Juneau Alaska Chapter 2088
October
2016
Epstein’s epiphanies aka The President’s Column
This edition: “When Life Gets In The Way
and other ramblings”
Greetings to all chapter members, and Happy Fall! I hope you all had an enjoyable summer.
I was hoping to provide a lengthy treatise on my experience and observations from the Reno National Convention. As it turned out, life got in the way and my convention trip got put on the back burner – or perhaps more aptly stated
, taken off the stovetop altogether - in light of family medical issues (wife Sara had some surgery the week of the convention). I’m happy to report that she’s doing well. I am supremely grateful to Past Chapter President (and current Federation President) Malin Babcock, who ended up carrying the water for our Chapter. She’s provided news and views in her column. Distilled to its purest essence: Under the leadership of National President Dick Thissen, some of the ideas that were part of NARFE’s Strategic Plan have been put in place. And onward we march.
Fall means chapter meetings are back! We have some interesting programs lined up for the October and November chapter meetings. In October, the local Postmaster, Susan Johnson, will be speaking on Postal Service happenings - mostly local, but also some national. I’m not sure we have had the local postmaster come to a chapter meeting in the past, at least I don’t remember it happening since I started attending. But as a closet philatelist, I look forward to what Susan has to say and am happy that she said “yes” when I asked her to be our speaker.
In November, the manager of the local Pioneers’ Home will be on hand to give us an update on that important facility. Most of us have skin in this game, so I encourage you to attend. November is also Alzheimer’s Month. You’ll have an opportunity to make a contribution to help fight this awful disease, so there’s another reason to join us.
The Mi Casa meeting room (at the Travelodge) has been reserved for our fall meetings, including the December Christmas Party. Chapter meetings occur the second Saturday of the month at noon. That’s the 15th in October, the 12th in November, and the 10th in December. All members are welcome – visitors and Juneau nonresidents included.
It’s been a few months since the passing of Roger Fitzjarrald, who served as our Treasurer and NARFE-PAC chair. Roger was a bulwark of the chapter. Whenever something needed to be done, he was there to help. When the food donation receptacle needed to be carried out to former Chapter President Carol Pitts’ van, Roger shouldered part of the load. He flipped many a hamburger (and rolled many a hot dog) at chapter picnics. Roger was also a vocal advocate for NARFE-PAC. His encouragement, wheedling, and cajoling often propelled our chapter to the top of the list of NARFE-PAC donation amounts among Alaska chapters. As Treasurer, he kept a clean set of books and took delight in reporting how many, or should I say, how few, pennies our bank account made each month. Seriously, it was pennies. But more than anything, Roger was a kind and decent man. I didn’t know him as long as many of you, but the quality of his character became quickly apparent to me and the memory will be enduring. Along with several other chapter members, I attended his memorial service - what a beautiful sendoff. To say that the chapter will miss him is the understatement of the decade. Rest in peace, my friend.
I am grateful to Roger’s widow, Bonnie, who was elected to the office of chapter Vice President this spring. Soon thereafter, there were more important things for her to manage. She’s back now and was installed into office at our September meeting. Thank you for your continued service to our chapter, Bonnie! It’s great to see you again.
We have some key positions that need to be filled. Malin has graciously agreed to act as Treasurer until a replacement is secured, or next spring, whichever comes first. This is an important function that, given our relatively small size, does not require a lot of care and feeding. A NARFE-PAC chair is also needed. (Remember what I said about how much we will miss Roger?) As is the case with the Treasurer slot, it’s a key position and doesn’t come with a large time obligation. It is critical to organizations such as ours for members to step up and take active roles. While we have a dedicated corps of volunteers, the loss of one person can constitute a crushing blow. And also lead to burnout. Please help. Contact me if you are interested in serving the chapter.
As I’m sure you’ve noticed, politics is back in full swing. Speaking for myself, I’ll be glad when Election Day is behind us. In the meantime, “the show must go on” in Congress as they deliberate on matters important to our membership. To make it all simple to keep up with, NARFE provides a wonderful service in the form of the Legislative Action Center. Those who sign up for it on the NARFE web page get weekly reports on the innumerable caravan of pressing issues and related status, along with an easy way to engage Alaska’s Congressional delegation and let your voice be heard.
As we head toward year’s end, we also approach the annual health benefits open season. Last year’s big news was Blue Cross/Blue Shield Self + 1 coverage; this year, at least for us in Alaska, it’s the entry of Aetna into the marketplace. So we have more choices. Though Open Season is a ways away, some information is starting to show up on the web as we go to press (see Malin’s column). I was particularly interested in this development and did some snooping around. From what I gathered, Aetna’s plans focus is on people covered by Medicare. I’m not quite there yet and am therefore unsure if switching to Aetna would do me any good. It would save me some money but then again, so would migrating from BX/BS Standard to Basic. When it’s all said and done, the proof will be in the pudding once the brochures come out. Make sure you take some time to read up on the various choices – maybe you can save some money!
Thank you for being a NARFE and Juneau Chapter member!
