WRIGHT BROTHERS CHAPTER (WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, OHIO)
The Wright Brothers Chapter began a successful revival in Sep 03. Several months of inactivity resulted in a need to select new officers with a strategy for future chapter development. "Chapter Expectations" published by LOA National and executed at our level made for a perfect start. Our first meeting in Sep 03 was centered around revival and we used the pillars of educate, unite the membership, and enhance readiness and effectiveness as our grounding and guiding principles. Officers were appointed IAW our charter and reported to national. Our plan is to educate the membership through regular chapter meetings. We have met each month since Sep 03 using a system of alternating formal presentations with guest speakers and less formal networking-luncheons built around subjects important to the membership. To that end, we have presented informative and educational briefings on the F/A-22 in Oct, along with a networking luncheon outlining details on fit-to-fight. In Nov, BG Ro Bailey presented the issues of aging aircraft and the impacts on readiness. In Dec, BG Art Morrill joined us to present the AF/ILP perspective on the AF corporate structure, support to the warfighter, and mentoring. Upcoming meetings will highlight global supply chain management and civilian professional development and career management. Additionally, we are planning tours to GE and the AF Research Lab. We have also found that periodic partnering with the local SOLE chapter presents further opportunities for mentoring and networking in an educational environment. All of this activity has begun to unite the membership. Events are well marketed using the commander's access channel, the base newspaper, e-mail, our web page, and phone calls. Membership has expanded to over 70 and continues to grow. Several of our members have participated in local community events effectively representing LOA as civic-minded among its other attributes. Ex: Super Saturday 2003 where over 180 disadvantaged children from the Greater Miami Valley were exposed to the AF mission in ways that will help shape their futures. Educating and uniting our members establishes a foundation for enhanced readiness and effectiveness. We are also actively pursuing articles for future ER submissions based on upcoming themes. Individual members have contributed to the LOA National scholarship fund and we are working toward a chapter contribution in the coming year. The chapter enjoys strong senior officer support both active duty and retiree. Our plan is to educate the membership through regular chapter meetings. We have meet each month since Sep 03 using a system of alternating formal presentations with guest speakers and less formal networking-luncheons built around subjects important to the membership. To that end, we have presented informative and educational briefings on the F/A-22 in Oct, along with a networking luncheon outlining details on fit-to-fight. In Nov, BG Ro Bailey presented the issues of aging aircraft and the impacts on readiness. In Dec, BG Art Morrill joined us to present the AF/ILP perspective on the AF corporate structure, support to the warfighter, and mentoring. Upcoming meetings will highlight global supply chain management and civilian professional development and career management. Additionally, we are planning tours to GE and the AF Research Lab. We have also found that periodic partnering with the local SOLE chapter presents further opportunities for mentoring and networking in an educational environment. All of this activity has begun to unite the membership. Events are well marketed using the commander's access channel, the base newspaper, e-mail, our web page, and phone calls. Membership has expanded to over 70 and continues to grow. Several of our members have participated in local community events effectively representing LOA as civic-minded among its other attributes. Ex: Super Saturday 2003 where over 180 disadvantaged children from the Greater Miami Valley were exposed to the AF mission in ways that will help shape their futures. Educating and uniting our members establishes a foundation for enhanced readiness and effectiveness. We are actively pursuing articles for future ER submissions based on upcoming themes. Individual members have contributed to the LOA National scholarship fund and we are working toward a chapter contribution in the coming year. The chapter enjoys strong senior officer support both active duty and retiree.