AFSA Chapter 984

August 2013, Issue 7

AFSA Chapter 984

CMSAF #6 James M. McCoy Chapter
FREE TICKETS to Omaha Storm Chasers!
Come out to our 1st General Membership Appreciation Day at Werner park on 31 Aug 13. See page 5.

Presidents Corner.
Chapter 984 Members, EDUCATION!!! How do we educate on AFSA? I continue to ask myself each and every day and wonder this same question. What are we doing wrong? When I bring up AFSA to an Air Force member, one, they tell me they are a member (which they are not) or two, they just look at you like you are crazy! When we are at the BX recruiting, people just walk right on by trying not to make any eye contact or just flat out ignore us. Yes, I do understand not everyone is going to join our Association, but if they would take the time to be educated about AFSA, I think our odds would definitely turnaround. I know that recruiting is one of the most difficult of any organization, but educating is easy. As you all know we have had hard times in our Air Force this past year, but it is on the verge to get even worst. We need help to increase membership into our Association, as this is the first step to help protect our benefits. Whats IMPORTANT to you? Pay, promotion, education, healthcare, retirement I know at least one of these benefits is IMPORTANT to you. These are just a few items that have been discussed on Capitol Hill and can be taken away anytime. We need your to help protect our benefits that we have earned and were promised. We cant do it alone, we youre your help to educate and recruit at least one new member into our Association. If you could talk to at least three people about AFSA and educate, at least one will join and make our VOICE that much stronger on Capitol Hill. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 6)

August 3 August 5

Important Dates
Legends Football league Heart vs. Charm Bingo Night with Eastern Nebraska Vets Home 1830-1930 BX membership Drive, 1000-1400 General Membership Meeting @ 1130, Bowling Alley Lounge Brush Up Nebraska Prep Day 0900-1100 Brush Up Nebraska Paint Day 0800-1600 Werner Park Omaha Stormchasers vs. OKC 1st Membership Appreciation Day @ Werner Park

August 10 August 14

August 15 August 17 August 24 August 31

Mark your calendar: General Membership meeting, 14 August 2013 @ 1130 hours at the Bowling Alley Lounge. MSgt (Ret) Merle Spaulding donates pizzas for the meeting, come join us for lunch. Door Prizes will be given away!

AFSA Chapter 984

August 2013, Issue 7

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AFSA Chapter 984

August 2013, Issue 7

POW * MIA 5K Run/Walk

- 25 September 13: 1st Annual POW/MIA 5K Run

$25 registration fee and receive a free t-shirt. To sign up use link below:
Sign up: http://afsachapter984powmia5k.eventbrite.com/

POC: TSgt Amber Saienni Proceeds raised will be donated

Upcoming Fundraisers!
At Ralston Arena and Werner Park AFSA, Chapter 984 works in the concession stands and makes profit on total sales. Usually an event takes 8-14 people to run smoothly. Below are the dates scheduled for the Ralston Arena & Werner Park. To signup use the links below. Ralston Arena: - 3 August 13: LFL Omaha Heart vs. Baltimore Charm
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040948AEA92EA31-ralston4

Upcoming Events
Upcoming events sponsored by Chapter 984. We do need assistance of volunteers or leaders to run these events. If interested contact A1C Jack Finch. 6 August 13: POW/MIA Planning Meeting - 20 August 13: POW/MIA Planning Meeting At MSG conference room at 1500 hours 15 & 17 August 13: Brush up Nebraska To sign up click on link:

POC: A1C Finch or A1C Colby

Werner Park - 24 August 13: Omaha Storm Chaser vs. New Orleans
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040948AEA92EA31-werner1

POC: A1C Colby or A1C Finch

If you would like information on how to help or spearhead a Chapter 984 fundraiser contact TSgt Mitchell at donnail.mitchell@offutt.af.mil.

LEAD A FUNDRAISER!

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040948AEA92EA31-brush

POW/MIA Week sponsored by Chapter 984

This years POW/MIA ceremony will be held on 27 September. If you would like to be part of the POW/MIA planning committee, contact MSgt Jesse Pennington at jesse.pennington.2@offutt.af.mil. There will also be 5K POW/MIA fundraiser on 25 September. A donation will be given to a non-profit org. Additional volunteers are needed to organize and make this event a success. A few more positions to fill, contact MSgt Pennington.

