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NARFE Chapter 372
Norristown, PA
The regular meeting was held on Wednesday, November 1, 2006 at the Old Country Buffet, East Norriton, PA
The meeting was called to order at 1 PM by President Ted Mason
Attendance: 18 Members and guests were present
The invocation was given by Si Nagel and he led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance
New Members introduced: Fred Pearson was reintroduced.
The minutes of the October meeting were approved with the reading waived upon motion made, seconded, and approved.
Treasurer's Report: Treasurer Sy Nagle reported a balance of $3,497.71
A motion was made, seconded , and approved to accept the Treasurer's Report as presented.
Membership Committee Report was not presented at this meeting
Other committee reports:
Christmas Party: The December meeting will be held at the Blue Bell Inn starting at Noon. A Christmas luncheon and
party will follow the meeting.
Newsletter: Joe Patti reported on the success of the Fall mailing. On motion made and seconded, Joe was reimbursed
for his out of pocket expense of $139.
Old Business Discussed: None
New Business Discussed: Election of Officers:
Upon motion made, properly seconded, and approved, the existing officers were reelected to another term in the same offices.
Upon motion made, properly seconded, and approved, Joe Paddy was elected to the new position of Newsletter Chair.
The Officers elected for 2007 are as follows:
President: Theodore Mason
1st Vice President: Rosemarie Beatrice
2nd Vice President: George Shal
Secretary: Margaret Bergman
Treasurer: Simon Nagel
Legislative Chair: Dennis Fitzgerald
Membership Chair: Eileen Fitzgerald
Newsletter Chair: Joseph Patti
Public Relations: Eileen Fitzgerald
Service Officer: Raymond Spatt
Sunshine Chair: Alice Snyder
Guest Speaker:
Bill Pratt, author of "Platt Chat: News and Views" along with Joe Green, led a spirited discussion on the political
season. Politics, November, and NARFE members always make for an interesting meeting.
Adjournment: A motion was made, seconded and approved to adjourn the meeting at 2:20 PM
Next meeting will be held at the Blue Bell Inn on Wednesday, December 6, 2006 beginning at Noon.
.................................. OCTOBER 2006........................................
.................................. SEPTEMBER 2006.......................................
AGENDA
September 6, 2006
NARFE Chapter 372
Norristown, PA
1. Call to Order George Shal
2. Invocation (or Moment of Silence) Sy Nagel
3. Pledge of Allegiance Sy Nagel
4. Introduction of New Members Eileen Fitzgerald
5. Program
Odd Fellows Cemetary Guide for Prearrangements Joyce Lang
6. Reading of the Minutes from August Peggy Bergman
7. Officer reports
Treasurer Sy Nagel
Legislation Dennis Fitzgerald
Membership Eileen Fitzgerald
Sunshine Alice Snyder
Service Ray Spratt
8. Committee Reports
9. Old Business
A. Ted Mason: off to the National Conference
B. Other Old Business
10. New Business
A. Need to form a Committee for the Holiday Party, December 6, 2006.
B. Introduction of Annual Planning Calendar
C. Other New Business?
11. Adjourn
...................................... AUGUST 2006..........................................
NARFE Chapter 372
Norristown, PA
The regular meeting was held Wednesday August 2, 2006 at the Old Country Buffet, East Norriton, PA
The meeting was called to order at 1 PM by President Ted Mason.
Fourteen members were present
The invocation was given by Sy Nagel and he also led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance
The were no New Members in attendance.
The minutes of the previous meeting of July 5, 2006 were actually read by George Shal and then approved as read.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Sy Nagle reported a balance of $3,785.67.
A motion was made and seconded to accept the Treasure’s Report
Membership Committee Report: Eileen Fitzgerald reported 337 Members.
Other committee reports: The Sunshine Committee reported sending cards to three members. Names are not being reported
in minutes due to privacy considerations.
Margaret Wolfinger's obituary was published in the local newspaper.
Old Business: During a general discussion about membership, Ted Mason read a letter detailing related concerns from the
Fraternal order of Moose organization and the fact that the younger generation is not composed of joiners. All service and
social organizations seem to be facing membership declines. Ray Spratt suggested that we pursue active employees for membership
by hosting general seminars on retirement benefits. This will be marked for follow-up action.
New Business: George Shal was reimbursed for the cost of annual website registration and hosting costs: $95.40.
