PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Scott Robinson
We had excellent attendance for our November meeting. All but nine people were members. Myself, (President), Kathy Brooks (Vice-president), Arlene Patton (Secretary), and Keith Townsend (Treasurer) will serve Spokane Chapter 32 for another year. Our directors (expiration year) will be Bill Beatty (2023), Margie Dennis (2023), Wanda Faulkner (2023), Ken Kaul (2024), Pat Hegerberg (2024), Roger Bosky (2024), Bev Benka (2025), Dennis Poppe (2025), Gisela Moyle (2025), and Joanne Welch (2025). Thank you all for serving Spokane Chapter 32.
On November 15, the Office of Personnel Management announced the 2022 Presidential Rank Awards (PRA) recipients. President Biden selected 233 individuals across 33 federal agencies for their exceptional performance within the federal career civil service. Established in the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, the PRAs are designed to recognize a distinguished group of civil servants, honored for their hard work and dedication to public service. This year’s recipients include 1) a USDA employee who established a Personal Protective Equipment distribution program to protect front-line employees during the global pandemic; 2) a DOE employee who led the nation’s development of and transition to high efficiency, zero-emissions electric vehicles and other technologies; and 3) a NASA employee for the mission success of the James Webb Space Telescope, which sees thousands of colorful galaxies (source opm.gov).
Tami and I will seek warmer climes during this winter as we transition into Winter Texans. We intend to seek out the Corpus Christi 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.
ALZHEIMER’S (vacant Chairperson)
The holidays are often filled with sharing, laughter and memories. But they can also bring stress, disappointment or sadness. Due to COVID- 19 and seasonal flu, holidays can create more risk for spreading infections, especially for older adults who tend to have underlying health conditions. A person living with Alzheimer's may feel a special sense of loss during the holidays because of the changes he or she has experienced. Caregivers may feel overwhelmed by maintaining traditions while providing care and adhering to safety precautions.
The safest option is to plan carefully for in-person holiday gatherings with people outside of your household. Make sure that everybody is vaccinated or recently tested, test for COVID-19 frequently and consider postponing or visiting virtually if you or the person you are caring for doesn't feel well. Other tips and ideas for enjoying time with family and friends during the holidays include 1) familiarize others with the situation, 2) adjust expectations, 3) involve the person living with dementia, 4) connect through technology, 5) adapt gift giving, and 6) safely celebrate in-person gatherings (source alz.org).
PROGRAM (vacant Chairperson)
Melanie Rose from AVISTA will talk about energy sources and rates in January 2023. Whitworth professor Candice Correia will talk about taxes in February. Phil Altmeyer will talk about the Union Gospel Mission in April. Spokane Chapter is also recruiting a Program Chairperson. If you are interested in sharing speakers with our group, then please contact any Officer or Director. With no chairperson, a village is needed to find guest speakers for our membership meetings.
NARFE – PAC MaryAnn Bosky
You can contribute to NARFE – PAC using the contribution form found in the monthly 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.
SPOKANE SERVICE CENTER
Narfe0032@gmail.com
509-624-9465
LEGISLATION Roger Bosky No GPO/WEP for Christmas?
With so little time left in this Congressional session and a busy schedule. it’s becoming increasingly likely that HR 82, The Government Pension Offset/ Windfall Elimination Provision (GPO/WEP) bill, will likely end up in the Government dust bin. Having gotten over 300 co-sponsors, it’s important that we keep the pressure up for the ultimate passage of a provision to get rid of these onerous impacts on our earned benefits. Over 2 million people are hurt by GPO/WEP and they should go.
Our benefits will get an estimated 7.7 - 8.7% increase to help us catch up with inflation. Our representative, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, is now the ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and is slated to become its chair when the leadership in the House changes next year. As such she will have a powerful voice in efforts to combat inflation, which impacts prices on our food, health care, gasoline, etc. Let’s hope that she can work in a bipartisan way with the Administration to control the spiraling costs of inflation.
Bipartisan efforts will also be needed to pass another spending bill. On December 16th the current continuing resolution expires, and the Government needs to pay its bills.
PAST VICE PRESIDENT Arlene Patton
The NARFE M-112 Activity Report gives Chapters so much good information on its membership. As of Nov. 27, 2022, Chapter 32 has 239 Chapter members, 208 National only members for a total of 447 members. A special thanks and welcome to the 5 new members and the 5 members that transferred their membership to Spokane. Of our 239 Chapter members 74 elect to renew their dues annually, 28 renew ever two years, 55 renew for 3 years, 63 use dues withholding and 19 are lifetime members. Dues withholding should be considered by all NARFE members.
Chapter 32’s Board submitted its 2023 Outreach Plan to the Washington State Federation. The Federation will match 50% of the cost for activities identified in the Plan that focuses on recrement of new members. Chapter 32’s Plan identified the following activities/events:
· NARFE booth at Unity in the Community – August 2023 event · Senior Day @ the State Fair – September 2023 event · Military (retirement) Appreciation Day –2023 Date TBD · Alzheimer Walk, October 2023 event
· Federal Health Benefits fairs – October 2023 events.
The success of the events will depend on several NARFE members coming out to help work at the booths. Please let me know if you are interested.
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!
DATE FOR YOUR CALENDAR
DECEMBER CHAPTER MEETING MONDAY DECEMBER 12, 2022 – 11:30 AM
DARCY’S RESTAURANT 10502 E SPRAGUE, SPOKANE VALLEY
The meeting will be available via ZOOM: The ZOOM information is:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81282152794?pwd=b2hnT1lXc3dRNld4ODVpYThkVm5JQT09
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 812 8215 2794 Passcode: 996163
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.
SUNSHINE Susan Harvey
With a major winter storm approaching our area, my wish is for each of you to stay unharmed from mishaps or illnesses of any kind.
The Chapter is sending birthday and anniversary wishes to all who celebrate in December.
Recently Scott Robinson was diagnosed with COVID and recovered quickly. Seems we all will most likely get this virus at some time. Phil Moyle is recovering from an unexpected hospital stay in Portland and Gisela is being very patient with him and his relapses. Mary Ann Bosky is recovering from a total knee replacement and giving Roger and family her normal bit of trouble. Her independence is showing, as expected.
On another unpleasant note, our Chapter has lost several members, among them: Ken Kaul, a very active member and Director for many years. His spouse, Tina, is also a member. Sandra Cook unexpectedly passed while visiting her family on the East Coast. She was an active member and Membership Chairperson in the recent past. Also passing are Ernest Van Fredenberg, Robert Bachman, and Jerry Cesaratto. These members will be deeply missed.
REMINDER, spouses can be members on their own 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.
SERVICE & OUTREACH Kathy Brooks
We are hoping we will be able to provide future retirees with a Pre-Retirement Seminar this coming Spring. Be on the lookout for more
information.
Spokane Washington Chapter 32 PO Box 4592 Spokane, WA 99220 National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association 32
NARFEontheWeb:National:www.narfe.org WSF:www.narfewa.org Spokane:www.narfespokane.org