INFORMATION-GIVING AND DECISION-MAKING OPTIONS

Once each year the Council of Presidents conducts the Annual Meeting of the Corporation with the primary purpose being to review for approval or modification the actions of the president and EXCOM since the last meeting of the Council.

In 2007 the meeting will be conducted November 30-December 2 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in San Luis Obispo. The event will begin Friday evening with an EXCOM meeting and continue with all day Saturday sessions and culminating with an evening banquet. Sunday morning will include an informal breakfast and departure.

The Council is expected to explore and review a variety of themes and issues beyond issuing orders and instructions to the EXCOM. The affiliated chapter presidents have a major role to play, being responsible in large part for creation of an appropriate and all-inclusive agenda.

This is an invitation to all participants, and issued well in advance of the late November meeting, to help identify the nature of the meeting in terms of both process and content. With full cooperation, the meeting will meet the interests, needs, and overall expectations of presidents and attending chapter members.

The success of the upcoming meeting depends on the willingness of EXCOM members and chapter presidents to participate fully, prepare for the meeting, and actually contribute to the discussions.

One option would be to conduct a straight information-giving meeting much like that of San Luis Obispo 2005. The objective would be to have outside speakers make formal presentations on the issues. Speakers would be invited well in advance, personalities acceptable to members, and asked to make presentations which fit the purposes of the meeting.

In the past, for example, there were presentations on California legislation, Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), and the role of auxiliaries.

Participants might prepare for the meeting by asking questions such as (1) Am I prepared to receive this information?, (2) Do I have questions on this information?, and (3) How can I make the best use of this information?

Another option would be to conduct a problem solving/decision-making type meeting, along the lines of:
–How to attract the younger generation, the drilling Guard and Reserve officer, to active chapter participation?
–How to create a really successful leadership succession plan?
–How will the chapter engage younger officers into leadership positons?
–How does the chapter successfully plan general membership meetings for a very diverse group; that is, retired and active serving officers?
–How can the chapter motivate more members to attend membership dinner or luncheon meetings and participate more actively in chapter affairs?
–What is an appropriate appeal to use when recruiting the newer generation, active duty and drilling Guard and Reserve officers?

If this is the approach to be taken, it will be important to notify members soon that the thrust will be to an experiential session, that the annual meeting will be focused on problem solving and decision-making. The agenda items will have to be prioritized appropriately. And, everyone has to be notified early enough that they can do some preparation.

Some questions for those who attend such a meeting might include (1) Do I have some knowledge or expertise on the subject?, (2) Do I feel free to express my opinions-if not, why not? (3) Do I feel in competition with others? (4) Am I willing to be cooperative in making this decision–if not, why not? (5) Do I have faith that the decision will be carried out? (6) Am I willing to assume personal responsibility for the decision?

And of course the annual meeting can be some kind of combination of the two approaches.

Chapter presidents and others are urged to contact LtCol Larry Stumpf, USAF-Ret, Council President, and make interests, desires, and needs known, specifically process and content ideas and desires for the meeting. Active participation will help insure a successful outcome.

Comments RSS