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NEWSLINE

September 2013
In This Issue
Field Ops Update
National Convention and Air and Space Conference Wrap Up
2014 Statement of Policy
Call for New Air Power Advocates
Pacific Air and Space Syposium
New Insurance Administrator
From the AFA Facebook Page
From the AFA Twitter
Breakfast Series
Field Spotlight
Cyber Patriot VI
New Corporate Member Program
2013 National Aerospace Awards
2013 CAP Grants
Holiday Card Program


AFA National Report  


 

The Central Oklahoma (Gerrity) Chapter received nationwide coverage when Sen. Jim Inhofe spoke from their podium. See October's "AFA National Report" in Air Force Magazine, online at airforcemag.com.  Photo by Paul Hellstern, courtesy The Oklahoman, copyright 2013.


Important Upcoming Dates


10-12 October
Region and State President Meeting

21-22 November
Pacific Air and Space Symposium

5 December
Finance Committee and New Board Meeting

6 December
Executive Committee and New Board Meeting

7 December
Executive Committee Meeting

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Check out June's Aerospace Education Newsletter here!
Important Note
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We are attempting to ensure all interested parties receive Newsline regularly.  In order to help with this effort, we request that you forward these newsletters to any interested persons in your chapters.  If you wish to be added to the mailing list, please let the Field Operations Department know at [email protected].
 
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September Field Operations Update 

By Scott Van Cleef 

 

 

AFA Field Elections

 

It's that time of year, again, when our regions, states and chapters are electing new officers.  Some find that easier than others because they have a leadership succession plan and have groomed those who will step up for the next year.  For many, however, it is more like de ja vu all over again...a shuffling of the deck chairs, with the same dedicated few either staying in place or trading jobs amongst themselves.  This year, make a concerted effort to bring in some new leadership...at least one or two new faces.  Talk to someone you know in person and ask them to get involved and be active in the affairs of your organization.  The biggest challenge we face in Field operations is leadership.  You have to actively work the problem. 

 

Officer Rosters

 

Once your slate of officers is determined, remember that we need new officer rosters every year, due to AFA National not later than 31 October.  New rosters are required whether there are any changes in leadership or not.  You get Brownie points if you get them in early but be sure they are dated 1 Oct 13 or later.  Rosters should be sent directly to [email protected], but you must also send info copies to your state and region presidents.  We have a new, user friendly form on the AFA website.  You'll find it under Field Leaders/ Library/ forms/ Chapter/State Officer Roster.  It's painless to fill out...really!

 

Annual Activity and Finance Plans

 

I do not expect any substantive changes to the annual activity planning template for the 2014 calendar year, so you can start planning now using the old form as a basis.  We'll let you know when the updated form is available online.  As a reminder, annual activity and finance plans will be due to AFA National NLT 31 Dec.  Those will need to be routed through your SP and RP for endorsement.  Chapters without updated rosters and annual plans on file after 31 Dec will be considered inactive and will receive no quarterly support payments until those documents are received.

 

Annual AFA Convention

 

Thanks to all who attended and participated in our 2013 Annual AFA Convention held earlier this month.  The feedback has been great.  I think everyone who attended had a good time and learned a lot.  Our Annual Field Awards Banquet was well attended and I once again congratulate all who were recognized for your outstanding contributions to AFA. 

Congratulations to our newly elected officers, listed separately in this Newsline.

 

Air and Space Conference

 

The Annual Air and Space Conference, held 16-18 Sep was a huge success, with the highest attendance at the symposium events that we've seen in several years.  Exhibit hall space was down somewhat due to the budget cutbacks in Defense, but it was still an exciting place to be and our National staff deserves a great deal of credit for making this a terrific event.  The Twelve Outstanding Airmen of the Year were recognized at the Monday night banquet, and they really are outstanding!  And we finished off the week with a gala event on Wednesday evening, celebrating the US Air Force's 66th Anniversary.

