Future of NARFE Committee The current NARFE organization

Future of NARFE Committee “The current NARFE organization is unsustainable, and the long-established NARFE mission is in grave danger. ” —NARFE National President Joseph A. Beaudoin

Current Issues ▶ Declining membership ▶ Less member participation ▶ Few members are willing to take on leadership roles ▶ Over-reliance on dues revenue ▶ Need more funding sources ▶ Numerous non-core-mission-related expenditures ▶ Rising threats

Current Issues ▶ Lack of leadership continuity ▶ An inordinate amount of resources are spent on an organizational structure that is of little interest to new members and no longer best serves NARFE’s mission

Seeking a Solution ▶ This situation should not come as “news” to any well-informed NARFE member ▶ These are well-documented trends. ▶ However, the Association has now reached a critical point. ▶ To seek a solution, President Beaudoin convened the Future of NARFE Committee. ▶ It was tasked with putting forth a vision of a “Future NARFE. ”

Future of NARFE Committee ▶ Composed of 12 NARFE members ▶ Draw on a range of NARFE leadership experience ▶ Hold diverse views ▶ Reside in different parts of the country ▶ Bring many skill sets to the table

Methodology For Six Months: ▶ Met as a whole and in small groups ▶ Conducted research and comparative analyses

Methodology The FON Committee looked internally at: ▶ Previous organizational studies commissioned by NARFE ▶ Ideas volunteered by the field ▶ Our own SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) The FON Committee also looked externally at other organizations in similar situations.

What We Learned ▶ Difficult facts and trends must be faced ▶ Hard choices will be necessary ▶ Those organizations that adapt can thrive

Our Vision The Future of NARFE Committee envisioned a Future NARFE with: ▶ Leaner governance ▶ A more mission-focused organization ▶ Professional management ▶ A new branding strategy ▶ An enhanced mission

Contrasting the Current and Future Current NARFE Future NARFE Cumbersome governance Agile governance Not organized around the mission Mission-focused structure Limited membership Open membership Limited revenue streams Additional revenue sources

Leaner Governance INTENTION LOCAL - - Move toward leaner, more agile and representative governing body STATE - - Move toward more advocacy focus NATIONAL - - Organize for greatest legislative impact

Governance - Local Current NARFE Future NARFE 1, 309 Chapters (membership mandatory) Congressional District Leaders (one for each congressional district) Local chapters continue as currently constituted with membership optional

Governance - State Current NARFE Future NARFE 54 Federations 0 Federations 50 State Representatives 4 others (District of Columbia, Panama, Philippines, Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands) 2 other Representatives: DC; and one for all other areas Officers elected at federation Elected by Congressional District conventions (In addition, federations Leaders may have multiple area/district vice presidents supporting local chapters)

Governance - National Current NARFE Future NARFE 14 Member National Executive Board 7 Member Board of Directors 4 National Resident Officers - National President - National Vice President - National Secretary - National Treasurer 5 Elected Members - Represent NARFE’s 5 regions - Serve in their regions - Elected by States within the regions (and DC and the other reps. ) Serve at NARFE Headquarters - Elected at large by delegates at biennial National Convention These members will elect 2 non-resident Officers (required under DC statute): - President - Treasurer 10 Regional vice presidents - Represent NARFE’s 10 regions - Serve in their regions - Elected by delegates from their regions at biennial National Convention 2 Appointed members, named by the elected Board members from business, politics, etc.

Comparing Current and Future NARFE

Implementation How do we get from here to there? ▶ Received NEB’s support of the vision at February meeting ▶ Must receive convince members that this type of change must occur and gain their support at National Convention in August ▶ Members will be asked to approve a resolution that would allow the NEB to continue developing the model for Future NARFE using the FON Committee report as the foundation, and to develop resolutions and bylaw amendments for consideration at the 2016 National Convention

Implementation The NEB agreed to proceed with the critical first steps and that three recommendations should commence immediately ▶ Engage in viable strategic planning on an on-going basis ▶ Conduct a comprehensive branding study, including whether a name change is warranted for NARFE ▶ Enhance NARFE’s mission to include championing good government and public service

Implementation The FON Committee recommended and the NEB endorsed that the current ten NARFE regions be realigned to five. This change, does not require a bylaws change, will be effective November 1, 2014 Regional leaders will be elected during regional caucuses at the National Convention in August North Carolina will be realigned into Region II along with 6 other states

Implementation After the National Convention, Headquarters will move forward with the following: ▶ Use funding recovered from reduction of the number of National Officers to hire professional marketing staff and an Executive Director to manage Headquarters ▶ Of course, this will depend on the outcome of the vote to move from 4 to 2 National Officers.

Management Intention Move to professional management Create Executive Director position ▶ Hired by and responsible to the Board of Directors ▶ Manages the business of NARFE ▶ Exercises general supervision of the National Headquarters staff

Implementation INITIALLY, the FON Committee recommended and the NEB endorsed the following which will be developed into bylaws amendments/resolutions to be presented to the delegates in August: ▶ Abolition of mandatory chapter membership ▶ Adoption of a streamlined resident officer structure with only a President and Treasurer ▶ Open NARFE membership to YOUTH, up to age 26, at a reduced rate, e. g. $10. 00/year ▶ NARFE membership will be opened to all that support our mission

Membership Intention: Expand membership pool Current NARFE Future NARFE Limited to persons eligible to receive a federal annuity and current or former spouse legally entitled to receive survivor benefits Open to all individuals who support the NARFE mission. Voting members will be federal retirees, employees or survivor annuitants. All others are non-voting.

NARFE Can Have a Bright Future The Future of NARFE Committee and the NEB have concluded: ▶ It is not too late to save NARFE ▶ The future of this organization can be secured ▶ But the turnaround must begin here and now so we can continue to serve our members

Together, We Can Secure The Future Of NARFE