NAFEC Membership Initiative 2012

1. National Association of Farmer Elected Committees &National Association of FSA County Office Employees NAFEC Membership Initiative 2012

2. Why Have a NAFEC Initative? • Formed to strengthen NAFEC due to increasing threats to the COC system such as: • Reduction in COC meetings due to budget constraints • Jackson-Lewis report proposing a “watered down” COC system • Lessening role of COC oversight through program regulations ( CED approval of CRP-1 and LFP, etc) • Attempts to strengthen DD oversight of CED time and attendance and performance review.

3. Importance of NAFEC NAFEC provides a front line of defense for our County Committee System, represented by members of that system. NAFEC provides it’s members key access to elected officials as well as key leadership within the FSA Administration. They can do things NASCOE can’t! 22-PM par. 401 A: Prohibits FSA employees from influencing legislation affecting USDA programs and promoting USDA program activities NAFEC is not subject to these restrictions

4. Benefits of NAFEC Membership Allows COC members to fully execute their duties by giving them a voice and representation with FSA Administration and elected officials. Primary supporter of the only federal system where programs are administered at a “grassroots” level. Contribute to only organization whose sole purpose is the protection of our current system. Attacks on this system will continue under the current budget reduction efforts. Access to discounted insurance products offered through J M Marketing. One policy could easily repay the $35 annual dues. Provides monthly newsletter and access to up to date information on pertinent issues surrounding COCs.

5. NAFEC Membership Initiative • NASCOE Executive Committee established a goal of boosting NAFEC membership to 2,500 members in 2012. • Since our goals are so closely tied an association that is not at full strength only weakens the other, so it is in both organizations best interest to build on each other. • NASCOE has the resources to achieve these goals. • Access to COC members • Unified message to carry out • Active members to carry the message

6. Current NAFEC membership Today we have approximately 784 NAFEC members. We have seen 172 members added since the start of this initiative. We still need 1,716 to reach our goal. With approximately 8,500 COC members nationwide we have a lot of room for improvement. The next two charts show 2011/2012 NAFEC members by state.

7. One Year Ago One year ago NAFEC had 656 members/assoc across the nation. Below is a chart for the breakdown by state for 2011.

8. 2012 NAFEC Enrollment by State

9. 2012 NAFEC Enrollment By Area

10. How do we reach these goals? • 1st- Ensure we have informed Committee Member. • NAFEC/NASCOE developed packages to assist employees presenting information • Ask COC chair/CED to present the information before or after the meeting, or during a break. Be sure to do this on your break or while you are on leave. • NAFEC/NASCOE Package Contents: • Letters from NAFEC President • NAFEC enrollment step by step guide • NAFEC membership application/renewal form • 2012 NAFEC Promotional Items • NAFEC/JM Marketing Benefit Pamphlet • 2nd –Become, and encourage NASCOE members to become, a NAFEC associate member • 3rd -Present this information at State and Area Rallies and invite NAFEC Members and all COC members to attend.

11. 2012 NAFEC Promotions • Two drawings will be held in two categories for new and renewing members at the 2012 NASCOE convention in Boise. • -Winners will have their choice of: OR OR $ 500 Visa Gift Card Yeti Tundra 35 and Roadie 20 cooler Remington 770 Rifle • Any COC members joining during the December 2011 or first scheduled face-to-face 2012 meeting will receive $5 off dues, and associate members joining in December or January will receive $5 off dues. • Note: NAFEC dues policy changed for 2012, producers with a FSA-444 dues withholding for $3 per meeting will still be honored as members until the new dues withholding process is completed by FSA. In order to be eligible for the drawing members must be paid in full prior to the NASCOE Convention in August.

12. Becoming a NAFEC member • Complete a NAFEC Membership Application • If you are signing up and entire COC please compile all membership forms and checks in one package when mailing. • Send Membership Application and Check to: TOM ARDOIN, SEC/TRES NAFEC P.O. BOX 400 PINE PRAIRIE, LA 70576 &

14. Time to Take Action! NAFEC/NASCOE encourage each of you to carry this message to your respective Area & State Associations. NAFEC, as with NASCOE, serve all COC members whether NAFEC affiliates or not. Support and involvement from across the Nation are imperative in order to fully enable NAFEC to carry out their responsibilities. Electronic copies of the packages and this presentation will be emailed through NASCOE Executive Officers and available on the NASCOE Legislative Website at: http://nascoe.org/legislative.aspx

15. Concerns/Comment/Questions If you have any questions, comments or concerns please forward them to myself or any Legislative Chair, NASCOE Officer, or NASCOE Exec.