We held a very successful Region and State Presidents meeting at AFA headquarters in Arlington, VA 19-20 October. Chairman George Muellner provided opening remarks stressing that we in AFA are not effectively getting our message out to the USAF and our target audiences. Advocacy needs to be a major focus for the year along with being a good "wingman" in supporting Air Force units located near our chapters.

The major issue for AFA field leaders is the health of our Field organizations; chapters, states and regions. Concerted efforts in leadership development, chapter reinvigoration and membership recruitment are needed and this will be a recurring theme for the year. Chapters are asked to consider these when developing their annual activity plans.

AFA Staff orientation briefings were provided to the RPs and SPs, led by Executive Vice President Dick Newton. A recent staff director's offsite meeting highlighted the need to improve the communications between the staff and field, up and down the organization. Telling our Air Force story better and expanding our outreach to choir and non-choir audiences will be a major focus area and chapters can contribute to this. We need you to identify speaking opportunities to get the message out and identify centers of influence across the country where we can get engaged. Finally, we need to get back into the "people" business and talk about the people who serve our nation, not just about the weapons systems they use.

A lot of time was spent talking about information technologies, how we can better use the capabilities we have, and what we need for the future that will allow us to more efficiently and accurately support Field operations. A major effort to realign zip codes across the country are discussed elsewhere in this Newsline.

Read aheads, handouts and a comprehensive summary of all that was discussed at the RP/SP meeting are all available on the AFA website under Field Resources. Please take the time to review those items. They are packed with important information for all Field leaders.

I plan to continue contributing to Newsline to help keep you informed on the issues that matter to you. Don't hesitate to provide feedback. We have much to do...but let's have fun while doing it!

AFA's Information Technology staff is undertaking an overhaul of the data table that ties zip codes to chapters for the purpose of member/chapter affiliation. Analysis of the current zip code table led us to propose that each State and its Chapters own all zip codes within the state. As a result of this effort, States and their Chapters may assign every zip code within their state to a chapter. Each zip code may belong to one and only one chapter.

The goals for this project are:

1) Unite unaffiliated members with chapters to help energize our base

2)Enable States and Chapters to better manage and market to their audience

3) Return revenues to States and Chapters to facilitate state-wide membership efforts

4) Streamline and modernize AFA IT zip code processes to reduce costs and increase reporting consistency

The project will require significant interaction between Field Leadership and AFA's Membership and IT departments. AFA IT will supply each State President with 1) a map depicting the geography of state zip codes and their chapter owners, 2) an Excel spreadsheet showing all zip codes within the state, the current Chapter owner and a count of members within each zip code, 3) a complete list of all members within the state sorted by current chapter and zip code and 4) instructions for file use and update. Region Presidents will receive data sets for each state within their area. With this information, States will be able to assign each state zip code to a chapter.

State and Region Presidents will receive their data sets on November 16, 2012. Originally promised for November 1, 2012 the data were delayed due to hurricane Sandy and a newly discovered and now resolved data issue. States must return their edited spreadsheets to AFA IT no later than March 30, 2013 for the updates to be completed in time for 2013 Field Award calculation.

We look forward to working with you on this exciting project.

-Lauren Brice, Director Information Technology

The Air Force Association and Air Force Sergeants Association are hosting an 11 a.m. Veterans Day Ceremony on Sunday, November 11^th at the Air Force Memorial.  A two-minute moment of silence will be observed to commemorate those members of the U.S. armed forces who were killed during war. During the ceremony, a wreath will be placed at the Memorial in memory and in honor of the veterans of the United States Air Force and its heritage organizations.  

This annual event, which is open to the public, is more than just recognition of a national holiday but an opportunity to remember and give honor to all of our nation's veterans for their strength, dedication and sacrifice. It reflects the pride in the heroism of those who died in service to our nation.

Remarks will be given by CMSgt David Popp, USAF (Retired), Deputy CEO of the Air Force Sergeants Association, and General John Shaud, USAF (Retired), former Executive Director of the Air Force Association.

Call or e-mail the Air Force Memorial Office at 703.979.0674 or afmf@airforcememorial.org for more information.

