Big Country Chapter 1056 Newsletter

 

 

Inside this Issue:

 ·        Presidents Corner

·        Vice President’s Comments

·        Legislative Update

·        Membership Update

·        Veterans and Retiree Affairs

·        Communications Update

·        Recognition Highlights

·        AAC Corner          

·        Senior Advisor

I hope you enjoy this first edition of The Big Country Chapter’s Newsletter.  If you would like to add something to our next edition please e-mail me at [email protected] or call me at (915) 793-2109

 Thanks for all you do for your country.

Mark Meloy

Chapter President

PRESIDENTS CORNER

GREETINGS from AFSA Chapter 1056; the big country chapter.  I am very proud of the accomplishments we have done since the beginning of the year.   My executive committee has been working hard on making this one of the best chapters in Division 610.  I want to take a moment to welcome the El Paso Chapter members into our fold.  I look forward to meeting any of you who want to continue serving your Air Force Sergeants Association.   The plan is to have a quarterly newsletter that we will mail to each chapter member.  However, some of you may rather receive it electronically instead.  This would also lower our cost of sending it out to you via regular mail.  If you would prefer to receive the chapter newsletter electronically please send me an e-mail [email protected] and I’ll make that happen.  In future editions of this newsletter I will tell you some of the wonderful things we have accomplished in the previous quarter.  I will also take the opportunity to recognize those chapter members who go above and beyond the call of duty.  In this edition I would like to recognize Jim Goodwin, our chapter treasurer.  Jim, has done wonderful things for our chapter this quarter.  He organized our air show booth in August, creating an opportunity to recruit four new members into the chapter.  Jim has personally recruited 9 new members this past quarter.  He is also very active with in the local community with other volunteer activities.   Way to go Jim! 

VICE PRESIDENT

JOHN REINOEHL

AS you know recruiting and retention is a big issue for all AFSA members.  We all must take the time to recruit new members and retain existing members.  Division 610 has created an initiative to put some money into our recruiter’s pockets.  At our annual division convention anyone who has recruited one member will be eligible to win $500 like Joe Williams from Barksdale did at this years convention in May.  Actually, one recruit will get you one vote, but for each five people you sign up you will get another vote.  This process is automatically done at international so you need to do nothing but get out there and recruit!  Other division recruiting incentives are:  10 Recruits, Division 610 coin, 25 Recruits,  $25 savings bond, 50 recruits, $1 per Recruit, up to 100.  100 New Members, Free Division Convention Registration. 

Recruiting Pays!

   

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

GARY ENGLER--TRUSTEE

Veterans issues scheduled for the Nov 6 election, by David Dewhurst, Chairman Texas Veterans Land Board

I am proud to announce that two issues vital to Texas veterans will be at the top of the Nov 6th General Election Ballot.  House Joint Resolution 82, improving the Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) home loan program and establishing a funding mechanism for a veterans cemetery program, will be listed as Proposition 7.  Both initiatives have been long time goals of the VLB and the veterans organizations throughout the state, and now Texas voters will have the opportunity to decide their future.  Proposition 7 will allow the VLB to sell up to $500 million in general obligation bonds to generate additional funds for the veterans home loan program.  Under this program, qualifying veterans can apply for a below-market interest rate loan up to $150,000.  Many of Texas’ 1.6 million veterans have taken advantage of this program to fulfill their dreams of home ownership.  By casting your vote this November, you can help many more veterans realize that dream.  Proposition 7 is also a reflection of the Texas commitment to honoring our veterans and their lives of service.  Proposition 7 will allow the state to use assets generated by Texas veterans in certain land and home loan programs to fund the development, maintenance and operation of a state veterans cemetery program.  As Chair of the VLB, it is my full intention to work closely with the Texas Veterans Commission in establishing criteria for burial and selecting appropriate sites throughout the state.  I urge all veterans to exercise the right they fought for and vote this Nov 6. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

TRUSTEE:  LU PITTS

10 NOV 01:  VETERANS DAY PARADE IN ABILENE. 

20 NOV 01:  GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING AT THE VFW (1900)

18 DEC 01:  AFSA 1056 AND A1056 ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY

VETERANS AND RETIREE AFFAIRS

DONNA GOODWIN TRUSTEE

Congress quickly returned to take up its regular business as well as initiatives to respond to the Sept 11th tragedy.  One of the first bills on the Senate agenda will be the FY 2002 Defense Authorization Bill (S.1416), which could come to the Senate floor for action very soon.  Among the amendments that will be offered:  Sen Harry Reid’s (D-NV) amendment to authorize disabled military retirees to receive their full military retired pay and their full VA disability compensation, without any offset from either.  This is an important issue for all retirees who have served 20 years of faithful service and receive disability.  As it stands now our disability, be it 10% or 50% is deducted from our retirement pay and that amount is tax free.  We do not receive disability above and beyond our normal retirement pay.  If passed this amendment will change that.  Members of the military retiree community who want to express their views on these bills to their elected officials may do so by calling the toll-free hot line to Capitol Hill (1-877-762-8762).  Just ask the Capitol operator to connect you to your senators office.

SCHOLARSHIP INFO

TRUSTEE:  KEVIN McCOY

Did you know that AFSA has a scholarship fund?  The scholarship fund awards deserving young men and women financial assistance in the form of competitive grants.  High School graduates and in-college students who are single, dependent children (including step children and adopted children) of AFSA or auxiliary members are eligible.  To learn more please contact your local AFSA chapter or sign on to the international web page at AFSAHQ.ORG

AIRMAN ACTIVITIES COORDINATOR UPDATE

JEREMIAH COYKENDALL

We will start a new recruiting initiative on 22 Oct 01.  At this time we will begin our bi-monthly briefings at the First Term Airman Center (FTAC).

RECRUITING AND RETENTION: 

TRUSTEE RICK MILLER

Bi-Annual Membership results: 15 Recruits, 4 Rejoins & 1 Retained

Year to Date Membership Stats:

39 Recruits, 10 Rejoins and 7 Retained.  Our goal for Calendar Year 2001 is 100 Recruited, Rejoined & Retained

Currently with 2.5 months left we have made just over 50% of our goal. ALL AFSA Members go out and recruit. Don’t forget the Auxiliary, we can exceed our goal if you recruit your spouse (male or female) for the Auxiliary. All people over 16 of good moral character are eligible to join AFSA. My civilian brother was my last recruit.

SENIOR ADVISOR

CHARLES SCHAFF

Here it is already October and as I reflect on what has happened in our country these past few months I see November 11th coming up in the very near future.  I wonder if September 11th and November 11th have anything in common with each other--other than just being the 11th  of each  month.   For those of you who may not remember what day November 11th is let me remind you that it’s Veterans Day.  Our chapter will march in the local Veterans Day parade.  We need everybody to come down to the Taylor County Courthouse and take part in the parade.  Lets have a good turn out and make the Chapter proud!

FUNDRAISERS

We have the following items for sale:

Hats--$8.50

Shirts--$10

Division and Chapter coins--$5 each