CONVENTION SPECIAL

May 10, 2007

The 51^st Annual Convention of the North Carolina Federation of Chapter of NARFE

got off a arousing start with the Federation Board and Convention Committee meetings.  For attendees not involved in board, meeting or the setup of booths or registration, a wonderful tour of Greenville was provided.

 

With the changes in the Credential and Registration process, all but 12 people were registered by the end of the first day. 

 

President Hobgood, Exec Vice President, And Secretary Elaine Hughes s

There were 260 pre-registrations but there were many cancellations before the Convention began along with six who registered at the conference.  The final total as given by Tom Rogers, Chair of the Committee is as follows:

 

 

Delegates                     173

Alternates                     5

Members                      11

Host Chapters              17

Guests                          25

Federation Officers       19

Past Presidents 1

National NARFE          3         

Total                            254

Banquet Attendees       240

 

Chapters represented 47

 

Tony Fiore, Convention Co-chair, called the Convention to order.           The Convention Program is available in the Public Library on our website along with the Booster Book and the In Memorium Booklet.  The Helping Hand Quartet led the National Anthem.  They also provided entertainment with enthusiastic renditions of Gospel Music. 

 

Field Vic President Joe Beaudoin was the featured speaker at the First Business Session.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The remainder of the evening was concerned with reports from the various Convention Committees.  Committee reports will be available on our website in a few weeks.  Because there was to be a contested election the Nominations Committee, Ballot and Teller Committee and the Sergeant-at-Arms committee had major roles to play.

 

The committees did a wonderful job of making the election process quick and easy.  Our thanks go to these committee members for a job well done.

 

 

The Blue Cross Blue Shield – North Carolina and the Host Chapters – Pitt County and Washington Chapters put together a great reception.  If you missed this reception you missed great food and a good time.

 

Wednesday’s highlights included the Breakout Sessions, Election of Federation Officers and the Convention Banquet - quite a lot to accomplish in one day. 

 

There were four breakout sessions this year. 

 

· Legislative issues led by Judy Park, National NARFE Legislative Director; Joe Padgett, Federation National Legislative Officer; and James Sears, Federation State Legislative Officer

 

·Elaine Hughes, Federation Secretary and Theron Rumsey, Federation Membership Officer led parliamentary Procedures session

 

·Membership and Leadership Development was led by Paul Carew, Federation Executive Vice President

 

·The final session on National and Federation Websites led by Charlie and Linda Pratt

 

Just before lunch, the Area Caucuses convened.  Two new Area Vice Presidents were elected to serve with the other four re-elected Area Vice Presidents. The following is a list of the Area Vice President:

 

Area I returned Vice President Freida Terrell

Area II returned Vice President Dan Schmidt

Area III has a new Vice President David Spangler

Area IV returned Vice President Ben Saunders            

Area V has new Vice President Vilma Geisert

Area VI returned Vice President Glenda McRary

 

                                                                       

The election for Federation Officers followed the caucuses.

There were two uncontested candidates and thus the Federation President and Federation Vice President’s were elected by voice vote.

Paul Carew was elected to the Federation Presidency

Elaine Hughes was elected as Executive Vice President

The Federation Secretary and Treasurer were selected by ballot.                                              

 

Gracie Couch was elected Secretary and Sam Crain was elected Treasurer.

The list of the Appointed Board is available on our website. Many thanks go to the retiring Area Vice Presidents: Jim Whitten for Area III and Paul Sams for Area V.

           

	Sam Crain –Federation Treasurer

 

The banquet was a great affair with Elvis Presley ( Lenny Waters).  He was quite good   Bill Austin the Keynote speaker was

 in great form and had everyone laughing.  Thanks Bill – we are pleased that you could be with us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

			National Exec Vice President
	Elvis aka Lenny Waters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Convention Planning Committee led by Nancy Batchelor and Tony Fiore as Co-Chairs, Paula Kermon as Secretary and Ann Eleanor as Treasurer worked wonders to complete such a great Convention.  Other Convention Planning Committee members provided exceptional support to the Convention.  Please take time to thank them when next you meet.  A complete list of Planning Committee may be found in the members Library.