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NARFE Chapter 1270
WORD
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Woodbridge
W
O
R
D
NARFE
http://www.vanarfe.org/1270
OFFICERS
President
Jim Little
703-655-9259
Vice President
Linda Force
703-490-5506
Secretary
Darwin Ransom
703-590-1210
Treasurer
Darwin Ransom
703-590-1210
National Active and Retired Federal Employees
NARFE Chapter 1270
Woodbridge, Dumfries, Lorton and the World
Chartered April 10, 1973
Volume 18, Number 11, November 2014
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Jim Little
[email protected]
This month is one of the most important
months of the year as Americans go to the
polls. I urge each of you to vote on November 4. As Pericles said around 466 BC,
“Just because you do not take an interest in
politics doesn't mean politics won't take an
interest in you.” Remember that some polling stations have changed over the last couple of years and that an appropriate picture
ID is now required in Virginia.
GET OUT AND VOTE!
I appreciate Pierce Johnson and Gaston
Gianni, Chapter 1270 members and officials of the Virginia Federation of Chapters, for putting on a “Meet and Greet”
event at Four Seasons. We had a number
of potential recruits attend and at least one
new associate member join. As a chapter
and as an advocacy organization, it is critical that we do more to increase (even maintain) our membership. If you look at the
numbers, our chapter’s and NARFE’s
membership numbers have been dropping
dramatically, which is consistent with
many other advocacy organizations.
To encourage recruitment, NARFE has extended until December 31st its incentive
program, giving members $10 for every
new member they recruit before December
31, 2014. To qualify, the new recruit must
include your ID number (which can be
found on the address label of your monthly
NARFE magazine). Enrollment can be
done online at NARFE.org; by filling out
November 2014
an application (found in the NARFE magazine) postmarked by December 31; or by calling 800-627-3394. We cannot expect someone
else to do the recruiting for us and be complacent and satisfied with the status quo.
As you plan out your month, don’t forget the
FEHBP Open Season Workshop on November
15th, detailed in last month’s newsletter. The
workshop will be held at the Fairfax County
Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035, from 10 a.m.
to 1:00 p.m. Representatives from most major
health plans, OPM, and Medicare will be onhand to discuss their programs with participants.
Also, we have been invited to attend the Vienna-Oakton Chapter’s November 11th meeting
to hear Tammy Flanagan speak on Open Season with an emphasis on Medicare and the
FEHBP. Tammy is a member of our chapter
and is the Senior Benefits Director for the National Institute of Transition Planning. The
meeting will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the Vienna
Community Center on Cherry and Park
Streets, Vienna, VA.
I wish each of you a very Happy Thanksgiving
and a safe holiday season.
Veterans Day—November 11th
Please take some time during this day to
remember and pay honor to veterans of all
U. S. wars.
NARFE Chapter 1270
Up-coming Elections for Chapter 1270
Chapter 1270’s Bylaws require the annual election of
a president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary;
that Elections shall be held annually at the November
monthly meeting; and that the president shall serve no
more than two consecutive terms. To date, the following chapter members have been nominated, and they
have accepted to run for office at our November 20th
meeting: Linda Force, President; Tammy Flanagan,
Vice President; Cheryl Sullivan, Secretary; Darwin
Ransom and Doris McAdams, Treasurer. Additional
nominations will be accepted from the floor on the
date of the meeting. Please attend this important
meeting to cast your vote and support the leadership
and future of your organization.
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Boothe then realized that America had forgotten
about the women who have served, fought, bled,
and died alongside their male counterparts.
Ms. Boothe never forgot what she and her son had
been through and was determined to ensure her fellow
sister veterans had a resource in their time of need. Ms.
Boothe founded Final Salute Inc., in November 2010
as part of her commitment to “Never Leave a Fallen
Comrade”. Final Salute Inc. has assisted over 300
women veterans and children and now operates 3
transitional homes in Alexandria, VA; Martinsburg, WV; and Columbus, OH. Ms. Boothe holds a
BA in Mass Communications from Mississippi Valley
State University and dual MAs in Human Resource
Management and Management and Leadership from
Webster University. Ms. Boothe has received many
awards for her leadership and community impact.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Linda Force
[email protected]
History of Veterans Day
Greetings NARFE Chapter 1270 members! We are
privileged to have Ms. Jas Boothe as our November 20,
2014 guest speaker. Ms. Boothe is a veteran and will
speak about the challenges faced by female veterans.
Ms. Boothe is a Chicago native and disabled Army
Veteran, who gave 13 years of service to this great nation. She deployed during the Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom campaigns and her
military career has been dedicated to working with and
advocating for soldiers and their family members.
World War I, known at the time as “The Great War”,
officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was
signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles
outside the town of Versailles, France. However,
fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the
Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the
eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh
month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”
See you all on November 20th. Happy Thanksgiving!
