Message from Robert Ruskamp, Nevada Federation President

As this is my first message as Nevada Federation President, I should let you know something about myself. I retired from Civil Service about three years ago after just over 35 years of service with the Department of Defense (DoD). During my career, I worked a variety of jobs, mostly overseas (Europe) as an electronics engineer and project officer.

Last month, we held our final Federation Convention in Las Vegas. I feel that the convention was very successful with representation from almost all Nevada chapters as well as some from California. We should all thank those who made the convention possible with special thanks to Verena Briley Hudson (Chapter 2031) and Jerry Mork (Chapter 423).

   Congressional staff representatives addressed the group and Ms. Jessica Klement, the HQ Legislative Department Director, also brought the group up to date on the most recent developments back in DC. She pointed out the potential threat to federal employee and retiree benefits and entitlements in the upcoming FY 2018 Budget.

During the convention, we voted on and approved a revised version of the Federation Bylaws, which now reflect the results of the National Bylaws decided on during the National Convention held in Reno last year. We also installed three federation officers: President (myself), Secretary (Jane Vaughn Meisel), and Treasurer (Donna Neese). However, the Federation Bylaws also call for an Executive Vice President (to replace Verena Briley Hudson), and a National Legislative Chairman to comprise the Federation Executive Board (five positions total). We still need volunteers to fill these two positions.
I also attended the Legislative Training Conference held in the DC area back in March where the need to address legislation at the grassroots level was emphasized.
I am looking forward to attending the upcoming Federation President’s Conference in Jacksonville FL in mid-July. This will give me an opportunity to interact with my peers from all of the federations and get a feel for processes and procedures at the Federation and National levels.
I realize that, as your Federation President, I face challenges in the times to come and I hope to meet these satisfactorily.    In closing, I wish to thank my predecessor, Mr. Bill Dwyer, for his many years of service to NARFE. He was very active as Federation President and his direct manner and self-irony will be missed.