NEWS
UPDATE –March 1, 2007
CONVENTION TIME IS HERE
I hope you have marked your calendars for May 1 thru 3rd
for the 51st Annual Convention of the North Carolina Federation of
Chapters of NARFE. The Convention
Planning Committee has been working diligently to put on a great show. We have our own Bill Austin - National
Executive Vice President as the Keynote Speaker, Judy Park - National Legislative
Director, and we have invited Beverly Perdue - North Carolina’s Lieutenant Governor
as a Keynote speaker.
We will again offer a workshop series for you. Back by popular demand is the session on
Parliamentary Procedures by the Federation Parliamentarian Charles R. Patton, National
Legislative Action by Judy Park, Leadership Development by Executive Vice
President Paul Carew, and Using Our Websites by Federation Web Master Charlie
Pratt. There will be two sessions of
each presentation so you will have some choices of workshops.
This year’s election has drawn six candidates
thus far. Paul Carew our current
Executive Vice President has announced his candidacy for Federation President. Elaine Hughes our current Secretary has
announced for Executive Vice President. Gracie Couch Chapter Secretary for Chapter
781 Rocky Mount has announced for Federation Secretary. Current Immediate Past Federation President
Sarah Gonzales will be seeking the position of Federation Secretary. Sam Crain Past President of Chapter 1420 - Maggie
Valley has announced for Federation Treasurer.
Bill Cannon a former Federation Treasurer has announced he will seek the
Federation Treasures post.
Several of the Area Vice Presidents have
indicated their intent not to seek reelection in May. Our Area Vice Presidents have important positions in the
Federation. If you or you know of
someone who would make a good Area Vice President please contact me or your
Area Vice President.
The “Candidates Page” we started two years
ago will appear on March 1 on the website as will information in the next issue
of our Newspaper. Articles, biographies,
and other information will be readily available to help you make your
choice. I, of course, will be moving to
the position of Immediate Past President and will continue to serve you on the
Federation Executive Board.
FEDERAL RETIREE TASK FORCE OF NORTH
CAROLINA
Our Federation is actively involved in the fight to extend the state income tax exemption won in the Bailey/Emory/Patton Case. This Case is applicable to state and federal employees who had five years of service as of August 12, 1989. Employees, not meeting the criteria, pay state income tax when they retire. Your support is needed in lobbying the state legislature to pass legislation to exempt all retirement pay for state and federal employee from state income taxes. This is the only fair way to treat public employees who have devoted their careers to public service.
Paul Sams (Federation Area Vice President) Federal Task Force Director has sent out letters to past Task Force members asking for their support. You can find a copy in our website’s Public Directory under Federal Retire Task Force. Also, please read Paul Carew’s article in our website’s Public Library as Paul Carew 4th Brach1-07 for additional information.
On the Battle for GPO, WEP and Other
Issues
Judy Park, National Legislative Director will conduct a
workshop at our Convention in May on the drive to pass critical legislation on
GPO, WEP, and Premium Conversion. The impact of the mid-term elections has
provided new incentives to push for legislative changes in federal legislation.
We must continue to lobby and I’m excited about participating in the National
Lobby Week activities. Please donate to
NARFE-PAC it’s the best bang for a small buck.
Leadership workshops
The Leadership Workshops are going well. Everyone I’ve spoken with have, have found
the workshops very informative and useful.
If you have a chance attend one – I know you will get more information
than you’ve ever dream of.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Most of the Roster of Chapter Officers (F-7 Form) has
been submitted. If your chapter has not
submitted the F-7 please contact your Area Vice President for assistance.
Convention News
Convention Co-Chairs Nancy Batchelor, Tony Fiore and their
Committee continue to amaze me with what they have accomplished. We already have over 40 registrations so if
you are planning on staying at the Convention Hotel you need to get your
reservation now. Convention Committee
assignments have been made and the “Convention Outline” list the time and
locations for each committee meeting.
The Convention Outline may be found in our website’s Public Library as
51Annual Convention Outline.
Our Keynote Speaker will be Bill Austin our NARFE Executive
Vice President. We have included two
new workshop presentations this year – National Legislative Action with Judy
Park and Leadership Development with Paul Carew.
Full Registration is $50, Conference Only is $20 and Extra Banquet Tickets are $30 each. Hotel room cost including breakfast is $75 plus tax – up to two people per room. The registration form is found by clicking the link on this page. Every member is welcome to attend our Annual Convention, so if a workshop or program is of interest to you please join us in Greenville – a lovely place to hold a meeting. Oh, by the way, the city motto is “More than you expect” so how can you go wrong.
Tom Hobgood
President,
North Carolina Federation of
Chapters of NARFE
December 18, 2006