“the current narfe organization is unsustainable, and the long-established narfe mission is in...
TRANSCRIPT
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
▶ 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.”
Seeking a Solution
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
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.
Methodology
What We Learned
▶ Difficult facts and trends must be faced
▶ Hard choices will be necessary
▶ Those organizations that adapt can thrive
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
Our Vision
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
Contrasting the Current and Future
INTENTION
LOCAL - - Move toward leaner, more agileand representative governing body
STATE - - Move toward more advocacy focus
NATIONAL - - Organize for greatest legislative impact
Leaner Governance
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 States 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 conventions (In addition, federations may have multiple area/district vice presidents supporting local chapters)
Elected by Congressional District Leaders
Governance - NationalCurrent 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 theirregions at biennial National Convention
2 Appointed members, named by the elected Board members from business, politics, etc.
Comparing Current and Future NARFE
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 ofchange must occur and gain their support atNational Convention in August
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-goingbasis
▶ Conduct a comprehensive branding study, includingwhether 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
Virginia will be realigned into Region I along with 14 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 manageHeadquarters
▶ Of course, this will depend on the outcome of thevote to move from 4 to 2 National Officers.
Implementation
IntentionMove 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
Management
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▶ 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▶ Adoption of a streamlined resident officer
structure with only a President and Treasurer
Implementation
Intention: Expand membership pool
Membership
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.
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
NARFE Can Have a Bright Future
Together, We Can Secure The Future Of NARFE