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Writer's pictureSpokane NARFE

October 2020

SPOKANE CHAPTER 32 NEWSLETTER

Published Monthly except July and August



20 - 08 Advocates for Current and Former Federal Employees October 2020



OCTOBER CHAPTER MEETING (via Zoom) MONDAY Oct 12, 2020 - 11:30AM

Zoom Meeting Details: To Join, you can either: Call 253-215-8782 and enter the Meeting ID: 875 6781 7830 and Passcode: 330092. Or you can go to: CLICK LINK HERE

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Scott Robinson


As I mentioned last month, we held our first general membership meeting via Zoom on September 14th at 11:30. A few of the regulars plus one extra person joined us for some social time in addition to our business meeting. I, for one, enjoyed visiting with everyone that participated. Our next meeting will be October 12th (Columbus Day) at 11:30. For those of you who do not have a web camera, you can still join us with audio only. Please mark your calendars, and we will send the details to you prior to the meeting.


Regarding the NARFE elections, Ken Thomas will continue as President and Kathryn Hensley as Secretary/Treasurer. Linda Silverio will become our new Region IX Vice President. The national membership adopted 15 of the Proposals and Resolutions and rejected seven of the same. I extend “kudos” to the 25 members of Chapter 032 (7%) who voted.


As national Election Day approaches, it will be different from what we have experienced before. But as in every year, voting remains a fundamental American freedom and civic duty. Therefore, I urge you to vote and return your ballot as early as possible to ensure it being counted.


I am continuing to recruit the Membership Chairperson, who could be you. Please call me at 208-661-7695 or email me at scottsoriole@q.com if you are interested in becoming a more active member.


DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR


October 12, 2020 11:30 AM Due to the present health situation all Meetings are virtual until further notice.


To Join the Zoom Meeting, you can either:

Call 253-215-8782 and enter the Meeting ID: 875 6781 7830 and Passcode: 330092.


Or you can click This LINK.


LEGISLATION Roger Bosky


CHOICES

It is Autumn, and time to make choices. The most important is the election. Make sure to return that ballot and vote. I found a website, govexec.gov, which provides any comments that the presidential candidates have expressed about Federal pay and benefits.


Another big choice happens during the open season for health benefits which begins November 9th There are new choices for dental and vision benefits. Note that the OPM website may have changed since you last saw it. OPM locks out users who have not used the site for 6 months. Make sure that you can access the site and know how to navigate to make your choices. Our health benefits brings to mind an issue that perplexes me. Federal employees pay premiums with pre-tax dollars. Why don’t retirees get the same benefit?


The Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) are still on the Congressional table. Over 2 million people are getting reduced social security benefits because of these provisions. The House has 258 co-sponsors of H.R.141 on both sides of the aisle. I note that our representative, CMR, is not yet a co-sponsor. Give her a call and give her the opportunity to get on the side of fairness for retirees.


Another issue out there is the payroll tax deferral for Federal employees. This deferral does not affect postal employees or retirees. Under the provision social security and Medicare taxes will not be deducted from their pay. But the deferred taxes will have to be repaid early next year. What a big inconvenience this is!



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.



PROGRAM Chris Smith and Joanne Welch

Welcome to the era of Zoom. It was fun to see everyone, even if it was only on our computer screen! Get ready for our next meeting when we welcome Pablo Monsivais, PhD, MPH (Master of Public Health), and an Associate Professor with WSU’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. He specializes in measuring social and environmental determinants of health, particularly the theory and methods for understanding the causes of health inequities. He was quoted in the Spokane Review a couple months ago regarding an article about measuring Covid-19 in wastewater. Nancy Fike, Senior Development Director, and our coordinator for speakers from WSU, indicates he is “fabulous.” I hope she also joins us for the Zoom meeting on October 12th. Be there or "be square" as they say.


In November, look forward to Ann Ozuna’s enlightening words about health benefits just in time for Open Season. Dubbed "the Retirement Lady”, she always has great insight about upcoming changes to federal health benefits. I know I will take notes for that session. Additional information will be in the next NARFE newsletter.


Congrats to virtual Bloomsday participants and to seven months of Covid-19 vigilance!