 

From the events of the week, there are three videos I bring to your attention.  The first is the video of Gen Mark Welsh, CSAF, giving his address to the conference on the state of the Air Force.  To see him in person is a real treat, but if you were unable to attend, I highly recommend spending an hour of your time watching his presentation.  It's on our AFA website.  Click on the Air and Space Conference link at the bottom of the AFA home page, then look to Conference Highlights.  Presentations by the Acting SECAF, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and CMSgt of the Air Force Cody are listed as well and are worth seeing.  But, if you only have time for one, check out Gen Welsh's "Air Force Update."


Two other short You Tube videos are available and great for use at chapter meetings.  You may find them using the links below:
 
 
 
I used them both at a recent chapter meeting and they were a big hit. 

A New Operating Year
 

We begin a new operating year 1 Oct.  It is a busy time of year as we host the Region and State President's Meeting in Arlington 10-12 Oct.  That's a unique opportunity to get our Field leaders together to learn about AFA and discuss and make recommendations for dealing with our issues for the coming year.
 This quarter is also key to organizing our national councils and committees for the coming year.  If you are a volunteer to serve on any of these, pass your name up through your leadership chain for consideration.  It's on the councils and committees that the real work of AFA at the National level takes place.  Committee rosters will be announced in early December.  
Thanks for serving AFA!
 

Scott
 

Scott Van Cleef

Vice Chairman-Field Operations
 

 

 

 

National Convention and Air & Space Conference and Technology Wrap Up

 

The Air Force Association (AFA) held their National Convention on September 14th and 15th prior to the Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition, the convention included 201 registered delegates from 41 state delegations. For Convention and Conference highlights, check out our wrap up press release here. Mark your calendars now for next year's National Convention from September 13-14, 2014 and Air & Space Conference from September 15 - 17, 2014. 

2014 Statement of Policy Approved

 

 During the National Convention, AFA delegates voted to approve AFA's 2014 Statement of Policy and Top Issues. These documents will be available in October. If you would like a tri-fold version of our Top Issues please email Caity Rogowski at [email protected]. Both documents will also be available online. 

 

Call for New Air Power Advocates!

 

The Air Power Advocates (APA) is a group of AFA members who are strongly interested in the future of air power and our United States Air Force. The APA is a grassroots effort that reaches out the public and key stakeholders in communities across the country in order to effectively communicate the important role that our Airmen play in supporting our nation's global defense strategies. APA members receive daily emails from AFA National that include air power related news articles, drafts of op ed pieces that can be edited and used in local media outlets, and other documents pertaining to air power advocacy.

APA members also participate in conference calls twice a month with AFA leadership and senior Air Force officials to discuss current issues and updates on USAF programs. Notable guest speakers from the past include Lt. Gen. Steven Kwast, Lt. Gen. Robert Otto, Maj. Gen. Edward Bolton, and Col. Dawn Dunlop. These conference calls are held off the record, and provide a forum for APA members to ask questions and receive key information that will allow them to write op ed pieces and communicate the Air Force's message in their local communities.

We are now taking nominations for new members of the APA group. We are looking for eager members with an interest in being a part of this grassroots movement, to actively engage in the mission of the APA. If you think you or someone in your Chapter would make a great Air Power Advocate, please send contact information (name, rank/title, and email) to Caity Rogowski at [email protected].  

 

Pacific Air and Space Symposium

 

The Air Force Association's 2013 Pacific Air & Space Symposium will be held in Los Angeles, CA, November 21-22, 2013, at The Hyatt Regency Century Hotel, 2025 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067.

 

AFA will repeat last year's successful two-day format, part of the evolution of this Symposium's emphasis on the Pacific and Space. Topics include Space, China, the Pacific, Leadership and Cyber. We have invited multiple speakers to inform our audience on these topics, and look forward to hosting the top echelon of USAF senior management and commanders, the aerospace community and academia.

 

Invited speakers include:

 

Eric Fanning

(Acting) Secretary of the Air Force

 

General William L. Shelton

Commander, Air Force Space Command

 

General Hawk Carlisle

Commander, Pacific Air Forces

 

Dr. Gordon Chang

Expert on China

 

 

The Symposium will be held on Thursday, November 21, from 1:00 p.m. - 5:35 p.m. and on Friday, November 22 from 8:30 a.m. - 3:25 p.m. The annual Air Force Reception and Ball will be held Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. Since it is important for AFA leaders to have the opportunity to attend the symposium, a special "AFA Leader" registration fee for National Officers, Region Presidents, Directors, State and Chapter Officers and designees has been established. Registration is now open. Please click here for more details.

