NAFEC Membership Initiative

NASCOE Legislative ConferenceMarch 2011

An association, designed much like NASCOE, founded in 1965 to retain, strengthen and improve the County Committee System

Represented by Officers and Directors from four different U.S. regions.

Mission Statement:

“The primary purpose of the National Association of Farmer Elected Committees (NAFEC) is, and will always be, to promote and improve the farmer elected committee system for the local administration of farm programs. The coordinated effort will give us strength, and much more influence in Congress for the kind of farm programs America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities need in order to thrive.”

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

NASCOE Executive Committee established a goal of boosting NAFEC membership to 2,500 members in 2011.

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

Currently NAFEC has 504 members/associates across the nation.

Below is a chart for the breakdown by state.

As you can see with approximately 8,500 COC members nationwide we have a lot of room for improvement.

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/NASCOE Presidents• NAFEC enrollment step by step guide• NAFEC membership application/renewal form• FSA-444 Voluntary Allotment of Pay• NAFEC News Release and 2010 accomplishments

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.

Complete a NAFEC Membership Application

Select whether you prefer automatic dues withholding:• If yes: Check the 3rd box indicating $3.00 per meeting withholding, complete form

FSA-444 (included with packet), and forward to you State Office Administrative Specialist.

• If no: Check the 1st box if you are a COC Member (2nd if associate member) and send the membership application and check ($35 for member, $20 for associate) to:

TOM ARDOIN, SEC/TRESNAFEC

P.O. BOX 400PINE PRAIRIE, LA 70576

&

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 $3 per meeting cost many times over.

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

If you have any questions, comments or concerns please forward them to

myself or any Legislative Chair, NASCOE Officer, or NASCOE Exec.