PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Scott Robinson
We had excellent attendance for our November meeting. We had eleven guests in addition to our members. Wanda Faulkner (Vice-president) and Margie Dennis (Secretary) were elected to serve Spokane Chapter 32 for the next two years. Our Directors (expiration year) are Pat Hegerberg (2024), Roger Bosky (2024), Bev Benke (2025), Dennis Poppe (2025), Gisela Moyle (2025), Joanne Welch (2025), and Kathy Brooks (2026). Thank you all for serving Spokane Chapter 32. In November 2021, President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to address longstanding issues with the country’s infrastructure, stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and support sustainable clean energy initiatives. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) recently announced that the Biden Administration exceeded its goal of selecting 5,800 targeted positions to help implement the BIL. Over the last two years, OPM has served as a strategic workforce partner for seven federal agencies to surge hire key positions such as engineers, scientists, project managers, IT & HR specialists, construction managers, and many more (source opm.gov). Tami and I will become like Whooping Cranes and migrate to warmer climes as we transition into Winter Texans. We intend to seek out the Corpus Christi Chapter meetings during our stay. We’ll return to Spokane in the spring after the robins arrive in Spokane. 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)
Spokane Chapter is recruiting an Alzheimer’s Chairperson. If you are interested in sharing your learned knowledge with the group, then please contact any Officer or Director. With no chairperson, a village is needed to share information with our group.
The holidays are often filled with sharing, laughter and memories, but they can also bring stress, disappointment or sadness. 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. Tips and ideas for enjoying time with family and friends during the holidays include (1) Adjust your expectations, (2) Involve the person living with dementia, (3) Connect through technology, (4) Adapt your gift giving, (5) Familiarize others with
the situation, and (6) Protect everyone’s’ health (source: alz.org).
PROGRAM (vacant Chairperson)
If you missed our recent meetings, then I encourage you to go to narfespokane.org the Spokane Chapter is recruiting a Program Chairperson. If you are interested in sharing your learned knowledge with the group, please contact any Officer or Director.
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.
NARFE – PAC (Vacant Chairperson)
You can contribute to NARFE-PAC by either using the contribution form in NARFE Magazine or sending a check, made out to NARFE-PAC, to NARFE, P.O. Box 4592, Spokane, WA 99220. to read about our past guest speakers. We will celebrate the holidays during December. Please join us in January 2024 when Robert “Bob” Bartlett, PhD, will share his research of the 555 NARFE-PAC protects NARFE members’ pay and benefits by raising and spending money to elect members of Congress who support the federal community. The PAC works for you by building strong relationships with lawmakers and providing NARFE with additional opportunities to share our most pressing concerns. NARFE-PAC is financed through NARFE members’ direct, voluntary contributions to a separate fund. Federal law prohibits NARFE-PAC from soliciting contributions from anyone other than NARFE members and their immediate family. From January through September of this year, 13,224 NARFE members contributed $705,603 to NARFE-PAC. Of this amount, 178 Washington State members contributed $13,531 of which17 Spokane Chapter members contributed $1,034. During this same time, NARFE-PAC disbursed $331,500 for political purposes: $179,000 to candidates, $105,000 to noncandidate committees, and $47,500 to leadership PACs (source narfe.org). Spokane Chapter is recruiting a NARFE-PAC Chairperson. If you are interested in advocating for our earned benefits, then please contact Scott Parachute Infantry Company, aka “Triple Nickle” with us. We will invite Candice Correa, PhD, to return in February to share her latest tax information. President Robinson. With no chairperson, a village is needed to complete the task.
LEGISLATION Roger Bosky
There is still hope, however slim, for Congress to take positive action on the Government Pension Offset (GOP)/Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). The bill (HR 82 ) was sent to the House Appropriation Committee which is holding a hearing on the harmful impact of this legislation on over 2 million retirees. Congress needs our input to ensure that this bill doesn’t get lost in the chaos that dominates the Republican led House. The chaos also creates the possibility that Congress could negotiate away our earned benefits. Stay informed! CSRS retirees can expect a 3.2 percent cost of living adjustment next year, while FERS retirees will see an increase of 2.2 percent. This is another disparity that calls for our action. Let Congress know that we support House bill ( HR 866, the Equal Cola Act ) which remedies this situation.
SECRETARY & MEMBERSHIP Arlene Patton
Chapter 32’s membership currently stands at 445 (225 Chapter members and 220 national only members). Welcome Jeffrey Taylor, of Otis Orchards, as a new member to Chapter 32. Hope to see him out to Chapter meetings. A special thanks to the Chapter members that came out to represent NARFE Chapter 32 at local federal health fairs. This annual event is a great opportunity to meet and recruit new members from the local federal workforce. . Contact Information: email apatton1202@comcast.net or call 509-747-1589
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!
WEBSITE Chris Smith
Please contact me at redpoll@mac.com if you find any errors or have any pictures or pertinent articles that may be of interest to members via the website.
SUNSHINE Susan Harvey
Happy Holidays to everyone! As I write this, the forecast is for rain and snow. Please be safe. Snow removal is hard work and none of us are 45 (I used to say 25!) anymore. The holiday can be very difficult for some, please show them kindness and give them space. The Chapter is sending birthday and anniversary wishes to all who celebrate in December. In October, I reported additional deceased members since Headquarters for NARFE listed them on their list. After several phone calls and checking the records for the Chapter, I discovered they had combined a portion of the names from 2020-2023. The Chapter members who passed in 2023 are Mary Alm, Florence Husa, Rosemarie Jones, T. Sue Matsui, Eugene Owen, Howard Platter, and Jack Springer. Scott Robinson is continuing the search for a Membership, Alzheimer’s, and Programs Chairs. Call him if you are interested. REMINDER, spouses can be members on their own OR can take over the membership of a deceased member. 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 looking for ways to reach active employees of the government agencies in our area. If you have ideas, please share them with us.
DECEMBER CHAPTER MEETING MONDAY DCE 11, 2023 Lunch at 11:30 Meeting at 12:15 Darcy’s Restaurant 10502 E. Sprague Ave. PRESENTER – Christmas party, and Installation of Officers
DATE FOR YOUR CALENDAR DECEMBER CHAPTER MEETING MONDAY DEC. 11, 2023 – 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/84692463195?pwd=R3M0eFF0NzRaMFo3bTNvNERDNHBBUT09 Meeting ID: 846 9246 3195 Passcode: 137652 +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Spokane Washington Chapter 32
PO Box 4592
Spokane, WA 99220
SPOKANE SERVICE CENTER
Narfe0032@gmail.com
509-954-6719
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association 32
NARFE on the Web: National: www.narfe.org WSF: www.narfewa.org Spokane: www.narfespokane.org