Virginia Federation of Chapters
2015 Chapter Training
Public Relations ChairGaston Gianni
NARFE-EMBRACING CHANGE
OVERVIEW
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•Public Relations—ALL THINGS NARFE •VFC Public RelationsMatching Funds•Congressional Relations•Future of NARFE•Strategic Planning•Closing
WHAT IS PUBLIC RELATIONS?
"Public relations is the planned and sustained effort to establish and maintain goodwill and mutual understanding between an organization and its publics."
Everything you do or say is public relations!
ALL THINGS NARFE = Public Relations NARFE-EMBRACING CHANGE
ADVANCING NARFE
ADVANCING NARFE’S MISSION IN THE PUBLIC
SPREADING AWARENESS
INCREASING MEMBERSHIP
ENHANCING COMMUNICATIONS NARFE-EMBRACING CHANGE
TARGETING POTENTIAL MARKETS
One approach for all does not accomplish results
Different approaches are needed for each group
Active Employees are in the Electronic Age
How is your Web Site?
How involved are your members in community affairs?
What Goodwill are we accomplishing and does any one know about it?
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VFC PR GOALS Establish Communications Network with Chapter
PR Chairs Identify Best Practices in other Federations Increase Use of Matching Funds Assist Chapters PR Chairs Determine where potential members live or work
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MATCHING FUNDS
2014 Projects—8 7 Chapter 1 VFC Total Cost of Projects $9,900
NARFE HQ--$4,950VFC --$3,750Chapters--$600
Past Project Ranges--$100-$5,000
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TYPES OF PROJECTS Booths at Health Fairs, Festivals & EXPOs Tables at Postmaster Conventions Pre Retirement Seminars Parade Float Various Newspaper Ads Recruiting Picnics PR Recruiting—Banners, Bags, Pens, Note
Pads, Tape Measurers
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Matching Fund Guidance(Stretch your chapter funds)
On the VFC Web Site- WWW.VANARFE.ORG (Public Relations)
How to prepare requests What type of information is needed How to prepare Final Report Take pictures of event
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How to be a PR Person?
1. Tell people you belong to NARFE
2. Invite Federal Employees and Retirees to join NARFE
3. Write a letter about NARFE issues to your local paper
4. Call or write your Senators and Congressman
5. Participate in local events as a NARFE Chapter NARFE-EMBRACING CHANGE
RESOURCES
NARFE Public Relations Handbook FH-9 (12/10)
Web Sites: www.narfe.org www.vanarfe.org
Protect America’s Heartbeat Tool Kit VFC PR Handbook (Under Construction) VFC PR Chair: [email protected] 703-508-4339
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VFC CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSVFC National Legislative Chair- Steve Ledford
Two Senator Liaisons: Senator Warner-Steve Ledford (Annandale 1159)Senator Kaine– Max Scruggs (Arlington 0007) 11 Congressional District Liaisons (one for each
District)
Chapter National Legislative Chair NARFE-EMBRACING CHANGE
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Congressman VFC Liaison
Rep. Rob Wittman Gaston Gianni(Cong. Dist. 1) (Woodbridge Chapter 1270)
Rep. Edward Rigell Raymond Whipple(Cong. Dist. 2) (Peninsula Chapter 0682)
Rep. Robert Scott Shirley Driver-Kinchen(Cong. Dist. 3) (Monticello Chapter 2361)
Rep. Randy Forbes Dillard Horton(Cong. Dist. 4) Suffolk Chapter 1743)
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Congressman VFC Liaison
Rep. Robert Hurt VACANT(Cong. Dist. 5)
Rep. Bob Goodlatte Edward Misker (Cong. Dist. 6) (Stauton-Waynesboror-Augusta
Chapter 0178)
Rep. David Brat Robert Zombron(Cong. Dist. 7) (Midlothian Chapter 2265)
Rep. Donald Beyer John Tolleris(Cong. Dist. 8) (Alexandria Chapter 0232)
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Congressman VFC Liaison
Rep. Morgan Griffith Mary F. Kelley(Cong. Dist. 9) (Wilderness Trail Chapter 1837)
Rep. Barbara Comstock Jon P. Joyce(Cong. Dist. 10) (Winchester Chapter 0180)
Rep. Gerald Connolly Judy Thorne(Cong. Dist. 11) (Dulles Chapter 1241)
ROLE of a CDL
Develop NARFE information about Chapters and Leaders in the District
Establish relationship with Congressman by:1. Contacting District Office2. Contacting Congressman’s Scheduler3. Schedule periodic meetings with the
Congressman4. Attend functions in the DistrictCommunicate with Chapter Legislative Chairs
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CHAPTER LEGISLATIVE CHAIR1. Coordinate with CDL2. Review NARFE GEMS & NARFE Magazine3. Keep Chapter members informed of Legislative
issues4. Alert Chapter Members when key issues are up
for vote5. Encourage Chapter members to contact their
Congressman and Senators
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STRATEGIC PLAN--QUICK LOOK FUTURE OF NARFE REPORT-2014 Strategic Planning approved at 2014 convention Strategic Planning link on NARFE web site Strategic Planning Committee-1 rep from each
NARFE Region Gaston Gianni Region X Rep. Committee has been meeting since April Will make recommendations that will form the
basis for Strategic Planning Committee to draft a NARFE Strategic Plan
F
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ISSUES/GOALS
Transform governance to be more efficient, effective, agile, consistent and accountable
Establish a consistent brand to increase awareness, eliminate confusion and convey the value of NARFE
Stabilize and grow membership to support effective advocacy and to deliver financial stability
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SPC ASKED TO STUDY Board of Directors Structure
BOD function as policy makers
BOD set annual dues
Federation/State advocacy structure
Federation funds
Congressional District Leaders
Optional local chapter membership NARFE-EMBRACING CHANGE
SPC ASKED TO STUDY (Continued) NARFE member as Congressional District Action
Teams
Electronic meetings
Quorum Requirements
One member one vote
Unified dues (Items in Red not addressed by SPC)
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Areas for Improvement1. Board of Directors—Make up, authority and
responsibilities2. Executive Director3. Non-Mandatory Chapter Membership4. One member one vote5. Federation Structure 6. Federation Funds7. Congressional District Liaisons
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CLOSING THOUGHTS The VFC is here to help Exchange of ideas and practices can be helpful The old way may not be the right way for today The Future of NARFE Project-Long term Vision If NARFE is to survive and be effective we need
to change and have more members Marketing and PR can lead the way QUESTIONS?
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