 

If you plan to stay at The Hyatt Century Plaza, the AFA discounted rate is $225 single/double plus tax. To make your hotel reservation, please either book online clicking here or by calling the hotel directly at (888) 421-1442. If you call, please mention you are with the Air Force Association's Pacific Air and Space Symposium to receive the special symposium rate. The deadline to receive these rates is Monday, October 28 or until the group block sells out, whichever comes first.  

 

 

AFA Announces Marsh U.S. Consumer as New Insurance Administrator 


 As an association committed to supporting the total Air Force family, AFA has offered important insurance products to members for more than 59 years. To continue to provide you with the insurance products and professional service you deserve, Marsh U.S. Consumer has been selected as the new Insurance Broker/Administrator for AFA endorsed Insurance Programs.

Marsh is the world's largest insurance broker, which affords them access to a full range of services to meet your unique insurance needs.  They began administering the Level Term Life, Decreasing Term Life, Accident, and Dental insurance plans effective September 1, 2013 and will begin administration of the AFA TRICARE Supplement on October 1st.   If you are covered under any of these AFA insurance plans, you should have already received 
this letter announcing this change.  You can be assured that this transition will not interrupt your current insurance coverage. You may continue to call 800-291-8480 for any questions you have regarding your coverage. You may also reach the AFA insurance specialists at [email protected].

From the AFA Facebook Page... 

AFA Honors National POW/MIA Recognition Day

 

AFA and the Air Force Sergeants Association co-hosted a POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremony at the Air Force Memorial on September 20, 2013. Speakers at the event included AFA Executive Vice President Dick Newton, Ms. Ann Mills-Griffiths, Chairman of the Board of the National League of POW/MIA Families, and Morgan Brown, AFSA Director of Military and Government Relations. 

 

 

 

From AFA Twitter... 

 

CSAF Gen Mark Welsh and CMSAF James A. Cody are now on Twitter and Facebook. Connect with them at: @GenMarkWelsh @CMSAF17 and www.facebook.com/GenMarkAWelshII and https://www.facebook.com/cmsafcody.

 

 

Mr. Richard Lombardi Talks Acquisition Integration at September AFA Air Force Breakfast


Richard W. Lombardi, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition Integration, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, spoke at the September 26th AFA Air Force Breakfast Program. To listen to the audio from this event and previous programs, click here

 

Field Spotlight 

Sarasota Manatee Chapter Conducts CyberPatriot Orientation

 

Sarasota, Florida -- The Sarasota-Manatee Chapter of the Air Force Association (AFA) recently conducted a CyberPatriot Orientation designed to make local high schools and other eligible groups more aware of the program and to promote participation in CyberPatriot VI which begins on October 1, 2013. 

 

According to Chapter President Mike Richardson, Sarasota and Manatee counties had eight teams compete in last year's CyberPatriot V - up from two in the prior year.  Mr. Stephan Cantees - Executive Director for High Schools in the Sarasota School District - discussed how CyberPatriot can mesh with other ongoing efforts to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in the school district. 

 

Additionally, Junior ROTC Cadets, coaches and mentors from the Sarasota Military Academy and Riverview High School discussed their participation in CyberPatriot V.  It is noteworthy that an "All Services Division" team from Riverview High School -- in just their first year of competition -- placed second out of 86 Florida teams.

 

AFA Chapter Secretary, Charly Shugg - the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the local cyber security firm Sylint - discussed how the chapter could assist teams in the CyberPatriot VI competition - to include potential mentoring support by associates at the firm.

 

 

Chapter Member and former AFA Chairman of the Board, Sandy Schlitt, poses with cadets 

 

CyberPatriot VI  Update           

 

Spread the Word About the CyberPatriot Sneak Preview Round!

