Air & Space Forces Association Has So Much To Offer
One Basic Task
As a fairly new member of the Air & Space Forces Association, AFA, I spend a lot of time not only looking ahead at what is to come as the Association forges its 5-year plan, but also behind at what the AFA has accomplished over the past 80 years.
As with any convention, the coffee breaks and lunches were almost as electric and informative as the actual seminars, as delegates discussed what their chapters have done and would like to do in the next 12 months. The old saying that it is kind of like “drinking from a fire hose” is certainly true. There is a plethora of information presented in 48 hours.
If you take a minute to visit the AFA website, afa.org, you will see the pillars on which the AFA is built. These pillars are to educate, advocate, and support. Education and advocacy are important to the mission of the AFA, but I believe our biggest contribution to today’s Air Force is to support the mission wherever we can.
That support shows up most clearly when local chapters turn the Association’s mission into practical programs that recognize educators, encourage families, and honor Airmen and civilians for exceptional service.
Local Support in Action
One example is our Teacher of the Year program. Take a minute and read about Tom Sando, a teacher whom our Minot chapter nominated and moved forward. We were excited when he received 3rd place in the national AFA competition.
And then there is Joann Schapp, a science teacher at Nedrose High School who received our Teacher of the Year award this year. They are advocates of STEM in the classroom, and Joann’s students reflect how she inspires them to learn and succeed.
The Teacher of the Year is just one small part of what AFA does. Our local AFA Chapter sponsored a summer movie theater program at Oak Park Theater. Children’s tickets were only $1.00, and the movies were 100% family all the way.
There was also a lot of interest in our chapter’s Commander’s Choice awards. This year another 48 Airmen and civilians will receive a Commander’s Choice award for going above and beyond in their job or their volunteer work. This banquet is funded by our Community Partner program. AFA member George Masters chairs this event. Each individual winner receives a free meal and an award plaque.
You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet
It’s an old and probably overused cliché, but an accurate way to describe what Gen David C. Jones Chapter 135 wants to accomplish this year. At the forefront of our goals is to grow our chapter, as many hands make for easier work.
Ever heard of Cyber Patriots? Well, I guarantee that you will before this time next year. It’s a great young student program that many chapters have already organized in their communities.
So much to accomplish, and so much good to do. You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet! For more information on The Gen David C Jones Chapter 135 of the Air & Space Force Association, visit our web site at jones.afa.org.
Rod’s Ramblin’s
Here are a few community notes and reflections as we move from AFA chapter work into the busy fall season.
Mark your calendar for October 18th, when the Brass Band of Minot starts our season with a “Tribute to Veterans” concert. We are excited to welcome the 188th Military Band as our guest performers at this concert. The concert is at 4 PM at Ann Nicole Nelson Hall on Minot State University.
The Minot State University Homecoming parade will once more wind through downtown Minot on the 19th of September. Check the MSU website, minotstateu.edu, for more parade details.
One of the seminars at the AFA National Convention was about using AI to grow your chapter, including a bit of ChatGPT 101 training. On one hand, I feel guilty letting AI do what I should be able to accomplish. On the other hand, it was absolutely beyond my imagination how well ChatGPT took on normal tasks and finished them in minutes, not hours. Another cliché: something about teaching an old dog new tricks?
Today’s Chuckle
Divorce is when your better half becomes your bitter half.
