August 24, 2012, NARFE National Executive Board Meeting Minutes

Transcription

1 August, 0, NARFE National Executive Board Meeting Minutes Location: Nugget Hotel, Sparks, NV Friday, August, 0 (pre-convention NEB meeting) Call to Order ( a.m.) by National President Beaudoin Moment of Silence Pledge of Allegiance led by RVP Lucero-Turner Roll Call by National Secretary Hughes Presentation of the Agenda 0 0 Present: National Officers President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Regional Vice Presidents Region I Region II Region III Region IV Region V Region VI Region VII Joseph A. Beaudoin Paul H. Carew Elaine C. Hughes Richard G. Thissen Augie Stratoti Ronald P. Bowers Don Stewart Paul Johnson Carol Ek Jerome Smith Betty Lucero-Turner

2 Region VIII Helen Zajac Region IX Region X Lanny Ross William (Bill) Martin Staff NEB Executive Assistant NARFE Parliamentarian Marian Uffen Paul Lamb Guests 0 0 Past NARFE National President Past Region VI Vice President SC Federation President DC Federation President FL Federation President ND Federation President Candidate for Region III Vice President Sergeant-at-Arms Owner of Nugget Hotel Margaret Baptiste Jerry Hatfield William Jaillet Linwood Watson Kenneth Thomas Harold Weninger Mary Pierson Don Wiese John Ascuaga

3 NP Beaudoin called the meeting to order at a.m. RVP Ross reminded the National Officers of the Orientation Session to be held at p.m. on Sunday, August. NP Beaudoin briefly reviewed the convention agenda with the board. 0 NT Thissen gave a brief overview of the 0 budget. He stated that we have brought in more money than spent for the year. He also stated that he will address the Federation Presidents regarding the One Group report. NS Hughes reviewed the presentations to be given to the Federation Presidents on Saturday, August, and to the General Session on Thursday, August 0. (copies of Powerpoint on file) NVP Carew stated he will address the Federation Presidents regarding the lessons learned and future of the e-narfe chapter concept. 0 NP Beaudoin introduced the owner of the Nugget Hotel, John Ascuaga, who welcomed the NEB and the NARFE membership to the Nugget and to Sparks. NS Hughes discussed the background and procedures adopted for the membership awards to be presented on Thursday. Following a brief discussion of the proposed Bylaws, RVP Ross presented the following motion:

4 Motion #0-0-. SUBJECT: NEB Support for the BRC Proposed Bylaws and Standing Rules. Motion made by RVP Ross and seconded by RVP Stewart that the National Executive Board go on record supporting the proposed Bylaws and Standing Rules submitted by the Bylaws Revision Committee (BRC). The motion unanimously passed. RVP Johnson questioned whether OAM access will be extended to the Federation Presidents, and NVP Carew responded that it is being implemented at this time. 0 RVP Bowers reminded the board that the 00 Bylaws were not in compliance with the DC statute with regard to the annual meeting issue. He suggested that the board delegate authority to a new committee to address certain areas of the DC statute and the 00 Bylaws, should the proposed revised Bylaws fail. RVP Zajac shared concerns and complaints regarding the redesigned NARFE website. NP Beaudoin asked RVP Zajac to prepare a written document outlining concerns and present to the board on Thursday, August 0. 0 NVP Carew briefly discussed the work of the website committee and the outstanding work to redesign the website as a tool for recruitment. RVP Zajac also asked that headquarters consider a redesign of certain recruitment posters with regard to size and applicability for certain recruiting events. ACTION ITEM: NS Hughes to investigate the appropriateness of redesign. 0 RVP Zajac also expressed concerns by the Hawaii Federation with regard to the many negative comments and statements that appear in e-narfe Chapter s blog and questioned why there are few rebuttals.

5 A discussion followed concerning the pros and cons of responding to blog comments; the appropriateness of responding; and perhaps allowing FPs to respond to comments. RVP Martin complimented the -hour welcome letter response for new members. 0 NP Beaudoin discussed the Kentucky Federation resolution regarding the One Group Report. He queried the board as to whether the board should support the resolution or not, or if the board should remain neutral. NS Secretary Hughes was asked to read the proposed resolution. RVP Ross responded that he had complete confidence in NT Thissen s presentation to the FPs. Following the discussion of Kentucky s proposed resolution, RVP Ross presented the following motion: 0 Motion #0-0-. SUBJECT: The One Group, LLC Report dated //. Motion made by RVP Ross and seconded by RVP Stewart that the NEB has reviewed the proposed One Group, LLC, resolution and, at this time, does not support this proposal. With a vote of Yeas and Abstain, the motion passed. NP Beaudoin suggested a schedule for visiting the 0 regional caucuses on Tuesday, August, should the four National Officers be elected by acclamation. 0 NP Beaudoin stated that the first meeting of the new board would be November -, 0, at NARFE HQ. He also suggested that the board consider a full day on membership and a half-day on a strategic plan.

