BOLD LEADERSHIP NEEDED

In the coming week we will participate in the EXCOM meeting in Oakland, right on the fringe of the world famous Silicon Valley, and it will be a meeting in part to determine the Council’s future.

Over four decades ago President Kennedy proclaimed the United States would land a man on the moon by the end of the 1960s. In speeches across the country he called it a vital national interest because “no nation which expects to be the leader of other nations can expect to stay behind in this race.” The success of the space program fueled a generation of innovation and technological advances.

Cisco Systems CEO John Chambers said recently, “Silicon Valley understands the idea that innovation and competitiveness are about leadership.” To make CAL-MOAA’s future viable, we need innovation. And for innovation we need bold leadership.

The Reserve Officer’s Association, Association of the United States Army, the Air Force Association, the Navy League, and other such groups are all appealing to the military officer. The competition is stiff.

It’s becoming more and more difficult to influence our nation’s leaders on national security issues, and protect our earned entitlements.

What’s our big statewide concern? Take a look at these chapter membership numbers:

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Santa Maria/Lompoc
189 181 164 143 142 140 144
Bakersfield
117 119 122 114 114 114 83
Conejo/Simi Valley
130 132 127 127 133 103 106
Mojave Desert
233 243 238 228 206 143 159
Orange Empire
178 138 126 135 164 137 152
Heartland
174 126 105 93 77 84 53

We face both opportunities and problems.

President Bush has been going around the country lately talking about the need for technological innovation as being at the center of our national interest. He is trying to inspire a new generation of scientists and engineers. While it may not seem as dramatic as going to the moon, the outcome will determine if the United States remains “a leader of other nations.”

We’re in a struggle to find a Council purpose appropriate for these changing times.

What innovations will be needed to move the Council forward into a new and exciting era and success? What do we have to do to inspire the membership?

CDR John Sammons, USPHS-Ret, Council vice president, has outlined a vision in the new strategic plan and he’s been trying hard to communicate why this vision needs to be acted upon right now.

Change almost always faces resistence. But look at the membership numbers again. Ordinarily, by the time change becomes obvious it is usually too late. Will we be willing, bold enough, to make the needed changes?

The degree to which we are willing to change will determine in large part the Council’s future.

It is time to take some aggressive steps leading to planned change. We need to be creative when crafting vision and mission statements. Some have already been vocal about these concerns. Again, are the statements offered creative enough? Can we get the job done? Do we have the capabilities and resources to implement the strategic plan effectively?

Change is hard for all of us, but not to change will be doing a disservice to the Council, affiliated chapters, and membership.

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