The Air Force Association's 29th Annual Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition will take place February 21-22, 2013 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando, Florida. Invited speakers to the Symposium will include Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley, Chief of Staff of the Air Force General Mark A. Welsh, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Roy and other top Air Force leaders.  

In support of the Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition, AFA's Central Florida Chapter will again sponsor its annual Air Force Gala and Golf activities. The golf outing will be held at the Rosen Shingle Creek Golf Course on Wednesday, February 20, 2013. Individual golfer price is $150. Tickets for the Golf Outing may be purchased through registration on the AFA website. For questions regarding the golf registration, please contact Jim DeRose at sjderose65@gmail.com. NOTE: Only 144 slots will be available for this year's golf outing. For all other golf questions including sponsorships and/or merchandise donations contact Bob Ceruti at receruti@bellsouth.net.  

The chapter will celebrate "Air Force Education & Training" at its annual dinner, which will be on WEDNESDAY, February 20, 2013 this year.  Dress for this year's Air Force Gala will be Service Dress and/or Business Suit. Tickets to the Gala may be purchased through registration on the AFA website. For additional Gala information please contact Tim Brock at Brock1874@bellsouth.netor 407-359-4963.

As an AFA leader, you are invited to attend the symposium which will be held on Thursday, February 21, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., and on Friday, February 22, from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. The standard registration fee for the symposium is $850 for an AFA individual member and $950 for non-AFA members. However, since it is important for AFA leaders to attend this national event, there is a special leader registration fee of $250 (for AFA National Officers, Region Presidents, Directors, National Committee Members, State and Chapter Presidents. [Note: Since this is not a directed meeting, this fee is not reimbursable for AFA leaders.] The registration fee includes one and a half days of sessions on 2/21-22; continental breakfast on 2/21-22; coffee breaks on 2/21-22; an exhibit hall lunch on 2/21; and a buffet reception on 2/21. Each AFA leader who registers at this special rate will be entitled to purchase an additional ticket to the reception/buffet for $175. In addition, tickets for the Central Florida Chapter sponsored events (annual Gala and Golf activities) can be purchased through the registration site.

Registration is now open. Please go to www.afa.org, click on the Air Warfare Symposium logo on the right hand side of the screen.  Select the 'Registration' button on the right side of the page; choose the 'AFA Leader' registration category from the drop-down to register. If you have any questions regarding registration, please contact Katie Storm (ext. 5848) kstorm@afa.org.  

AFA is pleased to extend our internal rate of $162 single/double per night, plus applicable taxes. Reservations will be accepted on a first-in basis until the block is full or until noon on Friday, January 25, 2013, whichever comes first. To reserve your hotel room, you must first register for the Symposium. At the end of the registration process, your Internet browser will display a registration confirmation page. Look for the 'Make Hotel Reservation' button - click that button and then input the appropriate information. NOTE: Do not call the hotel directly; this is the only avenue available for you to make your hotel reservation at this rate. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Piggott at spiggott@afa.org or 703-247-5800 ext. 4877.

We are looking forward to having another successful meeting at the Rosen Shingle Creek. Here are some highlights about the property:

• Check-in time is 3:00 p.m. Check-out time is 11:00 a.m.
• Less than 20 minutes from the Orlando International Airport. Visithttp://www.rosenshinglecreek.com/location.asp#OIA for directions or for transportation information. Multiple dining options from full service restaurants to a 24-hour deli and market place. Please check out all of their options athttp://www.rosenshinglecreek.com/restaurantsAndBar.asp.
• Four pools and a spa.
• Discounted golf available - just mention you are with AFA.
• Self parking is $16 per day, however, if you mention you are with AFA, you will receive 50% off; Valet parking is $20 for the day and $21 overnight.

CyberPatriot had a tremendously successful Round 1 of the first on-line round of the season:  All Service Division on November 2nd and 3rd!  Round 1 of the Open Division will be held on November 16th and 17th.  Our new AFA-owned software performed PERFECTLY!  Thank you to everyone who helped recruit teams. We encourage you to continue to support teams in your area. For more information on CyberPatriot please check out our website: www.uscyberpatriot.org.