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This year the board was presented with a plan from Executive Director DeJesus which reads as follows16 May 2008 MEMORANDUM FOR: BOARD OF DIRECTORS SUBJECT: Relocation of National Headquarters Since the inception of our Association in 1944 the National Headquarters (Office) has been relocated nine (9) times as it has always been located near or in the Executive Director's Residence. While this course of action was reasonable at the time based on the current membership and assets at those points; it is not now. In 1992 the Association's assets stood at $454,637 with a total membership of 19,054. It has since grown to $874,139 in assets, as of 31 Decemeber 2007 (48% increase), and this year the membership will exceed the 32,000 mark (another 48% increase) with continuous growth in the future. Hence it is time for a permanent location for the National Headquarters' Office. We need to stop this trend of relocations based on the Executive Directors' residences, as this is not proper business practice for a corporation. Keep in mind we would not be starting a new trend but rather catching up to the other Associations. Most of the largest organizations, with Active Duty components are permanently located close to thier Active Duty counterparts/bases. For example: the Special Forces in Fayetteville, the 101st Airborne Division located on Fort Campbell (although they must frequently relocate within the installation), and the 1st Calvary in Copperas Cove, TX (close to Fort Hood). Having stated this, what better place than close to Fort Bragg and our Active Division counterpart; not to mention where most of our members come from and are located. This closeness will continue to reinforce our relationship with the Division as the Executive Director will be able to attend the many activities, such as Change of Commands, Socials, Ceremonies, etc. all at no exepsne to the Treasury. Not to mention the ease of coordinating and planning AAW and the Annual Covnentions with the Division. We must acknowledge the fact that our relationship has been greatly enhanced since I took over my position in 1992 versus that of our Former Executive Director Dan Campbell who was located in Indiana. I have discussed this issue with the Executive Committee; some National Directors, Chapter Officers' (during my visits) and Past Presidents and all concur with this proposal. In particular Past President Shirley R. Gossett who wanted me to move to Bloomington, Indiana in 1992. The new trend should be that the next Executive Director moves to the Fort Bragg surrounding area; afterall this is a full time job - seven days a week. In view of the above, I recommend that the Board of Directors approve this recommendation and furthermore allocate approximately $200,000.00 for the purchase of a house in a commercial or professional district, as well as any necessary office equipment, located within the surrounding area of Fort Bragg. These areas being Fayetteville, Hope Mills or Spring Lake. With my impending retirement (uh-oh no retirement pay) in 2010 after 18 years working for this great Association - I pledge that upon the purchase of such property, I will establish an office, not a room in a house, and work out all the bugs. That way my predecessor can move right in and take over; a smooth transition that will aid in keeping it business as usual. Very respectfully, MANUEL E. DE JESUS
Executive Director PS - You all know me, "Mr. Cheapo". I will look at all the options and chose whatever is in the best interest of the Association. I would like to note that as a National Director I agreed that a single room in a house is not likely the best operation for our organization but that without full documentation on finaicial impact (200k is roughly 1/4 of our holdings) and some other guidelines on various details like what equipment, housing values, payment of expenses for moving in the future for future executive directors and possible by law change impact we couldnt in good faith move forward with this. A motion to accept was made and seconded and I believe all but myself and maybe one or two others passed it. The association board just let the executive director move forward to select a home, equpiment and determine the ground rules for the position of Executive Director without ANY discussion by the membership. There are a very arguable point in his above provided statement : "membership will exceed 32,000 mark... " "with continuous growth in the future"
This is his guess and not based on any fact provided. Considering the rate at which the WWII and Korea members are passing away and the FACT that we've lost more chapters recently as he has served as Executive Director I do not agree with his assumption. Let it be known that NO other documentation, explanation, fact sheet or finacial study has or had been provided to the National Directors and beyond those noted in his statement as 'discussed' most Directors only saw this issue a few days before the motion was made. For an organization that repeatedly states that we dont need rapid change, I find it odd that when it suits the Executive Director, rapid change is exactly what we get. I strongly suggest that this information be made avaialble to the members of this orgainzation. Such a large scale action and expendature should not be left ONLY to the National Directors and should be discussed in detail with the membership. We are a CORPORATION, making the National Directors the Board of Directors and the members the Stockholders in this company. You are invested in this company and if any company you held a share/stake in, would you be interested in the impact of such a large expendature? Remember that with this change any member hoping to be Executive Director would be REQUIRED to either be FROM the area or MOVE to the area. This could frankly reduce the likely candidate pool so far that at some point in the future we may have a hard time finding someone willing to accept the job.
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Stare Master
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Mark, I actually don't think it reduces the pool of candidates to a large degree, except that I would think it tends to limit it more to retired military. Since it is a paid position, even relocating to Fayetteville should not be a great impediment. I think having the ED co-located with the Division is the best way to maintain a close relationship between the two. Personally I would like to see the Association located on post itself. The logical place would be the Museum, but that is too small as it is. But if the Division could supply office space I think it would be worth renting from the government.
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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President for Life
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Site Owner/Operator
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509Trooper (5/29/2008)
Mark, I actually don't think it reduces the pool of candidates to a large degree, except that I would think it tends to limit it more to retired military. Since it is a paid position, even relocating to Fayetteville should not be a great impediment. I think having the ED co-located with the Division is the best way to maintain a close relationship between the two. Personally I would like to see the Association located on post itself. The logical place would be the Museum, but that is too small as it is. But if the Division could supply office space I think it would be worth renting from the government.A valid argument and one a few of us brought up. I am not greatly opposed to a permanent presence there but I think an Executive Director could have a Liason at Ft Bragg at an office there as well. Its a subject for debate and a debate which I feel is not going to get much light of day based on this swift move that precludes most of the membership.
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82nd_Raider
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| Mark, as you know, I am very new to the association, and only attended 3 chapter meetings thus far. So, I am walking on thin ice. But, I see 3 different issues that might be served by locating to Ft. Bragg: 1- Your "Transforming Membership" document might be well addressed for new currently serving membership having access to Association Headquarters and chapter information on post. 2- I do not know where the Paraglide is published, or who will be taking it over. This might be something that can be done at the headquarters. 3- Having "Corporate Headquarters" in a permanent location, adds to its stability for the future.
All the way, sir!!! 
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Site Owner/Operator
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| Agreed Ted. I am not arguing the validity of the need for a permanent position, only that I disagree with fast tracking such a big expendature without suitable documentation and disclosure to the membership. The Paraglide is handled in Virginia and they have that pretty well locked down. I would prefer a location on post were we could do biz, this way the Executive Director (even if we required them to live down there) would be able to secure quarters of thier own choosing. If someone has to uproot and move, Id rather offer them some flexibility to make it easier. I think on post offices would make a whole heck of a lot of sense for a myriad of reasons. Bottom line... there is a lot to discuss and yet it seems we're not going to open that discussion based on the motion passed.
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Stare Master
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Mark, I am not too concerned with the Board doing this without taking it to the general membership first. I think any corporate board has the authority to make those types of decisions, with the proviso that the stockholders can hold them accountable at the annual meeting. However, I do not think this is a decision that should not be made at the same meeting it is introduced. The Board should have time to review it and be able to talk to Chapter officers and others who may not have been able to make it for whatever reason.
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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