VOLUME 45 - NUMBER 8 VFC AREA IX NOVEMBER 2009

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NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION CHAPTER 893 SPRINGFIELD, VIRGINIA CHAPTER 893 SERVING OUR MEMBERS VOLUME 45 - NUMBER 8 VFC AREA IX NOVEMBER 2009 PRESIDENT Richard M.

1 NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION CHAPTER 893 SPRINGFIELD, VIRGINIA CHAPTER 893 SERVING OUR MEMBERS VOLUME 45 - NUMBER 8 VFC AREA IX NOVEMBER 2009 PRESIDENT Richard M. Gallagher rmgallagher@verizon.net VICE PRESIDENT Jim W. Delgado (703) jkadelg@yahoo.com SECRETARY Diane M. Hill jdrewh@verizon.net TREASURER Darlene Myer Rhodes myersprin@aol.com CHAPTER CHAPLAIN Margaret A. Yowell fitzhughlady@aol.com NEWSLETTER EDITOR Vincent P. McDonald vpmjam@aol.com PRESIDENT S PAGE Groucho Marx was once asked why he didn t participate in the Friar s Club (a fraternal order for actors and performers). His answer was reflective of the attitude I used to have toward being involved in Chapter activities. He said, I not sure I want to belong to any organization that would have someone like me as a member! Seriously, when I joined NARFE I didn t even know it had local Chapters. My initial impression of the Chapters was that they were the social arms of NARFE. I suspect that like most of you, I joined because I wanted someone representing my interests on Capitol Hill, not for the social functions. However, I have come to learn that the Chapters are more than that. They serve as liaison between the membership and National Headquarters. They help mobilize grassroots efforts at the local level while monitoring National s activities. The Chapters also serve as a training ground for future National leaders. If we have some fun in the process, I think that s just an added bonus. This is my roundabout way of saying what we do is vital to NARFE s effectiveness. But, we need your help. Later in this newsletter you ll see notices for several positions that we need to fill within Chapter 893. None of these jobs requires a major commitment of time and they don t require exceptional technical skills. If you can spare about three or four hours a month, balance your checkbook and do an Excel spreadsheet you could be our Treasurer. If you feel you want to help out, please let me know or contact Charles Delaplane, our Nominations Chairperson. Someone like you is exactly who we re looking for! Please note that we meet on Tuesday, November 10, this month due to Veterans Day. Congressman Gerald E. Connolly, who is emerging as a powerful advocate for active and retired federal employees, will address critical legislative issues affecting YOU. Come hear what he has to say! NARFE President Margaret L. Baptiste, NARFE Vice President Joseph A. Beaudoin, and VFC President William F. Martin will also be in attendance. Finally, don t fail to cast your vote regarding the NARFE dues referendum. See page 6 for details. DICK GALLAGHER

2 CHAPTER CALENDAR FX COUNTY SR CITIZENS COUNCIL Wed, Nov 4 Chapter Executive Board Meeting, 1:30 pm, Burke United Methodist Church, 6200 Burke Center Parkway, Burke (corner of Burke Center Parkway and Burke Lake Road) Note the change in location. The Council meets on Friday, November 20, at 10:00 am at the Lincolnia Senior Center. The topic is An Introduction to the Newseum. For more information about the Council and this event only, contact Doris Wolf (703) Fri, Nov 6 Chapter Deadline for December newsletter DIANE HILL Tue, Nov 10 Chapter 893 Monthly Meeting, 1:00 pm (Registration and Social); 1:30 pm (Business Meeting); 2:15 pm (Program) Note change in date due to Veterans Day. Wed, Nov 11 Veterans Day Sat, Nov 14 Alzheimer s Luncheon & Silent Auction, 11:30 1:00 pm (Details on page 7) Fri, Nov 20 Fairfax County Senior Citizens Council, 10:00 am, Lincolnia Senior Center. Topic: An Introduction to the Newseum. THE LUNCH BUNCH The Lunch Bunch will not meet in November because our regular meeting day is Veterans Day, making it difficult to coordinate the arrangements. We ll be back strong in December. Hope to see you then! ELEANOR & AL ERICKSON 2010 Wed, Jan 13 Chapter Holiday Luncheon Apr VFC Annual Convention, Virginia Beach, VA NARFE PRESENTS NARFE PRESENTS is a monthly TV talk show on Channel 10 that focuses on timely issues of interest to NARFE members and the general senior population. Recent topics have included Alzheimer s research and the 2010 FEHBP program. Walter Engel, the long-term host of the show, is stepping down. If you have later-life aspirations for a career in television, this is your chance! No prior experience is necessary. You are invited to attend a taping session to see what is involved. Interested? Contact Jesse Hill at (703) , or Sidney Sachs, the producer/director at (703) , for more information. LITTLE THEATRE OF ALEXANDRIA The next preview performance at The Little Theatre of Alexandria will be in January when the LTA presents SCAPINO, a comedy set in Naples, Italy. Watch for more details in the December newsletter. On recent performance nights, there have been unclaimed tickets because those requesting them were no-shows who did not give notice of their change in plans. This not only denies attendance to persons on the waiting list, but it also could affect our ticket allotment because the LTA staff is aware of the unused tickets. Accordingly, if you cancel your attendance, you must give timely notice of cancellation by noon on the performance date. Otherwise, your request for future plays will be placed on the wait list unless there were extenuating circumstances. BARBARA KOHL NARFE Springfield Chapter 893 Page 2 November 2009

