PRESIDENT 1sr Vice.President 2rs Vice-PresidentBetty J. Robinson

215-884-0564

Frances A. Upshaw215-424-8054

Rose Marie Gerald

267456-4371

Carmencita Dorman267-324-8529

Hester Anderson

215-247-7580Treasurer Recording Secretarv Financial Secretary

ehaplain Serqeant-At-Arms

Barbara Ford215-235-9653

EditorlCorres. Secv

Public Affairs Officer Service Officer Service Officer

Rev. MacArthur Littles215-850-1412

James R. Lake215-877-2579

Betty J. Robinson2't5-884-0564

Kathleen Tinney215-877-1513

Rose Marie Gerald267-456-4371

Hester Anderson215-247-7580

George A. Chandler215471-6207

Kathleen Tinney215-877-1513

Rev MacArthur Littles215-850-1412

215*405-9660215-241-1090215-389-4627215-276-A340

Alzheimer's Chair _ Sunshine Committeq Leqislative Chair

OPM (Office of Personnel Management 1-888.767.6738

Qongressional Representqtion:Senator Bob CASEY 202-224-6324 Washington, DCSenator Pat TOOMEY 202-2244254 Washington, DCRepresentative Robert BRADY 202-225-4731 Washington, DCRepresentative Dwight EVANS 2A2-225-4001 Washington, DC

Philadelphia, PAPhiladelphia, PAPhiladelphia, PAPhiladelphia, PA

You Are lnvited:CHAPTER MEETING; MONDAY FEBRUARY 13. 2017 at 12:30pm

Green Federal Bldg. 6 & Arcfi Sfs, Phila., PAln the Cafeteria. IRefreshments will be available

President's Message - Betty Robinson

Happy New Year!

As the saying goes "the squeaky wheel gets the attentiont" lt is time for us to make somenoise and increase our membership so that Gongress remembers that NARFE is anorganization of loyal active and retired federal employees who have worked hard for ourearned benefits.

Each NARFE member can help by keeping their membership current.

Tip for keepinq vour NARFE membership current = Mail your rene\ilal check andstatement as soon as you receive it so that you don't forget!!

Recruit a new NARFE member and receive a cash incentive:

The PA Federation will provide $10.00 for each new NARFE member you recruitduring the two years period of "July l,z0lflthrough June 30, 2018'. [f you are acurrent federal employee or a retired fed, encourage a co-worker or friend to joinNARFE.I

lf you are a Chapter 0664 member the Chapter will take care of the postage by forwardinga NARFE membership Application to your potential new member and you will receive thecredit! Cal! Chapter President, Betty Robinson a1215-884-0564 with your referralinformation and leave the rest to us.

Leqislative Matters:

By the time you read this article the {15tr Congress witl be in session and we witl soonknow what the agenda will be that will impact our earned benefits.

NARFE is committed to protecting the earned benefits of active and retired federalemployees, and our efforts on Gapitol Hill will reflect this commitment. Now more thanever, we need NARFE members to make their voices heard.

We must stay alert and be ready to take action to protect our earned benefits.

Lesislative Hotline

The weekly legislative message is emailed to NARFE members, posted on the NARFE

website, www.narfe.oro, and available to NARFE members via telephone toll-freeat877-217-8234. lf you have any questions regarding the information in the Hotline,please email NARFE's Legislative Department at les@narfe.orq or call 703-83p-7760.

a

Source: Excerpts from Aginq Core.com

Rose Marie Gerald, Service Officer

Ways to Moke Your Loved One's Hame More Secure

Most of us consider our loved one's home to be secure. We've set up timers to control the lights and made sure they lock theirdoors. Often it only takes around l-0 minutes for a burglar to empty a home of cherished valuables, and the elderly are the secondmost likely group to be targeted. As caregivers, we take every measure possible to keep our loved ones safe, but we cannot be there2417/365. While it may seem like burglars only strike when a home is unoccupied, nearly 30 percent of residential burglaries occurwhile a household member is present. Make a point of regularly inspecting your loved one's home for potential weaknesses thatburglars can take advantage of. Use the following measures to increase their home security and reduce the risk of a break-in.

1,. Check the ExteriorItems stored outside the home could potentially help a burglar break in. Make sure ladders, tools and gardening or buildingmaterials are stored in the garage or shed, and never hide keys outside the home. Some landscaping may be in order as

well. Dense vegetation or shrubs-especially between houses, beside entrances and surrounding windows-can provide

excellent cover for robbers.

