October 2015

Article IV, Section 1. Organization “The Association shall be organized into national headquarters, regions, federations, and chapters.

National Bylaws Article IV, Section 4., C – E  “A federation shall ensure that its chapters’ concerns are presented to the National Executive Board (NEB).”  “A federation shall promote within its respective area the aims and objectives of the Association.”  “Any action of a federation shall be advisory only in its effect upon chapters and shall not bind the action of duly accredited chapter delegates to national conventions.” 3

What is it and how does it fit in the NARFE organization?

VFC Officers Left to right – Raphael Wong, Treasurer; Luther Santiful, Past President; Dick Giangerelli, President; Kathy Arpa, 1 st Vice President; Leslie Ravenell, 2 nd Vice President; Betty Warren, Secretary

 The Virginia Federation of Chapters (VFC) of NARFE was established April 9,  Eighteen national members representing ten chapters and fewer than 1,000 members in the state established the tenth state federation of NARFE. 6

 Acts as a liaison with the NARFE National office  Identifies issues, problems, and potential solutions related to Chapter operations  Ensures adequate representation of Virginia Federation Chapters at NARFE National Conventions  Ensures adequate representation of Virginia Chapters at NARFE Legislative Seminars 7

 Provides a forum at which Chapter issues and concerns can be discussed  Oversees the process of chartering new Chapters and assists them in becoming effective, viable, and strong  Assist is reviving and strengthening faltering or inactive Virginia Federation Chapters 8

 Conducts an Annual VFC Convention: Next Convention, Richmond, VA: April 17-20, 2016  Trains, assists and installs Chapter officers  Assists and trains Chapter Chairs  Organizes and presents State Legislative initiatives  Assists the NARFE National office in developing and presenting National Legislative initiatives 9

 Maintains a VFC website and assists Chapters install Chapter information on the website (  Publishes and send to all Chapter officers and chairs a quarterly report on VFC actions and initiatives  Provides partial funding for Chapter initiated public relations activities 10

 Organizes and maintains membership records  Organizes and maintains Alzheimer’s Research funding records  Participates in Region X conferences; most recent, Virginia Beach, Sept 29-Oct 1, 2015  Ensures that Chapter members are recognized for their activities and accomplishments 11

 Does not pay any VFC officer or chair a salary 12

 Service Officer Training: May 28, 2015  State Legislative Meeting: June 11, 2015  State Legislative Plan issued: Sept 2015  Newly appointed National Legislative Chair: Sept 2015  VFC Membership Training: Nov 5, 2015 in Williamsburg, VA 13

Reasons to Advocate at State Level Many quality-of-life issues abound at the state level. State legislatures are breeding grounds for future members of Congress. Outside Super PAC spending increasingly influences elections at all levels. 14 Why do it? Health care Tax equity/ relief Aging issues Transportation Good Gov’t Many more Parallel advocacy tracks at national & state levels – Virginia & Maryland lead Push back “big money” interests, ensure our voices are heard

15 May/June: Call for new issue nominations, annual planning meeting. (State PAC nominations in odd- numbered years.) July: VFC Board meeting, issues chosen for new State Plan. Sept: New State Plan brochures distributed to Virginia General Assembly members & NARFE chapters. Sept-Oct-Nov: Key grassroots advocacy months. NARFE chapters ask legislators for support/bill sponsorship. Jan-Feb-Mar: Virginia General Assembly in session. April: VFC Annual Convention, report out & lessons learned.

 Patti Downs, VFC State Legislation Program Chair,  Maggie Keator, VFC State Legislative Representative,  At NARFE Hqtrs: Chris Farrell, Senior Analyst, State Legislation Advocacy, 16