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ne_kin (8/11/2008)
Hi Mark and all, I have just finished reading this epistle, and also spoken with our chapter chairman, when you stand again (St Louis) you will have both our votes. I also believe we should have somebody, anybody, other than the usual delegate rep at the delegates meeting. Both Ken and I think you are attempting to do what this association needs to survive, AND thrive and prosper. Are all your ideas good? not possible, (after all you are not me  ) but who cares, at least you are proffering some ideas for discussion which is a damn sight more than some (the Luddites who we all can name) who have gained some position of power, and to which that power seems to have gone to their heads. I personally do not believe that this is a split in the association as Steve alluded to, it is merely a demand for modernization, it will become a split, however, if no one is prepared to listen to the members, or indeed if persecution is the result of expressing ideas meant with good intent. As always let me know if there is anything I can do to help B rgds to all, (and don't forget to say hello to me in St Louis) Neil Thanks for your support. I know some of you havent been near a church in a while but as a recently returned church goer I find that you get the right message when you need it. This sunday we got a sermon about perceptions in and out of the church and that while we are trying to get to the same destination, its the path you take, not the end result that really makes the difference. I found it interesting that the pastor said that you start going to church here and there and you have your non-church friends... then you get more involved at church... less with the non-church friends, then you find yourself only with your church friends.... then you're way off the deep end and you've sheltered yourself by the church, you dont talk to the non church crowd, you listen to church type radio and keep your kids away from the non church type. I was sitting there thinking... this is the same in the veteran organizations. You get so deeply involved in the organization that you spend more time preaching to the converted than you do out there with the un-initiated. Our policy of only giving the Paraglide to those who are members, only voting if you can make it to the convention.. if you start to look around, we advertise we're open to ALL Airborne yet we have quite a few 'exclusionary' ways. I think that the internet makes people nervous because they've developed this close group that is uneffected by the outside influences, they know who will be at the next meeting and what will be going on... its 'safe'. But then, when have paratroopers EVER thrived on 'safe' I come out here and speak to more NON members than I do members, they tell me of thier perceptions of our organization and many of them are pretty harsh 'old boys club', 'old timers', 'fish fry and grey hair', 'nothing for the young trooper', 'what does your organization DO anyway'. I try to come out here and talk about the organization, not in some marketing way, but rather in an open regular way... you get to see that we go to meetings, we donate money to the wounded warriors, we get together and gave some great times and we try to find ways to expand and do more. By trying to show that there isnt anything hidden, I hope to attact people who want some of the same things and I believe that IS happening, but its slow... and these new people are here, joined up as members but are still nervous about the local chapter... but each year, I see a few more at National Convention and each year I see a new officer pop onto the scene. They dont know it yet, but the life of this organization is already standing around them... but they are online and waiting to be invited in.
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Just wanted to follow up and say that there was a large undercurrent of curiosity and support for the situation. Rumors flew about me resigning everything and even that I wasnt there... but those were quickly dispelled as more people saw me and then ultimately saw me at the head table.
While it was the 400lb gorilla in the room much of the time, it was left alone for the most part in any public manner. We drove on with the business at hand and I did the job the members elected me to do. I can now turn my attention to the Chicago chapter and take some of the concepts and prove them at the chapter level.
As far as impact... Ron Rath advocated at the delegates meeting that he is pushing to investigate accepting credit cards for sales, a CSM from 2-504 commented about the chapters needing access to the active duty troopers and I was approached by both veteran and active duty association officers to discuss more in depth the issue of active duty troopers choosing to be assigned to the veteran chapters during active service. More was discussed BECAUSE of this whole blow up than not so while it was tense and not a route that I would suggest anyone willfully use, the positive in all this is that the issues have been sent far and wide and finally gotten some attention.
I thank all of you for your support, comments, well wishes and even opposing opinions, discussion and debate on the issues that matter to members are the only ways we'll get this done, and we'll only get this done TOGETHER. To those who are NOT members for whatever reason and felt strongly about this... if you want to help make a difference, then join up and lend your opinions (either way) and your support. Just being a member will help even if you cant make the meetings. Join up and support virtually if you have to.
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Stare Master
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As far as impact... Ron Rath advocated at the delegates meeting that he is pushing to investigate accepting credit cards for sales I think this would be good, but I think the Association itself accepting credit cards for dues would be a much more substantial issue. Now maybe the two would go hand in hand, but I think this is what should be investigated. The possibility of fewer delinquents and more paid for life members should make this something for the Association want to look into.
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American GI. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
"History teaches that when you become indifferent and lose the will to fight someone who has the will to fight will take over." COLONEL BULL SIMONS
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509Trooper (8/19/2008)
As far as impact... Ron Rath advocated at the delegates meeting that he is pushing to investigate accepting credit cards for sales I think this would be good, but I think the Association itself accepting credit cards for dues would be a much more substantial issue. Now maybe the two would go hand in hand, but I think this is what should be investigated. The possibility of fewer delinquents and more paid for life members should make this something for the Association want to look into. Eh... Im going to set this up at the chapter level and prove the concept.
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Air Force Liaison/P.Net Original Cast of Characters
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When I stood up in the delegate meeting and suggested this idea, it looked like a bobble head convention.  I asked as nicely as I could  Why is the Association Sales PIMPING the new card switchover from Mastercard to Visa for the new perks, when they have REFUSED for years to accept a card for purchases. It must have been embarrassing to them not to accept it when at the next table over, the 82nd Museum sales folks were taking cash, credit card and I think live chickens in exchange for their merchandise. I don't care who gets credit for this change as long as the change is enacted. This issue should be resolved by AA Week. If not it will be brought up again with a deadline to act.
LOAD CLEAR! LOAD CLEAR! Your Job is my Hobby!
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Combat Veteran
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| In this day in age the only real people that deal directly w/ checks and cash are either drug dealers and really old people. My 2 cents! Muddy!!!
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Muddy_Rigger (8/20/2008)
In this day in age the only real people that deal directly w/ checks and cash are either drug dealers and really old people. My 2 cents! Muddy!!! I think some people within the organization are making a mountain out of a molehill. Sure, there are things to setup but its not such a difficult thing that it cannot be done and doesnt require constant care, once set in place the system is very easy and cost effective. If it were not, businesses would be cash only or would offer steep discounts for cash which you just dont see.
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