2. Fortify Points of EntryBe sure to inspect all windows and doors for absent, weak or faulty locking mechanisms. Consumer Reports suggests

locking, properly and securing window air conditioning units with a metal bracket, sliding window locks or steel cornerbraces to prevent them from being pushed into or pulled out of the home...

Check the LightingA well-lit property provides safety for those coming and going and can also deter criminals from targeting a home. Frontporch lights should be strong enough to illuminate the entrance and front yard. You should also note the dark areas

between homes. The sides of homes can be an ideal place for burglars to hide, so angling an exterior light to illuminatethese areas can compel them to go someplace else...

Consider What Gets Thrown Out ln The Trash

Many burglars track a homeownels possessions by what goes out in the trash. They can also collect important personal

information that can aid in stealing identities. Big-ticket items often come in large boxes that boldly advertise a newTV,laptop, video game system or stereo. When a loved one has introduced a new item to the home (especially over theholidays), be sure to break down the packaging so people can't see it from the street...

Test lt OutYou might not recognize the vulnerable spots in your loved one's home, but somebody else may spot them easily. Manylocal police departments offer free home security evaluations or ask a family member or trusted friend to walk around theproperty to help you conduct an inspection. Be sure to actually test the windows and sliding glass doors rather than justvisually examine them...

Meet the NeighborsRecently, a batch of career burglars admitted that the best deterrent to burglarizing a home wasn't a security system (they

could disappear by the time the alarm was reported or processed) or a guard dog (a big wad of peanut butter often kept theanimal busy). lnstead,acuriousneighborwasthebiggestobstacle. Analertneighborcanstaveoff burglarsjustbybeingaware of what is going on next door. Residential areas where the neighbors know each other, their cars, work schedules,and vacation plans make sneaking into a home unnoticed extrernely difficult.

Be Wary of Suspicious Behavior 3

Seniors are commonly thought of as generous and trusting individuals, and criminals tend to prey on this. Make sure yourloved one knows when to be on their guard and how to report unusual behavior. A stranger may pose as an employee froma utility company, a landscaper or a door-to-door salesperson*anything to scope out a property and the people (and

things) that reside there. Urge your loved one to ask for credentials if they ever feel uncomfortable and help them to findtrustworthy home maintenance and other service providers that conduct background checks on their employees...

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NEW MEMBERS:We welcome the following to Chapter 0664:Gail E. FARR . . . . .Abraham HAMILTON

IN MEMORIAMVivian E, CARTER . . .Ella M. GASKIN . . .Wininah P. GREENE . . . .William A. IRISHFrances E. PLEASANT . . . .Matthew QUEARLES. . . .Ruby WILLIAMS

INCLEMENT WEATHERThis is just a reminder that if there is inclement weather on our meeting day and thePhiladelphia Public Schools are closed, our meetinq will be cancelled. The Chapterwill not make calls to notify members of the cancellation.

ELECTION of OFFIGERSThe election of Chapter Officers, which was conducted during the November 2016Membership Meeting, produced the return to office of several of the incumbent officers.This is very beneficial to the Chapter, however, a few positions of elect or appointmentremained unfilled. To avoid a lapse in the Chapter activities some officers in a veryresponsible manner volunteered to a second position as can be viewed by reading thelineup on the first page. This act is very admirable by those persons and is deserving ofa thank you by the members and an offer to assist them in their functions.You can speak to the Chapter President if you can assist in any way,

CHAPTER MEETINGSThe schedule of future Chapter Membership Meetings is as follows:

MONDAY . MARCH 13, 2017MONDAY . APRIL 10,2017MONDAY - MAY 8,2017MONDAY . JUNE 12,2017

See you there!

The next issue of this Nerars/effer will be published in May 2017 .

You can visit the Chapter website at wvny.narfe.org/chapter664 .

Please oqrticipate i!, the Chanter's continuins drive.

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CHAPTER 0664 DRIYE for ALZIIEIMER'S RESEARCH:

SUPPORT ALZHEIMER' S RESEARCH

Enclosed is myNARFE-Alzheimer's Research conkibution $Every cent contributed is usedfer Alzheimer's Research

Name

Address

City State ZipIndicate in the memo section of your check by inserting the name if:

In Memory of

In Honor of

Your charitahle contribution is Tax Deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

TMI0RTANT NOTE:

Please make vour check oavable tg: NARFE - ALZHEIMER'S RESEARCH

Mail tq:Betty RobinsonNARtr'E Chapter #0664 Alzheimer's Chair424 Tulpehocken AvenueElkins Park, PAl9027