Lets reengage for AFSA in 2010

 

I believe we need to make every effort to follow the bylaws in AFSA Manual 100-1 and the policies and procedures outlined in AFSA Manual 100-2 (you should ALL have downloaded these critical manuals, if you haven't already done so).  Communication is the key to successful leadership and thus it should be shared readily and not have to be harvested.     With this I have some questions for you all;

 

When is your next focused Recruiting/Retention event?

 

Do you participate in Right Start, ALS, FTAC, etc.... and do you  "tag along" to see how we are approaching recruiting, retention and change of chapter info. You must have an ACTIVE team to be successful!

 

What are your recruiting goals?  How many Sky-high members and High-flyer members are you grooming?  Each member of the Exec Council should be an active recruiter/retainer and should (in my opinion) have at least one new recruit/retention on the books this year!!!

 

Community Involvement:  When is your next community event (Adopt-A-Highway, visit Veterans Home, etc)?  What are you doing for the Airmen on your installation? What are you doing to get AFSA's name out there on your bases (advertising, etc)? 

 

Awards/Recognition:  Who are you grooming for these?  Did your Chapter submit any nominees at our last Convention?  If not, why not?

 

Reports:  What are you using to capture your metrics, involvement, recruiting/retention efforts, etc... to prepare for our quarterly reports and ease in the awards writing process?

 

Newsletter/website:  Please provide inputs to our Division Secretary (TSgt Denise Cox) and Communication Trustee SMSgt (Gary Swanson) so we can continue to produce a great Newsletter each quarter and make our division website user friendly and informational!

 

Legislative Affairs - You NEED an ACTIVE team at your Chapters!  This is our "bread & butter" in the Association -NO ONE does it better than ASFA and you need to make that known throughout your installation! Legislative issues need to be addressed to Trustee (David Bamburg)

 

Retiree Affairs/Reserve & ANG - What are you doing?  What contact/interaction are you making with your retiree populace, Reserves, ANG members in and around your base?  Who is our current Retiree/Vet's affairs POC?  Our

 

Vets Home visits - You NEED to engage with this when possible.  This is important to our organization and our country.  AFSA should be at the forefront of scheduling these visits whenever possible throughout the year!

 

As your Division President,  I am very committed to the betterment of the AFSA cause at all levels.  We all need to establish clear vision, milestones, teamwork, and be proactive at our Chapters within the Division.   Here are some things to consider for your Chapter involvement; POW/MIA events in September;  Airmen' Appreciation events/observances;  Air Shows/Open Houses;  Thanksgiving Food Drives,  etc.   You and your Chapter EC should be meeting  prior to our GM meetings each month and build this roadmap to success.   Build a calendar of events so everyone knows the what/where/when of all your Chapter events.   Please let me know in your A&A reports how effective your programs on your base are and share success stories across the Division through CROSSTELL emails and our website!

 

I firmly believe that we need to re-emphasize our approach in order to succeed.   Our numbers are dropping at an unprecedented and alarming rate.  We are losing more members than we are recruiting/retaining.  It's all about leadership from the top!  Think about why you ran for your office to which you were elected.   I would hope it was to better your Chapter and the organization.   Help me help this great PO by fulfilling that commitment you made during your AFSA Oath.    If you  feel you cannot or will not make that commitment because of work, family or other reasons, let me know and I will find someone who will!!

 

Yours in AFSA Friendship,

 

Dale Lutzen

 

SMSgt (ret) Dale Lutzen

 

Division 89 President

 

402-312-7895

 

mgs2@cox.net