E V A L U A T I O N

OF THE 2006 NARFE NC CONVENTION

  1. Overall, did the convention meet your expectations?

Fully _67_ Some what _26_ No _6_ (1 did not fill in this question)

  1. Was parking adequate: Yes _80_ No _13_ Did not drive __11__
  1. What did you like best about the convention?

Ran smoothly; well-organized program; professional; well planned; timely; superb music; delightful hotel; workshops informative and a great idea; short and sweet factoids; host chapter – excellent job; excellent year; membership seminar exceptional – instructor clear, factual & professional; excellent hotel room; loved meeting new people and old friends; timely content; loved sit-down banquet; excellent leadership; informative speakers; trolley ride a nice added feature; loved meeting National candidates; Mr. Clements was very informative and entertaining with lots of helpful ideas; attendees’ overall friendliness, camaraderie; chapter interaction; sessions had substance; refreshing agenda variety; compliments to Elaine for all her efforts to deal with hotel “surprises”; and, including “full” on badge for banquet.

  1. What did you like least about the convention?

Hospitality room issues: too far, not large enough, too many sweets, no breakfast food, no diabetic foods, sandwiches should have been provided (paid enough)

Hotel issues: overbooked, PA system distracting, inadequate waiting staff in restaurants, crowded conditions at banquet especially for those in smaller room, discourteous waiters;

Other Issues: sitting too long on hard seats; long-winded speeches; 4-hour banquet length, crowded conditions, stuck in side room and cheapest entrée choice; reception lines and food (should have been more stations and same selections); congested hallways; insufficient time to tourist; not enough access to other restaurants; entertainment should be shorter; no trolley stops; did not observe “Day of Prayer”; did not sit with Areas; information does not need to be repeated; no time to raise issues; and tight schedule.

  1. Was the keynote speaker informative? Yes _92__ No _1_ N/A _1__ (Did not mark: 6)
  1. Was the hospitality room satisfactory? Yes _32_ No _45_ Did not use _21_ (Did not mark: 2)
  1. Were the workshops informative? Yes _92_ No _1_ Did not attend _1_ (Did not mark: 6)
  1. What workshop topics would you recommend for future conventions?
  • Benefits
  • Better understanding of how the Federation works
  • Chapter experiences that work and don’t work; Chapter networking
  • How to give an effective speech
  • How to incorporate active employees into chapter, Federation, etc.
  • Membership recruitment and retention
  • More detailed and longer seminars on legislation and membership
  • NARFE organizational structure and duties
  • Pre-retirement seminar
  • Roberts Rules of Order
  • Service Officer (role)
  • Speakers for monthly (chapter) meetings; planning & conducting chapter meetings & program suggestions
  • Stumbling blocks to getting legislative issues on the (Congressional?) floor
  • Team building
  • Website
  1. Was there enough time allotted for area caucuses? Yes _95_ No _2_ (Did not mark: 3)
  1. Were business sessions conducted according to parliamentary standard? Yes _94_

No _3_ (Did not mark: _3_)

  1. How would you rate the reception? Great _46_ Average _37_ Poor _6_ Did not attend _8_ (Did not mark: 3)
  1. How would you rate the banquet? Great _46_ Average _34_ Poor _12_Did not attend _4_ (Did not mark: 4)
  1. How would you rate the entertainment? Great _54_ Average _31_ Poor _5_ Did not see _5_ (Did not mark: 5)
  1. How many conventions have you attended in the past 5 years? 0 – 10; 1 – 5; 2 – 18; 3 – 16; 4 – 16; and 5 – 35.

Additional Specific Comments (and/or Recommendations):

  • Allow new Federation officers an opportunity to speak
  • Areas to sit together during business sessions
  • Award presentations – to Friday
  • Banquet – Entertainment or speech – not both
  • Box lunch should be served
  • Breakout/seminar session issues: speakers need mikes, stagger to attend more; larger rooms
  • Committee Reports – put on website for earlier review; synopsize during convention, file detailed report later
  • Door prizes - provide at end of Opening Ceremony; be generic; and less
  • FERS implications “Members of my chapter insist that when civil service is completely gone, so will our organization. We need pointed information to prove to them and future members we’re here to stay.”
  • Hospitality Suite – ensure diabetic food is available; more diverse food; ask chapters to contribute
  • Include excursion on Thursday and extend Friday’s schedule
  • Invocations must be inter-denominational
  • NARFE-PAC table should be available throughout convention; NARFE PAC Report?
  • Questions and Answers from Forum?
  • Reception lines need more stations and have same food
  • Registration: ribbons need better stickers
  • Stress NARFE accomplishments
  • Time speeches and ensure adherence to schedule
  • Turn off cell phones during meetings

Your Status: DELEGATE __89__ ALTERNATE __7__ GUEST _2_ (Did not mark: 2)

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS:

  1. Allow for 15 minute “stretch” breaks during all business sessions
  2. PA System – ensure that hand-held mikes are held at an angle not down so you speak into it not over it; a wireless mike should never be pointed towards the stationary speakers while speaking