Electronic Communications
CHAIR – Constance Bails
703-303-1341
ctbails@aol.com
Electronic Communications
The Electronic Communications Team is responsible for the support of all Field and Operations Officers with a variety of technical and electronic applications. They coordinate database management, the web presence, and social media platforms.
Responsiblities:
1. Provide digital communications that will drive awareness of the NARFE brand by helping establish search-engine optimization and inbound marketing tactics with high-quality, engaging content.
2. Manage Social Media Platforms.
3. Establish and maintain content calendars to ensure digital channels are regularly refreshed and accurate.
4. Maintain distribution lists and manage and update templates
5. Manage photography archives.
6. Develop and maintain an organizational website using content management and pre-determined protocols.
7. Contribute to production of newsletters and social media posts,
8. Measure, track, and report on the effectiveness of digital communications campaigns across all platforms.
9. Train and provide front-line support for all digital products supported by the VFN.
10. Monitor and respond to incoming member requests that come in through digital platforms.
11. Other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.
12. Assist AVP’s in working with chapter presidents and officers in maintaining VFN approved systems and operations.
13. Maintain an appropriate contract with an on-line electronic meeting firm (e.g., Go-To- Meeting), and serve as manager and trainer for such VFN meetings.
EC Documents
VFNEC01 – EC Quick Guide Trifold October 2024
Stan’s Web Page Navigation 8-4-24 (Site Map)
VFN Web Page Training Video 8-7-24
AMS Update Training 11-6-2024
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Full 2025 EC Training Schedule
**Use this email address eccfeedback@vanarfe.org to send questions and comments about our EC training presentations.**
January 8, 2025, 2:00-3:00 PM (Note: 2nd Wednesday of the month.)
AI Electronic Scams
Learn how to protect yourself from email, phone, and AI generated scams.
Speaker: TBA
February 5, 2025, 2:00-3:00 PM
Zoom Meeting Etiquette
Learn tips and tricks on how to successfully conduct and participate in Zoom meetings.
Speaker: Dr. Connie Bails, EC Chair
March 5, 2025, 2:00-3:00 PM
CAB Tutorials
Learn what the CAB (Configuration Advisory Boards) is and does.
Tentative Speaker: Martha Raup, CAB Chair
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EC Meeting Minutes (2023 meeting minutes can be found here.)
April 25, 2024 Meeting Minutes
August 22, 2024 Meeting Minutes
Electronic Communications Team
The team is divided up into Area Representative Groups. Please feel free to contact the EC Admin Representative for your Area for assistance in database reporting, calendar and website updates, and social media posting.
Board Liaison & VFN 1st VP Deborah Fisk, 804-748-8722, valeg@vanarfe.org
I have been a member of NARFE for 6 years. I currently serve as President and Net Coordinator for my Chapter, 2265 Midlothian. Further, I serve as VFN Secretary, Interim State Legislation Chair, and 4th District CDL. I am a working photographer and I enjoy the creative skill sets I can use to contribute to this exceptional team.
Board Liaison & VFN Web Admin Stan Palen, 540-538-1200, stan@vanarfe.org
Stan worked for the Navy for 33 years at Dahlgren, VA. The name of the base has changed about 4 times since he started in 1962. His chapter is Colonial Beach 0595, but he lives in the next county, King George. About half of Chapter 0595 members are from King George. He has been chapter treasurer since 2000. Other duties include chapter net coordinator, newsletter editor, and other odds and ends. He has been the VFN webmaster since 2006. Stan provides Audio Visual services for conventions, conferences, and board meetings since about 2006. He continues to maintain and store one very full truckload of equipment that is used for the organization. He writes a computer column for another organization and posts it on the VFN website and in his spare time he is an expert clock and watch repair resource.
Board Liaison & VFN Net Coordinator John Bails, 571-220-2860, cwojbails@gmail.com
Member Fairfax Chapter 737, Chapter Service Officer, Past VFN Co-Service Officer, Past Area X Vice President, VFN Sergeant-at-Arms, VFN Net Coordinator, VFN Electronic Communications member.
