January 2022

SPOKANE CHAPTER 32 NEWSLETTER

Published Monthly except July and August

www.narfespokane.org

22 – 01 Advocates for Current and Former Federal Employees January 2022

JANUARY CHAPTER MEETING MONDAY JAN. 10, 2022 - 11:30 AM 11:30 AM Social Darcy’s Restaurant 10512 E Sprague Ave. Spokane Valley, WA 99206

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGEScott Robinson

I bring greetings to one and all from the Texas Gulf Coast, where Tami and I are spending the winter. We hope you all had a merry Christmas and Happy New Year’s Day. We look forward to 2022 while COVID-19 remains with us, despite our best efforts to vaccinate. As we begin a new year, I encourage you renew your Spokane Chapter 32 dues when you renew you NARFE National dues.

NARFE recently activated FEDHub, which is an online connection between members around the country. FEDHub was created to share knowledge and value of our entire community to you. I encourage you to go to NARFE’s webpage to learn more and log in.

With a recent Executive Order, President Biden will give federal employees an average 2.7% pay raise in 2022. This includes 2.2% across-the-board pay and 0.5% locality pay, which is on par with the pay raise given to military members.

OPM will mail all 2021 1099-R forms by January 31. However, you can go to OPM’s Retirement Services Online and access your 2020 1099-R today.

Save the date! FEDcon22 will be held August 21-23, 2022, at the Westin Kierland Resort in Scottsdale, AZ. More information will be coming out later this year about this important conference.

Please call me at 208-661-7695 or email me at scottsoriole@q.com if you have any questions regarding Spokane Chapter 32.

LEGISLATION Roger Bosky

Congress is in recess. Bills dealing with the GPO, WEP and the measure of our COLA will have to wait until next year.

One item did come to my attention. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is hell bent on reforming the USPS regardless of the impact of the changes on service levels, morale etc. His timing was terrible- near the election and ballot workloads.

Public Service and the NAACP sued the USPS on the grounds that these changes adversely impacted prompt and reliable mail service.

In December, a settlement was reached. The Postal Service agreed to meet with NAACP prior to national and primary elections and to provide weekly reports on service levels during the weeks leading up to the election. The Postal Service also agreed to provide guidance documents on their plans to ensure timely delivery of mail.

The public gains a win here.

PAST VICE PRESIDENT Arlene Patton

F-100 Be Prepared for Life’s Events

While one’s death is a difficult topic to discuss, reviewing this information your family will help them to understand the steps they will need to take. You should ensure that your family member review the F-100 guide with you and know where it is located. You also should review the guide periodically to ensure that the information is up to date.

The F-100 guide is available on the NARFE.org website.

ALZHEIMER’S Pat Hegerberg

Coffee Drinking Linked to a Healthier Memory

Isn’t it nice when a study comes along that supports a common daily habit?

A most recent study published in the journal PLOS Medicine adds to a growing body of evidence showing that a few cups of Joe may reduce the risk of many ailments including memory loss, diabetes, cancer, and even early death.

For this study, researchers at Tianjin Medical University in China studied the coffee-drinking habits and health of 365,682 men and women between the years 2006 and 2020. They evaluated these study participants using data stored at the UK Biobank. Over the study period, 5,079 of these folks developed dementia and 10,053 experienced at least one stroke. Coffee drinkers, however, had the lowest incidence of these health problems.

What about tea drinkers? The researchers found that drinking three to five cups of tea per day also dramatically lowered the risk of stroke and dementia.

PROGRAM Chris Smith and Joanne Welch

Winter is here and it’s a good time to mingle with friends for lunch in a cozy setting while learning about some important issues facing our nation and community.

January brings a program on homelessness, an all-too-common word these days for Spokane and other areas of the country. Sarah Yerden, Director of Marketing and Communications with Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington, will be joining us to talk about the organization’s efforts to take care of the mentally ill, addicted, and the poor. All three circumstances contribute to homelessness. We hope you join us for this inspiring presentation.

In February, Professor Candace Correia of Whitworth University, an expert in taxes, bankruptcy, and related retirement issues. She has her Juris Doctorate and Masters in Taxation degrees from Gonzaga University. Candice will be offering some insights into the world of taxes given the new Biden administration. She also recently co-authored a paper on the “Medicaid Trap.” Join us for her explanation.

NARFE is more than just a great magazine. Let them know!

