June 12, 2012

The Alamo Chapter AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION P.O. Box 34261 San Antonio TX 78265-4261 www.alamoafa.org AN INDEPENDENT NONPROFIT AEROSPACE ORGANIZATION ALAMO AFA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES For June 12, 2012 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Alamo AFA Chapter President Al Swaim. This month’s meeting was held at the Lackland AFB Gateway Club Enlisted Dining Room at 5:00 P.M. (1700). ATTENDANCE The following individuals signed in as attending: Al Swaim, Jim Whitmore, Alan Beaty, Bill Croom, Ray Cornish, Don Taylor, Paul Weseloh, Joan Lopez, Randy Coggins, Sara Hoh, Gary Miles, and Tom Peterson. GUESTS Ben Benson TREASURER'S REPORT Treasurer Alan Beaty gave the treasurer’s report. At the next executive committee meeting he will present a summary of final late invoices from the January 2012 chapter sponsored AETC Symposium Exposition. AETC COMMANDER VISIT Chapter President Al Swaim’s remarks on his visit with the AETC Commander: On June 8, 2012, Tom "Bullet" Arko and I paid a courtesy visit on AETC Commander and AFA member General Ed Rice. Gen. Rice had just returned from the latest four-star Corona conference with Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Norton Schwartz. I took the opportunity to introduce myself as the chapter's new president. Gen. Rice congratulated me on my post and expressed interest in how the first quarter of this year had gone. We next talked about the latest guidance from SECDEF regarding participation by active duty members at conferences and symposia, as well as limitations on speaking engagements. Gen. Rice confirmed that the topic was key among his fellow commanders. He was very guarded in being able to forecast the likelihood of Alamo Chapter resuming our recent partnership for a large, local conference/exposition in 2014 or beyond. He indicated that AETC's needs and our ability to directly support, might shift. He was gracious enough to task his staff to review and provide a more detailed response later. We next talked about impacts of budget on Morale, Welfare and Recreation support to our Airmen. He described briefly the categories under which full funding could be provided and the at-risk category of activities which had to be fully self-sufficient. I asked if there were any specific areas in the Alamo Chapter area where the AFA might be able to help. He again deferred to study the issue and said he would follow up with me soon. Finally, I asked him what was keeping him up at night. Based on the just-concluded Corona, he said that the full effects of budget shortfalls were still building and would have a profound impact on the next several years of Air Force operations. He encouraged us to support leadership as they struggled with more unplanned reductions. He also said he would think on other areas where we might help. He concluded by again confirming his support of AFA and the work of our chapter and encouraged us to continue the work of educating, advocating and supporting the force. HYATT HOTEL CONTRACT Al Swaim reported that the National AFA has offered to have their contracting department review our existing room reservation contract with the Hyatt Hotel. They will offer suggestions on actions we might take in regards to this contract in light of the very possible cancellation of future AETC conferences. MEETING MINUTES Minutes from last meeting were reviewed. A motion was made, seconded, and approved to accept the minutes as written. SECURITY HILL Last month a request was presented for monetary support to Security Hill for AFA Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) Professional Development Opportunities Day. Since our treasurer was not present, we used this as a trial run for the Pop-Up funding committee. The pop-up committee agreed on a $500 donation for monetary support. AFA TEXAS STATE MEETING DATES: 20-22 July 2012 HOTEL: Best Western Plus Monica Royale 3001 Mustang Crossing Annex, Greenville TX 75402 Reservations: 1-903-454-3700 Rate: $89/night+tax for standard room; Suites $99+tax; Check-in 3:00 p.m. TENTATIVE AGENDA: Friday, July 20, 2012 Complimentary breakfast in hotel lobby Registration: 0900 hrs Golf: 0900 hrs, $25/player; Hartline Course Hospitality Room: 1600-1800 hrs President's Welcome and Pasta Bar $15/person: 1800 hrs Saturday, July 21, 2012 Complimentary breakfast in hotel lobby Morning Business Session: 0800-1115 hrs Luncheon: 1130-1300, $20/person Spouses on their own for shopping and touring Afternoon Business Session: 1315-1530 hrs Dinner: 1800, $25/person Hospitality Room: 1600-1800 and 2100-2300 hrs Sunday, July 22, 2012 Complimentary breakfast in hotel lobby Reservations need to be made by July 12. Registration and hotel information are on the AFA Texas website home page at http://www.texasafa.org. AIRMAN HERITAGE MUSEUM UPDATE Ray Cornish reported that the Air Force has established an official non-appropriated funds requirement for the Museum. 2013 AWARDS BANQUET Sara Hoh introduced Ben Benson, the new POC of next year’s awards banquet. COMBAT BREAKFAST 2012 This year’s combat breakfast, sponsored by our chapter, is scheduled for Tuesday morning November 6, 2012. ALS CLASSROOM SUPPORT Al Swaim has discussed with the Commandant avenues for our chapter to help with finishing out of their new facilities. Gary Miles was asked to help further determine their needs and report back to chapter president with options. A target grant amount has been determined to be available within our budget. A general discussion was held regarding organizations that we might enlist to assist with outfitting the facilities. Open Item. CHAPTER CALENDAR The on-line calendar is available on the chapter web-site at alamoafa.org. If anyone has activities to be posted to the calendar, please forward the information to Douglas Nelson by email at dnelson004@satx.rr.com . _____________________________________________________________________________________________ The meeting was adjourned by chapter president Al Swaim. The July 10, 2012 Executive Committee meeting will be held at the Randolph AFB Kendrick Club. Tom Peterson Alamo AFA Chapter 234 Secretary July 8, 2012