D4REPORT WE ARE AFSA APR 30, 2018

Transcription

1 D4REPORT WE ARE AFSA APR 30, 2018

2 DR. JIM CRISSINGER SMSgt (Retired) Division 4 President CH 1075 JBSA Randolph, TX President's Corner -Words from the President -Congratulations -Executive Council -AFSA International Convention and PAC WORDS FROM THE PRESIDENT This year s Legislative Awareness Week is 1-7 October 17. Please get involved and help share AFSA s message throughout your area. Greetings fellow AFSA Members. I hope this newsletter finds you well. We just wrapped up another great and successful Division Convention in Bossier City, Louisiana at the Boomtown Resorts and Casino hosted by Chapter Kudos to Chapter 0615 and the Convention Committee for an awesome job of putting the convention together and hosting us all, we had a great time and a great venue thanks to you and all your hard work and efforts. I would be remiss if I failed to give a specific shout out to Wenzel and Debby Oesterreich for all their hard work efforts servings as our convention managers for the convention. What an awesome event! As you know volunteers and membership are the lifeblood of this organization therefore it is important to remember these things: 1. Make members feel included. As soon as members join your organization, introduce them to other members and staff so they get to know others. 2. Provide members with the right motivation. Members join your organization for different reasons. Some are motivated by the greater cause, while others are interested in making friends or learning new skills. Ask your members what they are looking for, and give them positions or responsibilities that will support their goals. 3. Provide proper training. Make sure your members have the knowledge they need to succeed at their task or position. 4. Offer members some flexibility. Many of your members will have full-time jobs in addition to working for your organization. Be mindful of your members other time commitments, and do your best to set up a tailored schedule. 5. Share accomplishments and milestones. Members want to know they are making a difference. Keep them updated on progress toward your organization s goals, and share achievements and success stories. Let them see how their contribution is translating into real results. 6. Reward and recognize members. Give your members personal praise and public thanks so they feel acknowledged for the hard work they are doing. Recognize seasoned members by offering them more important responsibilities, such as leadership positions. And don t forget all members appreciate free food and refreshments or a celebratory party now and then. I am looking forward to working with the new Executive Council and many of the new chapter presidents and chapter officers over the next year. Let s make this a year to remember. Again, thank you for all you do! I strongly encourage you to get out there and help is with our membership campaign and help us help you by providing a stronger voice to our legislative action. ~~Dr. Jim Crissinger

3 CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR D4 AWARD WINNERS: Member of the Year: TSgt Meshanda Lopez Chapter 0652 Family Member of the Year: Mrs. Stephanie Markin Chapter 0615 Airman of the Year: A1C Rebecca Fentress Chapter 0652 NCO of the Year: TSgt Kevin Seney Chapter 0652 Legislative Award: MSgt (Ret) Johnny Byrd Chapter 0615 Volunteer Service Award: Mrs. Irene Heffren Chapter 0615 VA Volunteer Service Award: Mrs. Irene Heffren Chapter 0615 Chapter of the Year (+500): Keesler Chapter 0652 Chapter of the Year (-500): Goodfellow Chapter 1066 Humanitarian Service Award: JBSA- Randolph Chapter 1075 Volunteer Service Award: Keesler Chapter 0652 CMSgt Richard L. Etchberger Communications Award JBSA- Randolph Chapter 1075 Legislative Award Team: Keesler Chapter 0652 Recruiter of the Year: SMSgt (Ret) Dan Kazumura Chapter 0652 Retainer of the Year: SMSgt (Ret) Greg Gallup Chapter 1076 Recruiting Chapter of the Year: Keesler Chapter 0652 Retaining Chapter of the Year: JBSA-Lackland Chapter 1076 D4 President s Award: SrA Autumn Carter Chapter 0658 MSgt Michael Kumiyama Chapter 0658 D4 Lifetime Achievement: SMSgt (Ret) Dr. Jim and Sharon Crissinger D4 Spirit Stick: JBSA-Lackland Chapter 1076

