NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION SPRINGFIELD CHAPTER 893 JUNE 2018 UPDATE

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1 NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION SPRINGFIELD CHAPTER 893 JUNE 2018 UPDATE PROUDLY SERVING OUR MEMBERS SINCE 1963 This edition is a briefing of events that have occurred since our last regular newsletter which was the Mar Apr 2018 edition as well as some upcoming items that you may want to take note of as well. Our next regular newsletter will be the September edition. BOARD MEMBERS FOR 2018 President Joseph E. Bush ( ); jjmeb@msn.com Vice President Elizabeth Lynch; emlynchva@verizon.net Treasurer Jim Wagner ( ); wagnerjimbetty@gmail.com Secretary Beverly Clemsen ( ); jraff2@cox.net Director Virginia Carter ( ); veeayvgc@yahoo.com Director Jesse Hill ( ); jdrewh@verizon.net Director/Asst. Treasurer John Olsen ( ); jgolsen12@gmail.com Past President Deanna Shepherd; dclshepherd@hotmail.com Alzheimer s Chair Joseph P. (Pat) Harahan ( ; harahan@verizon.net Webmaster Sidney A. Sachs ( ); chapterwebmaster@vanarfe.org 2018 CHAPTER SUMMER LUNCHEON Chapter 893 s Summer Luncheon was held on the back deck of Kilroy s Restaurant on Wednesday, June 13, Twenty-eight of our members and their guests celebrated the coming of warmer weather with a bottomless burger bar, cheesecake desert, cash bar, good fellowship, and lots of events. Area IX Vice President Jim Little joined in the good times. Colorful decorations greeted the attendees. Special events included Photo Fun, memorable NARFE Bingo Games, and an Alzheimer s Basket Raffle conducted by Margaret Yowell! Pat Harahan, Chapter Alzheimer s Chair, donated the basket which was full of wonderful goodies. Over $200 in raffle proceeds and donations made by attendees went to Alzheimer s Research. Chapter members whose hard work contributed to the success of this party included Event Committee members Margaret Yowell, John Olsen, Jesse Hill, and Joe Bush. These individuals also worked on many events during the luncheon. Beverly Clemsen called the numbers during Page 1 of 7

Beth Lynch,Jim Little,and Margaret Yowell

disguise Beverly Clemsen & Jayne Cantor are

2 the three bingo games and Diane Hill provided an enthusiastic welcome to attendees at the registration table. All in all a good time was had by all! Beth Lynch,Jim Little,and Margaret Yowell share a moment Joe Johnson and Jesse Hill in disguise Beverly Clemsen & Jayne Cantor are in the spirit! Jerry Cantor & Barbara MacDonald - a hat trick! Page 2 of 7

LEE DISTRICT SUPERVISOR JEFF MCKAY ADDRESSES MAY MEETING Fairfax County Lee District Supervisor welcomed at our Chapter back to Central Springfield at our May meeting.

He was very well received and members were glad to know that he understands the needs of federal employees and retirees, both active and retired.

3 LEE DISTRICT SUPERVISOR JEFF MCKAY ADDRESSES MAY MEETING Fairfax County Lee District Supervisor welcomed at our Chapter back to Central Springfield at our May meeting. He provided an in-depth detail on happenings in Lee District in particular and Fairfax County in general. He was very well received and members were glad to know that he understands the needs of federal employees and retirees, both active and retired. Supervisor Jeff McKay with Joe Bush BEVERLY CLEMSEN HONORED AT SENIOR RECOGNITION CEREMONY Beverly Clemsen, our Chapter Secretary, was honored at the 49 th Annual Senior Recognition Ceremony held May 5 at the Waterford at Springfield. Chapter 893 attendees included Beverly, Past President Deanna Shepherd, and Chapter President Joseph Bush. Beverly was honored for her dedication to the Chapter and the many duties she has performed as a member of Chapter 893. The ceremony was attended by many other area clubs and also a number of members from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Beverly with Fairfax Board Chairman Bulova, Supervisor McKay, Supervisor Gross, and Supervisor Herrity Page 3 of 7