6 The meeting adjourned at :0 a.m. 0 Thursday, August 0, 0 (post-convention NEB meeting) Location: Nugget Hotel, Sparks, NV Call to Order ( p.m.) by National President Beaudoin Moment of Silence Pledge of Allegiance led by RVP Zajac Roll Call by National Secretary Hughes 0 Present: National Officers President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Regional Vice Presidents Region I Region II Region III Region IV Region V Region VI Joseph A. Beaudoin Paul H. Carew Elaine C. Hughes Richard G. Thissen Augie Stratoti Ronald P. Bowers Don Stewart Paul Johnson Carol Ek Jerome Smith

7 Region VII Betty Lucero-Turner 0 0 Region VIII Region IX Region X Newly-Elected RVPs Region I Region II Region VII Staff NEB Executive Assistant NARFE Parliamentarian Legislative Representative Guests MA Federation President Chapter President Chapter Wife of Past RVP I Gil Blaisdell FL Federation President GA Federation President Chapter President Chapter 0 ND Federation President SD Federation President Helen Zajac Lanny Ross William (Bill) Martin Arthur (Art) Pike Evelyn Kirby Frank Impinna Marian Uffen Paul Lamb Chris Farrell Bill Wayne Eileen McGrath Mary Ann Blaisdell Kenneth Thomas Roger Finley Terry Zitek Hal Weninger Roger Youngman

8 NP Beaudoin called the meeting to order at p.m. NP Beaudoin presented outgoing RVPs Betty Lucero-Turner and Augie Stratoti with gifts of appreciation for their outstanding service to NARFE. He also thanked RVP Bowers for his outstanding service during the past two years and stated that a gift of appreciation would be presented at a later date. NP Beaudoin presented Mary Ann Blaisdell a gift of appreciation in remembrance of Gil Blaisdell, past Region I VP, who passed away in 0. 0 RVP Zajac distributed copies of concerns with the new NARFE website which will be discussed at the next website committee meeting at headquarters. She also asked when the Manual for Legislative Officers will be updated and when the F- s will be available. (Note: The F-s are presently being printed.) Action Item: Legislative Department to update Manual for Legislative Officers. RVP Zajac also concerned about the negative comments on the e-narfe Chapter s blog with little or no response to comments. Action Item: NP Beaudoin will discuss with s president. 0 RVP Bowers reminded the board that the new Bylaws are in need of further revision and volunteered to chair a committee to bring new Bylaws into compliance with DC statute. RVP Smith stated that the DC statute takes precedence over our Bylaws. New Business: NT Thissen stated that new policy on chapter dues will be sent out per new Bylaws. 0 RVP Zajac met with Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico on locality pay issue. She further suggested that a white paper be created on GPO, WEP, Premium Conversion and locality pay.

9 Action Item: Legislative Department to prepare white papers. RVP Smith suggested that the Protect America's Heartbeat (PAH) Toolkit include a white paper on what federal employees and retirees have already given up with regard to pay and benefits. Action Item: Legislative Department to re-do PAH toolkit to include white paper. 0 RVP Ross shared with the board that he had visited the Grand Sierra Hotel to verify statements made by the Sales Director during the convention in reference to the hotel. Both he and Jean Ross felt that the Grand Sierra was a good choice for the 0 National Convention. NP Beaudoin asked for confirmation from the NEB to move forward with signing of the contract with the Grand Sierra. All board members unanimously agreed that the selection of the Grand Sierra was a good choice and to sign the contract. 0 RVP Smith recommended, based on feedback from convention attendees, that all presenters practice PowerPoint presentations with a large screen to determine how adequately the attendees are able to view the presentations. Action Item: NS Hughes will compile the results of the convention, as well as Lunch and Learn evaluations, and will share with the board upon completion. RVP Smith brought to the attention of the board a website, Constant Contact, which may help in obtaining correct addresses for members. General impression of Lunch and Learn Sessions was very positive. Many members stated they would like to see more of these sessions added to the agenda. 0 RVP Zajac questioned why there is not a breakdown of the e-narfe members on the recruiting map in both the magazine and the R&R Journal.

10 Action Item: NS Hughes and NT Thissen to implement recommendation. RVP Ross raised the issue of too many negative comments surrounding discussions of the proposed Bylaws and the site selection process and choice of hotel for 0. He suggested that perhaps we should consider an alternative method of handling negative comments. 0 RVP Bowers asked if there was a process to limit resolutions and amendments to substantive issues and changes, rather than spending time on those that are of less value to the overall intent. 0 NP Beaudoin stated that only the NS has the authority to determine the appropriateness and/or the scope of the amendments and resolutions. NVP Carew suggested that perhaps the Bylaws and resolutions committees could hold hearings so that convention business sessions can be used more productively. Paul Lamb, NARFE parliamentarian, suggested one option is eliminating the provision for withholding a resolution if the committee had recommended rejection. He also reminded the board that only the chapters and federations can submit resolutions and amendments, not individual members. RVP Bowers reminded the board that the resolution and amendment process is the only mechanism for chapter and federation input. RVP Ross stated that the NOs appearance at the caucuses was appreciated and especially the apology from NP Beaudoin concerning congressional representative Shelley Berkley s remarks at the convention. 0 NP Beaudoin suggested that the first NEB meeting agenda include a half-day discussing an overall strategic plan for NARFE and perhaps a full day discussing membership strategic and tactical planning. Note: November Agenda will include a half-day for membership and possibly a review of NARFE s strategic planning.

11 NT Thissen recommended we spend more time on legislation as well, given the events that will occur prior to the next board meeting. NP Beaudoin stated that resolutions passed at the convention would be sent to the NEB prior to the next board meeting. NP Beaudoin stated that the next board meeting will be held at Headquarters, November -, 0 (with travel days on Monday, November, and Friday, November, 0). 0 NP Beaudoin asked for comments from the newly elected board members. RVPs-elect Pike, Impinna, and Kirby expressed appreciation to their regions for electing them and stated they looked forward to beginning their first term as NEB members. RVP-elect Impinna asked if the newly elected board members could be added to the distribution list for all correspondence sent to board members. Action Item: NP Beaudoin to ensure that newly elected board members receive all NEB correspondence. With no further business, NP Beaudoin adjourned the meeting at :0 p.m. 0 **The next scheduled 0 NEB meeting will be held on Tuesday, November, through Thursday, November, 0 at NARFE HQ. Elaine C. Hughes National Secretary