SPOKANE CHAPTER 32 NEWSLETTER
Published Monthly except July and August
20 - 01 Advocates for Current and Former Federal Employees January 2020
JANUARY CHAPTER MEETING
Monday, Jan. 13, 2020
Lunch at 11:30 Meeting at 12:15
Darcy’s Restaurant
10502 E. Sprague Ave.
Program: Rev. Ian Robertson – solutions to homelessness
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Scott Robinson
I appreciate your vote of confidence of me becoming next president in 2020. I’ve been retired 11 years after 34.5 years as a wildlife biologist with the Bureau of Land Management in Ely, Nevada; Fairbanks, Alaska; and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. I also have worked with the Wildland Fire and Aviation program. Beginning in 1973, I created the first fire history map of the Los Padres National Forest. I finished in 2017 as a Helibase Manager and Air Support Group Supervisor. Wife Tami and I are enjoying Corpus Christi, Texas as you read this newsletter. We plan to attend NARFE’s Chapter 31 meeting in the Sparkling City by the Sea, Texas. I appreciate Vice-president Arleen Patton for graciously filling in during my absence. I hope to serve the membership well.
PROGRAM Louise Soles
"Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh..." And what fun it is to be at NARFE! The December meeting was special for a number of reasons. We thanked our outgoing officers for their service and devotion. And we welcomed the incoming officers who have accepted the challenge. There were homemade cookies, and pies and fudge and candies for dessert after lunch. And we learned more about each other when each member talked about their childhood Christmas experiences. Each story was as unique as the individual person. But they brought me to laughter, and warm memories and even to tears. In my book, there was inspiration for at least 10 new classic Christmas movies! We all did a wonderful job of being the program.
We are starting the year with a program about solutions to homelessness. The speaker will be Rev. Ian Robertson. Rev. Robertson retired but then started a new organization where he continues his work. He is one of the original organizers of The Hub in Liberty Lake. He initiated a plan to build "tiny houses" for the homeless. And now he is focusing on a program in Colville WA. The issue of homelessness was given a lot of attention recently during Spokane elections. Ian will explain his vision for helping to alleviate this social challenge.
February's speaker will be Candice Correia an Assistant Professor at Whitworth University. Her expertise is in the area of taxation. Besides teaching she still performs compliance and consulting work for businesses in a variety of industries. She has a wide range of experience in the accounting and legal fields, working in the private sector with BDO USA, LLP accounting firm and as a Judicial Attorney for Kootenai County. Professor Correia has her Juris Doctorate and Masters in Taxation degrees from Gonzaga University.
SUNSHINE Susan Harvey
We are wishing Margie Dennis quick healing from her early December shoulder surgery.
Our sympathies are extended to Sandy Cook on the unexpected loss of her father in early December. She will be with family until after the first of the year.
Many have suffered losses, troubles, downturns, and other issues over this past year. We wish you well as all begin a year of new beginnings.
We want to wish those members, and family members, celebrating birthdays and/or anniversaries in January.
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 membership chair, Sandy Cook at 509-294-3296 or sjcook51@hotmail.com.
If you become aware of good news, illnesses, surgeries, or a death of a member or family member, please contact me.
LEGISLATION Roger Bosky
On December 20th the President signed 2 spending bills providing funding for the government operations through FY 2020, thus averting a government shutdown. In signing the bills, he noted “the excellent work of the Federal workforce."
Of interest to us, a bill provides for an average 3.1% pay raise for federal employees which matches the raise given to the military and is the largest in a decade.
The bill also provides for paid family leave benefits beginning October 2020. The bill would provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave for the birth, adoption or fostering of a child as well as for the care of a child, parent or spouse with serious medical issues.
The spending bills do not address the Windfall Elimination Provision. Three bills are now pending in the House. H.R. 141 has mustered 224 cosponsors. Urge your representative to support this legislation.
NOTICE: Washington State Federation has a new website.
The address is – www.narfewa.org.
MEMBERSHIP Sandy Cook
Margie Dennis has graciously agreed to provide this article while Sandy is in Florida with family.
Did you know that you retirees can sign up for membership dues to be pulled out of your retirement by OPM so that you never have to think about it again? I like this idea. I get many calls from members that want to know when their dues is due. They would never have to worry about this. Just sign up and 1/12th of your yearly dues will be sent to NARFE until you decide to change it.
To apply for dues withholding:
Your authorization may be sent to your chapter or directly to National Headquarters. National Headquarters requires your authorization at least 60 days prior to your expiration date to allow adequate time for processing.
You will need:
• Civil Service Annuity (CSA or CSF) number;
• Social Security number;
• Date of birth, and
• NARFE membership number, if you are already a member.
Once the application process is completed, you will receive a special membership card distinguishing you as a Dues Withholding member.
If you require more information, contact NARFE National Headquarters at 800-456-8410, or by mail, or contact me at 509 994-7004 and I will send you the form.
You can also pay for 3 years at a time, so again, you do not have to worry about when your dues is due for a couple extra years. When you renew online, there is a button on the bottom of the renewal page that asks you to choose how many years you want to renew for.
