Jonathon Green, president of MN NARFE Chapter 469, of Albert Lea, along with five others from his chapter, recently attended the 43rd Annual State Convention of the MN Federation of Chapters of the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees May 19-22. The convention was held at the Country Inn & Suites in Mankato. The over 100 in attendance included delegates, members and guests, 13 state officers and two national officers, and represented 22 out of the 27 MN Federation Chapters.

NARFE is one of America’s oldest and largest associations which protects the earned rights and benefits of America’s active and retired federal workers. NARFE has a membership of nearly 400,000 men and women and represents the interests of nearly five million federal employees, retirees, spouses and survivors, making NARFE the largest employee/retiree organization.

Green is not only the president of Chapter 469, but he is also the legislative officer of the Albert Lea-Austin chapter and is the District 3 field officer of the MN Federation of NARFE.

All in attendance heard from a variety of speakers including federation officers: Richard Thissen, NARFE Region V national vice president, Barb Pretzer, NARFE Region V and national Alzheimer coordinator, and Richard Ostergren, NARFE national treasurer.

Green attended the NARFE-Nwt meeting, caucus meetings and chaired the District 3 caucus. Awards were presented at this convention.

The MN NARFE achieved a milestone at this convention. The MN-PAC Fund collected $2,008, the most for any of the Region V states so far, and the first state to have 100 percent participation.

The ultimate goal for all NARFE members is to have every member get a new member and for all chapters to retain their present membership. Next year’s 44th Annual State Convention is scheduled to be in Detroit Lakes.

If you are a current active federal employee or a retired federal employee and like commitment and involvement and you want information on NARFE or local chapter 469 Albert Lea-Austin in regard to meetings (time and location), call Green at 373-8113.