From the National Secretary - Treasurer

Mary David

What a difference the 72 years has made that created the circumstances that led to past events in NARVRE. The establishing of units and more units throughout the United States led to its present survival, and will shape the future.

The National Office is governed by our Governing Board consisting of the three National Officers, National President, National Vice President, and National Secretary-Treasurer, and eight Area Directors. The National Office is under the jurisdiction of the National Secretary-Treasurer located in Pittsburgh, PA.

There are members in 152 units throughout the United States, plus 801 members-at-large who do not live within the vicinity of a unit. Members are entitled to all the benefits of membership in NARVRE.

NARVRE is a non-profit organization and is funded by dues from all its members. Without the continued increase of membership, our organization will fall short of the needed interest in Congregational action involving railroad retirement. Our chief end is to protect, preserve, and promote our railroad annuity. The many achievements led to the survival of NARVRE down to the present day, and hopefully into the future.

God Bless

Mary David

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NARVREPAC

My article is devoted exclusively to NARVREPAC

The most important part of any journey is making the first step. This is even more

important as the matter at hand is developed. It is, therefore, very important to develop

the exact information and present it to the membership as it is first presented. By this

time many of our NARVRE Members are wondering; what I am even talking about?

And, it is important to this office and the organization to make everything as clear as

possible. Remember the last National Convention in Spokane, WA. A Resolution

was introduced, discussed and passed to establish within NARVRE a Political Action

Committee (PAC). What is this? Basically under the law, The Federal Election

Commission (FEC), NARVRE is permitted to seek and receive from its membership

contributions to be used in assisting candidates for Federal Office to become elected.

This practice is not new. There are hundreds if not thousands of Political Action

Committees doing the same thing; “Rewarding your Friends and Defeating your

Enemies.” It is a way of life in the Washington, D.C. arena. NARVRE is now beginning

this journey and it is important to each NARVRE Member to understand the issues.

We will announce the acceptance of contributions for the NARVREPAC.

Remember, it is not mandated that everyone contribute in the program. However, it

is very important that as many as possible contribute what they want to contribute. It

is strictly voluntary!! That is the important part in that no one is compelled to donate

to improve their representation in the Congress. Everyone will recall, especially

widows, who have not received a Cost of Living (COLA) how important it would be

to have more friends in the Congress. Let us be very clear on this issue. The PAC

will not guarantee anything. It just makes our chances a great deal better when we

have additional friends in the Congress.

Many will recall their participation in a PAC with their former Union.

NARVREPAC is the same thing, with this difference, your NARVREPAC dollars

will be processed in a manner that will benefit you and yours as a railroad retiree.

Everyone will recall our efforts to change the “Take-back Provision” and “WIMA”.

This is a priority of NARVRE and needs every assistance possible to enact corrective

legislation. Basically this is what it is all about. And, each contribution will be logged

in when received. This is a mandate of the Federal Election Commission, how much

is the contribution, where did it come from and what is the total contribution received.

When will it start? When are the voluntary contributions needed? LIKE

YESTERDAY!!

Send any and all contributions NOW to the National Office. Mark them PAY TO

THE ORDER OF NARVREPAC. When the contributions are received we will

register our NARVREPAC with the Federal Election Commission. It will then be a

matter of record. You will be participating in the passage of legislation before the

Congress on behalf of railroad retirees and their families. For nothing else than

improving our benefits under the Act. It is as clear as that.

Become a part of the initial action of NARVREPAC. Send your voluntary

contribution today. We look forward to a very active and progressive NARVREPAC.

This to support our letter writing campaign that has been so successful. Together it

will make a difference and assist greatly in improving our programs before the

Congress.

— Mary David

IN GOD WE TRUST