NARFE members hear legislative update at May meeting

The National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Bloomfield Chapter 0847 met Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at the Casa Sevilla Restaurant in Bloomfield with 11 present. President Larry Dent welcomed all followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. George Butz gave the invocation before lunch was served.

Following lunch, President Dent called the meeting to order and gave the membership report and a two (2) month update on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). March showed a gain of +.63% and April a gain of +.63% for a new Year-to-Date (YTD) total of +1.21%. President Dent also gave an update on the National NARFE Chapter that is changing to a new computer system (AMS) and a new implementation date of June 1.

Due to absence of Mike Padgett, Treasurer, no current treasury report was given. During the past month, Karlene Priest and Patti Rollins performed the 2018 audit for this NARFE Chapter and found no discrepancies.

The minutes for the April meeting were given by Karlene Priest, Secretary and the 50/50 Half Pot drawing was held and won by member Madona Slough who donated her half to the Chapter Treasury. Jane Barnett also gave the updated Alzheimer’s donation report through May 2019.

Vice President Jane Barnett gave the legislative report highlighting the possible nomination of Dale Cabiniss as the next Director of Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Ms. Cabiniss has previously held several government positions. Also, a bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced the USPS Fairness Act, H.R. 2382 which would end the requirement that the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) fully pre-fund the future health benefits of its retirees. NARFE supports this bill as it would be an important step in correcting USPS financial problems and help prevent other negative cost-cutting strategies, such as mandatory Medicare coverage for current postal retirees. Another recent introduction is the Federal Retirement Fairness Act, H.R.2478, which would allow federal employees who started their careers in temporary positions before transitioning into permanent roles to retroactively contribute toward their retirement for the years they held the temporary positions. NARFE also supports this bill as it would allow for years of hard work in service to the American public to count toward federal employees retirement. Contact your legislators and encourage them to support both of these bills.

In old business, President Dent addressed the upcoming 3B meeting for NARFE Chapters from Bloomington, Bedford and this year’s host, Bloomfield. Notices will be sent to both Bloomington and Bedford requesting only the number of people planning to attend the meeting on August 13, 2019 at Stoll’s Lakeview Restaurant north of Loogootee.

New business prompted a question concerning cards and/or flowers to be sent to members and when. Volunteers Pat Hamlin and Genny Schroeder will meet and set up guidelines for this important outreach gesture from this Chapter. This issue will be discussed at the next monthly meeting.

The next meeting for Bloomfield Chapter 0847 will be June 11, 2019 at the Casa Sevilla Restaurant in Bloomfield starting at 11 a.m. All Federal employees, retirees, and spouses are invited to attend.