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PENNSYLVANIA FEDERATION OF CHAPTERS

DISTRICT 2 VICE PRESIDENT

FRANCIS L. CAPUTO

GEORGE A. LESCOSKY, WEBMASTER

lescgeo1@verizon.net

                            DISTRICT 2 CHAPTERS:

CHESTER COUNTY #377  Frances Griffin, President. Tel: 610-458-5668. Meets every 3rd Tuesday except July & August at 12 noon, Hoss's Steak House, Lionville. Dues $8.00.

E-MAIL: fgriff70929@verizon.net

WEBSITE: http://narfe377.tripod.com/

DOYLESTOWN #740 Meets Every 2nd Thursday in October, December, February, April, and June at 12 noon, Guisipie's Restaurant, Warrington. Board meetings are held in September, November, January, March, and May. Officers: President, Dick Hogg bepbunny@aol.com, VP, John DeMatteo jdematteo@comcast.net, Secretary, Emily Lacher, Treasurer, Bob Sterner bobsterner@verizon.net. Dues $5.00.

EASTON AREA #1102 Arjanna Frank, President. Meets every 1st Thursday except July & August at 1 PM, Palmer Library. Dues $5.00.

E-MAIL: argabelle@verizon.net

LEHIGH VALLEY #1371 Francis L. Caputo, President. Meets last Thursday of every month at 12 noon, St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Allentown. The only exception is in July for the annual picnic also on the last Thursday of the month at the Rose Garden Pavillion 2 in Allentown. Dues $6.00.

E-MAIL: fgcap@aol.com

WEBSITE: http://www.lehighvalleynarfe.tripod.com

NORRISTOWN #372 George Shal, President. Meets every 1st Wednesday except January & February at 1 PM, Old Country Buffet, Northtowne Plaza. Dues $8.00.

E-MAIL: shal@comcast.net

WEBSITE: http://www.narfe372.org

READING #103 John "Nick" Jacobs, President; John Dilullo, First Vice President; Richard Biehl, Second Vice President; Nancy McKittrick, Secretary; William Skrocki, Treasurer; Richard C. Wenrich, Editor. Meets every 2nd Monday except July & August at 11:30 AM, Reading Sheraton Hotel, Wyomissing. Dues $8.00.

E-MAIL: dick@wenrich.net

SCHUYLKILL #413                           William F. Bowler, President. Meets every 2nd Tuesday except February, July, & August at 1 PM, Yorkville Fire Company, Pottsville. Dues $5.00.

E-MAIL: muyerdad@yahoo.com

WEBSITE: http:..www.narfe413.tripod.com/narfechapter413

PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING DISTRICT 2 WEB SITE:

To meet with officers of our seven (7) Chapters of District 2 at a predetermined time and place at a centralized location to discuss Chapter problems and offer helpful solutions with the possibility of involving the Pennsylvania Federation of Chapters and the Region II Vice President. Also for input by individual Chapters what works for them and would benefit other Chapters.

2010 STATE CONVENTION

DVP 2 FRANCIS CAPUTO HAS VOLUNTEERED TO HAVE THE 2010 PA. FEDERATION OF CHAPTERS CONVENTION IN THE ALLENTOWN AREA. ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2009 DVP2 FRAN CAPUTO WAS ACCOMPANIED BY HIS COMMITTEE MEMBERS PHYLLIS REINHARDT, PRESIDENT OF SCRANTON CHAPTER 129 AND GEORGE LESCOSKY, SECRETARY OF SCHUYLKILL CHAPTER 413 TO INSPECT TWO SITES WHICH WOULD BE DEEMED SUITABLE FOR OUR CONVENTION. ALSO ACCOMPANING THE SELECTION COMMITTEE WERE GLADYS CAPUTO AND HELEN LESCOSKY, BOTH LONG STANDING CHAPTER MEMBERS, TO OBTAIN A WOMAN'S VIEWPOINT ON THE ACCEPTABILITY OF THE GUEST ROOMS AND ALSO THE ATMOSPHERE AND ARRANGEMENTS OF THE MEETING ROOMS AND BANQUET ROOM, ALONG WITH ARRANGEMENTS FOR GUEST REGISTRATION AND VENDORS TABLES AND ALSO A SUITABLE HOSPITALITY ROOM. BOTH SITES VISITED BY THE COMMITTEE WERE VERY SUITABLE AND WOULD MEET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE FOR A VERY SUCCESSFUL CONVENTION.

