NARFE Chapter 306 Page 1

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NARFE Chapter 306 Page 1 NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES Volume 6, Issue 3 Hagerstown MD March 2015 CHAPTER OFFICERS Acting President: Ed Reed 1-301-739-1641 edr3vigil@yahoo.

net Service Officer: Thomas Brudenell 1-301-432-4815 lynntom@myactv.net Membership: Ed Reed 1-301-739-1641 edr3vigil@yahoo.

10 Receipts 90.00 Expenses 0.00 Feb. 26, 2015 Balance $279.

1 NARFE Chapter 306 Page 1 NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES Volume 6, Issue 3 Hagerstown MD March 2015 CHAPTER OFFICERS Acting President: Ed Reed edr3vigil@yahoo.com Vice President: Russell Wingerd, russell.wingerd@myactv.net Secretary: Danny Laspe dannylaspe@aol.com Treasurer: Jim Dray jdraysr@verizon.net Service Officer: Thomas Brudenell lynntom@myactv.net Membership: Ed Reed edr3vigil@yahoo.com PAC Coordinator: Sunshine Lady: Newsletter Editor: Dorothy Buhrman dotm16509@gmail.com Treasure s Report Treasure's Report February 26, 2015 Jan. 30, 2015 Balance $ Receipts Expenses 0.00 Feb. 26, 2015 Balance $ Greetings, FROM THE MARCH & APRIL ACTING PRESIDENT'S DESK IT'S-NOT-TOO-LATE: Our State Federation's Convention is April 26-28, at the Carousel, in Ocean City. We choose new Federation Officers, attend workshops, and will have "excellent speakers to present topics of current interest to members." Reception, luncheons and banquet with band are on schedule. Send me your monies (Checks) as described in last month's Newsletter by 20 March, if interested; phone me ( ) if you have additional questions. Extended discounted room reservations are available, if made before March 27. Members may attend as delegates, and may invite guests to banquet, etc. Ed Reed, Acting President Jim Dray, Treasurer

2 NARFE Chapter 306 Page 2 Secretary s Report Minutes of NARFE Chapter 306 Meeting February 13, 2015 Twenty-seven people, twenty-four members and 3 guests, attended the meeting. Jim Dray led the prayer. Russ Wingerd led the pledge of allegiance. After the opening ceremonies, everyone broke for lunch. The guest speaker, Michael G. Day, Attorney, and expert on elder law, spoke about elders protecting their assets. Mr. Day explained that there are options to protect your assets even after you are in a nursing home. You cannot protect yourself unless you seek guidance. Government agencies have no incentive to help you manage your nursing home costs. Powers of Attorney help you protect you and your assets. Any Power of Attorney written before 2010 needs to be rewritten. Mr. Day considered this the most important message in his presentation. Mr. Day also said most bog bank annuities are total junk. Mr. Day invited the meeting group to a presentation given by his firm in April OFFICER REPORTS: Ed Reed, will be Chapter President for March and April Treasurer - Jim Dray provided the Treasurer s Report dated 12 February The treasury balance on 9 January was $ There were $30 in receipts and expenses of $ The February 12, 2015 balance for the Chapter is $ Service Officer- Tom Brudenell informed the group that he has used the services of Mr. Day and he was well worth the money. Membership Chair - Ed Reed provided information about the Maryland State Federation NARFE Convention in Ocean City April Ed explained the convention agenda and provided information on, meals, entertainment and very discounted hotel rooms at Carousel Hotel. Ed would like to see several members from our chapter at the convention. The special hotels rates can be used before and after the convention. A vacation can be planned around the convention. Ed Reed told the group he has attended 3 of Mr. Day s seminars and found them very informative. A free lunch is provided. Newsletter Chairperson: Dorothy Buhrman told the group that the chapter will have a March newsletter. The next newsletter, mailing in April, will be a 2 month newsletter that will cover April and May. GOOD OF THE CHAPTER: Sandy Reeser announced that she is having trouble finding entertainment for the Christmas party in December. Some possible options were discussed. Ed Reed asked about costs for the picnic in June and plans for the picnic. We need to include this information in the April/May newsletter. Ed also recommended that $1 be added to the cost of the Sandy Springs picnic to help build up the chapter treasury. This suggestion was adopted. Burt McKenney is in a nursing home and would like to receive cards. There is a 90 year old chapter member that would like to attend our next meeting but needs transportation. She will be picked up and brought to the meeting. The Chapter received a thank you letter from Lucille White, Help Line Board of Directors. Ed Reed and Russ Wingerd informed the members that guest speakers are needed for several future meetings. Earl Hamilton won the 50/50 drawing for about $25. Glen Patterson won the $11 drawing for a free lunch. The meeting adjourned at about 2:00 P.M. Secretary, Danny L. Laspe

