Report of National Executive Board Meeting

April 5 - 7, 2006

To: Region III Federation and Chapter Officers

As always, these are not the official minutes of the NEB meeting, only my perception as to what took place during the meeting. Official minutes will be published after approval of the NEB.

Wednesday, April 5, 2006, all three committees met at the National Headquarters in Alexandria, VA. I have been appointed as the Chairman of the Strategic and Planning and Operations Committee, which consist of Tom Johnson, Region IV NFVP and Jerry Hatfield, Region VI NFVP.

The other three committees are listed below;
       Membership/PR/Benefit Services - Chaired by Dave Sullivan, National Secretary
       Financial Planning and Investments - Chaired by Richard Ostergren, National Treasurer
       Legislation - Chaired by Dan Galvan - National Vice President

The Strategic Planning and Operations committee discussed the consideration for a two day Strategic Planning session that has been proposed in spring of 2007 with an outside facilitator, and that is be held off site from NARFE Headquarters in conjunction with the NEB meeting, but not with the 2007 Legislative Conference.

There was a discussion pertaining to updating the Chapter and Federation Officers Manual (F-10) to include guidelines for Federations to follow when the occasion of closing or consolidating chapters. This is necessary because of the many variations of procedures used in different Federations and Chapters within NARFE.

A discussion was held about current information on the NARFE Website that is available for members, chapters, and federations to use. The suggestion that this information be indexed for easier access by persons willing to use the website. This discussion was presented to the webmaster and he promised to comply. 

There was further discussion about the communication problems that occur within the different functions of NARFE. This communication problem often occurs in both directions, NARFE to members, chapters, federations, as well as upward communication. The departments within NARFE Headquarters are being asked to do a better job of communicating with field components, with copies to NEB members and federation presidents. The electronic communication should be used whenever available. This discussion also led to a Motion be issued and passed establishing a monthly teleconference between members of the NEB and required members of the staff. There was also a suggestion that future budgets of the NFVP's include funds to have teleconferences within their regions.

At a luncheon work session the Budget Committee, of which I am a member, met with the Auditor Anthony A. Cuozzo to review the audit report for 2005. There were no noted discrepancies and the committee gave a clean report.

At 2:30pm on April 5, 2006, the full NEB convened with regular preliminaries and officer reports. All officers were present with the exception of Bob Renolds, Reion II, NFVP - Dick Strombotne, Maryland Federation President sat in for him.

April 6, 2006 - The NEB reconvened at 0900

The first committee report was that of the Legislative Committee.
      
      The legislative report began with a review of the status of NARFE Legislation, and a  report that there was no imminent threat to our FEHBP, but we must remain alert as it  can be targeted in the future.
     
       It was announced that the Coalition to Assure Equity (CARE) will meet with the  National Education Association (NEA) in mid-April with focus to be on weather or not  to negotiate a reform proposal.

       There were several strategies targeted to help protect our Earned Benefits in the 109th
       Congress.
             Members must continue to schedule meetings with Congressional Leaders and staff at the local level.
             Members must maintain personal element in contacts so recognition factor becomes an asset in approaching legislators about NARFE issues.
             Continue working with Federation leaders to get regular feedback from chapters as to their progress with legislative contacts.
             Must balance the need to preserve the benefits we already have with the need to move our bills forward. Some of our difficulties are; diversity of NARFE members; parochial nature of our legislation; congressional members' attitude that federal employees and retirees already have "a good deal," so why give them more; expense of implementing our legislation; and short congressional session - 98 days.
      
       Response to the Legislative Action Conference Calls of February 28, 2006, resulted in  a very positive impact as a communication tool. Federation Presidents and  Legislative Officers appreciated being included and having the opportunity to give and  take with HQ officers and legislative staff. There were 101 participants: 10 NFVPs, 47  Federation Presidents, 44 Legislative Officers or designated representatives.

       NFVPs were asked to build on what we have done and continue to push for local  contact by our members. We were asked to prepare a simple method of collecting  information from chapters on a monthly basis to identify problems in their districts  which may be hindering legislators from cosponsoring our bills. (A request for  assistance will be forwarded under a separate cover to Federation Presidents and  Federation Legislative Chairs.) It was noted that we are primarily interested in data on  non-cosponsors of NARFE Issues. But the ability of state legislative officers to  communicate with each other and exchange information will be available on the new  NARFE website, which is now under construction.

       Although there is not a major threat on the immediate horizon, we still need to be  vigilant and ready to communicate to our members ASAP if something unexpected  should arise. Lets keep the lines of communication open all the way down to the  chapters telephone tree.

The Legislative Committee Report was accepted without objection.

The Membership, Public Relations, and Retirement Benefits Committee Submitted its Report.

