Prepared By: John Clements Director – Membership Development NARFE MEMBERSHIP Prepared By: John Clements Director – Membership Development

Background Paper NARFE Membership Membership Report YEAR MEMBERS +/- YEAR MEMBERS +/- 291,718 1994 449,589 +4,140 362,736 +71,018 1995 450,388 +799 418,540 +55,804 1996 440,775 -9,613 487,570 +69,030 1997 427,426 -13,349 491,876 +4,306 1998 418,245 -9,181 486,193 -5,683 1999 422,520 +4,275 491,067 +4,874 2000 409,365 -13,155 489,217 -1,850 2001 404,909 -4,456 489,758 +541 2002 389,649 -15,260 478,370 -11,388 2003 378,461 -11,188 477,148 -1,222 2004 365,821 -12,640 No Data* No Data * 2005 347,419 -18,402 ** 462,772 -14,376 2006 341,966 -5,453 451,717 -11,055 2007 334,310 -7,656 444,119 -7,598 2008 317,774 -16,536 445,449 +1,330 The most dramatic increase in membership is seen from 1979-1982. This could be attributed to the Reagan Administration that bore a “Threat” factor. The Republicans were anti-government and anti civil service. They disbanded the Air Traffic Controllers Union, established the “Grace Commission” and went on diet COLAs during this time frame. During that period, we also had almost “unlimited” mailings to retirees using OPM data. In 1982, OPM discontinued these mailings. Membership was relatively stable from 1983-1986, and started to drop in 1987. The increase in membership from 1993 through 1995 is attributed to the return of the OPM blind mailings. A one-time additional OPM mailing in 1999 caused an increase in membership that year. * Great computer crash of 1989 ** Increase partly due to the dues increase (30%)

Membership Gain/Loss 1979 Deaths 6,883 New Members Recruited 91,925 64,973 National 26,952 Chapter Deaths 6,883 Non-Renewing 14,185

Percentage of Members Retained

Why Members Drop

Membership Surveys Dorf & Stanton 1992 NARFE Survey 1992 Beta Research Membership Study 2000 Beta Research Former Member Study 2001 NARFE Survey 2005

Dorf & Stanton Chapter Level and National Involvement Recommendation Many respondents do not wish to pay chapter dues because they “do not wish to participate…” Recommendation “Make chapter membership voluntary”

NARFE In-House Survey - 1992 Reasons for Non-Renewal Required Chapter Membership 18.4% Unreported Death 18.0% Ill / Nursing Homes / Assisted Care 10.0% Misplaced Renewal Notice 7.0%

BETA Research Membership Study 2000 “If the chapter requirement was removed” Total 65 or Under 65+ … Yes, would remain 61% 55% 63% … No, would not (Includes no answer) 39% 45% 36%

BETA Research Former Member Survey 2002 Disliked having to belong to a chapter 22% Not enough values for dues 19% Not enough time to devote to membership 19% Dissatisfaction with perks, Retirement Life, Legislative Program, & NARFE services 13%

NARFE Survey 2005 Major Reasons for Non-Renewal Death 22% Ill Health 17% Dissatisfaction with Chapters 13% NARFE not doing enough or what they promised 12% Membership is expensive 10%

Conclusion Survey data very consistent Top three reasons for Non-Renewal Chapter Requirement Unreported Deaths Ill-Health (Nursing Home / Assisted Living)