Guest Speaker: The guest speaker was Mike Conner, Esquire. Mike talked about the value of Creating a Life Plan, with
a General Power of Attorney, and Advanced Directive for Health Care Decisions. He included information on some of the advantages
of having Living Wills; Last Will and Testaments; and Long Term Care Planning. The membership found Mike’s presentation
quite informative and thanks Ray Spratt for going to law school and meeting Mike.
.........................................JULY 2006.................................................
NARFE Chapter 372
Norristown, PA
Minutes
The regular meeting was held Wednesday July 5, 2006 at the Old Country Buffet, East Norriton, PA
The meeting was called to order at 1 pm by Ted Mason
Attendance: 11 Members were present
The invocation was given by Sy Nagel who also led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance
There were no new members or special guests in attendance.
Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting of June 7th was waived and approved as submitted
Treasure's Report: Treasurer Sy Nagle reported a balance of $3651.07
A motion was made and seconded to accept the Treasurer's Report
Membership Committee Report: 334 total of which 284 are chapter members, 46 National Members and 4 life members
Other committee reports: Sunshine committee will send a card to Dennis Fitzgerald to cheer him after his recent knee surgery.
Old Business Discussed: We voted to send a donation to RSVP in the amount of $100 for their services through June 2006.
Peg Bergman mentioned that Montco Speakers Bureau also accepts donations and Sy suggested we handle the donations on a case
by case basis in the future.
New Business Discussed: Ted mentioned that he and Sue intend to bring up the WEP/GPO issues at the National Convention
because the Social Security law has changed since National has addressed these issues and Ted believes that it is time that
National reconsider their stand on these issues.
Guest Speaker: Our guest speaker was Ted Mason who presented a very interesting and useful talk of the property assessment
process particularly as it pertains to Montgomery County, PA
There was no 50/50 drawing this month
A motion was made, seconded and approved to adjourn the meeting at 2 pm
Next meeting will be held at the Old Country Buffet on August 2nd, 2006
........................................JUNE 2006.................................................
NARFE Chapter 372
Norristown, PA
Minutes
The regular meeting was held Wednesday June 7, 2006 at the Old Country Buffet, East Norriton, PA
The meeting was called to order at 1:03pm by President Ted Mason
Attendance: 20 Members were present
The invocation was given by Sy Nagle who also led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance
New Members introduced: None this time
Special Guests were introduced: Joe Wallace, a long time member who had not attended in a while, attended this meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting of May 3, 2006 were unanimously approved as submitted
Treasurer's Report: Treasurer Sy Nagle reported a balance of $4310.74
A motion was made and seconded to accept the Treasurer's Report
Membership Committee Report: Eileen Fitzgerald reported 283 regular members, 49 non voting members, and 4 life members
for a total of 336
Other committee reports: Service: Ray Spratt mentioned that OPM is coming out with a new website, new dental vision insurance
, TCI benefits website. It is for IRA advice for Federal employees and for information on benefits which are totally funded
by the employee/retiree himself or herself.
Sunshine: No report
Legislative: Dennis encouraged the group to carefully screen the people whom they are voting for to insure that they are
sensitive to our needs and continued benefits.
Old Business Discussed: Ted Mason reviewed the minutes of the State NARFE Convention. Glenn Pierson was reelected PA State
President of NARFE at the convention. Our chapter's three resolutions were voted upon at the convention. The resolution opposing
placing medically uninsured into our health system was approved at the State Convention as was our resolution on crediting
new members to the Chapter in which they are enrolled unless National is specifically mentioned in the enrollment. Our resolution
to take the government to court on WEP and GPO was not approved at the state level but will be voted on again at the national
convention.
New Business Discussed: A motion was made and seconded to reimburse Ted and Sue Mason for attending the State Convention.
The amount was $768.09
Sue and Ted Mason were elected as our chapter delegates to the National convention in Albuquerque, NM from Sept 11- Sept
15, 2006 and a motion was made to pay the approximately $880 which would not be reimbursed by the State organization since
Ted will be attending in a dual role because he is 2nd VP from the State.
Guest Speaker: Elaine Irving and Leone Vaugn from Sunrise Assisted Living gave us some very interesting information to
consider for ourselves or our elderly parents who need assisted living.