       A Review of the 2006 Membership Plan revealed that approximately 4000 members  have been recruited in the first two months of 2006. However, there have been 4500  members dropped for nonpayment of dues along with 1700 reports of death. Even  though the non-renewall rate has dropped we have to develop new strategies to  decrease the loss.
             Lapsed Member Mailing. A mailing was made to 29,000 lapsed members and over 1500 rejoined as new members - a 5.25% return.
             League of Postmasters Mailing. We have reached an agreement to do a joint mailing to current and retired members of the League. approximately 17,000 mailings.

       The results from the fall 2005 OPM Blind mailing received a 9.2% return rate,  considerable improvement over the spring mailing.
      
       There were approximately 51,000 packets mailed in the spring 2006 OPM Blind  mailing. The results will not be complete until May.

       There is an ongoing test program for e-mail outreach at recruiting previous identified  potential members. A survey sent to 5,757 potential members resulted in 39% (2254)  opening the e-mails, 23% (1343) clicked on the link provided and 16% (922)  responded to the survey.

       Review of the PR/Advertising program reports that during 2005 there were nearly 90  requests for Matching Funds, amounting to $32,284. Mr. Timanus also recommended  that the current recruiting videos are outdated and should be replaced with a more  "sophisticated" version. The cost for this was not included in the 2006 budget but is  recommended to be budgeted in 2007.

       The committee directed the staff to develop a form letter to be provided to newly  elected chapter officers and selected appointed officers congratulating them on their  new office. This letter should also provide them with a list of NARFE publications that  are available to assist them. An order from (F-18) will be included with the letter. In  order for this to occur, a new chapter officer form (F-7) will have to be submitted at  each officer change.

       The NEB was updated on the developments within the "Developing Leaders Task  Force" and approved its recommendation.

       A recommendation was made that anyone addressing the general membership or staff  communications with the chapters use the titles of NARFE forms or reports along  with the numeric designation.

       A new brochure "Welcome to NARFE" (F-121) was introduced. this is a four fold form  for presenting to new members providing information on their chapter, what NARFE  offers, who to contact and other information within the chapter. It is recommended that  each chapter order and use these forms ASAP.

The Membership, PR and Retirement Benefits report was accepted without objection.

The Finance and Investment Committee reported.

       As a recommendation of the auditor and Audit Committee the following Motion was  submitted. 
             MOTION 06-04-01: All contracts must be reviewed by the National Treasurer prior to signing by the National President. Motion Passed

       A review of the Life Membership Trust Fund, found no need to make any changes to  the fee structure at this time.
       NARFE FEEA Disaster Fund; Members had contributed $71,631 to the fund, NARFE  had moved $110,000 to the fund, the fund had helped 453 families and paid out  $225.954.
       Financial Advisors are happy with our Investment Portfolio and its growth within the  past 12 months.
       Budget Issues: there will be a 2006 mid year review via teleconference during July as  the NEB will not meet again until September in Albuquerque. When the 2007 Budget  is formulated, it was suggested to involve newly elected NEB members as soon as  possible. The Treasurer agreed.
       Preretirement Seminar Program in 2005 completed 39 PRS's and we have  completed 7 in 2006 with 16 more confirmed. We are again applying to GSA to  become listed as a provider of Pre Retirement Seminars.
       The NEB was briefed on the new NARFE website that should be on line by the end of  May 2006. It is designed to be more user friendly. There is also the possibility that  GEMS will be available for Federation Presidents to use for distribution of information  sometime after the 2006 convention.

Financial and Investment Committee Report was accepted without objection.

The NEB voted on nine cities/hotels to be presented for the 2010 National Convention. The Six receiving nomination are: Dallas, Texas - Adams Mark Hotel; Denver, Colorado - Adams Mark Hotel; Grand Rapids, Michigan - Amway Grand Plaza Hotel; Kansas City, Missouri - Hyatt Regency; Palm Springs, California - desert Springs/Mariott Resort; Reno, Nevada - Nugget. all of these hotels can accommodate all of our delegates and everything under one roof.

The drawing for seating arrangements at the National Convention were made; The convention center has a five division arrangement and Region III will be stage left in the second section of the second division.

April 7, 2006 the NEB convened at 0900

The Strategic, Planning and Operations Committee Reported;

       The Strategic, Planning report was made as noted previously in this summation with  the exception that the following motions were generated.
             Motion 06-04-02: Monthly teleconferences between the NEB and selected staff members will be held on the second Tuesday of each month, except during federation convention months (April, May & June) and the month of the    NEB meetings. Motion Passed
             Motion 06-04-03: Move that a resolution be presented to the delegates on Bylaw change. Article II, Section 1C 1 &@, along with Section 2C 1&2 be changed to allow the election of all fourteen members of the NEB be elected  by mail ballots, prior to the National Convention. Motion Passed 10 to 4

The Strategic, Planning and Operations Report was accepted without objection.

Another Item of Interest;

       President Fallis announced that the temporary policy of allowing certain travel for NEB spouses has been rescinded effective immediately.

The NEB Adjourned at approximately 1600 hours on April 7, 2006.


Bob Harrell
Region III, NFVP