Promote NARFE anytime you can. The more members we have the more power to protect our benefits and retirement!

NARFE = YOUR BEST BET FOR THE FUTURE!

SUNSHINE Susan Harvey

The holiday season is retreating for another year. And the Chapter is wishing all our members, peace, health, good fortune, and a HAPPY NEW YEAR! Please treat others with kindness and gentleness every day. The Chapter is sending birthday and anniversary wishes to all who celebrate in January 2022.

Ronald Vannoy has recently passed. Condolences have been sent to the family. Sandy Cook’s sister, Rhonda, passed away this week after a long illness. Kathy Brook’s nephew, David, has been critically ill and is now recovering. Sincere sympathy to all who have lost friends and loved ones.

REMINDER, spouses can be members OR can take over the membership of a deceased member. If you are interested in continuing this very valuable membership, please contact Scott Robinson. He is currently recruiting for a Membership Chair. If you are interested, please contact him.

If you become aware of good news, illnesses, surgeries, or a death of a member or family member, please contact me at 509-953-6828.

NARFE-PAC MaryAnn Bosky

You can contribute to NARFE-PAC contribution form in the NARFE magazine or by sending a check, made out to NARFE-PAC to our post office box. The address is: NARFE, PO Box 4592, Spokane, WA 99220.

The more members we have the more power to protect our benefits/retirement. We are speaking to all members not just those retired.

SPOKANE SERVICE CENTER Narfe0032@gmail.com 509-624-9465

DATE FOR YOUR CALENDAR

JANUARY CHAPTER MEETING

MONDAY JAN. 10, 2022- 11:30 AM

Darcy’s Restaurant

10512 E Sprague Ave.

Spokane Valley, WA 99206

To Join the Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83966532738?pwd=MDNuMzVMVmRxK09yZ3RsMFFkb1BIUT09

Meeting ID: 839 6653 2738

Passcode: 230631

One tap mobile

+12532158782,,83966532738#,,,,*230631# US (Tacoma)

SERVICE & OUTREACH Kathy Brooks

We are holding our plans for the 2022 Pre-Retirement Seminar for a few months. The class will depend on the pandemic schedule. Keep checking in with us, for the schedule.

MEMBERSHIP

The Chapter is looking for a Membership Chair. If you are interested, please contact any of the Officers or Directors. Come be a part of a great group of people fighting for your benefits.

Spokane Washington Chapter 32

PO Box 4592

Spokane, WA 99220

National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association 32

NARFE on the Web: National: www.narfe.org WSF: www.narfewa.org Spokane: www.narfespokane.org

December 2021

SPOKANE CHAPTER 32 NEWSLETTER

Published Monthly except July and August

www.narfespokane.org

21 – 10 Advocates for Current and Former Federal Employees December 2021

DECEMBER CHAPTER MEETING MONDAY DEC. 13, 2021 - 11:30 AM 11:30 AM Social Darcy’s Restaurant 10512 E Sprague Ave. Spokane Valley, WA 99206

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Scott Robinson

I have had the honor of being Spokane Chapter President for the past two years. Thank you for extending your faith in me for another two years. Other recently elected officers are Kathy Brooks (Vice-President), Arlene Patton (Secretary), and Keith Townsend (Treasurer). Our nine Directors are Gisela Moyle (2022), JoAnne Welsh (2022), Susan Harvey (2022), Bill Beatty (2023), Margie Dennis (2023), Wanda Faulkner (2023), Ken Kaul (2024), Pat Hegerberg (2024), and Roger Bosky (2024). Thank you all for serving Spokane Chapter 32.

I previously shared with you all that FEHB premiums paid by federal employees and retirees will increase an average of 3.8% and our COLA will increase 5.9% in 2022. But wait, there’s more to this story. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) just announced the standard Medicare Part B premium in 2022 will jump a whopping 14.5% from $148.50 to $170.10 per month. This represents the largest dollar increase in premiums since the creation of Medicare Part B. CMS also announced an increase in the annual deductible for all Medicare Part B enrollees from $203 to $233 for 2022. These actions will put an undue financial burden on most seniors.

Tami and I will seek warmer climes during this winter as we transition into Winter Texans. We intend to seek out the Corpus Christie Chapter meetings during our stay.

I encourage you to safely enjoy Christmas and New Year’s this year. Please call me at 208-661-7695 or email me at scottsoriole@q.com if you have any questions regarding Spokane Chapter 32.