50/50 drawing was won by Dennis Fitzgerald
A motion was made, seconded and approved to adjourn the meeting at 2:25 pm
Next meeting will be held at the Old Country Buffet on July 5th, 2006
....................................................MAY 2006...........................................
AGENDA
NARFE Chapter 372
May 3, 2006
1. Call to Order George Shal
2. Invocation (or Moment of Silence) Appointed
3. Pledge of Allegiance George Shal
4. Introduction of New Member by Eileen Fitzgerald
5. Program "Terrorism and Counterterriorism"
Benn Prybutok
Director of Criminal Justice Studies, Fire Science and Emergency Management in the Social Sciences Division of
Montgomery County Community College
6. Reading of the Minutes from April Peggy Bergman
7. Officer Reports
Treasurer Si Nagel
Legislation Dennis Fitzgerald
Membership Eileen Fitzgerald
Sunshine Helen Scott
8. Committee Reports
9. Report from the State Conference Ted Mason
10. Old Business
11. New Business
12. Motion to Adjourn
.............................................APRIL 2006..............................................
NARFE Chapter 372
Norristown, PA
April 2006 Minutes
The regular meeting was held Wednesday April 5, 2006 at the Old Country Buffet, East Norriton, PA
The meeting was called to order at 1 PM by Ted Mason
Attendance: 21 Members were present.
The invocation was given by Sy Nagel and he also led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mike Manes, Navy Willow Grove, was introduced as a new member.
The minutes of the previous meeting of March 1, 2006 were unanimously approved as submitted.
Treasure’s Report: Treasurer Sy Nagle reported a balance of $4211.58
A motion was made and seconded to accept the Treasurer’s Report.
Membership Committee Report 284 regular members, 50 non-voting members, and 4 life member.
Other committee reports: Sunshine Committee. Thor’s wife Ruth is in the hospital and a card was sent to her.
We all wish her a speedy recovery.
Old Business Discussed: Ted is running for second Vice President at the State Convention. He will attend the State Convention
next month.
New Business Discussed: In response to a question, Denis Fitzgerald reminded the acting secretary that he had previously
introduced a proposal to allow our delegate to the State Convention to vote in response to all issues that come before the
State convention and to serve as our full proxy at the convention.
Guest Speaker: Frank Vicenti from the Speakers’ Bureau gave a talk on Coping with Disasters with good forms
and handouts. He discussed various potential disasters such as fires, floods, nuclear issues, and train wrecks.
Also, Lenore Vaugh 215-267-2777 representing Sunrise Assisted Living stopped by to distribute information regarding Sunrise
at Blue Bell and an announcement about a seminar to be held on April 6th at 6:30 pm at Sunrise in Blue Bell.
50/50 drawing was $19.
A motion was made, seconded and approved to adjourn the meeting at 2:10 PM.
Next meeting will be held at the Old Country Buffet on May 3, 2006.
........................................... MARCH 2006............................................
NARFE Chapter 372
Norristown, PA
The regular meeting was held Wednesday March 1, 2006 at the Old Country Buffet, East Norriton, PA
The meeting was called to order at 1pm by President Ted Mason.
Nineteen members were present
The invocation was given by Sy Nagel and Ted Mason led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance
The were no New Members in attendance but Ted Mason mentioned that Ray Spratt formerly of OPM is a new member
The minutes of the previous meeting of December 7, 2006 were unanimously approved without being read.
Treasure’s Report: Treasurer Sy Nagle reported a balance of $3995.75 as of 3/01/06
A motion was made and seconded to accept the Treasure’s Report
Membership Committee Report included a listing of chapter members.
Other committee reports: Legislative Report – Dennis Fitzgerald reported that noting is moving nationally or
statewide at this point. WEP and GPO are not going anywhere. Dennis suggests that National intensify its efforts on maintaining
health benefits. There was no report from the Sunshine Committee although it was mentioned that Ruth Oberg is ill.
Old Business: This being the first meeting of 2006, there was no old business.
New Business Discussed: A new member Ray Spratt was elected as Service Officer. George Shal will put the agenda and newsletter
on the Chapter website. He will also send firewall computer information to those who requested it at the meeting. The attendess
agreed to reimburse Ted Mason for printing and postage of the newsletter. Sy collected for a fundraiser for the State Convention.
