From the Desk of the President:
Commentary About An Aging Organization
On Wednesday, June 2, 2004 an article appeared in the Bradenton (FL)
Herald-Tribune on page 2B entitled “An aging NAACP grapples with decline in
influence” that was written by Megan Scott of the Saint Petersburg Times. As I
read the article, there were several statements made which caused me to replace
the acronym NAACP with NARFE. Below are some excerpts from the newspaper
article; I invite you to determine if you may be influenced by this story, as I
was.
“ … such problems are increasingly common locally and nationally as the NAACP
deals with an aging, less active membership and a faltering national profile.”
Could NARFE be substituted for NAACP? With an average membership age of 72+, 10
% Chapter meeting attendance, and declining membership at all levels, NARFE is
indeed following in the same path as the NAACP.
“ … NAACP has been slow to adjust …” “We haven’t been creative in developing new
strategies.” “We have sat back and rested on our successes and achievements of
the past. That will just not work today.”
Does NARFE at the Chapter, Federation and National levels fit this mold? We have
become reactive, rather than active. Long Term Care was the last positive
legislative victory. We have been successful at diverting unfavorable
legislation to the trash heap and that is success by some standards.
Unfortunately, the National Legislative Strategy to acquire co-sponsorships and
avoiding initiating Discharge Petitions has not been productive in a very
partisan Congress and unfriendly Administration.
“As the NAACP moves toward its centennial, people inside and outside wonder
whether its mission is still relevant.” The NARFE mission as stated in the
Constitution and Bylaws is “ In order that the retired employees may receive
from the government of the United States remuneration to which their long and
faithful service entitles them; to aid them is securing their rights under the
retirement law; for the promotion of their general welfare; and to secure
legislation perfecting the retirement law, NARFE has been formed.” That mission
was stated in 1947 and modified in 1970. Are the National, Federation, and
Chapter organizational structures, staffing, programs, and leadership emphasis
compatible with this mission? Are the current programs and organizational
efforts structured more for promoting the general welfare rather than service
and legislation?
“Membership is down … and some lifetime members may never attend a local branch
meeting.” “If we are lacking anywhere it’s in young adults, people 25 to 40 …
said the chairman of the national NAACP.” What about NARFE – with its chapter
membership decreasing and lifetime (read longtime chapter) members never
attending meetings? Any one of us can say that NARFE lacks young adults as
members! The brighter picture for NARFE is that 1 in 3 or 4 new members is a
Current Federal Employee. However the retention rate for annual dues payers is
declining and total membership is down significantly. The new dues structure
with the clear benefit of Dues Withholding should help retention. Unfortunately,
dues withholding is not authorized for Current Federal Employees.
“The problem … is the NAACP doesn’t take on issues.” “ … the group seemed too
concerned with social events to make a difference.” “ … (there is) no direct
benefit from paying the $30 yearly dues.” “ … there is no single, unifying
cause.” Could NARFE be substituted for NAACP? The current main issues concerning
NARFE are National in scope and concern Premium Conversion, GPO/WEP Repeal, and
keeping the FEHBP healthy and favorable to retirees. Is there a single unifying
cause that would motivate our membership and leadership to spend time and
resources to achieve and also induce new members to join? For the NAACP in the
sixties it was school desegregation and voting rights. What is the underlying
“cause celebre” for NARFE today? The Reno Convention will consider a multitude
of resolutions. If you had to pick just one to follow through on for the next
year or session of Congress, which one would it be?
The above remarks are meant to create thought and debate about where NARFE is
and where we are heading. We are an aging organization that continues to grapple
with our membership decline and influence. Maybe a whole new paradigm is needed
and a cause we can all rally around.
Respectfully submitted by:
Dave Whalen
President, Florida Federation