SPOKANE CHAPTER 32 NEWSLETTER
Published Monthly except July and August
21 – 06 Advocates for Current and Former Federal Employees June 2021
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Scott Robinson
NARFE was founded in February 1921 to unify federal retirees and influence legislators to secure our annuities. NARFE will celebrate a century of public service during its virtual Centennial Gala on June 21. Speakers from the current administration, Congress, and other government groups will help honor NARFE’s many achievements. Every gala attendee will receive a commemorative coin marking this once-in-a-lifetime occasion. Everyone is additionally invited to participate in the virtual LEGcon21 during June 21-23. Attendees will enhance their advocacy knowledge of communicating with our legislators.
On May 3, Spokane City Council President Breenan Beggs presented me with a City Proclamation to honor all public servants for their continued service in the City of Spokane. This proclamation plus a similar one signed by Governor Jay Inslee has been posted on NARFE’s National, Washington State Federation, and Spokane Chapter webpages.
Spokane Chapter 32 has two fund-raising events per year. One is the I-90 Sprague Lake Rest Stop where we provide coffee and cookies for donations. Sadly, we will not do it for a second consecutive year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The second event is our annual garage sale, which we plan to do this year. Please read elsewhere in this newsletter for where and when you can donate your unused items and when to volunteer to help sell these same unused items.
During the next Board Meeting in August, we will decide about returning in-person for our monthly members meetings at Darcy’s Restaurant. You will want to read all about it in our September newsletter. Enjoy the summer as we take a respite during July and August. I look forward to seeing you at our next monthly members meeting in September.
Please call me at 208-661-7695 or email me at scottsoriole@q.com if you have any questions regarding Spokane Chapter 32.
DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR
Due to the present health situation all Meetings are virtual until further notice:
ZOOM:
To Join the Zoom Meeting, you can either call:
1 – 253 – 215 - 8782
Meeting ID: 869 6851 3284, Passcode: 142288
Or you can go to THIS LINK.
WA STATE FEDERATION PRESIDENT Steve Roy
Join NARFE in celebrating a century of public service at our Centennial Gala. This two-hour virtual event to be held Monday, June 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. ET, will honor NARFE's 100 years of advocacy for federal retirees and employees. Speakers from the administration and Congress and other good government groups will help NARFE honor our association's many achievements.
The event will feature entertainment, plus presentations and speeches from:
NARFE National President – Ken Thomas
Senator Ben Cardin – D, MD
Representative Gerry Connolly – D, VA
Representative Brian Fitzpatrick – R, PA
and more honored guests.
Every gala attendee will receive a commemorative coin marking this once-in-a-lifetime occasion. Tickets are $50 each. RSVP today! In addition to the Centennial Gala, we would also like to invite everyone to participate in LEGcon21, our virtual legislative training conference, this June 21-23. NARFE was founded in February of 1921 to unify federal retiree voices and influence legislators with the hope of securing meaningful annuities; 100 years later, we still advocate fiercely for the entire federal community.
At LEGcon21, hundreds of NARFE advocates from across the nation will enhance their advocacy knowledge and take NARFE's message straight to legislators via our virtual platform. Register for LEGcon21 at the member rate of $150 here. Also, the Washington State Federation will pay for your entire registration fees for both the LEGcon21 and Gala Celebration, $200.00. Please contact Steve Roy to get pre-approval by sending him an email at stevenroy1@comcast.net.
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.
LEGISLATION Roger Bosky
Twenty (20) bipartisan Senators have introduced a bill to address USPS concerns. The bill (S1720) eliminates the prefunding of health care costs, but would also require retirees age 65 and over to obtain Medicare Parts A and B. The bill would not apply to current retirees, and a separate health care package would be developed for USPS retirees to augment Medicare. USPS would maintain six days-a-week service, and be required to publish weekly service data.
The House has a similar bill (HR3076). NARFE has taken a position on the bills noting that creating a separate plan for postal retirees could adversely affect the Federal health benefit plans by not including retirees without Medicare within the scope of the bill.
