Organizations

June 10, 2007

More than 170 delegates from all areas of Maryland attended the 38th Biennial Convention of the Maryland Federation of Chapters of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) in Ocean City, Md., May 21-23. The Maryland Federation has more than 23,000 members in 35 chapters.

U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes, (D-Md., addressed the delegates to open the convention. He spoke of the important role that federal employees play in providing good government.

Richard L. "Dick" Strombotne of Gaithersburg, Md. was reelected president of the Maryland Federation of Chapters at the convention on May 21.

Other officers elected were Ron Bowers, Towson, Md., first vice president; Charles Thomas, Columbia, Md., second vice president; Jeanette Green, Waldorf, Md., secretary; and Tom Tiehl, Gaithersburg, treasurer.

Nationally, NARFE is comprised of more than 350,000 federal civilian retirees, survivors of federal employees, and active duty federal civilian employees. The foremost mission of NARFE is to promote and protect the interests of retired and current civilian federal employees.

Four members of Chapter 306 of Hagerstown attended the convention. They were Shirley Aurand, president; Larry Hoeck, vice president; Jeanne Renner, secretary; and Jo Ann Rider, treasurer.

Allstate agent Gary Wright recently presented an Allstate Foundation "Agency Hands in the Community" grant of $500 to the Exchange Club of Antietam.

The Allstate Foundation offers the grants to recognize the efforts of qualified agents who volunteer in their communities. The foundation is an independent charitable organization made possible by the Allstate Insurance Co.

Maura James, president of the Boonsboro High School Service Club, was awarded the Violet Richardson Award by Soroptimist International of Hagerstown at its March meeting. This award honors young women who strive to make the community and world a better place through volunteer efforts. Maura has worked with the REACH cold weather shelter, Habitat for Humanity, and Bester Elementary School. In addition to a certificate, she received a $500 scholarship and $250 for the Boonsboro High School Service Club. Her parents, Rosemary and Maury James, attended the award dinner. Maura is shown accepting her award from Anne Hott, coordinator of the award committee.

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