David
Epstein, Chapter
President and Newsletter Editor: 209-7995
or dave1013@gmail.com
…From
the Alaska Federation President…
It has been a month since the NARFE National Convention in Reno, NV; Alaska had fine representation of members attending. All Chapters had members there: Paul McIntosh from Anchorage 1779; Betsy & Ray Bonnell and Hollis & Darlene Hall from Fairbanks 2076; Lavina& Harlan Adams and yours truly from Juneau 2088. We met as a group just prior to the Convention and discussed issues—particularly Locality Pay and proposed national By Laws changes.
The association made significant progress in bringing the organization into the 21st Century by passing By Laws changes to eliminate mandatory chapter membership and establish the concept of “One Man, One Vote”. The first step in complying with these mandates was taken by the National Executive Board (NEB), which met immediately following the Convention and voted to dissolve the eNARFE Chapter 2363. All those members will become National Members Only. Other revisions, including conforming changes in the wording of all By Laws, will be slowly rolled out. Another action by the Convention was to approve a new slogan—“The “e” is silent, but we are not!”
At the Region IX caucus during the Convention, we said “Goodbye” to Lanny Ross who has served 16 years as our Regional Vice President and welcomed Rich Wilson (formerly President of both the Washington Federation and his local Chapter). Lanny was the senior member of the NEB and we will miss his corporate wisdom. I have known Rich for several years and am confident that he’ll ably fill Lanny’s shoes!
Closer to home, we miss Roger Fitzjarrald who competently and enthusiastically served NARFE in many Chapter and AK Federation rolls. Two of those positions that remain open are the NARFE-PAC Coordinator for the Federation and for our Chapter. These positions relate directly to NARFE’s mission and it will be great when someone steps up to volunteer. Time involved in fulfilling the duties of the positions is sporadic and modest. Contact me or David Epstein, 2088 President, and let us know if you are interested.
Mark your 2017 Calendar: The Region IXLeadership Training Conference will be held 9-10 June 2017 in Kennewick, WA at 3 Rivers Convention Center; lodging will be next door at the Spring Hill Suites (by Marriott). This’ll be the 3rd Training Conference--the first two were both excellent; they provided information on many NARFE subjects and an opportunity to network with fellow NARFE members.
Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP): At long last Alaska Federal employees and annuitants have an addition to our choices for providers—Aetna Alaska Direct. For too long our choices have been only the national fee for service plans (there have been no State-only or Region-only plans that include Alaska). While in Reno, I visited the Vendor table for Aetna Insurance and had a lengthy conversation with their representative. While the Office of Personnel Management has announced premium rates for 2017 just this week, plan brochures are not yet available but should be before the end of October; meanwhile, go to www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/plan-information/premiums/& click on HMO – Non-Postal rates or www.aetnafeds.com/aetna-direct/php for information. Aetna’s Alaska Direct plan has interesting features for Alaska and the rates are very competitive with our traditional plans; FEHBP open season is 14 November–12 December. Remember, only you can evaluate and compare health plan choices according to your own needs.
I look forward to programs that David is planning for 2088’s meetings this fall and hope to see many of you attending!
Malin
Babcock, NARFE Alaska Federation President: 907-789-9423 or malbabcock@aol.com
New members and Happy Birthdays!
We don’t have any new members to report since the last edition of the
newsletter. Please help the chapter stay
viable by encouraging your Fed friends who are not yet NARFE members, to join. They can select from the chapter or
national-only member categories.
Birthdays:Mary Lou King, 9/10; Paula Johnson, 9/22; David Epstein, 10/13;
Jim King, 10/23; Malin Babcock, 10/31; Dick Haight, 11/12; Claude Roberts,
11/22.If you want your birthday included, please send the information to David
Epstein at dave1013@gmail.com.
Mark Your Calendar!!
Oct 7:E-Board meeting at T K Maguire’s, Prospector Hotel, 11 AM
Oct 15:Regular Meeting, 12 pm noon, Mi Casa restaurant at theTravelodge, Juneau postmaster presentation
Nov 4: E-Board meeting at T K Maguire’s, Prospector Hotel, 11 AM
Nov 12:Regular
Meeting, 12 pm noon, Mi Casa, Alzheimer’s Month and Pioneer Home presentation
Dec 2: E-Board meeting at T K
Maguire’s, Prospector Hotel, 11 AM
Dec 10: Chapter Christmas Party, 12
pm noon, Mi Casa
See you Saturday, 10 October,
Noon, at Mi Casa at our regular monthly meeting.
Our speaker will be Susan
Johnson, Juneau Postmaster
Congressional delegation—Local Contact Information
|
Senator Lisa Murkowski |
Senator Dan Sullivan |
Representative Don Young |
|
Connie McKenzie,
Staff |
Connie McKenzie,
Staff |
Connie McKenzie,
Staff |
|
800 Glacier
Ave., Ste 101 |
800 Glacier
Ave., Ste 101 |
800 Glacier
Ave., Ste 101 |
|
Juneau, AK 99801 |
Juneau, AK 99801 |
Juneau, AK 99801 |
|
907-586-7277 |
907-586-7277 |
907-586-7277 |
|
FAX 907-586-7201 |
FAX 907-586-7201 |
FAX 907-586-7201 |
NARFE Juneau Chapter 2088
10705 Horizon Drive
Juneau, AK 99801
