May 2015
In This Issue
AFA National Report
Important Upcoming Events
8 May
Region Presidents Meeting
9 May
Nominating Committee Meeting
10 June
Audit Committee Meeting
11 June
Awards Committee Meeting
12-13 June
Executive Committee Meeting
13-14 June
Cycling Classic
Field Operations Update

Spring is our opportunity to work on getting new and veteran teams signed up for our CyberPatriot competition next year.  Before school officials leave for the summer break we need to get them enthused about getting their students into this world-class activity.  The program has had a lot of national publicity recently, so that should help. 

Your Region Presidents will be meeting in Dallas/Fort Worth on May 8 to discuss issues affecting the field.  Chapter Tax Status will be a major topic of discussion for those who still are "auto-revoked" by the IRS from their 501c3 status. 

 

Membership continues to be on our front burner.  The solution to this is persistent focus and I will continue to keep the RPs and the Field Council focused on ways to provide value to prospective new members.

 

The Nominating Committee will meet 9 May to prepare a slate of officers for this year's convention. If you have not attended one of our governing conventions in DC in September, I highly recommend it to those who can do so.  This is where the important governing decisions of your association are made, and it is quite instructive for Chapter leaders to be exposed to the process.



Dave Dietsch


Vice Chairman of the Board - Field Operations

Membership Committee Update

Membership continues to be one of the key missions areas on which AFA must focus at the National and grassroots level. Membership Committee Chairman, Gil Petrina, believes that "It's all about the Network." Click here to read his full story on using the network of AFA members to carry out AFA's mission!

2015 National Convention and Air & Space Conference Registration Now Open!               
The registration page for the 2015 National Convention and Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition went live on May 1st. Both will once again be held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center. The National Convention will be held September 12-13 and the Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition will be September 14-16. Read full details on delegate registration for the event here.

There will also be additional activities for delegates and their spouses/guests. You may view the current schedule of spouse/guest activities here.
Field Council Training Subcommittee Update
The Field Council Training Subcommittee continues to work diligently to produce high quality video training modules on various topics pertinent to AFA field leaders. Click  hereto read an update from Subcommittee Chairman, Ross Lampert. 
AFA Cycling Classic, June 13-14

The annual Air Force Association Cycling Classic in Arlington, VA is fast approaching! There are opportunities to donate, ride, and volunteer this year. For more details on this exciting event, click here!

On Demand Items Available for Chapter Purchase in the Hangar Store

We are excited to now offer a few brand new, customizable items that chapters can purchase in the Hangar Store. Your chapter can add their name to the AFA logo and have a custom printed marketing item sent to them directly from the Hangar Store. The current on demand items offered are tablecloths, flags, and a brand new coin! Check them out on the AFA Hangar Store homepage

2015 Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings National Conclave
This year, the Arnold Air Society (AAS) and Silver Wings (SW) organizations held their annual National Conclave in Chicago, IL. The event was a huge success, attended by over 1,000 members along with AFA board members, staff, and local field leadership. AFA supported the event with a membership table and both Chairman of the Board Scott Van Cleef and EVP Mark Barrett addressed the attendees on the importance of their AFA membership. Read more about this year's event here
Community Partner Spotlight      
Leo and Sons' Grille 31
One of our newest Community Partners is Leo and Sons' Grille 31, located in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, recruited by the Joe Walker-Mon Valley Chapter. The grille is family-owned and operated by Leo and his three sons, Jason, Travis, and Brandon. They offer family-friendly dining, a large selection of craft beers, and catering! If you are are ever in the area, please stop by and thank this family for their generous support of AFA and their local chapter - and grab something to eat! You can view the grille's webpage here
Field Spotlights
Paul Revere Chapter Launches Essay Contest
The Paul Revere Chapter in Massachusetts is excited to announce the brand new Lt General Leslie F. Kenne Essay Contest. The theme is Government, Industry, and Academia Collaboration - including six crucial topics: cyber offense, operational innovation, resiliency, threat based defense, situation awareness, and partnering. It is open to all and the winners and runners up will received cash prizes. For more information, click here!
Northern Utah Chapter and Utah Aerospace Education Foundation Host Utah's First Rube-Goldberg Competition 
The Air Force Association leadership in Utah recently held a competition for both junior high and high school students from Northern Utah to get students excited about fun ways to use the principles of STEM education! Students teamed up and made Rube-Goldberg machines, which are multi-step devices that use everyday household objects to complete a simple task. They are often portrayed in movies and cartoons. The Northern Utah Academy for Math, Engineering, and Science won this year's prize. The competition was even covered by local news! Read the full article by the Desert News, here
New Aerospace Education Council Newsletter Available!  
Do you want to know more about Aerospace and STEM education efforts sponsored by AFA and its chapters, states, and regions? AFA's Aerospace Education Council recently published a brand new newsletter covering all things Aerospace Education. Be sure to check it out here!
CyberPatriot Update
Registration for CyberPatriot VIII is booming! 

Registration for the upcoming season of the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition is open through October 9, 2015! The competition is open to all high schools, middle schools, scouting units, Boys and Girls Clubs, approved home school program, JROTC programs, Civil Air Patrol squadrons, and Naval Sea Cadet Corps units. With 600 teams already registered, we have no doubt that CP-VIII will be the biggest and best season yet!

Need help getting started? It's easy! Visit http://uscyberpatriot.org to view the AFA CyberPatriot Volunteer Outreach Checklist for helpful guidelines on how to recruit teams in your area. For more information, contact the CyberPatriot Program Office at [email protected] or call 877-885-5716.

From the AFA Facebook Page...

David C. Jones Chapter Awards Ceremony

 

Senator Heidi Heitkamp joined the Air Force Association - David C Jones Chapter 135 to recognize Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota's finest Airmen during the 34th Annual Awards Banquet. Read more about the event here.



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