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ROA Weekly Newsletter for Feb. 11, 2009
MID-WINTER CONFERENCE WRAP-UP:
Check out the new ROA and ROAL photos posted to Flickr. We've also updated the Mid-Winter wrap up page with ROAL information, reports from the conference, Air Section briefings and information from the Medical Seminar. It's all linked from the Mid-Winter wrap-up page.
 Click here to view the Mid-Winter wrap-up page
LEGISLATION AND MILITARY POLICY UPDATE:
ROA Advocacy Heard in Form of Stimulus Projects for Reserve Components
ROA has been a continual advocate on Capitol Hill for directing money to the Reserve Components. With the number of shovel-ready facilities projects in the Guard and Reserve, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 directing funding to the Guard and Reserve is a judicious taxpayer investment. This money can quickly be executed in Reserve communities around the nation. Not only will Citizen Warriors benefit in their Reserve capacity, but they will benefit by the immediate economic stimulus to their communities.
Click here to review the full text of the Act
Click here to review the White House web site for the Act
MEMBERSHIP UPDATES:
 Membership Survey: Take It Today
There's still time to take the ROA membership Survey. Your voice counts, so we need your feedback!
Take the survey
Jan. 2008 Department Retention Statistics:
The top 5 ROA Departments for retention of term members are:
| 1. |
Idaho |
82% |
| 2. |
South Dakota |
80% |
| 3. |
Maine |
75% |
| 4. |
Rhode Island |
74% |
| 5. |
Iowa |
71% |
The 5 lowest ranking ROA Departments for retention of term members are:
| 1. |
Illinois |
31% |
| 2. |
Wyoming |
33% |
| 3. |
Far East |
33% |
| 4. |
Delaware |
39% |
| 5. |
Indiana |
40% |
A Message to ROA Members and Friends
Concerning the Henry J. Reilly Scholarship
The Reserve Officers Association Executive Committee, with the unanimous concurrence of the Board of Trustees, has made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend the activities of the H.J. Reilly Memorial Scholarship program. This decision was made in order to preserve and protect this significant benefit for members and their families for years to come.
Since 1982, members of ROA and ROAL have benefited from this scholarship; however, for the trust fund that supports the scholarship to survive into the future, action had to be taken today.
This temporary suspension is a result of the faltering economy and its effects on the scholarship’s investment fund. Like investment funds everywhere, the Reilly Scholarship fund lost over 30% of its value between October 2008 and January 2009. The ultimate consideration was that it would not be financially prudent for the future legacy of this scholarship to deduct funds today for either scholarships or administrative costs.
This is a temporary action and the scholarship will be reestablished at the appropriate time once the investment fund can sustain itself again. We will continue to ask ROA benefactors to contribute to the fund as we seek to rebuild its corpus. The Board of Trustees will continue to prudently manage the fund as a part of that same effort.
Thanks to all ROA members and friends for your understanding and continuing support.
ROA NEWS:
ROA members Win Free Vacations during Mid-Winter
Congrats to the following ROA members who won drawings at Mid-Winter from ROA's new travel partner, Vacation Rewards, A member benefit for you! Madge Campbell won a 4-day Caribbean or Mexican cruise. Joyce Page, Richard McNorton, and Capt. Michael Lofton each won 7-day resort stays at one of 1,500 locations worldwide. ROA members who sign up for an account with Vacation Rewards for Government Service earn rewards while saving hundreds on the world’s finest resorts, hotels and cruise lines. By enrolling, ROA members will immediately receive at least 5,000 Vacation Rewards that can be redeemed for $300 or more in savings on their next vacation.
Sign up for a free membership today!
COMMUNICATION UPDATES:
Highlighted on ROA's Web Site: Press Room
Visit the Press Room on the ROA Web site for updates, press releases, and informative printed materials.
ROA Press Room
Great American Video of the week
ROA is a participating organization in the Great Americans video archive effort. Tune in to watch this week's video: Air Force Special Operations Command Men and Women show how it's done.
Watch this week's video
Upload your videos on the Great Americans Web site
NEWS FOR CITIZEN WARRIORS:
Rep. Murtha Not Sold on Solo Boeing Tanker Deal (AP)
AF Reservists Now Must Serve Longer To Make O-6 (Air Force Times)
Stimulus Falls Short for Vets, Lawmakers Say (Army Times)
Army Reserve program is First of Kind on YouTube (Army Times)
U.S. Army Europe Commander Says More Troops Needed To Meet Evolving Missions (AFPS)
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
HBO To Participate in Los Alamitos Race on Base in Honor of Taking Chance
On Feb. 21, the Chance Phelps Foundation and HBO will premiere Taking Chance, an Original Film starring Kevin Bacon as Lieutenant Colonel Michael Strobl, and there will be a kickoff event at the 28th Annual Los Alamitos Race on the Base, a 5K race at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base coinciding with the movie premiere. Members of the military and ROTC candidates from southern California are invited to run as part of the Run4Chance team. Interested parties can sign up for the event by contacting David Tackel at (212) 413-0854.
Visit Web site for more information
View the trailer of the film
Universal Orlando Resort Honors Military Personnel with Free Admission
Universal Orlando Resort’s new Military Salute program offers one free 2-park, seven day unlimited admission ticket to all United States Active Duty (includes Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard or Reservists), and Retired military servicemembers with a valid military photo I.D. Offer is available through June 28, 2009. Tickets are available at participating Military Base ITT/ITR offices nationwide (177 locations) and the Shades of Green Resort in Orlando.
Registration Open for World’s Largest Annual Sporting Event for Senior Veterans
Registration is now open for the 23rd National Veterans Golden Age Games, which is sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Canteen Service and Help Hospitalized Veterans. All registration packages must be received no later than March 31, 2009. More than 700 veterans from across the country will travel to the host city of Birmingham to compete in the largest sports and recreation competition for senior military veterans in the world on June 1-5.
For more information, please visit the Web site.
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EVENTS:
Defense Education Forum
To find out what DEF events are scheduled, Click Here
CIOR/CIOMR Mid-Winter Meeting
February 18-21, 2009
Brussels, Belgium
ROA 2009 National Convention
July 8-11, 2009
Marriott World Center
Orlando, Fla.
NETWORKING:
Want to network with fellow ROA members online? Check out these opportunities:
ROA on Facebook
ROA on LinkedIn
MyROA
JOB FAIR:
There will be a FREE Corporate Gray Job Fair for the Military Community at the Virginia Beach Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 19, 2009. Over 65 companies and government agencies will be there. Make sure to stop by ROA booth and say hello. For details, visit the Web site.
"No man has a right to withhold his support from an organization that is striving to improve conditions within his sphere." - President Theodore Roosevelt
Please consider a donation to the Reserve Officers Association.
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