4 NATIONAL NARFE ELECTIONS CLOSE JUNE 30, 2018 National NARFE elections will close June 30, NARFE members have the opportunity to vote for the offices of National President, National Secretary/Treasurer, each Region s Vice President, as well as proposed bylaw changes and resolutions. The two methods to vote include internet online voting and mail-in ballots that were provided in each member s June 2018 magazine. Please note that paper ballots must be received by the vendor managing the election Election Services Co. by 11:59 p.m. June 30. Cut off for internet online voting is the same time and date. Voting assistance is available at or FEDCON 2018 Also happening this summer is NARFE s premier conference FEDcon18. This conference will be held August 26-28, 2018 in Jacksonville, FL. Registration and additional information is available at LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS/NARFE-PAC I would like to emphasize two recently highlighted NARFE statements on the President s proposed government reorganization plan and proposed 2019 Budget. I encourage you to use NARFE s easy-to-use Legislative Action Center ( to send letters to Congress on these issues and other issues you wish to advocate. This same tool will allow you to sign up for action alerts and track NARFE-related bills and votes. NARFE statement on proposed reorganization plan: Under the president s proposed government reorganization plan, it s possible that important programs such as the federal retirement and health benefits of more than 5 million federal employees and retirees will receive less attention. While this proposal is a roadmap of the president¹s ideas to restructure government agencies and functions, implementing these changes will require congressional action, in most cases. We urge Congress to give careful and thoughtful deliberation to these recommendations so that the administration of earned federal benefits programs continues to be a priority and receives adequate funding. President Thissen s statement on OPM s proposed cuts during Public Service Week: As we kick off Public Service Recognition Week, a time to honor federal employees who serve and protect our country day in and out without applause or fanfare, it s especially disappointing to see the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) pursue $143.5 billion in cuts to earned federal retirement benefits. In exchange for years of hard work over long careers, our government made a commitment to middle class federal and postal workers that they would receive federal pensions in retirement. Those pensions are not gifts. Diminishing their value in any way for Page 4 of 7

5 those who have already earned them including by eliminating or reducing COLAs, altering how they are calculated, or eliminating an entire element of the pension fails to honor the basic commitments made to our public servants. NARFE-PAC: One more way to let your voice be heard is making a contribution to NARFE- PAC. There are five good reasons to donate: (1) Helping elect members of Congress who support the federal community. (2) Building strong relationships with lawmakers, a key component to winning legislative fights. (3) Ensuring the federal community is a powerful political force across the country. (4) Pooling individual contributions to maximize impact nationwide. (5) Empowering our strongest supporters to become leaders in our fight. PLEASE LET OUR SUNSHINE LADY KNOW OF MEMBERS IN NEED Nancy Summers is our wonderful Sunshine Lady who sends cards to those in need. Please call or her if you know of a member who needs some sunshine or sympathy. We think it is important to recognize events such as illnesses and deaths in our members lives and try to provide some cheering/consolation on behalf of the chapter. Nancy s telephone number is and her is nanpsum@yahoo.com. DEANNA SHEPHERD APPOINTED VIRGINIA FEDERATION PUBLIC RELATIONS CHAIR I am happy to announce that Immediate Past Chapter President Deanna Shepherd was appointed Public Relations Chair for the Virginia Federation. Deanna volunteered for the position at the recent Virginia Federation Convention. Principal responsibilities of this position include being a voting member of the Virginia Federation Board; providing NARFE materials to assist chapters in recruitment efforts; assisting chapters to get matching funds for recruitment and community events; visiting and speaking at chapter meetings; and supporting and participating in Virginia Federation and NARFE activities. Deanna states that she will be reaching out to the 46 Chapter Presidents in Virginia, our Area Vice Presidents, Federation members and community leaders to ensure that each of us presents the "Face of NARFE" in all of our interactions and endeavors. We will focus on program development quarterly and annually, use of media for internal and external communications, and the assignment of responsibilities at each level of our Federation. Our chapter congratulates Deanna on her appointment to this position and wishes her every success. A full statement of her Remarks to the Virginia Federation Caucus will be provided in a separate release. Page 5 of 7

