Monthly Archives: February 2019

Summary of Highlights from NARFE/MD Board Meeting – Feb. 5, 2019, Bowie Comfort Inn

Maryland Federation of NARFE – Patricia Farmer, Secretary, NARFE/MD

  • Opening: President Dr. Gary Roundtree Sr. called the meeting to order at 9:34 a.m.
  • Bowie-Crofton President Frank Lee introduced new member Charles Smith who was affected by the recent partial shutdown. His shutdown story was featured in the Washington Post. As a result of the affect the shutdown had on him, Charles decided to retire and is waiting for his papers to go through.
  • President Dr. Gary Roundtree Sr. went over the Federation’s reimbursement policy for those attending the National Legislative Training Conference (NLTC), March 10-13, at the Hilton Mark Center in Virginia.
  • First Vice President and Legislative Director Dr. Sudha Haley talked about the Crusade to Capitol Hill on March 13. This is the day the NLTC attendees from NARFE/MD will visit Senators and Representatives on Capitol Hill.
  • Guest Speaker John Koskinen, former IRS Commissioner, spoke to attendees and gave insights into his management style during his career. He made sure employees at all levels knew him and had the opportunity to ask questions and let him know about problems at any level. He stressed that the ethos in an organization is very important. As the lead for Y2K in the United States, and he subsequently became the lead in the world. As a result of his management and the people he worked closely with in government and the private sector, there was no disaster when we rolled over to the year 2000. He mentioned a few glitches, one in Japan and the other in the United States.
  • William Guthrie, President Chapter 1260, Southern Prince George’s, was inducted as a Board member by President Dr. Roundtree.
  • Luncheon Speaker was Colonel William Pallozzi, Maryland Secretary of State Police. As such, he is a member of Governor Hogan’s cabinet. He is responsible for the 23 Barracks of State Troopers within Maryland. His purview also includes an aviation section and the largest crime laboratory in the state. Maryland State Police began in 1921 and is now 98 years old. In keeping with its three missions, there is a Traffic Bureau, a Criminal Investigation Bureau and a Support Services Bureau. Colonel Pallozzi stressed that it is a dangerous, noble profession. The Polar Bear Plunge, sponsored by the State Police, is the largest single day fundraiser in the world. There are 152 Police Departments in the state of Maryland.
  • New Region II Vice President Kathy Adams gave her report. Region II includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. RVP Adams reported items from the National Executive Board (NEB) meeting, including the existence of four new committees at the National level: Membership Committee; Non-Dues Revenue Committee; Building Committee (all reasonable options, even sale of the HQ building, which is large, with only 50 employees currently); and 2021 – 100th Anniversary Centennial Committee (Kathy Adams is Chair; Dr. Sudha Haley is one of committee volunteers).
  • Dr. Bruce Fowler, Chair of the Federal Legislative Committee, said that the 2019 Profiles in Civil Service, Golden Edition, should be out in March and the NARFE/MD delegation from the NLTC will be taking copies to Capitol Hill to keep reminding Congress what federal employees do every day for this country.
  • Paul Schwartz, Chair of the State Legislative Committee stressed the importance of NARFE/MD having a large contingent going to Annapolis on Feb. 13 for the hearing on HB 327, which would decouple Maryland from Federal taxes and allow taxpayers to itemize at the state level. He also urged members to give to MD-PAC because it allows us to meet/greet our state legislators and share with them our legislative interests. Toll free phone number for General Assembly: 1-800-492-7122. Tell the operator who you are and your organization and that you support HB 327 and why. Also, you can go to LWV.org to get a phone number and email address for a specific lawmaker. (LWV is the League of Women Voters.)
  • Second Vice President and Membership Director Ed Reed handed out a Membership packet and exercise to each Chapter President. The exercise is an effort to recruit US Postal Employees; packets include 20 F135 applications, 18 M2 prospective member forms, the new membership manual, and three packets for US Post Offices.
  • The Board voted to accept the proposal to amend the National Bylaws to ensure fairness in the NARFE ballot used in voting.
  • Scholarship Chair Eleanor Kaul said that FEEA/NARFE Scholarships have been reduced to $700. There is a new Memorandum of Understanding between FEEA and NARFE due March 25.
  • Alzheimer’s Chair Eleanor Kaul reported that Maryland NARFE is Region II’s second largest donor to NARFE Alzheimer’s Research. The three top donor chapters are: 969 St. Mary’s County/$5,500; 2274 Ocean Area/$1,577; and 1127 Rockville/$1,500.
  • Co-Chair Larry Walton gave an update on the 2019 Biennial Conference, May 5-7, 2019 in at Dunes Manor, Ocean City, Md. Dunes Manor is located at 28th Street, in the heart of Ocean City. Oceanfront rooms are available all week for $98.35. Vendor Chair for the Conference Eleanor Kaul has sent letters to 16 vendors, inviting them to rent tables at the conference. Several vendors have taken ads in the conference program and are sponsoring meals. Registration fee is $50, which includes two breakfasts and two lunches. The Installation Banquet is separate at $45. For details, contact your Chapter President who received the Call Letter to the 2019 Biennial Conference. Also, on Feb. 8, the Maryland Federation Secretary Pat Farmer sent information on the May Conference to each member of the Maryland Federation from the NARFE Email System.
  • Programs Chair Edward Holland has been busy securing speakers for the May conference; among them are Barbara Sido, NARFE Executive Director; James Marshall, NARFE Federal Benefits Institute; John Wobensmith, Maryland Secretary of State; and many other speakers from State and Federal government and beyond.
  • Public Relations Chair Edward Holland stated that his goal is to tell the story of NARFE and get us in the fight.
  • Adjournment: 2:54 p.m.

