Post by South on Aug 7, 2011 1:56:25 GMT -5
Good morning all,
As perhaps the newest forum participant, will mention I just completed reading all the post...just once and my retention is nil ...but did read the material.
With the hope that I'm not out of order, would like to offer some thoughts in re the future structure of AFCWA and the composition of the Board of Directors.
Please note that I am a registered forum participant and a Cold War veteran; several categories both military and civilian (contractor). As of 7 Aug 11 have not signed up for membership in the Association. I must establish comfort levels first, presuming they develop.
The following is rambling; not drafted nor proofread-just rambling;
Structure requires quality growth. The key word is -quality-. Otherwise, a glance at the food stamp roles will display growth.
Recently I posted the link to the Cold War museum. They have a couple of chapters-some overseas and a couple here. I recall Florida and California have museum chapters.
One method to develop quality growth can be via "piggy-backing". Start a museum. I learned that AFCWA has a Houston chapter. What is a museum? It could be a semi-vacant garage, etc. Much of the Cold War Museum, Vint Hill, Virginia is aviation flavored. The founder is the son of Francis Gary Powers and they're located near the Smithsonian Aviation section (near Dullas Airport). A AFCWA Houston chapter museum could be themed toward the oil industry and this industry's relation to the Cold War. I was part of the Cold War and oil industry program....not elaborating on the web and also because I am too new here to amplify.
Membership must have parameters. Seek bloated rolls solely to publish a glossy pulp magazine and the results are guaranteed failure.
The CWA uniform is a good idea. It must be kept as a criteria for membership. Otherwise, all will become pro forma and fade away.
As an aside, ... and I'm not a CWA member as of today...I pulled out my navy blazer from a garment bag. Forgot how to make a Windsor knot. Do know how to polish shoes (Note to self: bring in Black and Decker drill w/ buffer attachment; see what Home Depot charges for a Dremmel gadget with a buffer attachment).
Structure get developed with mission. Are the chapters going to have a speakers' program; someone who will show up at the local college to give a talk on the Cold War?
I glanced at the Board of Directors and membership requirements. Would not the criteria be obliged to incorporate 2 additional elements;
1. military service in US, NATO, SEATO, (and related [eg South Vietnam was prohibited from joining SEATO because of Geneva Accord]).
2. civilian involvement of some sort involving the Cold War....built a fallout shelter, bought a radio with the 640/1240 Conelrad stations identified, wrote a letter to a newspaper re Cold War.
3. an interest, coupled to activitity, in re the Cold War. Eg, this could be expressed by member/potential member having a small collection of books on Cold War, donated something or $$$ to Cold War Museum, spoke before some group in re Cold War.
A Board of Directors must be formal with basic parameters to follow. Eligibility MUST be open to young people who want to participate. Otherwise, the American "country-club" mentality will set in. Titles will magnify. Self-glory will be on display. Et cetra.
Must stop typing practice and devour another coffee.
Warm regards,
Bob
As perhaps the newest forum participant, will mention I just completed reading all the post...just once and my retention is nil ...but did read the material.
With the hope that I'm not out of order, would like to offer some thoughts in re the future structure of AFCWA and the composition of the Board of Directors.
Please note that I am a registered forum participant and a Cold War veteran; several categories both military and civilian (contractor). As of 7 Aug 11 have not signed up for membership in the Association. I must establish comfort levels first, presuming they develop.
The following is rambling; not drafted nor proofread-just rambling;
Structure requires quality growth. The key word is -quality-. Otherwise, a glance at the food stamp roles will display growth.
Recently I posted the link to the Cold War museum. They have a couple of chapters-some overseas and a couple here. I recall Florida and California have museum chapters.
One method to develop quality growth can be via "piggy-backing". Start a museum. I learned that AFCWA has a Houston chapter. What is a museum? It could be a semi-vacant garage, etc. Much of the Cold War Museum, Vint Hill, Virginia is aviation flavored. The founder is the son of Francis Gary Powers and they're located near the Smithsonian Aviation section (near Dullas Airport). A AFCWA Houston chapter museum could be themed toward the oil industry and this industry's relation to the Cold War. I was part of the Cold War and oil industry program....not elaborating on the web and also because I am too new here to amplify.
Membership must have parameters. Seek bloated rolls solely to publish a glossy pulp magazine and the results are guaranteed failure.
The CWA uniform is a good idea. It must be kept as a criteria for membership. Otherwise, all will become pro forma and fade away.
As an aside, ... and I'm not a CWA member as of today...I pulled out my navy blazer from a garment bag. Forgot how to make a Windsor knot. Do know how to polish shoes (Note to self: bring in Black and Decker drill w/ buffer attachment; see what Home Depot charges for a Dremmel gadget with a buffer attachment).
Structure get developed with mission. Are the chapters going to have a speakers' program; someone who will show up at the local college to give a talk on the Cold War?
I glanced at the Board of Directors and membership requirements. Would not the criteria be obliged to incorporate 2 additional elements;
1. military service in US, NATO, SEATO, (and related [eg South Vietnam was prohibited from joining SEATO because of Geneva Accord]).
2. civilian involvement of some sort involving the Cold War....built a fallout shelter, bought a radio with the 640/1240 Conelrad stations identified, wrote a letter to a newspaper re Cold War.
3. an interest, coupled to activitity, in re the Cold War. Eg, this could be expressed by member/potential member having a small collection of books on Cold War, donated something or $$$ to Cold War Museum, spoke before some group in re Cold War.
A Board of Directors must be formal with basic parameters to follow. Eligibility MUST be open to young people who want to participate. Otherwise, the American "country-club" mentality will set in. Titles will magnify. Self-glory will be on display. Et cetra.
Must stop typing practice and devour another coffee.
Warm regards,
Bob