VFN President Frances Boatman, 540-774-3031,feboatman@live.com
Area I, Area VII, and EC Secretary Ellie Long, 540-772-0468, lalaw1986@gmail.com
I have been a member of NARFE Chapter 111 Roanoke Valley since 2005. Currently I am the chapter secretary, newsletter editor, internet coordinator, archivist, and historian. I retired with 34 years of service with the National Park Service, first in the position of Park Ranger, then Administrative Officer. I’m now applying skills I learned in my government career for the benefit of Chapter 111 and Virginia Federation members.
Area II Fran Sansone, 757-486-4208, franbowl300@gmail.com
I have been a member of NARFE since retiring in 2011 with 33 years in the U.S. Postal Service, and have served as secretary for Chapter 0974 since 2013. My postal positions ranged from truck driver, letter carrier, secretary for several administrative Customer Service managers, Commercial Accounts Rep, and Customer Relations Coordinator, to my last five years as a District Communications Coordinator. I hope to use all the skills gained over the years to better serve this committee and NARFE members.
Area III Cynthia Graunke, 240-674-5199, cgraunke14001@comcast.net
I have been a member of NARFE for 9 years. I am the Immediate Past President of Chapter 2265, Midlothian. My other positions were Service Officer and 1st Vice and 2nd Vice Presidents. I recently became 1st Vice President as there was a vacancy to fill. I retired from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid in 2010 after 37-years of service. I worked as the Director, Division of Nursing Homes. I also currently serve as a Road Scholar Ambassador.
Area IV Willie Levenston, 757-487-8413, willielevenston@cox.net
I have been a member of NARFE for 10 years. I currently serve as Secretary/Treasurer of Chapter 1697, Brentwood. I earned my BS in Engineering. I retired from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in 2008 after more than 40 years service. I worked as Supervisor Electronics Secure/Communication Information Processing, Naval Tactical Data Systems, Search Radar, Electronics Countermeasure/Navigational Aids, and the Submarine Communication Sections. I also serve as a Commissioner on the HRSD Board.
Area IV Deborah Brown, 757-618-3075, browndebbieb20@aol.com
I have been a member of NARFE for 5 years and I am VP and State Legislation Officer for Chapter 1697, Brentwood. I retired from U.S. Fleet Forces Command in 2017 as a Federal Program Manager with 33 years of Civil Service. As a Civil Rights Activist I am extremely active in my community. During the height of COVID, I started a Nonprofit, Wayside Community Outreach, Inc., and I serve as the Executive Director. My efforts as a change agent have not gone unnoticed and I was featured in a book by two world renowned theologians. In March 2023 I was invited to Dubai to share my story of benevolence with 2,500 leaders from around the Globe. My Nonprofit is recognized as a White House Faith-Based Community Partners and I was invited in June by the Office of Vice President Kamala Harris to be in the Springfield Audience for one of her major speeches.
Area VIII Stan Palen, 540-538-1200, stan@vanarfe.org
Stan worked for the Navy for 33 years at Dahlgren, VA. The name of the base has changed about 4 times since he started in 1962. His chapter is Colonial Beach 0595, but he lives in the next county, King George. About half of Chapter 0595 members are from King George. He has been chapter treasurer since 2000. Other duties include chapter net coordinator, newsletter editor, and other odds and ends. He has been the VFN webmaster since 2006. Stan provides Audio Visual services for conventions, conferences, and board meetings since about 2006. He continues to maintain and store one very full truckload of equipment that is used for the organization. He writes a computer column for another organization and posts it on the VFN website and in his spare time he is an expert clock and watch repair resource.
John is a member of Chapter 1159, Annandale.. He grew up in Arlington, VA and attended local public schools. After high school he earned a degree from The Pennsylvania State University in Business Administration. He also attended The American University, studying graduate level courses in Business Administration. At Penn State he participated in the ROTC program. He received a commission as an Officer in the U.S. Army and served in Seoul, Korea and later as an instructor at Fort Gordon, GA. He returned to the Washington, D.C. area and worked for two years as an Internal Auditor for a local bank which is now part of Truist Bank. After starting his federal career with several non-Defense organizations, he joined the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery where he was involved in establishing cost accounting measures to help obtain costs per patient. Later he joined the Navy Accounting and Finance Service in Crystal City, Arlington, VA. While part of the Navy Accounting and Finance Center, he wrote accounting policy for publication in the Navy Comptroller (NAVCOMPT) Manual.
Area X Nancy Palmerino, 703-243-6546, nancyolive0110@yahoo.com