3 NARFE Chapter 306 Page 3 As your Current Acting Chapter President, I'm obligated to: "Pass-On-To-All-Our-Chapter-Members" that: NARFE-National has established A New Strategic Planning Process to include: A Fact Sheet on the process, A list of Strategic Planning Team/Committee Members, and A Colorful Strategic Planning Process Chart with Six Phases (Sep-2013 through Jul-2016) involved; two-way communication with membership throughout is encouraged. Since we (NARFE) "must develop and implement a plan to evolve into the future" Individual Chapter Members are encouraged to provide input! The Strategic Planning Processors/Team & Committee Members: "Welcome Feedback; comments and ideas may be submitted to: stratplan@narfe.org". More, detailed explanation of this New NARFE Strategic Planning Process will be included in future Chapter Newsletter Articles. Ed Reed Acting President. PAC: As active NARFE Chapter Members, Please Support NARFE-PAC as well as you can - that's how we get the support we need; see your current NARFE Magazine - for all the details and "Just How To Do It". Also, Please Don't Forget The "Separate -&- Unique: NARFE-MD-PAC" - as well; this fund is used for NARFE members to attend political functions and educate politicians on our agenda. Contributions for MD PAC may be sent to: MD PAC, Attn: Dave Roseman, 6 Thornburn Road, Gaithersburg, MD Dave may be reached via at: dave.roseman@comcast.net for any additional details; see article RE: Chapter's need for a PAC Coordinator. Membership Report IT-IS-OUR-MISSION: You, All, are Active Dues Paid Members Of NARFE! As a result of NARFE'S 2014 National Convention, Big Changes Are Ahead For NARFE! The Mission is the same, there will be new ways of doing our business. We, as Active Members, can: Support our Chapter's Leadership Team; We, Very-Much-Need and Request Your Assistance, Soonest, in: (3) Critical Areas - To keep Our Chapter Going Strong when we report our chapter's activity at The State/Federation Level; we (Your Chapter-306) Most-Definitely-Now-Need: Chair-People//Representatives for: "Legislation", "Alzheimer's and Lupus", and "PAC" - Coordinations; see this month's NARFE Magazine for "The Complete Story Of PAC".. Our Main Source Of Revenue In NARFE!... Now, having Read-The-Above, "Won't You, Please, Consider: Joining Our Chapter's Leadership Team - as One Of The Above (3) Coordinators"?? Primary responsibility, for Coordinators, is: "To Make A Verbal Plea for Support, at our Monthly Meetings, write a simple Status-Report for our Newsletters and be listed as our Chapter's Point-Of-Contact, for your area, in our Newsletters and with Our Leadership Team"; no additional meetings are required, a written monthly-summary of activity is sufficient for Leadership Board/Planning Meetings. If you are A "Former Chapter Officer or Other type Chapter-Helper,.. "Could You Help Us, Now, In Our Chapter's Time Of Need.. In one of the (3) above-described Positions, Soonest"?? Just contact Any Member of our Chapter's Leadership Team; We Really Could Use Your Help! * DUES-WITHHOLDING: In case you hadn't considered it, recently, it would be of considerable help to The National NARFE Office if you would sign up for Dues-Withholding. It saves the cost of mailing and processing membership renewals and saves you a little on the cost of membership. Forms for Dues Withholding are usually in The NARFE Magazine & are available on the forms table at our meetings.* Ed Reed, Membership Chair.

