Second Virtual Summit Held for Retirees

NGAUS held a second virtual retired/separated caucus for association members June 26, after a successful inaugural event in December.

The retired/separated representatives serving on the association board of directors, retired Army Brig. Gen. Mike Oster of South Dakota and retired Air Maj. Gen. April Vogel of Maryland moderated the event. 

“This an attempt to get more engagement and provide additional opportunities for our retirees,” Oster told the more than 70 participants.

The webinar featured an overview of the NGAUS Strategic Plan. Retired Brig. Gen. Bobbi Doorenbos, the secretary of the association board, and retired Brig. Gen. Maria Kelly, the former NGAUS membership and marketing director, provided an update on the development of the plan.

They are co-chairs of the Strategic Plan Committee appointed by Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, the association chairman.

Doorenbos said the new NGAUS strategic plan will replace the current plan, which is outdated due to changes in technology, the nature of conflicts and the way we communicate.

The committee has been conducting interviews and surveys over the past several months to acquire member feedback across all ranks and regions.

Early key findings show a high satisfaction rate with the association with the top value being legislative advocacy, followed by professional development and education.

The committee’s timeline includes submitting a draft plan to the NGAUS board at its November meeting.

The 90-minute forum also included updates by retired Maj. Gen. Francis M. McGinn, the NGAUS president, retired Col. Jon Eisberg, the association vice president for government affairs, and retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jim Simms, the NGAUS conference coordinator.

McGinn asked the participants to help with membership and grassroots support for legislation supporting the association’s priorities.

Conference events of interest to retirees include the retiree caucus/luncheon Aug. 24 at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee. 

“This type of session is awesome and maybe should be conducted on a quarterly basis,” one participant, retired Col. Calvin Washispack, a Louisiana Army Guardsman, shared in the chatroom during the event.

That is the plan. The next retiree summit is scheduled for Nov. 20.