Region IX Training Conference

We went. We heard. We are enervated! The Luncheon (and banquet) food was delicious - vegetable of the week was locally grown asparagus and it was the best - and I am not a big asparagus fan. 

On day one, we heard from James Marshall, the Director of the Federal Benefits Institute discussing webinars as tools for recruitment and some of the issues that NARFE has been working on; Ken Thomas, NARFE President and Barb Sido, NARFE Executive Director talked about the direction NARFE is taking, advocacy, and the new computer and software system; Keri Gibbs, past President of the Idaho Federation presented a Membership Forum, with panelists David Epstein (Alaska Federation/Juneau), Johanna Taylor (Washington Federation/Tri-cities), and Harold Kehr (Idaho Federation/Idaho Falls). The day ended with Arlene Patton (Washington Federation/Spokane) discussing pre-retirement seminars.

Day two started with an energetic presentation, in person, by Jessica Klement, NARFE Staff Vice President/Advocacy.  Jessica is the associations's chief lobbyist, responsible for taking NARFE members' concerns to Congress. We are lucky to have her on our side. She was followed by Mary Binder (Washington Federation Vice President) discussing the Bylaws updates and revision. There are still a few kinks in the standardized template. but that should not stop chapters and federations from updating. Linda Wallers (Region IX Representative to the Configuration Advisory Board) talked about NARFE's Association Management System upgrades and some of the things to watch for  when the Membership Experience (MX) goes operational on June 3rd.

Lanny Ross (Washington Federation NARFE-PAC Chair) discussed the past year and presented figures for the distribution of PAC funds - this information is on the NARFE Headquarters NARFE-PAC website. Wally Walbruch (Region IX Alzheimer's Coordinator) closed the meeting, collecting another $800.00 (plus) from attendee donations. 

The next Conference will be in 2021 - Region IX is looking for a host Chapter/Federation.