Educate Advocate Support 1

Air Force Association

Field Operations Update

Scott Van CleefVice Chairman-Field Operations14-15 Sep13

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Field OperationsChapter Health

As of 8 Feb•29% “Inactive” (56 of 196)

As of 13 Sepo18% “Inactive” (35 of 195)

oOne chapter was closedThis is the tip of the iceberg! Many chapters suffer from

inadequate or aged leadership and no one prepared to take over. •Lack of viable State organizations (11/39 no roster/plans)•Very tough filling the 14 Region President slots

Bottom Line: Leadership Development

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Field OperationsChapter Health (Cont)

Glimmers of hope, some bright, shining stars!• Seven chapters are rebuilding or recovered this year• Others…there is still a flickering ember of support

o e.g. Dobbins Chapter, GA– reorganizing (1500+ mbrs)• Overseas

o Aviano- Now fully up to speedo Mig Alley (Osan, Kor)- Active, but not reportingo Making active probes at Ramstein, UK, Kadena

But…expect further mergers and perhaps some closures this year

Our Top Priorities in the Field:

Chapter health, Reinvigoration, Leadership Development

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Field Council Airmen and Family Support- Dave Dietsch

Program Objectives• Provide tangible programs in our “Support” Msn Area• Provide “gap fillers” for USAF programs• Demonstrate our relevance to our “Blue-Suit” constituency• Create opportunities for Community Partners & non-

traditional members Some success in penetrating target bases A work in progress--Still need to sort out the relationship of

the AFA staff, FC, Wounded Airmen Program and Transition Program

A new Chapter Exceptional Service Award category for Amn and Family Support programs is added for 2014

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Field CouncilLeadership Training-Ross Lampert

Purpose: Develop training modules for Field leaders, especially chapter leaders

Results: Near term modules (this fall)•Quarterly Activity Reports- complete, online•Annual Planning•Member Recruiting and Retention•Leadership Recruiting and Development•Base and Community Partner Relationships

Currently using PPt presentations with animation and voice-over

Moving to “Brain Shark”– better presentation, more interactive, easier to create, in-house capability

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Field CouncilE-Business/Website- Peter Jones

Purpose: Update and simplify Field Resources section of the website, provide user friendly forms, provide web-based reporting for field organizations, update the FOG

Results:•New Website- current info, easier to find. Still work to

be done on updating info•Improved award forms, chapters rosters, etc. But,

need further improvements– “Higher Logic” may fix•Web based reporting- still to do. Hoping “Higher

Logic” is the answer•FOG Update- New version 1 Oct

oNew, predictable update schedule for changes

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Field CouncilRetention Award Program- Tom Gwaltney

Purpose: Increase first year renewal rates and overall retention through retention award incentives

Non-monetary awards to be presented this year. Two awards, five chapter size categories for each:•Overall retention•First Year Retention

2014- Monetary awards totaling $5000 similar to Jack Gross awards for membership recruitment

Exit surveys for non-renewing members begin this month

Retention Rates are not sustainable and deserve the same attention as recruitment

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Field CouncilEmerging Leaders Program- Scott Van Cleef

Purpose: Identify, motivate, develop, and encourage emerging leaders to serve actively in AFA by providing hands-on experience and unique insights into how the Association operates and is governed

Structure: One year, 1 Oct-31 Sep•Attend RP/SP Meeting in Oct- Field leadership Devl’p•Attend Board Orientation in Dec- The “Big Picture”•AFA National Convention in Sep ‘14

oAttend as State Delegate, oObserve Board of Directors Meeting

•Serve on National Council/Committee•Mentorship

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Field CouncilEmerging Leaders Program- Scott Van Cleef

2013-2014 Selectees1. Leanne Babcock - Field Council, Charleston Chapter

2. Juan Cruz - Goddard Chapter President  

3. Miranda Hernandez - Cent MD Chapter President

4. Tyler Johnson - Exec VP Langley Chapter

5. Cristina Lussier, - EXCOM- Montgomery Chapter 

6. Tim Tichawa- CAFA VP/AE and Goddard Chapter Secretary

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Field Council Members

Scott Van Cleef- Chair Leanne Babcock-CO Lee Barnby- CA (SP) Jim Callahan-FL Terry Cox-OK Mark Dierlam-AL Dave Dietsch-TX Angela Dupont- MA Tom Gwaltney- AL (RP)

Peter Jones-VA (SP)* Ross Lampert- AZ (SP) Mac MacAloon- VA Gil Petrina-VA (MC Chair)* Bob Slaughter-TX (RP) Rich Taubinger-CA (RP)* Kari Hahn- National

* Liaison with another committee

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SUMMARY

Field Operations are the foundation of the Association•Team effort- Region, State, Chapter•Leadership/Leadership Development•Membership Recruitment and Retention

Adapt-Be Relevant-Try new programs/events

Advocate for and Support your Air Force

"The Field is the Heart, Soul and Conscience of this Association." ~Jimmy Doolittle

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Field CouncilE-Business/Website- Peter Jones

Purpose: Update and simplify Field Resources section of the website, provide user friendly forms, provide web-based reporting for field organizations, update the FOG

Results:•New Website- current info, easier to find. Still work to

be done on updating info•Improved award forms, chapters rosters, etc. But,

need further improvements– “Higher Logic” may fix•Web based reporting- still to do. Hoping “Higher

Logic” is the answer•FOG Update- New version 1 Oct

oNew, predictable update schedule for changes

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Chapter Rejuvenation- New YorkMaxine Rauch-State President

Answering the call:   1.  Organizing state and chapter meeting.                A- Spaatz Chapter Revitialization - West Point                B- Potsdam - Syracuse

   2.  Meeting announcement:                 A- Letter writing                 B - Support group and potential new members

  3.  Meeting follow up:                  A- Letter writing                  B- Networking

   4.  Revitalization vs New Chapter

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Field Council

Airmen and Family Support- Dave Dietsch • Provide tangible programs in our “Support” Msn Area• Provide “gap fillers” for USAF programs• Demonstrate our relevance to our “Blue-Suit” constituency• Create opportunities for Community Partners & non-

traditional members Leadership Training-Ross Lampert

• Develop training modules for Field leaders, especially chapter leaders

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Field Council

Airmen and Family Support- Dave Dietsch • Provide tangible programs in our “Support” Msn Area• Provide “gap fillers” for USAF programs• Demonstrate our relevance to our “Blue-Suit” constituency• Create opportunities for Community Partners & non-

traditional members Leadership Training-Ross Lampert

• Develop training modules for Field leaders, especially chapter leaders

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Field Council

E-Business/Website- Peter Jones• Update and simplify Field Resources section of the

website, provide user friendly forms, provide web-based reporting for field organizations, update the FOG

Retention Awards Program- Tom Gwaltney• Increase first year renewal rates and overall retention

through retention award incentives

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Emerging Leaders Mentorship Program

Who: Current or former National officers and members of the Board

Purpose: To provide future leaders with the skill sets to lead and serve the AFA and its affiliates (AFA, AFMF, AFVBA) at all levels, with an emphasis on the field, and to proactively approach the training of new leaders.

What: •Meet/talk in person or virtually on a regular basis•Establish/track goals for the year•Provide insight, guidance, lessons learned

Interested?•Send me your name, contact info, short background bio•Pairings will be made by Dec, along with comm asgn’ts