In 2005, she was a single parent in the Army Reserves
living in New Orleans. That spring, she learned she
would soon be deploying to Iraq. During her mobilization, Ms. Boothe’s life was torn apart by two significant events. In August she lost everything she owned
due to Hurricane Katrina. She tried to shift her focus
to her platoon that was counting on her for leadership
through the deployment. The very next month in September, she received a devastating diagnosis of an aggressive head, neck, and throat cancer, and was now
unable to deploy.
Chapter 1270 membership for the end of September
2014 is 557. During that month we had 2 new members
and 35 renewals. Keep those renewals coming in; they
are critical to maintaining a large and stable NARFE
membership.
Ms. Boothe’s options were limited and posed some
very hard choices for her. Because of her illness,
she was facing discharge from the military. Ms.
Welcome to our new members Sophia Clark and Cassandra Roche. We hope to see you at a future meeting.
Membership Report continued on next page
MEMBERSHIP REPORT
Christina L. Lundeen
[email protected]
November 2014
NARFE Chapter 1270
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Membership Report continued from page 2
REMINDER: Keep sending those Email Addresses
to me, for use in distributing our monthly newsletter.
You will receive your newsletter much sooner and at
no cost to the chapter (no printing or postal costs).
And don’t forget to let me know if your Email Address
changes.
RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE: Between now and
the end of the year 2014 any NARFE member who recruits a new member will receive $10 from HQ. If you
recruit two new members you will receive $20, etc. So
let’s all find friends, neighbors, co-workers, or even
family members who should belong to NARFE and get
busy recruiting.
SERVICE OFFICER REPORT
Joyce Pieritz
[email protected]
FEHBP and FEDVIP open season begins November 10
and continues through December 8, 2014. OPM has set
up web sites where you can review premium rates.
For FEHBP go to: www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/
healthcare/plan-information/premiums/.
FOR FEDVIP go to: www.opm.gov/healthcareinsurance/dental-vision/plan-information/
#url=Premiums.
You will be able to find specific information about the
benefits of individual plans on the OPM web site in early November. If you are in the Northern Virginia area,
you can also get information about Open Season by attending the Open Season Workshop offered by Congressman Gerry Connolly. That workshop will be held
Saturday, November 15, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the
Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government
Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA. Representatives from
OPM, Medicare and various FEHBP plans will be available to provide information and answer your questions.
Take advantage of this free program if you can!
Even if you are happy with your health plan, it pays to
check the new rates and the changes in the plan, to
make sure the plan still meets your needs and your
budget!
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SECRETARY’S REPORT
Darwin Ransom
[email protected]
October Meeting notes:
Joyce Pieritz called the October meeting to order at
the Holiday Inn on October 16. She noted that Open
Season for changing health insurance was November
10 to December 8. OPM has posted the rates on its
web site.
Guest speaker Norm Mosher, Congressional District
1 candidate, spoke on future issues that may be facing
Congress and answered a multitude of questions.
Jim Little announced the nominees for officers for
2015. Election will be in November and additional
nominations may be made. Current nominees are:
President - Linda Force, Vice President - Tammy
Flanagan, Secretary - Cheryl Sullivan, and Treasurer
- Doris McAdams and Darwin Ransom.
Christina Lundeen announced that through December members recruiting a new member will receive a
$10 bonus.
Gaston Gianni reported that an “Open House” will
be held for government employees and retirees at
Four Seasons from 9 to 11 Saturday morning on October 18.
Doris McAdams encouraged everyone to complete
the survey in the last newsletter. She discussed the
possibility of a wine tasting and a "Dine to Donate" to
benefit Alzheimer’s Research.
The lucky winner of the 50/50 won $33.
September Meeting notes:
Our annual picnic was held on September 18 with a
good turnout of our local politicians and members we
had not seen for a while. It was a time for visiting
and some great food. About 40 were in attendance.
No business meeting was held.
August Meeting notes:
President Jim Little began our August meeting at
noon on the 21st of August with a moment of silence
and the pledge of allegiance. He introduced Priscilla
Adams (guest), Georgia Hubert (guest), John and
Ann Miller (new members), Charles and Lee Pearre
Secretary’s Report continued on next page
November 2014
NARFE Chapter 1270
Secretary’s Report continued from page 3
(first
meeting), Nancy Wehmeyer (guest), and Mary
Lou Vroman (VFC Liaison for Congressional District
11). A total of 47 members and guests attended.
Following lunch, Vice President Linda Force introduced our guest speaker, Congressman Rob Wittman, who represents the 1st Congressional District.
Congressman Wittman discussed in depth issues in
Congress that are important to NARFE members including some legislation he has proposed. He also
talked about some of the dysfunction and problems on
the hill. He then answered questions.
Membership Chair Christina Lundeen announced that
members recruiting a new member would be awarded
$10.
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Our chapter was recognized as the top fund raising
chapter in the country for Alzheimer’s Research.
Our member, Pierce Johnson, was chair of the Legislative Committee and presented the resolutions and the
committee's recommendations as to action.