PRESS RELEASE: 003-2019

CONTACT: EDWARD HOLLAND, Public Relations Officer

hollandnmd@aol.com / #301.848.3476

RE: Placement of May 2019 Biennial Adverts

Maryland Federation Leaders,

At the February 19, 2019 NARFE MD 2019 Biennial Planning Meeting, it was decided that an advert could be placed in the May 2019 Biennial Program Booklet for the well-being of a chapter, yourself, etc. For example, an officer running for a position whether or not h/she is unopposed, should consider placing an advert in the program booklet thanking members in advance for their support. A chapter could consider congratulating incoming officers. The sky’s the limit! Remember candidates, “One Member One Vote.”

A full-page advert is $150.00; a half-page advert is $70.00; and a quarter- page advert is $35.00. For more information regarding advertisements, please contact Theodore “Ted” Page at tpage66303@aol.com or 410.352.3749. Deadline for submission is Saturday, April 6, 2019.

SPACE IS FILLING UP FAST / DON’T MISS THE BOAT!


The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) was founded in 1921 with the mission of protecting the earned rights and benefits of America’s active and retired

Testimony by Paul Schwartz Before House Ways&Means Committee on HB 327

Testimony before House Ways&Means Committee on HB 327 to allow itemization on state return even if claiming standard on federal return.

Updated: 2019-02-22

League of Women Voters’ Leaflet

LWV leaflet.

Contact Information for NARFE Region II Leadership 2019

Kathy Adams is the Regional Vice President Region II: DE, DC, MD. NJ, & PA. Her email is adamskhawaii@aol.com. A list of Federation Presidents in Region II will be available soon.

Kathleen Adams is the current Region II Vice President for the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) in the United States.  NARFE Region II consists of Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Kathy Adams, says that “It is critical that NARFE enter its second century strong, relevant and firmly established as the go-to resource for our members and prospective members, in the federal community, policy makers and the media, and the public. NARFE must aggressively market itself to currently employed, prospective members with a brand that meets their needs and expectations.”

Whatever can be done another day can be done today.”  — Michel de Montaigne, philosopher

A NARFE member since 2000, Mrs. Adams served four years as Delaware Federation President, and prior to that as Treasurer, First Vice President, and President of her Chapter for eight years.

A federal employee for 35 years, she served as the Wing Budget Officer at Dover Air Force Base, where she managed 17 separate budgets for the Department of the Air Force, Headquarters 436th Military Airlift Wing.  Under her leadership and because of her technical skills, devotion to duty, and willingness to assume all this responsibility, the Budget Office received recommendations on its superior financial management from Headquarters, Military Airlift Wing.

Updated: 2019-04-17