4 KNOW YOUR NEW AFSA DIVISION 4 EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR : President: SMSgt (Ret) Dr. Jim Crissinger Int l Legislative Chair Vice President: SMSgt (Ret) Greg Gallup Training & Retention 1st Trustee: SMSgt (Ret) Dan Kazumura Membership 2nd Trustee: SMSgt Sarah Sullivan Legislative 3rd Trustee: MSgt Michael Kumiyama Communications 4th Trustee: Ms. Carol Ruhol Family Matters Senior Advisor: MSgt (Ret) John Byrd Awards Treasurer: CMSgt (Ret) Stan Staples Budget & Finance Chaplain: CMSgt (Ret) Frank Ruhol Senior Advisor & Protocol Secretary Ms. Lisa Byrd Division History AFSA 2018 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION & PROFESSIONAL AIRMEN S CONFERENCE REGISTRATION IS NOW LIVE! We can t wait to see you in San Antonio, Texas August 25 through the 29th. This year s theme is UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES - Keep watch of the official AFSA Convention Page ( events.html) for the latest updates and information. The Icebreaker and Theme Night is a Pajama Party Remember must be in good taste. We as a Division are looking to make ourselves known, seen and heard at the icebreaker. We are kicking around some simple ideas but we love to hear from you if you any ideas or suggestions for us. More to follow on this venture. Nonetheless, D4 is looking to step up its game for the icebreaker. Remember: #D4WeDo More and #AFSAUP18

5 JOHNNY BYRD MSgt (Retired) Senior Advisor and Awards CH 615 Barksdale AFB, LA Awards Update 2017 AWARDS UPDATE Fellow AFSA members, thanks once again to Division President Crissinger for the opportunity to serve as his Senior Advisor and your Awards Chairman for the 2018 Awards period. By now, you have all seen the list of award winners on the Division 4 website or via with all the winners listed. It is noted that we have a nominee in all but one category. Chapter - Team Awards Chapter of the Year (Over 500) Chapter 652 Keesler AFB, MS Chapter of the Year (Under 500) Chapter 1066 Goodfellow AFB, TX Humanitarian Award Chapter 1075 Randolph AFB, TX Volunteer Service Award Chapter 652 Keesler AFB, MS CMSgt Richard L. Etchberger Communications Award Chapter 175 Randolph AFB, TX International Legislative Award Chapter 652 Keesler AFB, MS Individual Awards AFSA Member of the Year TSgt Meshanda Lopez Chapter 652 Keesler AFB, MS AFSA Family Member of the Year Mrs. Stephanie Markin Chapter 615 Barksdale AFB, LA AFSA Airman of the Year A1C Rebecca Fentress Chapter 652 Keesler AFB, MS AFSA NCO of the Year TSgt Kevin Seney Chapter 652 Keesler AFB, MS Legislative Award MSgt(Ret) Johnny Byrd Chapter 615 Barksdale AFB, LA Volunteer Service Award Mrs. Irene Heffern Chapter 615 Barksdale AFB, LA Veterans Administration Volunteer Service Award Mrs. Irene Heffern Chapter 615 Barksdale AFB, LA Division Award CMSgt Richard L. Etchberger Communications Award As I stated at the Division Convention, all nominees to include those not nominated that participate in Chapter activities are all winners in my book. But, it is important that all members get recognized in some fashion, whether it is as a Chapter of the Year nomination or an individual award category nominee. During the Awards training, the areas that Chapters need to address when compiling their awards for submission were addressed. Each area of the nomination package must follow the criteria set by the Awards manual, eg., number of lines for an individual award; and ensuring all headings are listed. The accomplishments of individuals and chapters within Division 4 are astounding. As a member of the Executive Council and having served as Division President for our great 4 State Division, your continued accomplishments are a tribute to your dedication to our members and non members alike. You all truly exemplify AFSA and Air Force Core Values and are All winners in your chapter, our great Division and are examples for others across AFSA worldwide. Good luck to our Division Nominees at the International Convention in August. Lisa and I are looking forward to seeing you all there for great Fraternalism, Fun, Family and doing the business of AFSA as Delegates to our Chapters at home. God bless, stay safe and see ya soon...

