization either. The Federation works year round. Every chapter should consider meeting every month. Chapters that meet every month have a better turn out in general and a better retention record.
Boosting meeting attendance is a key issue. Make sure Chapter programs are interesting and informative. Boring meetings turn people off, especially new members. Luncheon meetings seem to draw more people. Also consider evening or breakfast meetings for the convenience of current employees. Chapters should have greeters at every meeting to meet members as they arrive and make them feel welcome. All new members should be introduced at the meeting.
How the Retention Committee will work:
We will work closely with the Federation Membership Recruitment Committee. Retention starts the day a new member is recruited.
We will meet with all DVPs to explain to them what is needed and get their support.
All chapters will be asked to form a Retention Committee. It can be either a separate committee or a committee that includes the Membership Chair. We recommend the Retention Committee be a special committee chaired by a Chapter Vice President. The committee should include the Membership Chair along with the Telephone Committee Chair, Newsletter Editor, and Web Master if the chapter has a web site and anyone else willing to serve.
A District Retention Officer will be appointed by the DVP for each District to work with the DVP and Chapter Retention Chair and to assist chapters on managing M112 Membership Reports and to develop strategy on retaining members. A copy of all district M112 and M114 reports will go to the District Retention Officer and Chapter Retention Chairperson for follow-up and updating. M112s and M114s will continue to be sent to Chapter Presidents and Chapter Membership Chairs. The District Retention Officer will work closely with the Federation Retention Committee Chairpersons.
We need to stress personal contact at the chapter level. The Chapter Retention Committee should:
Call any member on second renewal notice instead of waiting for Dropped notices.
Call members not attending meetings to see if there is a problem.
Send letters to dropped members, stating how important they are to NARFE. Follow up with a second letter if they do not renew after a reasonable time, sixty days.
Follow up with another phone call to find out why they did not renew. We can gain valuable information from this.
If possible each chapter should have someone from the Federation or possibly the DVP present a program on what NARFE is doing for them to protect their hard earned benefits that are in jeopardy.
We should be identifying and addressing issues concerning current employees and FERS retirees.
Determine what chapters with good meeting attendance are doing to get a good turn out by doing a survey of these successful chapters.
Initially we should concentrate our efforts on reviving those chapters that are in trouble and in danger of closing.
One of our best retention tools is dues withholding. Encourage every current member to sign up for dues withholding. Also, encourage every newly recruited member to sign up for dues withholding at the time he or she joins NARFE. Chapter officers should set an example for the rest of the members. The current Dues Withholding Contest is a great way to encourage Dues Withholding.
We should use matching funds to do whatever is necessary to make this program work.