Viola G. Harrison, President

Viola G. Harrison, President, called the meeting to order.

Oliver King, Chaplain, gave the invocation.

Aubrey Milstead, Sergeant-at-Arms, led the attendees in The Pledge of Allegiance.

The President asked the Secretary to read the minutes of the last meeting. The Secretary stated that she was not at that meeting but asked First Vice President, Ray Sheehy if he had brought his notes of the meeting. He stated that two main things were discussed at that meeting which was held immediately after the Annual Convention. One was changing the date of the 2003 convention from May to April and the second was approving the budget.

Roy Stewart presented the Treasurer’s report. The balance carried forward on April 30, 2002, was $14,066.06. After total receipts of $14,566.66 and total disbursements of $11,123.21 and adding assets of $5.05 (Credit Union shares), the balance on February 19, 2003, was $17,514.56.

Jack Thomas, Service Officer, presented his report. He stated that the only activity involving the service centers was at Biloxi and Vicksburg Centers.

Noel Sumrall, 2^nd Vice President and Legislative Chairperson presented his report. Increase of Government Share of FEHBP Premiums (H. R. 577, S. 319) - There are 26 co-sponsors in the House and one co-sponsor in the Senate. Premium Conversion – No bills have been introduced in either the House or Senate in this area; however, Rep. Tom Davis and Sen. John Warner are expected to introduce such legislation shortly similar to bills they introduced in the 107^th Congress. GPO and WEP (H. R. 594, S.349) - Currently there are 109 co-sponsors in the House and 8 co-sponsors in the Senate. GPO Reform (S.363) - Currently there are 15 co-sponsors. WEP Reform – currently there have been no bills introduced in either the House or Senate. NONE of the co-sponsors of these bills are from Miss. He told the attendees that NARFE Legislative Training Conference will be held in Arlington, VA, on March 15^th-18^th, and he plans to attend and visit our Senators and Representatives.

Helen Thomas presented the NARFE/FEEA Disaster and Scholarship Funds report. $50,000 in scholarships was awarded, five to each region. We had six applicants this year and one winner, Emily C. Wade of Morton. This year NARFE will provide $60,000 in scholarship money. There will be six scholarships for each region. The scholarship application will be in the February, March, and April issues of the NARFE Magazine and will also be downloadable from NARFE’s Web Page. She commended Ocean Springs Chapter #1765 and Vicksburg Chapter #1501 for their support of the NARFE Scholarship and Disaster Fund. She urged each District Representative to promote and publicize the NARFE/FEEA Scholarship and Disaster Program in their visits to chapters.

Tom Price presented the Alzheimer’s report. $12,359.75 has been collected with 21 of 30 chapters reporting. April 15 is the cut off date for recognition at the annual meeting. He will not be at the convention this year because he and his wife, Jeanette, will be at The National Cathedral in Washington, DC, helping to celebrate Mississippi Day. This is a once every five year event. He will get someone to make the Alzheimer’s report at the convention.

Mazine Winstead presented the NARFE/PAC report. For the period 2-2-2001 to 12-31-2002, there were 272 contributors from 30 Chapters for a total amount contributed of $5,014.00.

Lamar Warnock, District 4 Representative, distributed copies of the new 4 District chapter assignments. It was pointed out that Chapters 2021, Leake County, and 1071, Clarksdale, have been closed and members assigned to other chapters. Also, Chapter 1572, North Jackson could be assigned in either District 2 or District 3. A motion was made to accept the chapter assignments as presented with the exception of placing Chapter 1572 in District 2 and deleting Chapters 2021 and 1071. Motion seconded. Motion carried.

Mary Pierson presented the Membership report. Last May she had a booth at the Senior citizen fair in Picayune; in June had a pre-retirement seminar in Vicksburg; in August had a pre-retirement seminar at the USN-CBC Base in Gulfport; in September had pre-retirement seminars the USN-CBC fire department and in Vicksburg; as well as a booth at the Biloxi Senior Citizen fair; in December had an Open House at Keesler AFB celebrating the 15 year anniversary of the NARFE Service Office. She garnered several prospective and new members at these events.

Tucker Russell presented the report for District 1. He installed officers at Jacinto 1879 in November; Tupelo 1369 and Lowndes 1388 in December. He encouraged attendance to the State Convention.

