North Carolina Federation

National Active and Retired Federal Employees

Association Strategic Plan 2006 - 2007

 

The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association is an organization dedicated to protecting the earned retirement benefits of federal employees, retirees and their survivors.

NARFE's commitment through the work of the national headquarters, federations, and chapters is to secure the future that federal employees have worked to achieve for themselves and their families. Through the period of this strategic plan, the North Carolina Federation of Chapters rededicates the organization to the noble goals of NARFE by striving to strengthen the Chapters and their membership.

Membership recruitment and retention is the number one priority of this strategic plan; however, issues of membership cannot be dealt with in isolation. Without effective communication and challenging education and training programs, stabilizing or even growing our membership numbers will be difficult at best.  

I. Membership Membership is the thorniest problem facing NARFE today. In fact, the very existence of NARFE could be threatened. Between 2000 and 2005, membership nationally dropped by nearly 62,000 or 15.3 percent, 31,000 in the last three years alone. New member recruitment has remained relatively stable at around 26,000 per year for this same period. The principal problem facing NARFE is retaining current members. However, NARFE is not alone in suffering membership instability as it runs through nearly every voluntary (non-stipendiary) organization in this country. The reason is mainly behavioral: “younger people are not joiners,” accompanied by the questions: “what’s in it for me?” and “what have you done for me lately?” The issue also is becoming circular. NARFE’s perceived lack of success in achieving its recent legislative goals causes potential new members to think twice about joining and current members from renewing their memberships, thus reducing its weight of membership numbers and thereby creating a perceived weakening in its much needed influence on current and future NARFE legislation. These debilitating trends must be reversed.

Recruitment and RetentionMembership recruiting and retention methodologies are familiar to us all but they require constant attention and affirmation. Over the past year the Federation addressed the stark reality of declining membership and enumerated, discussed and encouraged the use of the various methodologies at our disposal. The presentation of an in-depth workshop addressing membership at the 2006 Convention established a baseline to stimulate Chapters in intensifying their recruiting efforts. Over the next year the Federation will assist the Chapters in spearheading an aggressive recruiting and retention effort by providing technical support including implementation skills, team building, goal setting methods, and educational materials. Federation officers will also assist with periodic status and evaluation reviews and support workshops with Chapters, Chapter Clusters and other groupings to evaluate progress.

Membership CoordinatorThe LL data noted the immediate need for a Federation Membership Coordinator to focus full attention on the difficult and seemingly endless problem of membership. The Federation Executive Board readily concurred with this proposal and approved the position.

 Over the next year, the Membership Coordinator will provide expert guidance and input at the area training programs, the annual Convention and at Chapter and Chapter Cluster meetings as needed in supporting an intensive Federation-wide membership recruiting effort.

II. Communication

The data from the Leadership Luncheons (LL) confirmed that communication is the backbone of a successful Federation and Chapter structure. At a time when NARFE is struggling with membership recruitment and retention; when smaller chapters are feeling isolated and left out of the mainstream; and, when chapters are not learning from each other about what works and what does not for important issues such as membership recruitment and retention, good communication is imperative.

Federation NewspaperThe Newspaper has been the traditional and most visible means for providing information to our membership but the LL data show that the paper needs solid revamping, especially for inter-chapter information sharing. Over the next year, your Federation leadership will make the Newspaper more relevant and responsive to the needs of the organization by tighter and more imaginative management, including, among others, requests for contributions of topic specific articles from Chapters or individuals. AVPs are requested to assist the editor by identifying and encouraging articles from their Chapters’ addressing their successes (and failures) in recruiting, informational programs, etc., that would be important to share within the Federation.

WebsiteThe LL data note the growing interest in our website as a practical resource and a supplement of the Newspaper. The Federation Web Page Coordinator has done a masterful job in designing and implementing the system that is both user friendly and beneficial. For example, when members enter the site and follow the brief instructions, the home page will appear offering a series of options including the capability to place chapter newsletters on the page and to read the newsletters of other chapters. Over the next year the Web Page Coordinator will continue to expand website content and provide hands-on training and support. Once users explore this and the other important options provided, the website will become an indispensable part of Federation communications.

Email Email is an extremely practical method for information transfer, but the LL data suggest that it is an underutilized resource. Two reasons come to mind: not every NARFE member has access to email, and individual email addresses are in continual flux what with the progress in technology and shrewd marketing schemes by internet carriers. Problems such as these can be overcome.

 As soon as practical, every Chapter is requested to appoint an Email Coordinator who would report important information provided via Email at Chapter meetings, thus keeping all members current. Email address changes are manageable if the new addresses are made known in a timely manner to those who require them.

III. Education and Training The LL data show that the effectiveness of the Federation education and training programs is mixed at best. The presentations of E & T programs have grown stale and predictable, engendering little enthusiasm and diminished attendance. Leadership training programs are in urgent need of attention.

E & T resources shall be more chapter-centered with emphasis on making Chapter meetings more interesting and thereby boosting attendance and membership.

 

Interactive Involvement The LL data show that the membership desires more

interactive sessions to bring Chapters together to explore fresh ideas, discuss problems, and seek solutions. The success of the Leadership Luncheons is a testament to this need.  Over the next year, the AVPs are encouraged to create geographical Chapter Clusters from within their areas and periodically bring together Cluster Chapter officers and interested members in small group settings to discuss issues and propose solutions to problems of common interest and concern - such as the critical issue of membership recruitment and retention - that would be beneficial to them and, ultimately, the Federation as a whole. The data generated from the Cluster meetings would be the major influence on the design and content of the annual area training programs.

Annual Convention

Beginning with the 2006 Convention, educational workshops will be offered addressing important topics conducted by distinguished presenters. The intent of these workshops is both educational and consciousness raising, by stimulating discussion of innovative approaches to solving all too common problems, and re-energizing Chapter leadership.