President Don Stewart's Farewell Address
 

I want to thank all of you for the support you have given me ever since I started this trip, first as Federation 2nd Vice President, then as 1st Vice President and over the past two years as the President. Your support and backing have been the key to any successes I may have had. After the Convention, I will serve as Past Junior Federation President on the Executive Board. I look forward to continuing to serve NARFE in this capacity.

I have also announced that I will run for Region III Vice President after the current Vice President, Bob Harrell, steps down at the end of his current term in September 2010. I hope that I will a gain be able to count on your support when the election takes place at the National Convention in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

During my tenure, I have asked the membership to share their suggestions with me and I am delighted that so many of you did. Among these suggestions were to split the Membership Chair into a Recruitment Chair and a Retention chair; to extend the Federation wide Dues Withholding Contest to the Districts; to increase membership input in the day to day business of the Federation, thereby increasing the involvement of members in taking on increased responsibilities and many other suggestions that have given members a direct input into the running of the Federation. I am proud to say that in the Federation Executive Board, we introduced the Open Forum, whereby upon the conclusion of business, we recessed the meeting in order to have a freewheeling discussion of ideas to improve the management of the Federation. A Strategic Planning Committee was created which submitted its recommendations to the Board, many of which have been implemented.

Among other things, the Federation is in a sound fiscal position, which puts us on a sound footing in this period of economic uncertainty. We have been able to fund sound programs to help chapters with Public Relations, recruitment and retention efforts.

My own Chapter is among the very few that has grown over the past 10 years, netting a 20% increase. This is a tribute to our Chapter leadership over this time and I congratulate you all. I’m proud to be one of its members.

In conclusion, again, my sincerest thanks for your support over the past years! My best wishes to all for our FEDERATION'S continued success!

Don Stewart
President
FLFED of NARFE