VOLUME 48 - NUMBER 2 VFC AREA IX February 2012

Transcription

1 NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION CHAPTER 893 SPRINGFIELD, VIRGINIA CHAPTER 893 SERVING OUR MEMBERS VOLUME 48 - NUMBER 2 VFC AREA IX February 2012 PRESIDENT Jim W. Delgado jkadelg@yahoo.com VICE PRESIDENT Vacant SECRETARY Elizabeth Lynch emlynchva@verizon.net TREASURER Jim Wagner waqjames@gmail.com MEMBERSHIP CHAIR Doris M. Lama dmlama@yahoo.com CHAPTER CHAPLAIN Margaret A. Yowell fitzhughlady@aol.com NEWSLETTER EDITORS Norma A. Hughes nah.home@verizon.net Charles Delaplane cdelaplane@verizon.net NOTE THE CHAPTER MEETING TIME Springfield Chapter 893 now meets at 1:00, with the social hour starting at 12:30. Chapter 893 February Program Wednesday, February 8, 2012 American Legion Post Amherst Avenue, Springfield VA (Parking available in rear of the building) Regional Transportation Issues in Virginia: I-495 Express Lanes, Wilson Bridge Internetwork, and the I-95 HOT Lanes Project For the past decade, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has planned and constructed a series of major new highways and bridges in the Northern Virginia region. One program, the complex interchange in Springfield, was a nine-year project that involved construction of multiple bridges and new highway lanes. Another large scale project was construction of multiple new highway lanes and ramps for the new Wilson Bridge; a project which is still under way. Now, there is major construction for new express lanes all along the Virginia section of the I-495 beltway. The program will be presented by Steven M. Titunik, communications director for the Regional Transportation Program for Virginia Megaprojects at the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). He has been with VDOT for 14 years, and previously served as the director of communications for the large Springfield Interchange Project, Mr. Titunik will be joined by Jamie C. Breme, communications deputy program manager and 495 Express Lanes public affairs manager for VDOT s Megaprojects Program. Collectively, the Megaprojects represent several billion dollars in significant, new transportation projects in Northern Virginia. Ms. Breme is responsible for the comprehensive development and implementation of the Express Lanes communications program for the public, elected officials, businesses, and the media. Pat Harahan

2 CHAPTER CALENDAR 2011 Wed., Feb. 1, Chapter Executive Board Meeting, 1:30 pm, Braddock Supervisor s Conference Room, Kings Park Library Wed., Feb. 8, Chapter 893 Monthly Meeting, 1:00 pm; Registration and Social 12:30 pm STAY INFORMED A Witness for the Prosecution. This is that old Agatha Christie courtroom drama of a man accused of seducing and murdering a rich widow. His only alibi witness is his wife. This tale, if you remember it, has more twists than a bowl of rotini. For tickets contact Barbara Kohl at nanab2k@gmail.com or Remember, if your request for tickets is fulfilled, you are expected to show up for the performance. VISIT THE NARFE WEB SITE & THE VFC WEB SITE & THE CHAPTER 893 WEB SITE FX COUNTY SR ADVISORY COUNCIL SEEKING COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO PLAN UPCOMING SOCIAL EVENTS We just had a great 2011 Holiday Luncheon at The Waterford in Springfield with 80 attendees. Now, it s time to form committees to plan our June 13 Summer Luncheon and our December 12 Holiday Party. Can you help by sharing your time and talent to plan one or both of these events? Contact Doris Lama at dmlama@yahoo.com or No Senior Advisory Council meeting scheduled for February. Diane Hill THE LUNCH BUNCH Prior to our Chapter meeting on February 8, we will meet in the Canton Café. This Chinese Restaurant is located close to Trader Joe's in the Springfield Shopping Center. We have been there before, everyone liked it and it is conveniently close to our meeting place. We hope that many of you will join us there at 11:30 a.m. It is helpful to know how many will attend, so please contact us at or via to eleanore@cox.net if you plan to join the group. Following lunch, we will then go to the Chapter meeting. THANK YOU CHAPTER MEMBERS Thank you to those who contributed articles of clothing and personal care items for our 3rd annual collection for Homeless Veterans. I am most pleased to report that a total of 120 items (yes, that's 120) were delivered to VA Medical Center staff by our Chapter President on 21 Dec. The donations were set aside for the VA Medical Center's Homeless Stand Down to be held in January The total for last year's collection was 48 pieces -- we did more than 2x that this year -- what a generous group you are! The Medical Center was most appreciative of the Chapter's continued support and so am I - Thank you again. Margaret Yowell, Chaplain Eleanor & Al Erickson LITTLE THEATRE OF ALEXANDRIA After Heaven Can Wait in February, there will be a hiatus until April 19 when LTA will produce NARFE Springfield Chapter 893 Page 2 February 2012