VICE PRESIDENT Arlene Patton

Combined Federal Campaign (CFC): This year’s campaign, Show Some Love-Be the Face of Change runs from September 21, 2020 to January 15, 2021. Due to COVID-19 a larger emphasis on virtual activities will be the norm. Information on the Cascadia CFC can be found on their website: cascadiacfc.givecfc.org. You can also make your donation through that website.



MEMBERSHIP Sandy Cook

This would normally be the time of year we would be planning Health Fairs and membership drives, WOW how times have changed! While we are not able to represent NARFE through in person Health Fairs we can reach out to individuals to communicate the benefits of NARFE membership. The message is the same whether the person is a current Federal Employee, or they are retired. We need to protect the erosion of our earned federal benefits with aggressive federal and state legislative presentation. NARFE is the exact organization that had been designed for just that reason. I have always prided myself that "I worked for the Federal Government" and that my pension being reduced or taken away could never happen to me! But could it?


When you are talking to potential recruits, do not forget to mention the other perks of NARFE such as benefit counseling, scholarships and of course the wonderful magazine that can answer questions long before you even knew you had them.

Bottom line, though, none of us want to be surprised in the future for benefits we thought were our earned right. Both the current employee and the retired can see that they have a vested interest in what NARFE had to offer.


(Parts of this article are reused by permission of Margie Dennis, thank you Margie)


Be safe. Get your regular Flu shot


Happy Halloween!


Additional Membership information from National Office.

NARFE will once again sponsor a membership drive through December 31. Current members earn $10 for each new member they recruit, as well as other prizes. The health and safety of our members is paramount as we continue to deal with the coronavirus. Therefore, NARFE encourages you to recruit remotely in order to minimize the potential risk of exposure to COVID-19. Use your email, telephone, social media, and Chapter 32’s webpage to promote the benefits of membership and drive prospective members to the "JOIN" link on NARFE.org. Remember to provide new prospects with your NARFE member ID number so you get credit when they join.


If you have questions, please email NARFE at membership@narfe.org or call NARFE at 800.456.8410 (press 1 for Membership). Thank you for your support and for helping to keep NARFE growing and thriving!


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!



SPOKANE SERVICE CENTER Narfe0032@gmail.com or 509-624-9465


SUNSHINE Susan Harvey

Happy Autumn to Everyone! As the days grow shorter, the leaves change, and we anticipate the coming winter, we all need to STAY SAFE and STAY WELL!


Chapter 32 sends birthday and anniversary wishes to all who celebrated in August and September.


Due to the Headquarters reporting systems being way behind, some of our members have passed and not been recognized. Those who have passed in 2020 include Virla Steffen, Patricia Feher, Daryl Greene, Louise Moran, Charles Hammer, William Selzer, Catherine Worstell and Carlyn Morisset.


Wanda Faulkner’s partner, Wilma Smith, passed away. Condolences to Wanda and the family.


Harry Lippincott’s wife, Janette Lippincott passed on Oct. 6, 2020.


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


The Insulin Connection

Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia that most commonly affects aging adults. While there is no cure for the neurodegenerative disorder, there are proven preventive factors, including certain forms of exercise and diets. According to nutritional psychiatrist Georgia Ede, M.D., one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's is by lowering insulin levels. The path to Alzheimer's is paved with insulin resistance." Paying attention to this risk factor as early as 20 or 30 years old can help people pave different, healthier paths for aging.


Insulin is a master growth hormone made in the pancreas, Ede explains, and it controls the levels and activities of most other hormones in the body. Insulin resistance occurs when cells in the fat, muscles, and liver can no longer respond to insulin and can't take glucose from the blood. To make up for it, the pancreas will pump out more insulin to help glucose enter the cells. Over time, this leads to blood sugar spikes.


How are insulin resistance and Alzheimer's related? “While insulin resistance is not the only determination of Alzheimer's, Ede says, it is a very powerful risk factor”. The science is truly clear," she says. Research has shown insulin resistance directly affects the ability of the hippocampus (aka the brain's memory center) to access energy. Without proper energy levels, this region of the brain will begin to shrink and die, she explains, leading to cognitive and memory decline.



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

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