6 THE LITTLE THEATER OF ALEXANDRIA (LTA) The first production of the season will be the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" to be performed on 19 July 2018 at 8:00 PM. This is the iconic rock opera with music by Andrew Loyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. The story is loosely based on the Gospels' accounts of the last week of Jesus's life. The next free production at the LTA will be "August: Osage County" on 6 Sept 2018 at 8:00 PM. This play presents a look at the lives of the strong-willed women of the Weston family, whose paths have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Oklahoma house they grew up in, and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them. A memorable family reunion, of sorts. "Dracula" will be on stage at the LTA on 11 Oct 2018 at 8:00 PM. Join the colorfully macabre cast as they tell the story of Dracula's attempt to move from Transylvania to the heart of Victorian London so he may find new blood and spread the undead curse and of the battle between Dracula and a small group of men and women led by Professor Abraham Van Helsing. Come see the world's most famous vampire but don't come alone. The LTA will perform its traditional Christmas time production of "A Christmas Carol" on 29 November 2018 at 8:00 PM. This story by Charles Dickens is the perfect way to begin the Holiday Season. Reserve your free tickets now and come and root for Tiny Tim. If one or both of these plays interest you please call Jesse Hill at or at jdrewh@verizon.net.in Texas to celebrate Red, White, THE LUNCH BUNCH The Lunch Bunch will meet at Chili s Grill and Bar restaurant located at 6250 Inter Parcel Road, Kingstown, Virginia at 11:00 a.m. in advance of our September 13, 2017 meeting. The restaurant is located just east of the intersection of Beulah Street and the Springfield Franconia Parkway. Please call Eleanor Erickson at or her at 33eleanor@gmail.com for further information. FUTURE GUEST SPEAKERS INCLUDE CHAPTER MEMBER JOANNE THOMPSON The Chapter is happy to inform you that a member of our Chapter Joanne Thompson will be our guest speaker at the Chapter meeting on September 12. Joanne had quite a career in government service including work to protect our country against the communist empire and the Taliban. There will be many tales to be told about her adventures. The October speaker is still to be announced. Our November meeting will feature the annual visit from Blue Cross/Blue Shield. And in December, we will feature our Holiday Party. So fall will be a busy time for our chapter. CHAPTER CALENDAR & GUEST SPEAKERS Wednesday, September 5 Chapter Board Meeting, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Supervisor s Conference Room, Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke, VA Page 6 of 7

7 Wednesday, September 12 Monthly Chapter Meeting, in the Hospitality Room, Springfield United Methodist Church, 7047 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, VA Registration and Social at 12:30 p.m., Business Meeting from 1:00 p.m., Guest speaker: Joanne Thompson 1:30 p.m. Springfield Chapter 893 s September 12, 2017 Meeting Registration and Social at 12:30 p.m. Business Meeting 1:00 p.m.; Guest Speaker at 1:30 p.m. Chapter 893 Meets On the Second Wednesday of Every Month (except July and August) At Springfield United Methodist Church, 7047 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, VA Registration & Social at 12:30 pm; Meeting at 1:00 pm Inclement Weather Policy: If Fairfax County schools are closed because of inclement weather, the NARFE meeting on that day (whether Board or Chapter) is cancelled. Stay Informed: Visit the NARFE Website: Visit the VFC Website: Visit the Chapter 893 Website: Page 7 of 7

NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION SPRINGFIELD CHAPTER 893 DECEMBER 2018 UPDATE

NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION SPRINGFIELD CHAPTER 893 DECEMBER 2018 UPDATE PROUDLY SERVING OUR MEMBERS SINCE 1963 This edition is a briefing of events that have occurred since