3 PROGRAM NOTES NOVEMBER. Congressman Gerald E. Connolly will provide Chapter 893 members with an update on issues before Congress that affect retired and active federal employees. As a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and its Federal Workforce Subcommittee, Connolly has immersed himself in issues that matter most to NARFE members. He has worked closely with the other members of the Washington-area congressional delegation to protect the interests of active and retired federal employees. He recently was cited by Government Executive magazine for his dedication to federal employee issues and his intimate knowledge of public employees and the issues that affect them. At our November 10 meeting Representative Connolly is expected to review the status of federal legislation including the Federal Retirement Reform Act that passed the House but has been stalled in the Senate; Premium Conversion for civilian and military retirees; Pension Offset, and other bills that affect the pocketbooks and quality of life for federal retirees and employees. NARFE President Margaret L. Baptiste, NARFE Vice President Joseph A. Beaudoin and VFC President William F. Martin will also attend. HAVE YOU NOTICED! WE MEET ON TUES- DAY, NOVEMBER 10 BECAUSE OUR REGU- LAR MEETING DATE FALLS ON VETERANS DAY. MARGARET YOWELL NOVEMBER CHAPTER MEETING Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 Time: 1:00 pm - Registration and Social 1:30 pm - Program 2:15 pm Business Meeting Place: The American Legion Post Amherst Avenue Springfield, VA Program: Legislative Issues Affecting YOU! Getting There: The American Legion Post 176 is located on Amherst Avenue just north of Kay Jennings Springfield Toyota and at the corner of Amherst Avenue and Springfield Boulevard. Parking is available at the rear of the building. CONGRATULATIONS TO CAMILLE M. MALM, OUR ALZHEIMER S WINNER FOR OCTOBER Alzheimer s Memory Walk. Cool temperatures and gray, threatening skies failed to dampen the spirits of participants in the Alzheimer s Northern Virginia Memory Walk at the Reston Town Center on September 26. Doug McKelway of Channel 7 s Good Morning, Washington, the honorary chairman and master of ceremonies, spoke about his mother s experience with the disease. Our chapter president, Dick Gallagher, led our gallant group of five chapter members who completed the 3-mile walk around Reston Town Center. In addition to the group s individual contributions, 13 other chapter members lent support by contributing $1, to the Alzheimer s cause. Our thanks to all! Clip here JOIN THE CHAPTER 893 ALZHEIMER S 50/50 DRAWING Yes, sign me up for the Chapter 893 Alzheimer s 50/50 drawing where for $10 I participate in ten drawings with a chance to win $50.00 while supporting Alzheimer s research. What a good deal! Name: Check No. Address: Amount: $10.00 MAKE CHECK(S) PAYABLE TO NARFE CHAPTER 893 AND MAIL TO: MIKE ZWICKE, 6720 NEW HOPE DRIVE, SPRINGFIELD, VA NARFE Springfield Chapter 893 Page 3 November 2009

4 MEMBERSHIP WELCOME NEW MEMBERS (21) SEPTEMBER 2009* R. Dennis Bevans Alfred Brooks Kathleen Brooks Aggie Byers Kevin W. Carter Aida Carter Richard Elliott Debbie Esposito Frank Gallagher Nand Gupta Billie S. Hayes Frederick P. Lastra Frances Melone David Miller Deborah Moore Richard D. Ogara Kathryn Ransom Robert Richardson Jean Terrill Miguel A. Valencia Michael Wilson *New, Reinstatements, Transfers-in Where We Stand. Our membership at October 14, 2009, was 1,776, down nineteen from September. Our Area Directors continue to contact former members to emphasize how essential NARFE is to their interests. However, our efforts in this regard are encumbered by the membership reporting system at NARFE headquarters which often provides conflicting or inconsistent data to the chapters. We are working to document these problems in order to resolve the issue, and other NARFE chapters are joining in the effort. BOB DRAKE DAVE SULLIVAN TO SEEK NATIONAL NARFE OFFICE Our own Dave Sullivan has announced his candidacy for the office of NARFE National Secretary. Dave is a Life Member of NARFE, and he has extensive experience at all levels of the organization. He is a past president of Chapter 893, has broad experience within the Virginia Federation of Chapters, and served three terms as NARFE National Secretary during As national secretary, Dave would focus on membership recruiting and retention, leadership development, and chapter rebuilding areas where he has specialized throughout his service within NARFE. For more detailed information about his candidacy, visit Dave s website at VETERANS DAY NOVEMBER 11 CHAPTER 893 ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS Chapter 893 members will vote at the November 10 chapter meeting for a proposed slate of officers and directors to lead our chapter during These members have agreed to serve: as President Dick Gallagher; as Vice President Jim Delgado; as Directors at Large Doris Lama and Earl Levy; as Director, Area E Lillian Levy; as Director, Area F Chuck McPherson. Additional nominations may be made from the floor provided the proposed nominee accepts nomination. We still need volunteers for the positions of Secretary and Treasurer. See the want-ad on page 6, and then step up to serve. Charles Delaplane (Chair) cdelaplane@verizon.net Jim Delgado (Member) jkadelg@yahoo.com Sharon Forrest (Member taffyjoe@aol.com Joan McDonald (Member) joanannemcdonald@aol.com NARFE Springfield Chapter 893 Page 4 November 2009