Our new website has arrived. The website will be www.afsa984.org or scan QR code. If you have any ideas to improve our communications or to join their team contact TSgt Alfredo Davila at alfredo.davila@offutt.af.mil.

984 Website has arrived!

Follow Chapter 984 on Twitter

You can now begin to follow Chapter 984 on Twitter. To follow Chapter 984 find us @AFSA984.

Check out our Division 3 website. Go to the following site: http://www.afsadiv3.org

Division 3 Website

Facebook Page
Did you know that your local Chapter has a Facebook page? Click the following link:

HQ AFSA Website
AFSA has a great site for your viewing pleasure. You can see what AFSA is currently fighting, your benefits as a member. To login in you need your member number and register. Go to the following site: https://www.hqafsa.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=H 3 ome

http://www.facebook.com/Afsachapter984

AFSA Chapter 984

August 2013, Issue 7

TOP 13!!!
In June, Chapter 984 moved into the Top 14 Chapters in all of AFSA with total members. In July, we have moved up to the 13th largest chapters in the Air Force Sergeants Association. This is the first time in years our chapter has been in the Top 15. We need to continue the momentum to the end of the year. Our next goal is for 1,700+ members. Go Chapter 984!!!
Chapter 984 Membership Leaderboard:
MSgt Melenka: 101 (4 ret) TSgt Sidel: 47 (Retentions) SSgt Therrien: 16 A1C Walker: 9 A1C Enzor: 6 SrA Barnes: 4 MSgt Wilson: 60 (2 ret) CMSgt (ret) Parente: 17 A1C Finch: 11 SSgt Parker: 8 SrA Helm: 5 SMSgt (ret) Lutzen: 4

A1C Olin Enzor briefs the benefits of being a member of AFSA to two possible new recruits during the BX membership drive in July

Come out and help Chapter 984 recruit & retain members. We will have one event in August. 10 August 2013 @ 1000 to 1300

BX Membership Drives!

Membership Team Seeks Motivated personnel!

SSgt Vanns membership committee is looking for a representative from each squadron to join the membership committee! Come join our membership team to recruit & retain members into the Air Force Sergeants Association. You will be trained how to recruit & retain. You will learn how to talk in front of large groups about AFSA. Membership team briefs at ALS, NCOPME, SNCO induction, Right Start, and many more! Only skill required is MOTIVATION. Contact SSgt Vann at VANNAL@stratcom.mil.

Chapter 984 Membership team during a membership drive. They recruited 13 new members

Presidents Drawing
Every month at the general membership meeting if you bring an E-4 below non-member they are entered into the Presidents drawing to win a free $25.00 two-year membership. So bring your Airmen to get them involved and a chance at a FREE membership! 4

AFSA Chapter 984

August 2013, Issue 7

Membership Challenge 13 in 13
In February Newsletter CP Melenka challenged the general membership and his executive council to recruit 13 new members in 2013 to go along with HQAFSA initiative of 13 recruits in 13. If you hit 13 in 13 you will receive a coin from the International President. CP Melenka offered the same incentive to the members who meet this challenge. They will also receive a Chapter Coin. The pictures below are members that have accepted and met the challenge. CMSgt (ret) Michael Parente past AFSA International President was the first to meet the challenge.

TSgt Travis Sidel met the challenge with 13 retains for the Chapter.

MSgt John Wilson was the second to meet the challenge.

TSgt Stephanie Therrien met the challenge for the Chapter.

AFSA Chapter 984

August 2013, Issue 7

Membership Appreciation day Get your FREE TICKETS!

Chapter 984 will be holding its 1st membership appreciation day on 31 August 2013 at Werner Park during an Omaha Stormchasers game The Chapter has purchased 100 tickets for YOU!!! We are giving 2 FREE tickets per member. If you need more than the 2 tickets for the game you will be able to purchase more seats for an additional $8 per seat. We will seat your party together. Before the game we will be having a tailgate party in the parking lot. We will provide the food for the event. Please bring your own drinks. If you would like more information on the appreciation day please make contact with SSgt Amanda Gallegos and SrA Zorisha Barnes.

