AFSA Chapter 985

We did it! We wrapped presents for 26 days, 9 hours a day (in most cases), and finished up on Christmas eve at 6 PM. I don’t have the final numbers yet, but I do know we made enough money to cover our budgeted items for 2009. We did not make as much as years past, but there were two things that contributed: Thanksgiving was late in November, so it cut a week of wrapping out of the schedule, and the poor economy slowed the shopping down.

I truly appreciate everyone that volunteered their time, energy, and wrapping skills to benefit our chapter. With very few exceptions, people that signed up to wrap were there on time and with enthusiasm, and the BX manager was very pleased. [Read more →]

AFSA Chapter 985 members, I am forwarding information on behalf of our brothers and sisters at VFW Post 8706. Very few things will warm your heart more than making the holidays memorable for a veteran who is spending it in the hospital. Just ½ an hour with them will make your day, and theirs. Please consider joining the VFW group for the visit.

From: Commander Moore Oklahoma VFW Post 8706 [mailto:commander@vfwpost8706.org]
Sent: Tuesday, December 23, 2008 8:28 PM
To: commander@vfwpost8706.org
Subject: OKC Vet Visit Sat. 10 AM

The Moore Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8706 will be visiting veterans at the Oklahoma Veterans Hospital this Saturday, December 27, 2008 at 10 AM to visit and distribute “VFW Operation Up-Link” phone cards. We will meet at the northern entrance of the OKC VA Medical Center at 921 N.E. 13th Street, OKC, OK 73104.  The visit should last for about an hour. If you need a ride, please let me know!

v/r sentrymike

www.vfwpost8706.org
Michael H. Devenitch, Commander
Bruce January Post # 8706
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

We’re entering our final week for the holiday gift wrap fundraiser and we are very short on volunteers.

For example, we have 1 person wrapping today from 1800-2100. Tomorrow (Sunday) we have no volunteers from 1200-1800. This is a common occurrence throughout the remainder of our fundraiser.

There are only a few days left, and we need to make sure the booth is occupied with at least 3 motivated volunteers for every shift. This week is the busiest of them all, and one or two people cannot do it all themselves.

Please e-mail me if you are able to volunteer for one or more shift for this last week.  Please check the AFSA Gift Wrapping Schedule to see if you’ll be able to help out.

I (Bryan Thompson) am serving as the elections chair this year for AFSA Chapter 985.

The AFSA chapter 985 elections will be held on Feb 12, 2009, at our General Membership meeting in the Tinker Club, at 1130.

The positions up for election are President, and three trustees.

Those wishing to run for election to any of these four positions can e-mail me and make your intentions known. To be elected, you must have a current (paid-up) membership in the Air Force Sergeants Association, have a desire and the energy to support the organization, and the support of your peers (they will have to vote for you). Any AB through CMSgt, active duty, ANG or AFRC, active or retired can run, as long as they meet membership requirements. Current, and past executive council members are also eligible for election.

The duties of president are fairly obvious. The trustees are assigned as chairs of committees, such as Legislative, Programs, Membership etc. All four terms are for 1-year in length. Other positions such as Airman Activities Coordinator, historian, chaplain, and additional trustees are appointed by the new president.

Please reply to this e-mail with any questions about the elections, duties of the officers, or your intent to run for a position.

Here is the 19 December AFSA newsletter. As always there are great stories, and a lot of excellent information for you to digest.

I hope each of you has a very blessed Christmas and a safe and happy new year. 2008 has been a very productive year for your AFSA, and with your support that productivity can and will continue in 2009.

Great news on your 2009 BAH amounts!

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 1014-08
December 15, 2008

Department of Defense Releases 2009 BAH Rates

The Department of Defense released today the 2009 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates.

Military members will receive an average housing allowance increase of 6.9 percent when the new rates take effect, Jan. 1, 2009. [Read more →]

Chapter 985, in case you haven’t visited the AFSA Mall or AFSA Mobile websites, here are some things are being featured. There are hundreds of discounts available on each site, and I’m sure you would be able to find a great gift for that special someone. For example, you can buy an IPod (any size or model) at a discount, with free engraving, and free shipping.

These are just two of the many additional benefits available to you as a member of the Air Force Sergeant’s Association.

Happy shopping!

President Thompson,

Here is this week’s information EARLY — feel free to distribute to your lists.

Andy [Read more →]

It’s that time again! We will hold our General Membership Meeting this Thursday, at 1130, in the Tinker Club.

The General Membership meeting minutes from November, the Executive Council meeting minutes from December, and the Legislative report for December are available for your review.

The holiday gift wrap fund raising effort has been ongoing for 10 days now and I thank you for your volunteer efforts. The schedule on the website is kept up to date at the end of each day. If you see a time you’d like to volunteer for, please e-mail myself, Tasha.sheerin@tinker.af.mil, or tiffany.gordon@tinker.af.mil. Any one of us can add you to that schedule. You’ll see there are a lot of open times, and we still need your help to get them filled. The volunteers we have had so far have been superb, and I appreciate each and every one.  Here are some notes to make things easier on you: [Read more →]

The December 5 AFSA Newsletter is available.