LEGISLATION . Roger Bosky

The message in our chapter president’s column describes the financial squeeze that Federal retirees face. The new cost-of-living (COLA) increase raises our benefits only to have them reduced by the increases in our health care premiums. A step toward alleviating this squeeze is the Fair COLA Act (H.R. 4315) . This measure would require the use of the CPI-E rather than the CPI-W to determine the increases for social security and federal retirees. The CPI-E is a much better measure for older recipients since it includes increases in health costs. Why not send a note to our congresspeople to tell them what we think?

The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO ) bill ( H.R. 82 ) continues to be on the congressional back burner gaining a few more co-sponsors, but not moving along the legislative process. Another bill ( H.R. 5723 ) has been introduced, but there has been no further action. This bill raises social security benefits. requires the use of the CPI-E) and eliminates the WEP/GPO. A lot of items we want all rolled into one package.

VICE PRESIDENT Arlene Patton

Total National NARFE members at the end of the 3rd quarter was 159,673. National reports that the number of memberships dropped for nonpayment of dues. The Washington State Federation membership as of 11/21/2021 was. Chapter 32 membership was 473, 266-chapter members plus 207 national only members. The Washington State Federation membership totals 4,435.

A special thanks to members that renewed the National and Chapter membership.

ALZHEIMER’S Pat Hegerberg

Curtin University, Western Australia 9/16

Published in PLOS Biology journal

Professor John Mamo and his collaborative group of Australian scientists have identified the probable “blood to brain pathway” that can lead to Alzheimer’s disease.

“Our research shows that toxic protein deposits that form in the brains of people living with ALZ disease most likely leak into the brain from fat carrying particles in blood, called lipoproteins.

“This blood to brain pathway is significant because if we can manage the levels in blood of lipoprotein-amyloid and prevent their leakage into the brain, this opens up potential new treatments to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and slow memory loss.”

PROGRAM Chris Smith and Joanne Welch

Ann Ozuna, a frequent open season speaker for our chapter, joined the group in November. This year’s highlights included checking that the premium for self plus one wasn’t more expensive than the self plus family, because of increased health costs in that category due to older couples’ needs. Once again, some plans are offering an offset to Medicare B (like Blue Cross Basic), but you may need to request the reimbursement every year via a form on-line or otherwise. Call Ann at (509) 993-2283 for info if needed. Ann indicated United Concordia dental plan is worth a look. Remember you can pick any dental plan to supplement your primary health plan. Kaiser Permanente is dropping their contract with BCBS, but those of us on Medicare may be okay for the most part.

December’s meeting will see John Guilbeault from the Combined Federal Campaign reminding annuitants that they too can use CFC to contribute to a worthy cause. John will cover some organizations that represent the broad spectrum of possibilities, be it hunger or animal welfare. New NARFE chapter officers and directors will be sworn in to serve this upcoming year as well. Arlene will be officiating in Scott’s absence.

Finally, if you any ideas as to topics for future chapter meetings, be sure to write or call Chris and Joanne at redpoll@mac.com or (907) 350-9866. We want to remain responsive to members’ interests.

NARFE is more than just a great magazine. Let them know!

Promote NARFE anytime you can. The more members we have the more power to protect our benefits and retirement!

NARFE = YOUR BEST BET FOR THE FUTURE!

SUNSHINE Susan Harvey

The holiday season has begun. Please treat others with kindness and gentleness; remember the holidays are not always a time of joy for everyone, especially the past two pandemic years. The Chapter is sending birthday and anniversary wishes to all who celebrate in December.

Mabel Morrison has recently passed. Condolences have been sent to the family. Sincere sympathy to all who have lost friends and loved ones.

REMINDER, spouses can be members OR can take over the membership of a deceased member. If you are interested in continuing this very valuable membership, please contact Scott Robinson. He is currently recruiting for a Membership Chair. If you are interested, please contact him.

If you become aware of good news, illnesses, surgeries, or a death of a member or family member, please contact me.

NARFE-PAC MaryAnn Bosky

You can contribute to NARFE-PAC contribution form in the NARFE magazine or by sending a check, made out to NARFE-PAC to our post office box. The address is: NARFE, PO Box 4592, Spokane, WA 99220.

The more members we have the more power to protect our benefits/retirement. We are speaking to all members not just those retired.