Chapter 984 at Ralston Arena

Over twenty volunteers went out to the Ralston Arena on Friday, the 29th of June to support another Chapter 984 fundraiser. Chapter 984 manned two concession stands in the packed arena, selling over $3,000 worth of food and drinks between both stands that the Chapter manned. The concert was a blast, and our volunteers rocked out to everything from the Super Mario Bros Theme to the soundtrack to Skyrim, even including a very strange and interesting rendition of the Tetris Theme. The crowd was excited and the night was a blast for our volunteers and customers alike: another outstanding fundraiser for the Air Force Sergeants Association Chapter 984! - See more at: http://afsa984.org/ways-means/video-gameslive/#sthash.li6qSpKk.dpuf

Veterans Affairs
We sponsor numerous monthly and quarterly events at the ENVH in Bellevue. If you are interested in volunteering or being part of the VA team contact Trustee TSgt Therrien @ Therrisk@stratcom.mil.

Next Events at ENVH: 5 Aug 13: Bingo Night/20th IS 2 Sep 13: Bingo Night/STRAT 7 Oct 13: Bingo Night/55th WG ENVH Base Tour:
Starting on 9 September 2013, The Veterans Affairs team will start conducting annual base tours for the residents of the Eastern Nebraska Veterans Home. The residents will receive a onehour tour of Offutt AFB and will be completed with a MWD demonstration for the residents.
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AFSA Chapter 984

August 2013, Issue 7

Legislative
Use CapWiz at:
http://www.capwiz.com/hqafsa/issu es/alert/?alertid=62676741

Give Troops Their Full Military Pay Raise!

When the Administration submitted its FY 2014 budget plan, it proposed capping military pay raise at 1 percent. By law, service members would be entitled to a 1.8 percent raise in the coming year. Now is not the time to short-change our troops. Users of AFSA CapWiz should send the message to their representatives urging lawmakers to follow current law and give service members a full pay increase in 2014. Use CapWiz link above.

Pentagon Likely to Cut Furlough Days? An

Associated Press article, as reported by Fox News says, Defense department civilians will likely face up to five fewer unpaid furlough days than originally planned, as Pentagon leaders scrimp to find up to $900 million in savings in the final months of the budget year that ends Sept. 30, officials told the Associated Press. Officials said no final decisions have been made, but they believe civilian workers will be forced to take six to eight unpaid days off rather than the 11 days that had been scheduled. The move comes as workers begin their fourth week of furloughs--a decision that riled department employees and prompted many to complain directly to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel as he visited military bases earlier this month. Those interested can read the full article at: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/07/29/pentag on-to-likely-cut-number-furlough-days-for-civilian-

President Threatens to Veto Defense Bill; Objects to Full Military Pay Raise, TRICARE, and other Measures. The
Presidents Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has reported the Presidents intention to veto the FY 2014 Defense Appropriations Bill, being considered this week by the House, unless Congress changes certain items to the Presidents liking. A Military Times article explains, the White House complains the House version of the 2014 defense appropriations bill is too generous with military pay, not generous enough with pay for federal civilian workers, and doesnt include Administration-proposed cost-cutting measures such as base closings and raising Tricare health fees for military retirees. To read the full OMB Statement of Administration Policy on H.R. 2397, go to: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/o mb/legislative/sap/113/saphr2397r_20130722.pdf The Military Times source article can be accessed at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20130722/ NEWS05/307220041/White-House-issues-vetothreat-defense-funding-bill

In-State Tuition Rates for Post-9/11 GI Bill Students. Another provision in S. 944 would provide
in-state tuition rates under the GI Bill program for nonresident student veterans enrolled in public colleges and universities. According to a Miami Herald article, 17 states currently offer in-state tuition rates to all veterans, regardless of where they served; seven states offer it with conditions; and 12 states are considering legislation. Those interested can read this Miami Herald article at: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/07/21/3512010/veter 7 ans-find-out-of-state-military.html

Take action now to protect our benefits!!!

