May 2001 President's Corner

Bob Bush '65, USNAAA Atlanta Chapter President

It’s admittedly hokey, but I am compelled to start this article with the line, “Now is the time for all good men…” and women, I gladly add, to come to the service of the Chapter. The term of office for our Chapter officers and directors runs from July to June of each year. Our procedure for the past several years has been to introduce the new slate at the Lobster Fest and in the June Newsletter and hold elections at the June luncheon. With June fast approaching it is time to fill that ballot.

I have appointed Pete Dabbieri ‘67 to head the nominating committee that selects that slate. For wisdom and a sense of Chapter history, I have asked Jim Ravenel ’45 to serve on the committee and for energy and a more youthful perspective I have recruited Mario Maddox ’85. I’m delighted that they are all willing to serve.

It is with some dismay that I recognize that their task will be surprisingly difficult. The Atlanta Chapter is the 10^th largest in the Alumni Association and recognized as one of the best. In most organizations of similar size and status there would be a long rank of candidates lining up to assume leadership roles, yet for us our nominating committees are faced with an annual arm-twisting process to fill the slate.

Case in point – your current president! Two years ago my classmate Mike Donohoo came to me on bended knee asking if I’d be willing to serve as his VP. I demurred; I protested; I finally acquiesced with the understanding that my role would pretty much be limited to filling in as emcee when he couldn’t show at a luncheon. It just happened that seven months later his employment took him away from Atlanta and gave him little alternative but to resign.

Quite unexpectedly I became president of your Chapter and by default fell into one of the most rewarding experiences of my life! Many of you will make that same discovery in the years to come.

One of the faults I have found with the structure of our Chapter is that too few people have been doing too much of the work. Part of the reason for that is that (thankfully) we have some members who enjoy what they are doing and are willing to put in the time. Part of the reason is that we have not accepted the challenge of creating a structured volunteer organization to share the load.

One of my dreams for the Chapter has been that someday we have an organizational chart that reflects the major functions of the Chapter and includes a base of volunteer positions in support of the individual directors who have responsibility for those functions. In that vision those supporting roles are filled by new blood striking for positions of greater leadership and responsibility. The ultimate payoff is that for each elected position we’ll have a list of qualified candidates who are experienced in the administration of the chapter and are vying for larger roles.

This past year we have taken a step in that direction. In the recent past our three elected directors have served without specific assignment, filling in as needed when projects have arisen. This last year we asked one director, Lori Moore ’64, to specifically focus his efforts on membership. For this coming slate we have settled on two positions for directors with a third still under consideration.

It is my understanding that if we do not become one of the nine largest chapters by the end of this year we will lose our trustee position on the Board of Trustees for at least two years after my term expires. Therefore the position of Membership Director will face the important challenge of attracting some of the 1,000 or so alumni in our area who have not yet chosen to join our ranks.

The Association leadership at the national level has made it a priority to have the chapters play a larger role in promoting the Academy and assisting the Admissions Department and the Blue & Gold Team in finding qualified candidates to fill the ranks of the Brigade. To lead the Chapter in that challenge we have dedicated one Director position to serve as a liaison with and support for the B&G Team, our Chapter Candidate Awareness Representative and our local Parent’s Club.

A proposed third position is that of Director of Communications who will work with the Chapter Secretary, the Webmaster and a cadre of Chapter correspondents to produce the Chapter newsletters and other communications.

Somewhere in the organization we need to have someone create a program to assist in career transition, whether that transition be from active duty to civilian life, or from one civilian career to another. Herein lies a great opportunity for someone to provide a valuable service to the Chapter and its current and future members. Whether that position ultimately becomes a director’s slot or a function of Communication is yet to be decided but either way it will become one of the Chapter’s most valuable functions.

In support of those functions there will arise a long list of volunteer opportunities, from serving as event coordinators to assisting our officers and directors in their specific functions. If called upon to help, please do so if you can possibly find the time. If not called upon but you have an interest in being involved, please don’t be shy. Contact Pete or Jim or Mario and ask to be put on the list of potential volunteers. It could be the first step on the road to the presidency – you never know.