WHAT THE STIMULUS PACKAGE MEANS TO YOU

UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE STIMULUS PACKAGE, TAX RELIEF VIA REDUCED PAYROLL TAX WITHHOLDING WILL BE PROVIDED TO WAGE-EARNERS UNDER THE "MAKE WORK PAY" PROVISIONS. SOCIAL SECURITY, VETERANS, SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME AND RAILROAD RETIREMENT BENEFICIARIES, WHO ARE NOT OTHERWISE WAGE-EARNERS, WILL AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL $250 CHECK FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. AS A RESULT OF NARFE'S ADVOCACY, FEDERAL RETIREES WHO ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ANY OF THESE PAYMENTS WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO TAKE A NEWLY-CREATED $250 PER PERSON REFUNDABLE TAX CREDIT FOR THE 2009 TAX YEAR.

10 WORST MISTAKES FEDERAL RETIREES CAN MAKE

1. MIGRATING BEFORE INVESTIGATING all the pros and cons of relocating to a new location.

2. NOT THOROUGHLY READING MAIL FROM OPM AFTER YOU RETIRE.

3. IGNORING YOUR CHANGE IN INSURANCE NEEDS UPON RETIREMENT because the FEGLI Programs (options A, B and C) increase in monthly premiums by nearly 50 percent at ages 55 and 60.

4. NOT READING THE ANNUAL FEDERAL BENEFITS OPEN SEASON MATERIAL because something changes every year, whether its a health plan dropping out of the program, or plans merging, changing areas of coverage, dropping an option or increasing/decreasing premiums.

5. CHANGING FEHBP COVERAGE TO SELF-ONLY WHEN YOUR SPOUSE HAS HIS OR HER OWN NON-FEDERAL COVERAGE - your spouse will not be able to continue FEHBP coverage in the event of your death.

6. CHOOSING THE WRONG HEALTH CARE OPTIONS FOR A FEDERALLY EMPLOYED FAMILY is an important decision with financial implications.

7. CLOSING YOUR OLD BANK ACCOUNT TOO SOON unless you know for sure your retirement payments are being deposited in the new account.

8. NEGLECTING TO ELECT SURVIVOR BENEFIT UPON MARRIAGE OR REMARRIAGE because your survivor cannot continue your health benefit coverage unless you have elected to provide a survivor benefit.

9. NOT CHECKING YOUR FEDERAL RETIREMENT BENEFITS ONLINE because by keeping track of your benefits, you will be able to know ahead of time if your next payment is the correct amount and going to the right address.

10. FAILING TO JOIN NARFE because NARFE has the knowledge and support you need to help guide you in retirement. NARFE has more than 85 years of experience in federal retirement on Capitol Hill. NARFE's Retirement Benefits Service staff collectively have 90 years of experience in federal retirement and insurance issues.

10 WORST MISTAKES A FEDERAL EMPLOYEE CAN MAKE

1. NOT ATTENDING A PRE-RETIREMENT SEMINAR - you should attend a pre-retirement seminar to learn about your retirement benefits and the actions you may need to take to ensure your annuity is the highest allowed by law and your health and life insurance coverage continues.

2. MISSING THE CHANCE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN - Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) employees who do not contribute to the tax-deferred Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) are missing a good chance to increase their retirement income.

3. FORFEITING THE OPPORTUNITY TO PAY YOUR MILITARY SERVICE CREDIT DEPOSIT - employees must pay their military service credit deposits to their employing agencies before they retire.

4. OF PURCHASING LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE COVERAGE AT THE RIGHT AGE - long-term care insurance rates are based on a person's age when he or she applies.

5. MISMANAGING YOUR SICK LEAVE - employees receive credit for their unused sick leave in the computation of their retirement annuities.

6. LEAVING ANNUAL LEAVE CALCULATIONS TO THE LAST MINUTE - an employee who carries over 240 hours of annual leave and plans to retire the following November 30 can be paid a lump sum for the 240 hours plus the leave accured through November 30 a total of up to approximately 432 hours (depending on annual leave usage in that last year of employment).

7. FAILING TO HAVE FIVE YEARS OF FEHBP COVERAGE BEFORE RETIRING - to preserve this valuable benefit, enroll in a self-only FEHBP plan for at least five years before retiring in order to continue FEHBP into retirement and maintain the opportunity to change to family coverage at Open Season.

