THE STATE OF THE ARKANSAS FEDERATION OF NARFE
September 18, 2007
Having never been to a regional seminar before I was not sure as to what I was supposed to cover in my speech. However, as I began to reflect on what I knew about the Arkansas Federation, I decided that I needed to tell you the outstanding things I think the federation has going for it. Of course, number one in any organization is it members. Only a little over 3500 members are on the roles in 36 different chapters scattered throughout the state. Only 33 of these chapters are actively participating in the federation at the present time. We are beginning to hear that at least one of these chapters may re-affiliate very soon. I consider that very good news.
When I was in Louisville, Kentucky last July, I was talking to some of the other federation presidents and one told me there were over 1200 members in his chapter alone. That made me think how insignificant Arkansas might seem, but you know; only one individual represented each of the 54 federations and each filled only one chair at all the meetings. I had as much say, as California, New York or even Texas.
As you all know, last month was legislative lobbying month and we tried, I emphasize we tried. I personally put into the hands of Senator Mark Pryor, the junior senator of the State of Arkansas, an envelope containing a copy of the two bills that we would like him to co-sponsor, the Social Security Offset bill and the Premium Conversion Bill. I was at a Lions Club Fish Fry in southeast Arkansas where I was pretty sure he would be, because this is an election year for him, and sure enough he tapped me on the shoulder and said “Hi!, I’m Mark Pryor”. That rather caught me off guard because I did not see him coming so after I shook his hand, I said, “Wait a minute, I have something for you.” I told him who I was and that we wanted his support on the two bills that I had handed him. I also said that I had an appointment with his Chief of Staff the next Tuesday and we would give
him all the particulars. We were very graciously received in the Senator’s Office the next Tuesday and met with Bob Russell. We explained why we were there and I was so pleased to have one of our members with me, Mr. Wenthom Maxwell, who was very straightforward to ask, “We want to know why the senator has not signed on to our bills”. Bob Russell talked about scoring and some other things but assured us that he would get back to me as to what action the senator would take. He even asked for my email address. Since the meeting, I have heard nothing! I also had asked for a meeting with Senator Blanche Lincoln while she was in the state and did not get one, so I feel that we struck out this time. That, however, will not stop us from trying again.
As I said earlier, the strength of any organization is its members and I would like to tell you of one outstanding individual in the federation, and that is the Alzheimer’s Coordinator, Ms. Hinda Gibbs. She inherited the job from me when I became president and I always thought, or was told, that the job consisted of being the collection point where all the chapters could send their contributions to Alzheimer’s Research and forward them on to the Research Foundation in Chicago. Hinda, however, looked at all the reports from Helen Landry and was amazed that Arkansas was behind many other states in the total amount given. Therefore, she decided to do something about it and organized her own garage sale through which she raised $594 and donated it all to Alzheimer’s Research. She is now wondering what the next goal of the organization will be since the $7,000,000 goal for 2007 has been met. Hinda, would you please stand?
There are of course so many wonderful people that make the federation what it is but one more that I have to tell you a little about is the Arkansas Federation Webmaster Mr. George Wilken. If you have not looked at this website NARFEARK.org (and I quote the federation service officer, Jim Geisler) “you are in for a real treat as we have the slickest and easiest to use web site of any out there. But, more importantly, it is full of up-to date “happenings” in our federation and national organization.” George, would please stand?
I have only had the privilege of attending meetings of three different chapters since having been elected president last April and assuming the officer the first of June. Each one has their own style of meetings, but it seems the results are the same, good friendships, a good time, some have good meals and maybe there is a tidbit or two passed out about the organization. Regardless of how things are done in each chapter, I think we are in good shape except for new members. It is very difficult to convince anyone to join NARFE because there has been nothing taken away from us in so long that they do not see the need. FERS employees are not affected by the Social Security Offsets and Premium Conversion does not seem to matter to them or at least matter enough to join.
We have very recently discovered that a bill was introduced in the Arkansas Legislature to increase a $6000 deduction from our pensions before taxes to $10,000. That bill was passed by the Arkansas State House of Representatives but not by the Arkansas Senate. I am beginning a campaign to have all chapters invite their senators to come and speak to their meetings and ask, “Why did this bill not get out of committee in the Senate?” We have about a year and a half to convince our state senators that we need this extra deduction before the next legislative session begins in January of 2009. It might just be the thing that will trigger our state legislators to exempt all of our pensions from state taxes like Oklahoma and Missouri have recently done.
Time is flying so fast, and I can see that this year is going to be very short. I would like to visit every chapter in the Federation at least once, I am going to work hard for that goal, and I believe the Arkansas Federation of NARFE is alive and well.
To return to home page click home