3 President s Message The Virginia Federation will conduct training classes for chapter office holders and those possibly interested in holding office in the future. The training will be conducted in February and March in four locations to reduce travel distances required by participants. Breakout sessions will include Chapter Presidents, Vice Presidents, Secretaries, Treasurers and Service Officers. The discussions and material covered will assist chapter office holders in carrying out their respective duties and will encourage potential leaders to volunteer for future service. The sessions will also be beneficial for those who just want to learn more about NARFE and how it operates. The training dates and locations are: February 7 th Holiday Inn Select, 1021 Koger Center Blvd., Richmond February 23 rd Crown Plaza at Fort Magruder, 6945 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg February 28 th Quality Inn Roanoke Airport, 6626 Thirlane Road, Roanoke March 6 th Holiday Inn Manassas Battlefield, Ball Ford Road, Manassas Sessions will begin at 9:30 AM each day and end about 3:30 PM with lunch provided by the Federation. Chapter 893 will benefit greatly by the participation of current officers and other interested members to support our efforts for succession planning. Round trip mileage reimbursement will be provided for at least one vehicle from each chapter (more if more than four are attending). Anyone interested is asked to contact me at for registration forms and additional information. Volunteers Are Needed In order to continue to provide important support and service to our members, there is a need to fill some important positions on the Executive Board. Vice President- presides at meetings in the absence of the president, performs other duties specified in the bylaws as assigned by the president Public Relations Chair- Chairs PR Committee and carries out the chapter s objectives of public information and community outreach; serves as contact with local media sources for release of information on chapter activities Service Officer- provides assistance to members regarding retirement benefit-related issues; provides assistance in contacting the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) concerning benefits and programs such as civil service annuities, survivor benefits, health insurance, life insurance and income tax withholding from annuities If you are interested in becoming more engaged with your chapter and making a difference, please contact me or any other board member. We will be glad to welcome you to the Chapter 893 leadership team. Jim Delgado Membership 2012 We are looking for 20 new members to join NARFE 893 over the next two months. Can you help? Can you talk up NARFE to active federal employees and retirees? Your willingness to help increase the membership of NARFE will go a long way to ensuring that our voice is heard before Congress, and since both active and federal employees benefits are under attack, the stronger our voice the greater our opportunity to preserve our benefits. (Cont. pg. 4) NARFE Springfield Chapter 893 Page 3 February 2012

4 If you ve received a request to renew your membership please do so today. And if you ve not done so already, we invite you to attend a meeting and become an active chapter member. We re counting on you so you can count on us! Welcome New Members : Michael Moore, Mary Peterson, and Robert Rapoza In Memoriam: Our condolences to the families and friends of Chapter members Robert Smith (Winchester, VA) and Kathryn Zidek (Greenspring Village, Springfield, VA) Your Contact Data Is Very Important To Us Please make sure we have the latest contact data for you. And if you wish to get your chapter newsletter electronically, please your address to dmlama@yahoo.com. You ll not only get your newsletter faster, you ll be reducing the cost to produce and mail a hard copy. Thanks! Doris Lama Chapter 893 Sets Alzheimer s Goal For 2012 Our Holiday Luncheon brought in $269 for Alzheimer's: a check for $25 was received; three gift baskets were raffled; and a 50/50 drawing was held; the winner, Ruth Kemper, graciously donated her total winnings back to Alzheimer's. The total donation to Alzheimer's Research from our Chapter for 2011 was $4, That is an excellent effort, but, we, Chapter 893, the largest Chapter in Virginia, can exceed that amount this year. We have set the goal at $7, and while this is ambitious... we can do it with all of us working together. As I reported last month, NARFE's goal by the end of 2012 is ONE MILLION DOLLARS to make our total giving TEN MILLION DOLLARS. In September, the NARFE-Alzheimer's National Committee selected four new research projects, totaling $499,984. This brings the total number of NARFE-funded projects to 53. One of those grants was to Dr. Brian Wiltgen of the University of Virginia. He plans to study the changes that occur in the connections between brain cells (synapses) when they stop being able to modify themselves and lose plasticity. That is when the brain stops learning. If we understood how Alzheimer's disease interferes with the synapses, it could open up a pathway to new therapies. The more funding we receive, the more research projects we'll be able to fund. Take an Alzheimer's pin at the next Chapter meeting, and wear it. Tell people what it is and why we need the research dollars. Be a spokesperson at every opportunity. Ask people to make a donation for research. Pick up a pre-addressed donation envelope at a Chapter meeting or drop a donation in our MAKE A CHANGE IN ALZHEIMER'S basket. Participate in the 50/50 drawings we plan for each Chapter Meeting. Or, if you'd rather make a direct donation, please make your check payable to: NARFE/Alzheimer's Research with Chapter 893 noted in the memo line, and mail to our VFC Alzheimer's Chair, Donna Shackelford, Round Lick Lane, Centreville, VA Alzheimer s Disease Research will, hopefully, soon find a cause and cure for Alzheimer s. The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark. -Michelangelo Margaret Yowell, Chair, Alzheimer's Committee NARFE Springfield Chapter 893 Page 4 February 2012

