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Site Owner/Operator
Group: Administrators
Last Login: 2 days ago @ 1:25 PM
Posts: 6,737,
Visits: 8,160
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As many of you know, last August I asked the board that after 5 years of volunteering my time and services as well as shouldering the costs associated with the site, I was ready for the organization to assume the financial end of things.
The executive board convened and thanked me for my offer but felt that it was time to find a local webmaster who could come into the HQ office as needed and work directly with them. In addition, that individual should not have any other association with our organization. After a few months of work they have made their selection and brought on the new webmaster.
The following is official notification of the changes.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: New Website/New Webmaster
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:06:27 -0400 (EDT)
From: Manuel E. De Jesus, Executive Director
ALCON
This is to notify you of changes that will be made in regards to our Association website. Mark Christianson, who has helped us with our current website over the past 5 years, is stepping down from his position as webmaster. After the decision to obtain a new webmaster was made by the President and the Executive Committee during the 2008 Convention in St. Louis; Mark agreed to continue his service to give us time to search for a new webmaster.
We felt the need to find a new webmaster that was both local and not a member of the Association. After this endeavor we contracted the services of Ms. Cheryl Polk. Ms. Polk will be our new web-mistress and we are excited with what she will bring to our Association in the coming months.
The Association has made a decision that all Chapters should have their own website that stands alone from the Association's. This will give the Chapters a greater presence in the search engines giving a better response for those seeking information about the Chapter.
We have asked Ms. Polk to provide those Chapters currently in our website a temporary page so that their information and email will be readily available to those visiting with a specific interest in that Chapter. Ms. Polk will be working with Mark to make a smooth transition from our current website to our new website.
Ms. Polk contacted us last November sharing with us a memorial website (www.aherostribute.org) that she has for fallen military, fire and police personnel. After viewing her site and realizing her dedication to these families we truly felt we needed her on board with our endeavors. Living right outside Fayetteville she will be able to work with us more closely on a day to day basis.
We would like to express our appreciation to Mark Christianson for all of his work in giving our Association and Chapters an Internet presence.
Ms. Polk will be available to answer any questions about the new website which will launch July 10th {www.82dairborneassociation.org}. She will be contacting the chapters that will be affected. You can also reach her at 910-339-6243 or by email at aherostribute_org@yahoo.com .
Airborne,
Manuel De Jesus
Executive Director
Please note that the web address referenced above looks to be in error, the association website is located at www.82ndassociation.org and the new website which Ms Polk is completing will take effect on the 10th with the move of the domain to the new hosting service.
IF you have content on the existing site, or email through the existing service you may need to contact me or HQ in order to ensure that all your files and emails are either transferred or backed up and avoid any disconnection.
Over five years I set out to show the board that the website had more value and I believe that I have succeeded. Over 900 change of address notifications alone saves the association money and keeps contact. Offering monthly newsletters from national as well if leveraged fully could serve to offer greater information to a greater number of troopers. I believe that it will continue and I wish Ms Polk the best of luck in continuing to build the online presence and allow greater communication via the internet than ever before.
While I had hoped to continue the role, in recent months personal family emergencies took front and center as they must. I hope that the boards decision for a completely external person will have the intended effect and service the membership much better than I have provided. As an employee of the association I feel the membership should receive more consistent updates, information and access.
I will still be around, but concentrating on the Chicago Chapter, maybe toying with another run for National Director in the future and generally being the advocate for an electronically savvy organization.
      
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Regular Joe
 
Group: Registered User
Last Login: 2/11/2010 11:35 AM
Posts: 367,
Visits: 394
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You did an outstanding job, Mark.
~Airborne~
The 325 is in the Blood, never forget our brothers,"Lets Go".
" One of the best ways to keep peace is to be prepared for war."
- General George Washington
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82nd_Raider
Group: Community Supporter
Last Login: Today @ 5:35 AM
Posts: 2,861,
Visits: 4,544
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Mark, a job WELL DONE!!!
All the way, sir!!! 
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Green GI
Group: Registered User
Last Login: 11/24/2009 2:09 PM
Posts: 37,
Visits: 136
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You did good bro.
Sed fortuna, quae plurimum potest cum in reliquis rebus tum praecipue in bello, parvis momentis magnas rerum commutationes efficit; ut tum accidit. -GAIVS IVLIVS CAESAR
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Site Owner/Operator
Group: Administrators
Last Login: 2 days ago @ 1:25 PM
Posts: 6,737,
Visits: 8,160
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Consumer of Ale
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: Today @ 3:15 AM
Posts: 1,399,
Visits: 3,678
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Between Pnet, the national website, the job, and the family, I don't know where you found the time to do it all.
Defend the Second Amendment 
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Korean War Vet
Group: Community Supporter
Last Login: 2 days ago @ 6:37 PM
Posts: 586,
Visits: 1,508
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| Mark, Thanks for coaxing the Association into the electronic age!  I well remember the time you had in showing the leadership that the era of pencil and paper is long gone.
GR John 3:16
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Site Owner/Operator
Group: Administrators
Last Login: 2 days ago @ 1:25 PM
Posts: 6,737,
Visits: 8,160
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82nd_Raider
Group: Community Supporter
Last Login: Today @ 5:35 AM
Posts: 2,861,
Visits: 4,544
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Rigger82 (7/1/2009)
shqipe (7/1/2009)
Between Pnet, the national website, the job, and the family, I don't know where you found the time to do it all.LOL, those are the easy ones... its the chairman of the chicago chapter, webmaster of the 505thpantherassoc.com, helping here and there with staticlinemagazine.com (which definately needs a news/magazine editor techy to take control if anyone is looking to get into it) and then the half dozen other little projects i have on the side that usually tear up some free time!  Hey, maybe I'll be able to get that gamer website going that Ive been dying to get rolled out!  The old quote still rings true: If you need to get a job done, give it to a busy person!!
All the way, sir!!!
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Regular Joe
Group: Registered User
Last Login: Today @ 6:58 AM
Posts: 53,
Visits: 516
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| Mark Thank You for your support in getting the web page up and running. It looks like to me National doesn't want to flip the bill to run a National web page and put the cost on the chapters. Which means most will not even have one let alone have a consolidated location for its organization. I guess they want to make us a modular force with out censorship. Paule
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