5 NATIONAL LEGISLATION When this current 111 th Congress started work last January, I had some hopeful twinges that Premium Conversion might come to pass at last. But with all the upset and hullabaloo going on around health care reform, one can safely say that Premium Conversion is a dead issue for at least as long as health care reform has not been passed. The final nature of what health care reform eventually does get passed most pundits seem confident that something will get passed will determine whether continuing the fight for Premium Conversion even makes sense. Maybe we can revisit the subject in January or February. And given the red ink leaking from the federal budget, with prospects for more of the same, repealing the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision seems even more remote. Meanwhile, there have been a few wins. As this is written, October 9, final action is not yet quite complete on the FY 10 Defense Authorization Bill. But as passed in conference, the bill includes three measures that are part of NARFE s legislative program for the 111 th Congress. The bill would allow FERS employees to credit sick leave toward retirement (initially half, and later all); it would allow federal agencies to re-employ retirees on a limited, part-time basis without offset to their retirement annuities; and it would extend locality pay to Hawaii, Alaska, and offshore U.S. Territories. Federal employees in those areas previously have received a COLA in lieu of locality pay, and COLAs are not included in calculating the value of retirement benefits, while locality pay is. Also, those of us on Social Security should know that under present Medicare law their Medicare B premiums will not be increased in a year of no COLA - without doubt 2010 is shaping up to be such a year. Unfortunately, that provision does not cover those of us who are federal retirees, but did not earn a Social Security benefit with which to pay Medicare B premiums. To equalize things the House has passed and sent to the Senate a bill which holds non-social Security retirees harmless for any increase in Medicare B premiums, and that bill now resides in the Senate Finance Committee. Unless the Senate acts in favor, those of us outside Social Security, but under Medicare B, could get hit with a hefty premium increase. Stay tuned. CHARLES DELAPLANE STATE LEGISLATION As we approach Election Day I suggest we consider the lack of real competition between the parties for most elective offices. A Washington Post editorial reported in October that very few seats in the Virginia General Assembly are really contested. In 2007, the last time around, only 17 of the 140 were competitive. Each of the others was a safe seat for one of the two major parties. Fortunately, both major candidates for Governor now support establishing a bipartisan commission to deal with that problem. The commission, with an independent leader, would draw new electoral districts every 10 years, after the census. So it s up to all of us to keep reminding the new Governor of his promise. Another basic issue for the new Governor and General Assembly is gasoline taxes. A main reason why our traffic is so bad is that the 17.5 cents-a-gallon Virginia tax rate is among the lowest in the nation. Another Post editorial, later in the month, reports that two of our neighbors do better Maryland 23.5 cents and North Carolina 26.6 cents. The North Carolina rate here would provide extra transportation revenue of $450 to $500 million a year. So let s vote for people who might do these things. Warning: after they are elected we need to watch them like hawks. JAY HOLMES NARFE Springfield Chapter 893 Page 5 November 2009