5 VFC Convention Is Around the Corner It is not too early to mark your calendars for the NARFE Virginia Federation of Chapters Convention which will be held at the Holiday Inn Koger Center in Richmond, VA on April 22-25, The NARFE /VFC convention room rate is $91 plus tax. Deadline for reservations for the hotel is April 8. Members interested in attending are asked to contact Beth Lynch, Chapter Secretary, who will coordinate member participation. For detailed information about the convention, please go the VFC web site at and click on 2012 Convention Documents. Chapter members are invited to show support and chapter pride by contributing as convention supporters in one of five categories: Super Angel - $25; Angel - $15; Cheerleader - $10; Booster - $5; and Supporter - $1. Names of all contributors will be published in the program book provided that contributions are postmarked no later than March 15, Liz Osborn will serve as coordinator for the convention supporter program and will collect the contributions and report our participation to the VFC. NATIONAL LEGISLATION Things were blessedly quiet for the latter part of December and early January. That s one reason why the media were able to focus almost exclusively on the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary. The House and Senate scheduled very little work time during January. But when they get back to legislating, watch out. Most of the focus will remain on active employees and not us retirees, and those who follow Congress on behalf of the federal community are pessimistic. There will be continued efforts to cut budgets. In connection with FY 2013 budgeting, OMB ordered agencies to submit options for cutting as much as 10 percent from FY 2011 levels, while Congress in general, and the House in particular, will likely to try to go below OMB-approved levels. Meanwhile, the federal-level campaigns during the coming year will provide an opportunity for many candidates to target federal employees and retirees directly or indirectly. And planners are projecting an increase in the rate of retirements, which will both put more pressure on the remaining federal workforce and highlight the (expensive) defined benefit aspect of civil service retirement many members of Congress are advocating going to total reliance on the TSP, or similar 401(k)-type of retirement benefit, for the future. Raising the debt limit will be back as an issue, although with little effect on the operations of government. In the debt limit agreement reached last August, as I understand it, Congress set up an unusual system whereby, as the debt approaches the current debt ceiling, the President must request an increase in the debt limit, which Congress can then vote to disapprove, following which the President can veto that disapproval, and the increase goes through. Never let it be said Congress lacks creativity. Charles Delaplane FEDS AGAIN TARGETED; LEGISLATIVE ACTION CENTER MESSAGE UPDATED The House of Representatives sent current and future federal employees and retirees a vivid message that pay and retirement benefits are still on the table for additional cuts. On December 13, the House passed legislation, H.R. 3630, that extends the current federal pay freeze for a third year and makes radical changes to the federal retirement system for current and future employees to offset the cost of the payroll tax holiday extension. The vote was ( President Beaudoin s letter to all Representatives is posted on our website, at NARFE Springfield Chapter 893 Page 5 February 2012

6 NARFE Springfield Chapter 893 Non-Profit Org. P. O. Box U.S Postage West Springfield, VA Paid Merrifield, VA Permit No Chapter 893 Meeting, February 8, 2012 The American Legion Post 176, Springfield, VA NOTE THE CHAPTER MEETING TIME Springfield Chapter 893 now meets at 1:00, with the social hour starting at 12:30. FEBRUARY CHAPTER MEETING Regional Transportation Issues in Virginia: I-495 Express Lanes, Wilson Bridge Internetwork, and the I-95 HOT Lanes Project Wednesday, February 8, 2012 (details on page 1)