Jonathon Green of Albert Lea recently joined some 1,100 delegates, members, and guests at the 31st Biennial National Convention of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association held in Grand Rapids, Mich, from Aug 29 to Sept, 2, 2010.

One of the highlights of the convention was the kick-off of NARFE’s 90th anniversary celebration in 2011. Founded in 1921, NARFE is one of Americas’s oldest and largest associations. The NARFE mission is to protect the earned rights and benefits of America’s active and retired federal workers. The largest federal employee/retiree organization, NARFE represents the interests of nearly five million federal employees, retirees, spouses and survivors.

Jonathon Green attended the National Convention as a voting delegate representing his chapter, Chapter 469 of Albert Lea and Austin. He also served on the Sergeant-at-Arms Committee, for the eighth time, while attending the convention.

Another highlight of the convention was the election of the National officers who will guide NARFE over the next two years. National Vice President Joseph A. Beaudoin of Virginia was elected national president. Also elected national officers were: Paul H. Carew of North Carolina, national vice president; Elaine Hughes of North Carolina, national secretary; and Charles Saylor of Maryland, national treasurer. The delegates of Region V. Green’s region, re-elected Richard G. Thissen as regional vice president to represent them on the 14-member NARFE National Executive Board.

The next NARFE National Convention will be held in Reno, Nev., in August 2012.

Dan Adcock, NARFE director of legislation, urged all federal employees and retirees to get involved in the political process and vote on Election Day. He noted that NARFE’s primary legislative goal for the 112th Congress, which convenes in January, will be to protect the earned benefits already enjoyed by federal retirees. And he warned that no matter which party is in control, there