Opal Anderson-Smith presented the report for District 2. She attended the Chapter 345, Greenville, meeting in January 2003, to install officers and present 6 members with Honorary Membership Certificates. She attended meetings of Chapter 1501, Vicksburg, held in June, Oct. and Dec., 2002 and February 2003. In June, she presented Distinguished Service Awards from the Federation Convention; in October, she reported the results of National Convention election of officers, FEHBP premium increase; in December she installed new officers at Chapter 1501, noted the new class of NARFE members, Current Federal Employee (CFE) established by the National Convention, special rates and new incentives to recruit; in February, encouraged all members to attend Federation Convention. She and Ray Sheehy, went to Clarksdale, Chapter 1071, where the members voted to close the chapter. Funds from the Treasurer are to be forwarded to Tom Price for Alzheimer’s Fund.

Tom Price gave out NARFE license plates to any member who wanted one.

Roy Stewart, Treasurer, stated that Constance Phillips, Secretary, Chapter 1227, has reported that meetings have been discontinued for her chapter.

Lamar Warnock distributed an updated District Chapter Assignment sheet to be distributed with the minutes of this meeting.

Noel Sumrall, Site Selection Chairman, reported that the Columbus Chapter has volunteered to host the 2004 Annual Convention at the Holiday Inn in Columbus.

A motion was made at 11:20 a.m. that the attendees break for lunch, motion seconded, motion carried.

Meeting resumed at 12:30 p.m.

Lamar Warnock presented the Nominating Committee report. President – Ray Sheehy; 1^st Vice President - Noel Sumrall; 2^nd Vice President – Mary Pierson; Secretary – Janet Brown; Treasurer – Roy Stewart; District 1 – Tucker Russell; District 2 – Opal Anderson-Smith; District 3 – Lamar Warnock; and District 4 – Eloise McClendon.

Randall Johnson was unable to attend the meeting but he e-mailed his report. The deadline for the Federation Newsletter will be March 12. The Newsletter is published in April, August, and December. He stated he has been pleading for articles from Chapters and Federation Officers and Committees, but has not had much success.

Ray Sheehy, 1^st Vice President, presented his report. He stated that he attended the 50^th Anniversary of the Gulf Breeze Chapter. Also at the meeting was Region III Vice President, Ken Martin, Federation Treasurer, Roy Stewart, and Federation Treasurer, Mary Kay Loftin, standing in for Federation President, Viola Harrison. He represented the Federation at the 15^th Anniversary of the NARFE assistance office at Keesler AFB. He has been working on the State convention at Lake Tiak-O’Khata Resort on April 27-29, 2003. Letters to all Chapter Presidents and Secretaries as well as all Executive Committee members were mailed regarding the convention. The budget that has been agreed on is sufficient to hold the convention and not cost the Federation any money. Chapters were also sent information on cost of ads and how to place ads in the booklet. He has also prepared letters for the closing of two chapters, Clarksdale, 1071, and Leake County, 2021.

Roy Stewart, Treasurer, presented a budget report for the convention. He estimated 125 delegates and 10 guests for a total of $2025, minus hospitality room charge, travel, flowers, program books, with an estimated balance of $493.

Viola Harrison, President, stated that Charles Timanus, Director of Public Relations, NARFE Headquarters will attend the entire convention. He plans to fly into Jackson, rent a car and drive to the convention. He will also visit Mississippi State University to review and approve the new recruiting film, which is being produced on the campus. She has also contacted the Mayor of Lewisville who will welcome the delegates and the local high school ROTC unit will present the colors.

Roy Stewart announced that Lake Tiak-O’Khata will release the block of 55 rooms on March 24. He also must pay a $200 deposit by the same date. The deadline for convention program ads is April 15.

Oliver King, Chaplain, mentioned that the minister who gave the devotional and benediction at last year’s memorial service was not compensated for his time. A motion was made that he be given $100. Motion was seconded and motion carried.

Ray Sheehy stated that he had talked to Ken Martin regarding the dates of future conventions. The thinking of National Headquarters is to have the representative who speaks to the convention attend the entire convention rather than only attending the segment where he/she will speak. This will give the attendees time to ask more questions and will be more meaningful to all. They would like for the state conventions to be held between the months of February and May. This will have to be discussed more and we will have to decide when to have our conventions.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:15 p.m.

Mary K. Loftin

Secretary