Some key speakers included OPM Director Katherine
Archuleta, US Rep Alan Grayson, President and CEO
of the Alzheimer’s Association, Retired Extension Professor at University of Kentucky Martha Null, and Political Science Associate Professor at the University of
Central Florida Aubrey Jewett.
Special activities included a NARFE PAC breakfast,
Florida Night (Jimmy Buffet Tribute Band performed)
and a great banquet on the final evening.
Linda Force announced that instead of a regular meeting in September we would have our annual picnic in
the VFW pavilion. Local politicians are invited. In
October, Norm Mosher, a 1st Congressional District
candidate will be our guest speaker. In November, Ms.
Jas Boothe will speak on “Wounded Warriors”. We
will have the Bull Run Troubadours sing at our Holiday Party in December.
October Guest Speaker
Norm Mosher
Candidate
1st Congressional District
Service Officer Joyce Pieritz noted that OPM is ratcheting up for the open season on health plans.
On October 18, there will be a “Meet NARFE” event
in Four Seasons.
Tammy Flanagan is serving on our nominations committee for our chapter officers for 2015. The open offices include President, Vice President, Secretary, and
Treasurer. Anyone willing to step up should contact
Tammy.
Donations for Alzheimer’s Research totaled $138.
One hundred 50/50 tickets were sold.
The National convention was attended by a great
crowd of well over 1100 from all over the country and
places like Panama. Most chapters were represented
either in person or by proxies.
Three By-Law changes were made. The main one reduced the number of national officers from 4 to 2 in
the interest of economy. Richard Thissen was elected
President. Jon Dowie was elected Secretary-Treasurer.
Bill Shackelford, from here in northern Virginia and
who spoke at our July meeting, was elected Region X
Vice President.
LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Jim Little
[email protected]
After many years authoring Chapter 1270’s monthly
Legislative Report, Kevin Raymond has informed us
he is regrettably resigning from his post. I think all
Legislative Report continued on next page
November 2014
NARFE Chapter 1270
WORD
Legislative Report continued from page 4
of you will agree Kevin has done an outstanding job
providing us a quality column and has kept us informed of current legislative events and pending legislation. Thank you, Kevin, for your service! We hope
to see you at one of our meetings! If anyone is interested in taking on the Legislative Report column for
our monthly newsletter, or knows someone who might
be interested, please let Jim Little or Linda Force
know!!
Before Congress headed home to prepare for the midterm elections, the House and Senate passed a shortterm continuing resolution that will fund the Federal
Government for the first quarter of fiscal year 2015,
but only until December 11th. One thing not included
in the stopgap funding measure is any provision to delay the closure of 82 mail processing facilities announced by the Postal Service in June 2014. Lawmakers may push for a delay in the next funding bill.
When Congress returns on November 12 for a “lameduck” session, one of the first things on the agenda will
be to, hopefully, pass another measure to continue
funding the government’s operations and avoid another
disastrous shutdown. Stay tuned, as the outcome of the
November 4 elections will no doubt impact the yearend legislative session.
A weekly legislative update is available online at
www.narfe.org.
NARFE Chapter 1270 Annual
September Picnic
Corey Stewart, Board of County Supervisors, enjoying the food at the annual
picnic with NARFE Chapter 1270
members and guests.
November 2014
Page 5
August Guest Speaker
Rob Wittman
Incumbent
1st Congressional District
MONTHLY Meeting and Luncheon
The NARFE Chapter 1270 monthly meeting will be 20 November 2014, the 3rd Thursday, at the Holiday Inn Quantico Center, Dumfries, VA 22026. The cost of the luncheon is $18.50. The menu will
be a chef’s choice entree, or a vegetarian meal upon prior request. Reservations will be taken anytime
up until noon on Friday, 14 November 2014. Please call Betty Koger at (703) 499-8902 or email me
at [email protected]. Please remember, if you make a reservation for the luncheon you are obligated
to pay even if you do not attend. Everyone attending the luncheon should be at the Holiday Inn by
11:30 a.m.; lunch will be served at noon. The NARFE Monthly Meeting will start at 1 p.m.
National Active and Retired Federal Employees - NARFE
Membership Application for Woodbridge, VA Chapter No. 1270
Please enroll me in Chapter No. 1270
______New Member dues 1 yr $40
______Annual Renewal $50
_____ Social and Associate Chapter Members $10
Check all that apply: ___ Retired ___ Active Fed. Emp ___ Spouse ___ Former Spouse ___ Survivor ___ Former Emp
NARFE No. ________________
DOB: ____________________
Name______________________________________
Spouse’s Name __________________________
Recruiter’s NARFE No._________________
Address ____________________________________ City __________________ State ___ Zip (9 digit) ___________
E-mail address _________________________________
Home Telephone (____) _____-________
Mail application with check payable to NARFE. Send to NARFE Membership, 3948 Solstice Lane, Dumfries, VA 22025-1870
Mail label
Return Service Requested
Woodbridge, VA 22193-1731
14712 Dunbar Lane
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Nonprofit Org.
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