8. NEGLECTING TO ELECT A SURVIVOR BENEFIT WHEN YOU RETIRE - electing a survivor benefit for a spouse at retirement or upon marriage (or remarriage) after retirement will entitle a surviving spouse to continue federal health benefits.

9. EXPECTING TO RECEIVE A FULL SOCIAL SECURITY RETIREMENT - the Windfall Elimination Program (WEP) can reduce, by up to 60%, the earned Social Security benefits of a CSRS federal worker (not a FERS-only employee).

Under the Government Pension Offset (GPO) CSRS annuitants could lose ALL of their survivor Social Security benefits.

10. WAITING UNTIL AFTER RETIRING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO JOIN NARFE - NARFE can help bridge a part in this gap through its web site, monthly NARFE magazine, informative brochures, e-mail systems, CHAPTER MEETINGS, and CHAPTER SERVICE OFFICERS, who assist members with retirement issues.

Any District 2 Chapter wishing to offer suggestions or comments or want to publish interesting Chapter happenings to this web site, kindly contact DVP2 Fran Caputo at: fgcap@aol.com.

NARFE PREMIER FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

Serves all ACTIVE and RETIRED federal employees in the United States, Panama, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. As a member, you will have access to member relations staff twenty four hours, seven days a week, and more than 3,100 shared branches and 57,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide.

NARFE membership is not necessary to become a member of the credit union. However, if you would like to be a member of both, NARFE PREMIER FEDERAL CREDIT UNION WILL PAY YOUR FIRST YEAR OF DUES. You become a member of two successful organizations.

At the present time there is a 4% SAVINGS on savings account for Chapters.

APPLY TODAY

Visit our website at : www.narfepremierfcu.org

Click on "Become a Member."

Call us any time at: 800-328-1500

RECRUITING & RETENTION HINTS:

l. PUT YOUR OLD NARFE MAGAZINES IN BEAUTY SHOPS, BARBER SHOPS, HAIR DRESSERS, DOCTORS AND DENTIST OFFICES, DROP THEM OFF AT YOUR LOCAL POST OFFICE OR GIVE THEM TO YOUR POSTAL CARRIER.

2. WHENYOU PLACE YOUR OLD NARFE MAGAZINE IN A BARBER SHOP, HAIRDRESSER, DOCTOR'S OFFICE, OR ANY OTHER PLACE OF BUSINESS, FIRST TURN TO THE PAGE WITH THE ENROLLMENT APPLICATION FORM. ENTER YOUR MEMBERSHIP NUMBER AND CHAPTER NUMBER ON THE FORM. THIS WAY YOU WILL GET THE CREDIT FOR RECRUITING A MEMBER SHOULD SOMEONE DECIDE TO JOIN NARFE.

3. ORDER RECRUITING POSTERS FROM THE NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP SERVICES TO PUT ON COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARDS IN POST OFFICES, GOVERNMENT OFFICES, AND PLACES OF BUSINESS THAT WILL ALLOW THEM.

4. PROVIDE A FREE LUNCH FOR THE RECRUITER AND NEW MEMBER.

5. IF YOU GIVE A POSTAL CARRIER GIFT FOR CHRISTMAS, MAKE IT A GIFT MEMBERSHIP TO YOUR NARFE CHAPTER.

6. MAKE UP A RECRUITING PLACE MAT INDICATING CHAPTER OFFICERS NAMES AND PHONE NUMBERS. HAVE COPIES PRINTED (ELIGIBLE FOR MATCHING FUNDS) AND PLACE IN LOCAL RESTAURANTS.

7. ALWAYS CARRY NARFE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS WITH YOU IN YOU CAR.

8. CREATE A NEW POSITION THAT OF RETENTION CHAIRMAN.

9. MAKE PERSONAL CALLS TO ALL MEMBERS RECEIVING SECOND DUES RENEWAL NOTICE.

10. SEND OUT DUES WITHHOLDING NOTICES EVERY SIX MONTHS.

11. INVITE SPEAKERS TO GIVE A TALK ON INTERESTING TOPICS TO ALL MEMBERS.

12. PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT FOR SELECT MEETINGS.

13. HAVE A YEARLY PICNIC AND CHRISTMAS PARTY.

14. DROP OFF NEWSLETTERS AT ALL POST OFFICES.

15. WORK WITH LOCAL BUS COMPANY TO PLACE NARFE ADVERTISING/RECRUITING POSTERS ON THEIR BUSSES.

SUGGESTIONS TO ENCOURAGE MEMBERS TO ATTEND MEETINGS:

CHESTER CHAPTER #377 SELLS 50/50 TICKETS AT ALL OF THEIR MEETINGS. 50% GOES TO THE ALZHEIMER'S FUND AND 50% TO WINNING MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE.

