I’m happy to say that all four chapters in Area I are doing great right now. First and perhaps foremost, all chapter offices were filled prior to installation ceremonies in December.

VFC President Bill Shackelford and I attended Northern Neck’s holiday luncheon, and Bill installed new President B. J. Thomas (aka Beverly J.). I attended Williamsburg’s holiday dinner and installed Mary Swain as their new President. VFC 1st VP Luther Santiful, accompanied by Wilhelmina, made the trip to Newport News to attend Peninsula’s holiday “laugh fest” (complete with Santa and his 8 reindeer dressed in appropriate “reindeer” attire) and installed their officers. I missed Middle Peninsula’s luncheon due to illness, but they stated they were all “reruns” anyway so they were already prepared to get moving in 2012. I will say one more time – I am proud to serve as VP for Area I and appreciate the efforts from the chapters' members to encourage and support me as I complete my second year in the position.

Letters, phone calls, and e-mails continue to be sent to our congressional leaders. National Legislation Chair Jim Brewer has worked diligently to keep us informed of the status of various bills, encouraged members to keep in touch with representatives – and the members in Area I have repeatedly answered his calls for action. Congressional Wittman serves the largest number of members in Area I, and our 1st District CDLs Ray Whipple and Reginald Sykes have been busy working with the Congressman’s office. On Friday, January 13th, Ray, Reginald, and I met with Congressman Wittman and his District Director Joe Schmacher in Yorktown. We spent an hour discussing issues and came away confident that he listened and will continue to support NARFE on critical issues. As a result of our meeting, we will be setting up an “Advisory Group” comprised of both active and retired NARFE members who will be contacted via conference calls to get input on various issues before the Congressman goes into sessions to vote. We are pleased that this plan, which was initially discussed during the visit to the Capitol following the Legislative Conference in March, is now coming to fruition. Joe Schumacher will be working with us on establishing this group and implementing the calling system in the coming weeks.

As usual chapters are struggling with membership recruitment and retention, but at least some new members were recruited during the many health fairs held on the Peninsula during the past few months. Chapter 682’s Membership Chair Marie Collins recruited six new members while working Fort Eustis’ health fair in December and two members were recruited at NASA/Langley’s event. Marie has agreed to hold a session with members of Chapter 682 to show them how she achieves this level of success! If only we could bottle Marie’s enthusiasm and expertise when it comes to recruiting!

During the first quarter of 2012 efforts are being made to get members in Area I to sign up to attend the VFC training session to be held in Williamsburg in February and to plan to attend the State Convention in April. Chapters are purchasing ad space in the Convention program book, compiling and submitting the names of members to be listed in the memorial booklet, and deciding who will be serving as voting delegates. Indications are that Area I will increase their participation this year at the State Convention, and several members have already started making plans to attend the National Convention in Reno.

As the Area I VP, I have worked with Region X VP Bill Martin and VFC President Bill Shackelford to get National Secretary Elaine Hughes to come to Williamsburg to make a presentation on her newly formulated plans for membership. I asked Betty Warren (Area II VP), Jack McMurchy (Area III VP), and Bobby Whittington (Area IV VP) to work with me on this project. With lots of assistance, this plan has come together, and on January 30th Elaine will be speaking to 40-50 members from numerous chapters about her new plans. A primary goal of mine is communication - to keep chapter leadership and members in the Southeastern part of the state well informed. And I must add, this membership presentation is happening as the result of lots of effort on the part of many people in the VFC and our Region X VP Bill Martin. Thanks to all who have helped make this happen early in 2012.

There’s strength in numbers whether it’s reminding our representatives that we are watching them and VOTING or whether it’s working together to strength our chapters. So Area I is ready to increase their membership numbers and to move on to bigger goals in 2012!!!

Pat Taylor

757-599-5408 (h) 575-288-4870 (cell)

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Area I, serving more than 1,350 NARFE members, consists of the following four chapters in the Tidewater area: 682 PENINSULA Chapter 682 meetings are held on the second Monday of each month. Meetings are held at the Midtown Community center, 570 McLawhorne Dr, Newport News from 10:30 AM until 12 PM. 685 WILLIAMSBURG Meets at the Crowne Plaza Ft Magruder Hotel, 6945 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg on the second Tuesday of each month, except June, July and August. The meetings start with an 11:15 a.m. social time, a buffet lunch at 11:30 followed by a short program of interest to members, a chapter business meeting and ends at approximately 1:30 p.m. 1757 MIDDLE PENINSULA Meets on the third Thursday of each month at Olivia's Restaurant on Rt 17, Gloucester except for July, August and December at 11:30. 1823 NORTHERN NECK Meets 1st Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. except May and December. To share the driving burden among chapter members, meetings are held at various locations throughout the year (e.g. Northern Neck Electic Cooperative in Warsaw, Wicomico Episcopal Church, The Mooring Resturant in Kinsale, or the Kilmarnock Library. Return to Top Email to VFC web master.