6 DUES REFERENDUM If you haven t cast your vote regarding the NARFE dues referendum, you must act soon. You have two voting options.: (1) You may vote in person at the regular chapter meeting on November 10; (2) You may participate by mailing the Special Voter s Ballot (below) to the address shown. Mailed ballots must be postmarked no later than November 10 to be counted. HELP WANTED Do you balance your checkbook every month? Are you detail-oriented? Do you like working with numbers? If you can answer yes to all these questions, we are looking for you because Darlene Myer Rhodes, our current treasurer, will leave office after many years of dedicated service to Chapter 893. Our chapter s budget is about $16,000 a year and is handled through a checking account and a money market account. Most of our income is from dues, which are collected at NARFE Headquarters and sent to our chapter s bank account via direct deposit. Other transactions include collections and disbursements for Alzheimer s, pay-as-you-go events such as the annual picnic and holiday luncheon, and payments for badges. There are certain monthly payments that must be made on a timely basis. There is one annual IRS requirement which can be done by postcard or electronically. The current treasurer created Excel spreadsheets for the chapter reports; however, other programs, such as Quicken, could be utilized, or the accounts could be kept manually. If you can help the chapter by serving as its treasurer, please contact Darlene at or Nominating Committee Chairman Charlie Delaplane at for more information Clip here SPECIAL VOTER S BALLOT MY VOTE ON THE 2009 NARFE DUES REFERENDUM I VOTE YES ON THE NARFE DUES REFERENDUM I VOTE NO ON THE NARFE DUES REFERENDUM MY VOTE ON THE ALLOCATION OF THE CHAPTER S 36 VOTES CAST THE CHAPTER VOTE AS A BLOCK CAST THE CHAPTER VOTE PROPORTIONATELY Print Name Signature Date (Mail to NARFE Springfield Chapter 893, (Attn: Dues Referendum), P.O. Box , West Springfield, VA Must be postmarked no later than November 10, 2009) NARFE Springfield Chapter 893 Page 6 November 2009

7 JOIN CHAPTER 893 MEMBERS AND OTHERS FOR FOOD FOR THOUGHT A LUNCHEON AND SILENT AUCTION FOR ALZHEIMER S RESEARCH WHAT: All-you-can-eat Italian Buffet and Silent Auction to support Alzheimer s research WHERE: Paradiso Restaurant 6124 Franconia Rd Alexandria, VA (703) WHEN: Saturday, November 14 from 11:30 am 1:00 pm. Final bids close at 12:45 pm! WHO: All chapter members, their families, friends and neighbors! COST: $16 per person (includes coffee/tea/soft drink, entrée, dessert, tax, tip, and small donation to the Alzheimer s Association) RSVP: Send checks payable to Mike Zwicke by Thursday, November 5: Mike Zwicke, 6720 New Hope Drive, Springfield, VA CHALLENGE: One free lunch ticket for anyone who makes a $25 tax-deductible donation to NARFE/Alzheimer s Association at same address before November 5! AUCTION DONATIONS: The auction includes great gift certificates, gift-laden baskets, a week at a beach house, good Christmas/holiday-giving possibilities for young and old alike! More are needed Please contact your service providers to solicit more items for auction or use your talents to donate something yourselves. Donated items may be delivered to the same address by Sunday, November 8. Further information: Mike Zwicke ( ); mikeanddeb7@verizon.net GREAT FOOD, GREAT COMPANY, GREAT AUCTION ITEMS, GREAT CAUSE! LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW! This song may generate thoughts for the holiday season for you, but not for a homeless Veteran! During 2008 there were 130,000 homeless Veterans on any given night. The Veterans Administration s programs include medical, psychiatric, substance abuse and related health and social service initiatives for the homeless Veteran, but the VA needs help. What can members of Chapter 893 do meet the pressing and immediate needs of homeless Veterans in our area for the coming winter season? Chapter 893 is collecting certain emergency-type clothing items for distribution during the cold weather. Specifically, we are asking members to purchase and donate men s long johns and gloves (in any size and available at K-Mart, Wal- Mart, etc.). Let s make a difference in the community by getting involved. Please bring your donations to the DECEMBER chapter meeting. MARGARET YOWELL NARFE Springfield Chapter 893 Page 7 November 2009

8 NARFE Springfield Chapter 893 Non-Profit Org. P. O. Box U.S Postage West Springfield, VA Paid Merrifield, VA Permit No Chapter 893 Meeting, Tuesday, November 10, 2009 POSTMASTER The American Legion Post 176, Springfield, VA Please deliver by October 28, 2009 WHAT, ME WORRY? ELECTION DAY NOT ME! AFTER ALL, MY RETIREMENT BENEFITS ARE LOCKED IN, AREN T THEY? DREAM ON! HEALTH CARE REFORM, MASSIVE BUDGET DEFICITS, A STILL SHAKY ECONOMY ALL THESE ISSUES SHOULD BE OF CONCERN TO ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES YOU NEED TO KEEP INFORMED THAT S WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND THE CHAPTER 893 MEETING ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10 CONGRESSMAN GERALD E. CONNOLLY ADDRESSES TOPICS THAT CONCERN US ALL NOVEMBER 3 (See page 3 for details)

VOLUME 46 - NUMBER 2 VFC AREA IX FEBRUARY 2010

NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION CHAPTER 893 SPRINGFIELD, VIRGINIA CHAPTER 893 SERVING OUR MEMBERS VOLUME 46 - NUMBER 2 VFC AREA IX FEBRUARY 2010 PRESIDENT Richard M. Gallagher