The Chapter decided to pick up an ad for the PA Federation convention. George Shal volunteered to replace Catherine Haack
as Speaker Coordinator. Everyone appreciated the good job that Catherine did as Speaker Coordinator and thanked her. 50/50
drawing was won by Eillen Fitzgerald.
Guest Speaker: The guest speaker was Mr James Wiggins who spoke on the topic of “My Adventures at the Olympics.
Mr Wiggins attended the Olympics in several different cities with his wife and shared his experiences of meeting the athletes
with us.
A motion was made, seconded and approved to adjourn the meeting at 2:20 pm.
Next meeting will be held at the Old Country Buffet on April 5, 2006.
.......... CHAPTER 372 DOES NOT MEET IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY.................
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
September 23, 2005
NARFE CHAPTER 372
NORRISTOWN
President
Theodore Mason
401 Rittenhouse Blvd.
Norristown, PA 19403
610-539-5650
1st Vice President
Rosemarie Beatrice
209 Brandon Road
Norristown, PA 19403
610-275-5848
2nd Vice President
Catherine Haack
12132 Shannondell Dr.
Norristown, Pa 19403
610-728-5416
Secretary
Dennis Fitzgerald
1014 Longspur Road
Audubon, PA 19402
610-666-5134
Treasurer
Simon Nagel
262 Pigeon Creek Rd.
Pottstown, PA 19465
610-469-0214
Legislative Chair
Dennis Fitzgerald
1014 Longspur Road
Audubon, PA 19402
610-666-513
Membership Chair
Eileen Fitzgerald
1014 Longspur Road
Audubon, PA 19402
610-666-513
Service Officer
Joseph Bondi
310 Warren Street
Norristown, PA 19401
610-372-5874
Public Relations
Eileen Fitzgerald
1014 Longspur Road
Audubon, PA 19402
610-666-513
Sunshine Lady
Helen Scott
910 Capitol Road
Norristown, PA. 19403
610-584-7848
CHAPTER 372 GOES DIGITAL
George Shal has taken up the task of developing a web site for our chapter. George has the site up and running. The domain
name is WWW.narfe372.org. Visit this site and give us your comments on how to improve.
It is possible to attach 500 personal mailboxes to this web site. This personal E-mail is available to all our members.
This mail will then be available to anyone who does not have a computer; all you have to do is go to a library (or your Grandchild's
Computer) or any computer in the world to compose and retrieve your Email. To do this George will need to know what screen
name you want and what you want your password to be. Send this information to George Shal at 1410 Cortez Road Blue Bell, Pa
19422-3670. George will then set up a mailbox for you. If you need further information call Ted Mason at 610-539-5650.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
We need your cooperation these newsletters are getting very expensive. It is possible to keep you better informed by economical
use of the Internet. All we need is your Email address if you have one and we can send the newsletter to you via Email.
TO ACCOMPLISH THIS
Please send Theodore Mason an Email. Make the SUBJECT "NARFE". In the body please put your name or NARFE ID
number (this number is on the cover of your NARFE magazine); also indicate your preference for receiving the newsletter, that
is:
1. <!--[endif]-->I want to receive the newsletter by Email only.
2. <!--[endif]-->I want to receive the newsletter by Email and by US postage.
3. <!--[endif]-->I want to receive the newsletter by US postage only.
Please send the above to B36ape@mail.isiglobal.net.If you send this information I can save your address with no errors.
We can also save on mailings if I email the newsletter to you. Please send this information to me as soon as you receive this
newsletter.
PHONE LIST If you want to be reminded there is going to be a meeting; call Theodore Mason at 610-539-5650 and you will
be called the Sunday prior to our Wednesday meeting.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
The bill for repeal of WEP and GPO is H.R. 147. This bill had 183 cosponsors in mid February. Call your congressman and
Senators toll free at 1-866-220-0044. ADDITIONALY: Premium Conversion bills are now in both houses. This is a benefit already
enjoyed by those federal employees who are still working. Premium conversion is the paying of your hospital insurance with
pre tax dollars. The bill numbers are H.R. 994 and S. 484. Please Call. A visit to their office is also a good idea.<!--[endif]-->
Our Chapter has 8 different congressional districts for our membership.