CHESTER CHAPTER #377 WILL PURCHASE A "CHESTER CHAPTER #377 MEMBER" NAME TAG FOR ANY MEMBER ATTENDING THREE (3) MEETINGS IN A ROW.

SELECTED OFFICER'S WIVES OF SCHUYLKILL CHAPTER #413 PREPARE AND OFFER HOMEMADE MEALS AND DELICIOUS HOMEMADE DESSERTS AT ALL CHAPTER MEETINGS HELD AT THEIR ASSIGNED MEETING PLACE. A MONETARY DONATION IS ACCEPTED TO HELP DEFRAY THE COST OF THE FOOD.

SCHUYLKILL CHAPTER 413 ADVERTISES OVER LOCAL RADIO STATIONS AND IN LOCAL NEWSPAPERS THE DATES, TIMES, AND PLACE OF CHAPTER MEETINGS.

LEHIGH VALLEY CHAPTER 1371 HELD ITS ANNUAL PICNIC AT ROSE GARDEN 2, ALLENTOWN, PA. ON THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2009. GUESTS IN ATTENDANCE WERE MARIA RITZMAN, FIRST VICE PRESIDENT OF THE PENNSYLVANIA FEDERATION OF CHAPTERS ACCOMPANIED BY HER HUSBAND ARTHUR; DIXIE GASPER, PRESIDENT OF THE LEBANON VALLEY CHAPTER; GEORGE LESCOSKY, SECRETARY OF THE SCHUYLKILL CHAPTER ACCOMPANIED BY HIS WIFE HELEN; CHARLES GRIFFITHS, SERVICE OFFICER OF THE SCHUYLKILL CHAPTER.

DOYLESTOWN CHAPTER 740 HONORED

DOYLESTOWN CHAPTER 740 IN DISTRICT 2 OF THE PA. FEDERATION OF CHAPTERS WAS RECOGNIZED AT THE NATIONAL CONVENTION IN LOUISVILLE, KY. AS THE NUMBER ONE CHAPTER IN THE SECOND QUARTER 2008 FOR RETENTION OF MEMBERS WITH AN INCREASE OF 27 MEMBERS.

NATIONAL SECRETARY NAT BROWN PRESENTS DISTRICT 2 VICE PRESIDENT FRAN CAPUTO WITH THE AWARD OF $500 AT THE NATIONAL CONVENTION TO BE GIVEN TO CHAPTER 740.

NARFE

WHAT IS IT? WHAT DOES IT MEAN? WHAT DOES IT DO? WHY DON'T WE HEAR MORE ABOUT IT LIKE AARP AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS?

FIRST OFF NARFE IS AN ASSOCIATION CONSISTING OF BOTH RETIRED AND FEDERAL EMPLOYEES STILL WORKING FOR SOME PHASE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. NARFE PROTECTS THE BENEFITS OF ALL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES THROUGH REPRESENTATION AT CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS, BY INCREASING MEMBERSHIP, BY ENSURING EACH MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATION'S VOICE IS HEARD AND IS ADHERED TO IN LEGISLATION TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE RIGHTS AND BENEFITS OF ALL THE HARD WORK PERFORMED BY THE CONSCIENTIOUS FEDERAL EMPLOYEES DURING THEIR TENURE ON THE JOB.

WE DON'T HEAR MORE ABOUT NARFE BECAUSE IT DOESN'T GET ENOUGH "EXPOSURE". WE HAVE TO GET THE WORD OUT FROM THE HIGHEST LEVEL, NATIONAL, FEDERATION, AND YES, AT THE CHAPTER LEVEL. WE MUST ADVERTISE AND PROMOTE NARFE THROUGH OUR CHAPTER MEMBERS, THROUGH NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENTS AND RADIO ANNOUNCEMENTS AND BY WORD OF MOUTH TO ACTIVE AND RETIRED MEMBERS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

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