As the economy picks up steam from the more relaxed pandemic restrictions, inflation has started to creep up. With the higher prices, some sources have predicted a 3.1% COLA increase come October. This would be the largest increase in many years.
PROGRAM Chris Smith and Joanne Welch
Gordon Williams, Postmaster and President of the WA Chapter of United Postmasters & Managers of America, joined us in May for a discussion of postal reform. There is presently a 10-year plan to become more effective and efficient, invest in infrastructure, and replace 30-year-old vehicles. The Post Office is unique in its mission to provide universal service throughout the U.S. Thanks, Louise Soles for arranging for Gordon to join us!
Our June 14th will be Barb Sido, Executive Director of NARFE in Alexandria, VA. She is responsible for all strategic and operational activities of NARFE, which represents 5 million current and former federal government employees worldwide. Barb will be talking about NARFE’s Centennial, 100 years of supporting and advocating for federal employees! NARFE will be celebrating the occasion virtually on June 21 from 7-9:00pm EST in conjunction with LEGcon21. Members must register to attend.
We are already working on speakers for October onward, after our July/August summer break. If you have a suggestion, please let us know. It is never too early to enlist a good speaker on a topic of interest to our members. Hope last year’s line-up met your expectations for advancing NARFE’s mission of education and advocacy!
VICE PRESIDENT Arlene Patton
As of May 24th, membership is as follows:
WS Federation 2,387 Chapter members + 2,220 National Only = 4,607
Chapter 32 277 Chapter members + 207 National only = 484 total membership
Of Chapter 32 members, 70 members have elected for dues withholding. I would encourage all members to consider this method of payment. The form to sign up for dues withholding can be found in the NARFE magazine or by calling me.
MEMBERSHIP
We are looking for an energetic member willing to become the Membership Chairperson. Contact Scott Robinson 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!
SUNSHINE Susan Harvey
We received some good news on Ken Kaul. We were originally told he had pancreatic cancer; he, in fact, has prostate cancer. No less serious, however, much more treatable. He is suffering from the chemotherapy and has some very tough days after treatment.
We did receive word that Alice Floyd had passed. Condolences have been sent to her family.
Chapter 32 sends birthday and anniversary wishes to all who celebrate in June. Stay safe, wear sunscreen, enjoy warm weather, and take time to sniff the flowers. Happy Summer, Everyone!
REMINDER, spouses can be members OR can take over the membership of a deceased member. If you are interested in continuing this unbelievably 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.
ALZHEIMER’S Pat Hegerberg
In a recent paper published in The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, the authors highlighted research on how the virus may be directly invading the brain, resulting in chronic consequences that can be detrimental to people’s quality of life. The virus and abnormal brain imaging have been found in postmortem brain tissue samples from people in all parts of the world who had coronavirus.
Further research (funded by the Alzheimer Association) will look at how Covid-19 may increase the risk, severity and progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s as well as examine the long-term effects that that coronavirus can have on the brain. Initial results are expected in 2022.
During this Stay-at-Home time, checks may be mailed directly to the WSF Alzheimer’s Chair:
NARFE Alzheimer’s Research:
Lorie Bennett
4310 S Kingwood Street
Kennewick, WA.99337-5706
>>> Include Chapter 32 on your check.
Save the Date! October 2nd is Spokane’s annual “Walk to End Alzheimers.” Let us aim to have a NARFE team out for this annual event.
SERVICE & OUTREACH Kathy Brooks
We will be attempting to hold a Garage Sale in August. The dates will be August 27th and 28th (Friday and Saturday) from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Set-up will be on Thursday the 26th at 9:30 to 11:30 AM.
Please call prior to dropping any donations off, to arrange a time. Donations will be accepted the week of August 16th through August 26th. PLEASE ensure items are clean, in working order, and boxed. We have a hard time arranging to dispose of items not sold, and/or unsaleable. We appreciate your support.
Contact Kathy Brooks at 509-624-9465, for time and location for donation drop off.
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