PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Scott Robinson
Boy, oh-boy we’ll have 12 hours of daylight on March 19!
I remind you that March 14 is Pie Day (3.14). Enjoy your favorite.
The 2024 NARFE-FEEA Fund Scholarship Awards Program is nowaccepting applications. Recipients will receive a one-time award of $1,000 toput toward the 2024-25 school year. Applicants must be seniors in high school;children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren of NARFE members areeligible. The deadline to apply is 3 p.m. ET Thursday, 14 March 2024. Whileonly high school seniors are eligible for NARFE scholarships, students may beeligible to be considered for other non-NARFE scholarships. FEAA offers nearly 200 college scholarship opportunities, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 for tuition and fees at any accredited college or university. More information and the application can be found at www.feea.org/scholarships. Don't miss the March 14 deadline!
As your President, I’m recruiting Leadership for Alzheimer’s, Program, Membership, and NARFE-PAC committees for Spokane Chapter. If you are interested in any of these tasks, then please contact me. With no chairperson, a village is needed to complete these tasks.
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)
March is NARFE-PAC month, and NARFE needs your help to make it a success. NARFE dedicates the entire month of March to raising awareness of NARFE’s political action committee and the vital role it plays in defending and advancing the earned benefits of the federal community. From January through December 2023, 13,571 NARFE members contributed $759,282.91 to NARFE-PAC. Washington State Federation members contributed $16,446, and Spokane Chapter members contributed $1,034. During this same time, NARFE-PAC disbursed $503,000 for political purposes: $237,000 to candidates, $105,000 to noncandidate committees, and $161,000 to leadership PACs. Six congressionals from Washington State received $14,000 (source narfe.org).
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.
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.
PROGRAM (vacant Chairperson)
If you missed our recent meetings, then I encourage you to go to narfespokane.org to read about our past guest speakers. In future months, we hope to learn about DAV benefits, legal trusts, and William Clark’s servant York. Please join us at our next membership meeting at 11:30 at Darcy’s Restaurant in the Spokane Valley. I hope to see you there.
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
Current membership numbers are 231 Chapter members plus 219 National only members for a total of 450 members within the Spokane Chapter area.
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.
March 2024
MARCH CHAPTER MEETING MONDAY MAR. 11, 2024 Lunch at 11:30 Meeting at 12:15 Darcy’s Restaurant10502 E. Sprague Ave.
PRESENTER – Ester Westlake – DAV Assistance and Benefits
NARFE – PAC (Vacant Chairperson)
March is NARFE-PAC month, and NARFE needs your help to make it a success. NARFE dedicates the entire month of March to raising awareness of NARFE’s political action committee and the vital role it plays in defending and advancing the earned benefits of the federal community. From January through December 2023, 13,571 NARFE members contributed $759,282.91 to NARFE-PAC. Washington State Federation members contributed $16,446, and Spokane Chapter members contributed $1,034. During this same time, NARFE-PAC disbursed $503,000 for political purposes: $237,000 to candidates, $105,000 to noncandidate committees, and $161,000 to leadership PACs. Six representatives from Washington State received a total of $14,000 (source narfe.org).
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.
Spokane Chapter is recruiting a NARFE-PAC Chairperson. If you are interested in advocating for our earned benefits, then please contact President Scott Robinson. With no chairperson, a village is needed to complete the task.
LEGISLATION Roger Bosky
Congress has passed another continuing resolution. Our hope is that in between making these resolutions, Congress can work on legislation affecting our earned benefits – like repealing the GPO/WEP provisions.
NARFE has made it easier to contact Congress to express our needs. After logging in, go to the Advocacy site and select the issue you would like to write about. The site presents a form in which you put in identifying information and any personal concerns you may have about the issue. Off it goes to the Representative selected.
It has come to our attention that the Blue Cross Blue Shield notice about selecting the regular prescription coverage or its “enhanced coverage” is confusing. The enhanced coverage is automatic, and you were required to opt out. We have heard of cases where the “enhanced” coverage causes a reduction in prescription benefits. It may be possible to opt out. Look carefully at your coverage under both programs.
It is worth noting that our Representative voted in favor of the continuing resolution.
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 finesse.minds_0j@icloud.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 St Patrick’s Day to All the Chapter Members!!!
We are aware some of you are celebrating birthdays and anniversaries. Best wishes to all who celebrate. Our Chapter has not suffered any additional losses to the membership.
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. Spokane NARFE Chapter 32 is planning on having a Seminar early in 2025.
SPOKANE SERVICE CENTER
509-747-1589
DATE FOR YOUR CALENDAR
MARCH CHAPTER MEETING MONDAY MAR 11, 2024 – 11:30 AM DARCY’S RESTAURANT10502 E SPRAGUE SPOKANE VALLEY
The meeting will be available via ZOOM: The ZOOM information is:
Meeting ID: 846 9246 3195 Passcode: 137652+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
SPOKANE SERVICE CENTER
509-747-1589
Spokane Washington Chapter 32PO Box 4592Spokane, WA 99220National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association 32
NARFE on the Web: National: www.narfe.org WSF: www.narfewa.org Spokane: www.narfespokane.org