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August 2013, Issue 7

EDUCATION! Continued from the Presidents Corner: Fiscal Year 2014, DoDs budget will be cut by $52 billion dollars. Where do you think some of these cuts are going to start? SecDef Chuck Hagle sent out a letter on July 10, 2013 explaining some possibilities of these cuts which some do affect us. It is time to educate non-members to invest into their Air Force career and join AFSA. This will help strengthen our voice on Capitol Hill. When I recruit, I tell individuals they dont have to be an ACTIVE member of our chapter and to help out with any events we host, I just ask them to do their part and become a member. Yes, we do have a lot of great opportunities and if they are interested help, but by you just being a member is all we can ever ask for. The exclusive benefits they receive from AFSA pays off their membership if they join. Even as a chapter we have giveaways we give to our members. So I challenge each and every one of you to educate and try to recruit at least one member into our Chapter by the end of the year

Get your Chapter 984 Coin!

The Chapter 984 coins have just arrived. We have 100 on hand. Be the first to get your new Chapter coin. The cost is $10.00 per coin. If you would like a coin please contact MSgt Nicholas Melenka.

Animals from AFSA! Aug 5-30

Animals from AFSA initiative was created by your executive council. What is it? Is to have used and new stuffed animals donated for this cause. We are doing two drives in ONE! The first is clean used stuffed animals to be donated where the Chapter will bring these items to the Open Door Mission and to give away to less fortunate children. Our second drive will be used for only NEW stuffed animals and the Chapter will bring them to the Childrens Hospital to donate to kids receiving treatment the day we go visit. The drive will take place from 5 Aug to 30 Aug. We will have boxes set up around base for you to drop off your donated stuffed animals. We ask please donate the items and place in a plastic bag to keep clean with new or used tag. If you would like to have more information on this initiative please contact the following POCs for this event.
TSgt Mitchell: 294-6502 TSgt Cicirello: 294-4202 MSgt Andrus: 232-1358 SrA Barnes: 232-4788

Ruby Tuesday has offered AFSA six different dates to the end of the year to help raise money for the organization. All you have to do is present the flyer attached and have lunch or dinner at the Cornhusker Ruby Tuesday. They will give 20% of your total bill back to AFSA. The dates of the give back program are July 2, August 6, September 3, October 1, November 5 and Dec 3. Click on link for flyer. http://www.hqafsa.org/aoc/afsa_rtp.pdf

AFSA Chapter 984

August 2013, Issue 7

Presidents Chip for Extraordinary Performance

Starting on 1 Jun the CP started a new incentive for Outstanding Chapter members that goes above and beyond. For a member that gives Extraordinary Performance to Chapter 984 will personally receive the Presidents Chip. At the July General Membership Meeting the second chip was presented to MSgt Matthew Fritz from Maintenance. During June MSgt Fritz stepped up to lead the Oklahoma Clothing Drive for the Tornado victims that were left with nothing after the tornados came in May. With his leadership his team collected over 5.3K pounds of clothing helping 60 families right away. In the months to come the clothes collected will help another 150-200 families. To MSgt Fritz and his team, this would not have been possible for each of you. Thank you for the continued support to Chapter 984. MSgt Matthew Fritz receiving the second Presidents Chip from CP Melenka at the July meeting.

New Chick-fil-A Sponsorship

Chapter 984 just teamed up with Chick-fil-A in f Bellevue NE, for a monthly membership sponsorship. For the remainder of the year Chick-fil-A will buy a membership for an outstanding E-6 non-AFSA member. They will also provide a free meal to the recipient of this award. Any member can nominate an individual within their workplace. All you have to do is submit at least a 50-word statement to the executive council of why this person is the most deserving. This process will begin at the August general membership meeting. All submission will be due by the end of each month. Winner will be announced at the next membership meeting. If you have an individual for July please get with the Chapter President on nominee before 10 Jul 13. For this individual just give a brief statement on why they should be consider for the membership. The POC for this award will be TSgt Travis Sidel.

Presidents Contact Info:

Anytime you need to contact the President of Chapter 984 or provide feedback please use the following info: HP: 210-452-9322 WP: 402-294-6593 Home E-mail: chapter984president@cox.net Work e-mail: nicholas.melenka@offutt.af.mil
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