I hope you are having a wonderful new year!
NARFE is really 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!
NARFE-PAC MaryAnn Bosky
You can contribute to NARFE-PAC at our monthly meetings at Darcy’s or by completing the NARFE-PAC contribution form in the NARFE magazine. I will have pins for a $25 contribution at our meeting.
The more members we have the more power to protect our benefits/retirement. We are speaking to all members not just those retired.
SEMINAR & OUTREACH Kathy Brooks
It is that time of year to again begin planning the 2020 Pre-Retirement Seminar. The proposed dates are; Tuesday & Wednesday, April 21 & 22, 2020. If you are aware of anyone interested in attending, please let me know.
SPOKANE SERVICE CENTER
Narfe0032@gmail.com
509-624-9465
DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR
Jan. 13, 2020 Chapter Meeting
Jan. 27th Board Meeting
Feb. 10th Chapter Meeting
March 9th Chapter Meeting
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT Arlene Patton
WSF December 12th Board Meeting: Kathy Brooks and I attended the WSF December 12th Board meeting. I volunteered to act as Financial/Budget Officer due to the death of Mike Ferri. After much discussion the Board passed a much-reduced budget amounting to $26,550.00 down from a 2019 budget of $37,400.00. Our District VP, Christine Price has resigned. I agreed to assist other Chapters in District I until the May WSF Conference. I will also continue to act as Financial/Budget Officer until the elections/May conference. Chapters will NOT be billed Per Capita Tax in 2020. Chapters were encouraged to use their resources to send members to both the May Federation Conference and the National Conference, to be held in Scottsdale, AZ, August 31-Sept 2nd.
Nominations for 2020 Washington State Federation (WSF) Executive Officer Positions are now open: Posted on the Washington State Federation’s web page: www.narfewa.org are the position description as well as the application. Applications must be submitted by January 10, 2020.
NARFE Scholarships; the 2020 NARFE FEEA Scholarship Program is open. Deadline for applications is Wednesday, March 25, 2020 (3:00pm EDT). The competition is open to high school seniors only, and applicants must be children, grandchildren or great grandchildren of NARFE members. Ten winners will be chosen. Each will receive a one-time award of $1,000.00.
As I step down from the President’s position, I want to thank all the Officers, Directors and Committee leaders that have given much support. Also want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year.
ALZHEIMER’S Pat Hegerberg
HOW TO BE A GOOD FRIEND TO SOMEONE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA:
EDUCATE YOURSELF. There are many stages and kinds of dementia.
DON’T DISAPPEAR. Call and invite your friend to do activities you both enjoy.
OFFER HELP. Ask what they are comfortable doing and what they need help with.
TALK DIRECTLY TO YOUR FRIEND: Make eye contact. Let them know that it’s great to see them.
ALWAYS BE PATIENT: If someone asks the same question over and over, don’t point that out. Just answer. Give them plenty of time and space for responses.
OFFER REMINDERS: If your friend looks confused, give your name and connection. “Our kids played baseball together.”
DON’T ASK A SERIES OF QUESTIONS, WHICH CAN BE CONFUSING. Avoid questions—like what did you do today—which require short term memory and can be frustrating for someone with dementia. Better to ask questions that someone in any stage can answer and that show that you care, like, “How do you feel today?”
AVOID LOUD CROWDED PLACES. They can be overwhelming.
TOUCH IS IMPORTANT. HUG. OFFER A GENTLE TOUCH ON THE ARM OR HAND OR SHOULDER. People with dementia sometimes feel others are afraid of them.
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
ELECTED OFFICIALS
President Donald Trump
202-456-1414
Senator Patty Murray
10 N. Post, Suite 600
Spokane, WA 99201
509-624-9515
Senator Maria Cantwell
920 W. Riverside Ave., Suite 697
Spokane, WA 99201
509-353-2507
Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers
10 N. Post, 6th Floor
Spokane, WA 99201
509-353-2374
CHAPTER 32 OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES
Officers and Directors: Committees:
President Scott Robinson 208-661-7695 Alzheimer’s Pat Hegerberg 448-5343
Vice President Arlene Patton 747-1589 Legislation Roger Bosky 443-0686
Secretary Kathy Brooks 624-9465 Membership Sandy Cook 294-3296 Treasurer Keith Townsend 990-5224 NARFE-PAC MaryAnn Bosky 443-0686 Program Louise Soles 413-2060
Public Relations Kathy Brooks 624-9465
Newsletter Harry Lippincott 443-0570
Nominating Ken Kaul 448-3542 Raffle & Greeter Gisele Moyle 467-3477 Service & Outreach Kathy Brooks 624-9465 Sunshine Susan Harvey 524-6165
DIRECTORS
* (2020) Wanda Faulkner 329-0215
* (2020) Margie Dennis 994-7004
* (2021) Pat Hegerberg 448-5343
* (2022) Frances Baker 638-6561
* (2022) Susan Harvey 534-6165 Outreach
* (2022) Sandy Cook 294-3296
* = Term ending year