SPOKANE SERVICE CENTER Narfe0032@gmail.com 509-624-9465

DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR

DECEMBER CHAPTER MEETING

MONDAY DEC. 13, 2021 - 11:30 AM

Darcy’s Restaurant

10512 E Sprague Ave.

Spokane Valley, WA 99206

ZOOM MEETING:

To Join the Zoom Meeting, you can either call 253-215-8782 and enter:

Meeting ID: 847 6320 6413

Passcode: 044180

Or you can click here: NARFE ZOOM LINK

One tap mobile

+12532158782,,83966532738#,,,,*230631# US (Tacoma)

SERVICE & OUTREACH Kathy Brooks

We are holding our plans for the 2022 Pre-Retirement Seminar for a few months. The class will depend on the pandemic schedule. Keep checking in with us, for the schedule.

MEMBERSHIP

The Chapter is looking for a Membership Chair. If you are interested, please contact any of the Officers or Directors. Come be a part of a great group of people fighting for your benefits.

Spokane Washington Chapter 32

PO Box 4592

Spokane, WA 99220

National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association 32

NARFE on the Web: National: www.narfe.org WSF: www.narfewa.org Spokane: www.narfespokane.org

Standing Rules for Chapter 32

STANDING RULES

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON CHAPTER 32

NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATION (NARFE)

NARFE’s Mission Statement

· To support legislation beneficial to current and potential federal annuitants and to oppose legislation contrary to their interests.

· To promote the general welfare of current and potential federal annuitants by advising them with respect to their rights under retirement laws and regulations.

· To cooperate with other organizations and associations in furtherance of these objectives.

Purpose

These Standing Rules are designed to provide guidelines for the conduct of business and operations of Spokane Chapter 32 (to be referred to as “Chapter”) of the National Active and Retired Federation Employees Association (NARFE).

NARFE is a nonprofit 501 (C) 5 nonpartisan membership association.

Meetings:

Regular Chapter meetings are held on the second Monday of each month (except July & August) at Darcy’s Restaurant, Spokane Valley, starting at 11:30am with social time. Program starts at 12:00 followed by a business meeting. The Chapter’s annual meeting will normally be the regularly schedule November Chapter meeting.

Board meetings are held on the fourth Monday, every other month, at the Corbin Senior Center or other designated locations, starting a 9:30am. Officers, Directors and Committee chairs are encouraged to attend. Members are welcome to attend.

Leadership

Officers: The Officers of Chapter 32 shall be President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The Officers shall be voting members duly elected at a regularly scheduled Chapter meeting, after being nominated by the nominating committee or from the floor. Officers shall be elected by ballot, or voice vote determined by procedures, to serve for a two (2) year term beginning on January 1st of the calendar year, following the election. Terms of elected officers shall be limited to a maximum of two (2) consecutive two-year terms. An officer who has held office for two consecutive elected terms is eligible to return to the office after an absence of a term. The duties and responsibilities of the Officers are those set forth in Chapter & Federation Officers Manual F-10.

Directors: Chapter 32’s executive committee includes elected Directors (odd number 5-7-9), Directors are elected for a three-year rotating term, without term limits.

Committee Chair positions are an excellent means to learn skills for a future leadership position. Committee Chairs are appointed by the President and encouraged to attend Board meetings.

Restrictive Activities

The use of membership dues to make donations to charitable organizations is NOT ALLOWED.

NARFE-PAC donations should be handled separate and not comingled with dues funds. Donations to NARFE-PAC should be handled by the NARFE-PAC chair and sent direct to National.

Other:

Chapter dues are $8.00 per year unless changed by the Executive Board and ratified by the membership in accordance with Bylaws.

Pre-Retirement Seminars have been offered to the Federal community/workforce since 2010.

Goals of the seminars are as follows: 1) provide needed information to federal workers, 2) make NARFE known in the federal community, 3) provide revenue to the Chapter for leadership development, and 4) recruit members to the Chapter.

In years when members attend National and State conventions/conferences $2,000.00 of seminar funds are transferred to the general fund account to offset the cost of leadership development.

Fund Raising Activities:

Chapter 32 is currently involved in two annual fundraising activities: Sprague Rest Stop and a Garage Sale. Proceeds are deposited in the general fund account and used to help offset chapter expenses.

Ten (10) percent of all fundraising proceeds will be donated annually to NARFE Alzheimer Research.

Split-the-pot State procedures must be followed.