4 NARFE Chapter 306 Page 4 LEGISLATION: The February NARFE Magazine noted that the upcoming (now ongoing) budget review reminds us to support pay and benefits to active and retired feds. This Congress will be especially challenging. Remember: Your Individual NARFE responsibilities and Practice GRASSROOTS Activity; see NARFE.org or call NARFE on: for details on "How To Do Grassroots Activity! Service Officer Report: The following is excerpted from Edward A. Zurndorfer, CFP, who writes for an online newsletter for feds. The entire article, directed toward federal employees, is at Most of these tips also apply to annuitants or other people who have various accounts that need beneficiaries named. Most of us have bank accounts and usually some life insurance policies to which this advice applies. How to Avoid the Biggest Mistakes in Making Beneficiary Designations Specific beneficiary designation forms for feds: SF 1152 for unpaid compensation (active employees) SF 823 for FEGLI TSP-3 for TSP funds Frequent mistakes people make (Summary only) Not naming a beneficiary Not designating contingent beneficiaries Failing to keep beneficiary designations up-to-date Naming minors as direct beneficiaries Naming special needs individuals as direct beneficiaries Naming financially irresponsible beneficiaries Establishing an IRA beneficiary trust in order to make the trust as the named beneficiary of an IRA All are encouraged to review accounts/policies to establish/revise beneficiary designations. Tom Brudenell, Chapter Service Officer

5 NARFE Chapter 306 Page 5 Chapter Weather Policy Change Attention all Chapter 306 members!! The new policy of Chapter 306, as it concerns local weather, is; if bad road conditions cause The Washington County Schools to cancel its classes, then NARFE Chapter 306 will not hold a planned meeting. But, if the schools announce a delayed start, then Chapter 306 will hold its planned meeting. The Board of Education announces weather related closings and delays on local TV Stations. Business Meeting, March 6, 2015, 4th floor of The Washington County Commission on Aging Bldg. 10:00am. All are welcome. Mark your calendar ++++ Shepherd s Spring is reserved for our summer picnic at 12:00 noon on June 12, Further details and cost will be in the April newsletter Chapter 306 monthly meeting will be at noon, March 13, 2015 at The Western Sizzlin Steakhouse, York Road, Hagerstown, MD. MARCH-13TH-MEMBERSHIP-MEETING'S-GUEST-SPEAKER: Our Speaker, this month, is: "Most-Relevant-To-Our-Seniors" - Ms. Erin Younker, a graduate of Frostburg State University, with a degree in Exercise and Sports Medicine, is The Manager of Marketing and Sales - at Diakon Senior Living Hagerstown - Ravenwood and Robinwood Campuses. She will speak to us on Diakon Senior Living, the area's Premier Retirement Community, with A Wellness Focused Lifestyle and Friendly Environment; she is "Truly Passionate About Helping Older Adults - Find The Perfect Retirement Lifestyle". I encourage All Our Members To Attend this month's Luncheon Meeting; I know, from personal-experience, that she is "An Excellent Speaker.. and..can Answer Questions after her presentation"; she may, also, have Handouts for all! * Update:: Bert McKenney is at Julia Manor 333 Mill Street, Hagerstown, recovering from a bout with the flu and pneumonia. Burt s health is improving and would welcome a visit or a card and note of encouragement. Please send cards to his home 301 Sunbrook Ave., Hagerstown MD The Help Hot Line Food Bank at Blue Ridge Summit PA, serving local Maryland and Pennsylvania residents, extends a heart felt thanks to NARFE Chapter 306 for the donations of food collected at your monthly meetings. We have seen an increase in families and to our concern the elderly who are in need of the services you help provide. Josephine Willard, Director

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NARFE Chapter 306 Page 1

NARFE Chapter 306 Page 1 NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES Volume 7, Issue 5 Hagerstown MD June 2015 CHAPTER OFFICERS GREETINGS FROM YOUR ACTING PRESIDENT Acting President: Thomas Brudenell