6 GREG GALLUP SMSgt (Retired) Division 4 Vice President CH 1076 JBSA Lackland, TX Thanks to our outgoing Division Exec Council members. I ve never seen it but all of outgoing Trustees were recognized as Lifetime Trustees for the Division. SrA Autumn Carter was full of ideas and very deserving of her President s Award from DP Crissinger. TSgt Elizabeth Corpus has been a mainstay in Chapter 1076 and Division 610 and now Division 4, in fact, shortly after I PCS d into Randolph 9 years ago I did my first JBSA FTAC briefing with SrA Corpus. Lastly, Gary Moix has been working hard on the Division Exec Council for many years and in 2011 when I ran for a Division 610 Trustee position I answered questions at the election caucus alongside Trustee hopefuls Gary and past Division VP Scott Turner. Best of luck to SrA Carter and TSgt Corpus as they PCS on to new Chapters and Divisions. I know Gary Moix won t be far from the Division Exec Council and will be there to help at the Chapter and Division levels. For our new council members we have assembled another all-star team. We have type casted 3 new Trustees for the Division and they have already hit the ground running to reach out to their counterparts at the Chapter level. SMSgt (ret) Dan Kazumura is a membership stalwart of AFSA with over 1,100 lifetime recruits and many years working on the International Membership Committee. Kazz will be our Division Membership Trustee. SMSgt Sarah Sullivan has been working on/with the International Legislative team the last couple of years and will be our Division s Legislative Trustee. Similar to SMSgt Sullivan, MSgt Michael Kumiyama is also a Career Assistance Advisor and his job is communication. Mike was recognized by DP Crissinger as a President s award winner after his leadership in overseeing the 2017 Division Convention at Little Rock and being the Division s Emcee/lead for the PAC I am new this year to the Division 4 counsel. I am excited to join the team under one of my favorite areas legislative initiatives! I also wear two other AFSA hats as I am a returning member of the International Legislative Committee as well as the Director of Active Duty Legislation under the SARAH SULLIVAN SMSgt Division 4 Legislative Trustee CH 1076 JBSA Lackland, TX Uniformed Services Committee. Please take time to review and reflect upon the 2017 legislative accomplishments listed on the AFSA website. The Legislative Platform is the guiding document behind the AFSA visits to members of Congress and Air Force and government senior leaders to advocate for fair and equitable benefits that matter to today s Total Force Airmen and their families and to our Veterans who have served proudly in the past. YOU can help drive the direction and topics included in future Legislative Platforms by submitting your ideas to your chapter leadership. Contact me if you would like to see an example. Legislative Accomplishments: legislativeaccomplishments.html Legislative Platform:

7 Why did you become an AFSA member? Why did you renew your membership to continue being a part of this organization? How do we encourage new members to renew? These are questions that many of us have been asked over the past few years regarding our desire to remain active and dedicated members of AFSA. Despite our continued commitment, how do we translate our experiences into fulfillment that will encourage new members to join and current members to renew? DAN KAZUMURA SMSgt (Retired) Division 4 Membership Trustee CH 652 Keesler AFB, MS First, let s start with why you became an AFSA member. Was it the legislative pillar that drew you in and presented you with the opportunity to have your voice heard? Knowing that an organization like AFSA advocates for what is important to us and fights for our quality of life is vital when looking at the sacrifices that military members, retirees, and our families make every single day. We all appreciate a steady paycheck, but nothing can compare to the 2.4 percent pay raise we received in 2017 despite the DoD and the administration requesting a 2.1 percent increase. For that, we can thank AFSA. Or how about being able to use our GI Bill forever? This is now a lifetime benefit for us versus it being obsolete after 15 years. I can go on and on about all the phenomenal accomplishments that AFSA has made during the past 25+ years, but if that did not motivate you; was it the fraternalism pillar and sense of family that captured your attention and urged you to become an AFSA member? Fraternalism comes in many forms camaraderie, friendship, family and mentorship, just to name a few. Did you join AFSA because you wanted to be a part of a cohesive team that is comprised of diverse members of all ranks, from our young Airman Basic to retirees, who embrace one another and reach out to each other for guidance and mentorship? This pillar is important because being a part of the AFSA family gives each one of us a sense of belonging and keeps our members dedicated to our team. When we continue to do things together as a team, we build upon our friendship. In time, we know each other as nothing less than family. This is why I ask our AFSA leaders, from the chapter president, to the executive council members, what are you doing to foster fraternalism? Are you reaching out to your Airmen and actively mentoring them? Are you providing opportunities for them to lead? Are you empowering your Noncommissioned Officers? Are you taking full advantage of the retirees in your community and asking for their knowledge and insight? Being a dues paying member carries responsibilities as well. What are you doing to be a part of our AFSA family? Are you seeking opportunities to lead? Are you suggesting ways to improve the chapter and AFSA as an organization? Whether it was the legislative pillar, fraternalism, or a personal reason that initially drew you into AFSA, I ask that you look to the bigger picture and acknowledge what AFSA has done for us for the past 25+ years. Recognizing these significant accomplishments will allow you to find what motivates you to continue making AFSA a better organization. One way we can propel the trajectory of our organization is to recruit new members and encourage current members to renew. We want to inspire fresh ideas and reinvigorate your commitment so AFSA can continue taking care of us being our voice on Capitol Hill. Are you ready to take AFSA to the next level?

8 ROLL CALL Chapter Barksdale AFB Chapter Columbus AFB Chapter Keesler AFB Chapter Little Rock AFB Chapter Sheppard AFB Chapter Fort Worth Chapter Dyess AFB Chapter Houston Chapter Goodfellow Chapter Laughlin AFB Chapter Dallas Chapter Randolph AFB Chapter Lackland AFB Chapter Fort Sam Houston D4 REPORT WE ARE AFSA