 

Between 12 noon and 3 p.m. EDT on September 21, 2013, all CyberPatriot teams will have a chance to test drive the newest version of our CyberPatriot Competition System (CCS).  This is a great time for all participants to get a start on the competition. Every Coach, Competitor, and Mentor may open an individual instance of the image during the Sneak Preview Round.  Updates to CCS include the new multimedia scoring report and enhanced security features. For information on the Sneak Preview Round, point teams in your area to the special edition of The CyberSentinel that can be found here or email the CyberPatriot Program Office at [email protected].

 

CyberPatriot Coaches Can Now Have Up To Three Teams

 

We have heard you! Many CyberPatriot Coaches have requested a change to our policy that restricts all Coaches to coaching only one CyberPatriot team.  This policy is changing for the CyberPatriot VI season, as Coaches may now coach up to 3 teams.  All that is required is that a Coach uses a different email address to register for each team. Let Coaches in your area know about this exciting change to the program and help us draw even more students to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines. Once again, we thank all of our great volunteers for their tremendous support of the program.

 

For more information on this rule change, read an overview here.

 

Middle School Teams Can Now Join the CyberPatriot Competition

 

The CyberPatriot Program Office is happy to announce that the competition will now be open to 100 middle school teams. Registration is open to middle schools nationwide, but spots are going fast. If you have a group of motivated middle schoolers in your area, let them know about this exciting opportunity to prove that they've got what it takes to compete with high school students.  As an added incentive, middle school teams will have their registration fee waived this season.  For more information on how to start a middle school team, contact [email protected].

 

The CyberPatriot Middle School Program Continues in San Antonio

 

The CyberPatriot Middle School Program will continue to rollout in San Antonio on September 28, 2013.  Students in the greater San Antonio area will learn cyber safety, basic cybersecurity, and system administration tips during a presentation by members of the CyberPatriot Program Office.  The five-hour event, which will take place at the University of Texas San Antonio, will also include interactive activities to reinforce these skills. After three weeks of instruction by cybersecurity experts in San Antonio, the CyberPatriot Program Office staff will return to administer an exciting live competition for the students.

 

The CyberPatriot Middle School program will continue its pilot season in CyberPatriot Centers of Excellence during the 2013-2014 school year before rolling out to schools across the country in the 2014-2015 school year.  

 

New Corporate Membership Program Announced

The Air Force Association is proud to announce a new Corporate Membership program in order to increase partnerships between AFA and companies in support of the Total Air Force Family. This new initiative will offer three levels of membership for large and small businesses that will provide a variety of new benefits for companies and their employees. Read the full press release and learn more about the tiered Corporate Member program here.

AFA Announces 2013 National Aerospace Awards        
 
The Air Force Association (AFA) is pleased to announce the recipients for
the 2013 National Aerospace Awards programs.
Many awards were presented at the Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition Opening and Awards Ceremonies on September 16th and at the Air Force Anniversary Dinner on September 18th. Other awards will be presented at the award recipient's location. 

Among this year's highlights:
The H. H. Arnold Award: Gen. Douglas M. Fraser
The John R. Alison Award: The X51-A WaveRider
The W. Stuart Symington Award: The Honorable Michael B. Donley
The David C. Schilling Award: 93rd Air Refueling Squadron
The AFA Lifetime Achievement Awards: Major General Joe H. Engle (Ret),
Congressman Sam Johnson, and The Arlington Committee of the AFOWC "The
Air Force Arlington Ladies"
The AFA Chairman's Aerospace Education Award: The Civil Air Patrol Aerospace
Education Programs

Read the full press release here.
 
2013 CAP Grants Announced

The Air Force Association announced 20 grants promoting aerospace
education for hundreds of students through Civil Air Patrol squadrons.
These AFA grants, each $250, are awarded four times each year, twice to units and twice to educators. AFA distributes these grants to squadrons for use in any Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) activity or materials that promote aerospace education. Read the full press release here.
 
2013 Christmas/Holiday Card Program Launched 
afa holiday card
 
 
 
 
The 2013 Christmas and Holiday greeting card selections are now available for purchase! View cards and make your purchase here.
 

AFA Logo
1501 Lee Highway
Arlington, VA 22209
1 (800) 727-3337 


 
 
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