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MEMBERSHIP Chapter 2339 is unique because we do not operate as a regular chapter holding monthly
or bi-monthly meetings. That works well for many of you, but it does not relieve any
of us of the responsibility we have contributing in some way to protect our earned benefits. Unfortunately, it seems many
of us across the nation have begun to take our benefits for granted. We seem to have forgotten that what
Congress giveth, Congress can taketh away. Despite recruiting and retention initiatives, we have not reversed
the downward trend in membership. We are still losing members nationwide, statewide, and within chapters.
And, as you know, some of our Chapter 2339 members come to us as a direct result of chapter closings. The protection of our earned retirement benefits depends on the survival of chapters. Chapters
are the lifeblood of NARFE. Any group benefits that accrue to NARFE members are obtained principally through
the concentrated support of several hundred thousand members operating through more than 1,600 chapters. Chapters
provide the voices and votes constituting the collective positions on issues which federations and National Headquarters follow
in working to protect the earned retirement benefits of all civil service annuitants. You might ask
– how can I contribute? It is important that members do all they can to recruit new members in order
to sustain NARFE and its mission. We need you to recruit new members on your own initiative.
One of the most effective ways to recruit is by word of mouth. This requires you to be aware of
recruitment opportunities that may cross your path. Remember that NARFE is an organization of volunteers
-- you are a potential volunteer and you can play an important and active role with Chapter 2339. We
ask that you be on the lookout for those opportunities to recruit new members and then act to recruit!
The future of chapters and the benefits to NARFE members depend on each of us. Working together
to achieve our goal must be our motto if we are to effectively deal with the challenges ahead of us. There
is an absolute strength in numbers; we will not be listened to and we certainly won’t be a voting block if our membership
continues to diminish. We encourage you to reach out to fellow co-workers and to other retired federal
employees you know. Provide them with the NARFE web page and strongly encourage them to find out more about
what NARFE is doing for them by visiting the NARFE web page, www.narfe.org. They can also contact Bob Warren or Mary Bleecher, and
we will mail them a NARFE package.
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