They are: district
2. Chaka Fattah 215-848-9386 6632 Germantown Ave. Philadelphia, Pa. 19104
6 Jim Gerlach 610-594-1415 111 East Uwchlan Ave. Exton, Pa. 19341
<!--[if !supportLists]-->610-376-7630 <!--[endif]-->501 N. Park Road Wyomissing, Pa. 19610
Fridays from 9 AM to NOON Borough Hall Kutztown, Pa
7 Curt Weldon 610-259-0700 1554 Garrett Road Upper Darby, Pa. 19082
<!--[if !supportLists]-->610-270-1486 <!--[endif]-->63 West Fourth Street Bridgeport Pa.
8 Michael Fitzpatrick 215-752-7711 One Oxford Valley, Suite 800 Langhorne, Pa. 19407
<!--[if !supportLists]-->215-348-7511 <!--[endif]-->60 N. Main St. Garden Level Doylestown,
Pa. 18901
10 Don Sherwood TOLL FREE FROM ANY PHONE IN THE "570" AREA CODE 1-888-366-7210
<!--[if !supportLists]-->570-585-8190 <!--[endif]-->Abington Shop Center 1146 Northern
Blvd. Clarks Summit, Pa.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->570-286-1723 <!--[endif]-->106 Arch Street Sunbury, Pa. 17801
13 Allyson Schwartz 215-517-6572 706 West Avenue Jenkintown, Pa. 19046
<!--[if !supportLists]-->215-335-3355 <!--[endif]-->7219 Frankford Ave. Philadelphia, Pa.
19135
15 Charles W. Dent 610-861-9734 701 W. Broad St. Suite 200 Bethlehem, Pa. 18018
16 Joe Pitts 610-374-3637 <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->9:00 AM to
5:00 PM Monday to Friday
<!--[endif]-->
HELP FOR OUR FELLOW EMPLOYEES
who lost everything in KATRINA
The NARFE-FEEA Natural Disaster Fund (supported by NARFE members and administered by the Federal Employee Education and
Assistance Fund) can pay out grants up to $500 per NARFE household to reimburse NARFE members for losses stemming from Hurricane
Katrina or other natural disaster. As this article is being written (August), the NARFE-FEEA Natural Disaster Fund currently
has a balance of approximately $30,000, which may not last too long if we get the number of applications we are anticipating.
Tax-deductible donations can be sent to the NARFE-FEEA Natural Disaster Fund by sending a check to FEEA, 8441 W. Bowles Ave.,
Suite 200, Littleton, CO 80123. Also, credit card donations can be made online by going to the FEEA homepage at www.feea.org
and clicking on the "Give Online" button at the top of the page. Select “NARFE-FEEA Disaster Relief”
from the drop-down menu on the donation screen. Or you can call FEEA toll-free at 1 800-323-4140 to make your contribution.
MEETINGS
Our meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month. (EXCEPT January and February); there is no meeting on these
two months. Also we have a Christmas Party on the first Wednesday of December. This is usually held at a different location.
Our Meetings are held at 1:00 PM at the Old Country Buffet at Germantown Pike and route 202 (Dekalb Pike). We usually
get there earlier so we can eat lunch (cost about $6.58 with a senior citizen card); the earlier you get there the more you
can eat. This restaurant cannot be seen from route 202 (Dekalb Pike). There is a traffic light on Dekalb Pike (202) at the
entrance to the hospital. The Old Country Buffet is behind the Kentucky Fried Chicken across the street from the hospital.
We usually have a guest speaker.
ELECTION OF CHAPTER OFFICERS AND DELEGATES
NOMINATIONS FOR OFFICERS OF CHAPTER 372 are open now and until October. At the October meeting I will close nominations
and have an election for NEW OFFICERS. There will also be an election for delegates to the state and national conventions
HOLIDAY PARTY
This year our party will be held December 7th at 12:00 NOON.
PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF TIME. We changed it to NOON so we could be out of there before rush hour.
We will dine at the Blue Bell Inn 601 Skippack Pike Blue Bell, Pa. phone number 215-646-2010.The cost is $15.00. Please
get your money to Simon Nagel 262 Pigeon Creek Road Pottstown, Pa 19465 before November 15th. The menu will be Filet Mignon,
Filet of Sole Amandine, Chicken Breast or Grilled Salmon Dill Sauce.
Desserts will be Chocolate Mousse Cake, Fresh Strawberries or Crème Brulee. You will give your selection to the waiter
on arrival.
Entertainment will be provided by Jim Merentger. Playing and singing keeps you alive and active.
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