Dear Legionnaires:
As we prepare to begin a new year, we can also reflect on the tumultuous past couple of years for the Department of Washington. We do not wish to rehash the past and fail in our endeavor to start the new year on a positive note. While it may not seem like it, your elected leadership has regularly met since the state convention. We were given a short list of tasks and continue to receive guidance on needed actions within our current purview. While those responsibilities and tasks have been limited by our suspension, we have made progress.
The update from our national JA in last week’s highlights hopefully helped to calm the brewing feelings of neglect and silence. We felt it best to follow up this week with an outline of all the steps and where we are currently. Below is a simple outline of the steps, but please know that no dates or specific timelines are attached. Each step has nuances and other factors involved beyond our control.
1. Settle the lawsuit;
a. Completed – all documents have been signed and accepted by the courts
2. Re-establish the correct non-profit state with the state of Washington:
a. National JA contacting Washington Secretary of State
b. Pending application process
3. NEC – to vote on reinstatement of our charter. Options:
a. Call of special NEC to vote.
b. Vote at the next meeting scheduled for May.
4. Hold the first official DEC meeting:
a. Confirm the Commission, Committee and Officer appointments.
b. Establish working groups/committees for updating Operational Procedures.
5. Revitalization plan:
a. Select districts that are struggling the most.
b. Set dates for all-call and outreach.
Again, we remind everyone that no timeline or dates can be attached to each step. Be patient; don’t give up when the department needs us the most. We understand that faith and trust must be earned, but it must be earned as a team and it takes time. Posts have continued to pursue the programs within their reach and have been successful in many aspects. We must continue to renew and recruit to be sustainable at the lowest levels – at the Posts. That cannot be easy, given the obstacles of the past couple of years. We would challenge each of you to find why you have stayed and identify the good that has been and is yet to be done and the growth opportunities within our grasp. We have done the hard part and peeled open our most vulnerable parts, all for the better. The leadership team you elected is here to help. Contact us, talk to us, and tell us your concerns, and we will all work on addressing those issues. Communication must go both ways, and we need to improve that; we know that is one of most significant weaknesses.
To that, we invite as many as can come to Mid-Winter. Yes, there will be training, but there will also be the opportunity to ask questions directly and learn more about where we are in the process. We understand that we do not have a budget, and the ask is significant for the out-of-pocket expenses. We are an all-volunteer organization, the heart of who we are and why we do this. Consider attendance and be part of the future growth of the Department of Washington.
Respectfully,
Vice Commanders (Elect), Debra Wood; Gary Walker; Jim Brakebill; Penny Martinez
Commander (Elect) Al Jensen