THE
FUTURE OF THE 16TH INFANTRY REGIMENT ASSOCIATION--A CALL FOR ACTION (March 2008)
Two major events occurred in since November 2007 regarding the future of your
Association.
1. The final draft of the 16th Infantry Regiment Operating Procedures and
Standards (OP PRO STD) was published in the January 2008 DD requesting all
members read, comment if desired and vote by 28 Feb. The on-line final draft was
published late November 2007. This document, initiated early 2007 under the
guidance of former Trustee/President Jerry Griffin and almost a year in the
development by a dedicated few members, serves as a formal business document for
the operational standardization of the Association. Only 23 members took the
opportunity to participate in comment and/or vote, over 1/3 of them current or
former Task Force/ Board or Committee Members. Based on this limited input, the
OP PRO STD is adopted as the document for the Association's Operations and the
final changes posted in this DD and since March on the website.
2. The 2008 Association Elections/Nominations procedures were posted on the
Regimental Website late November and a postcard on same mailed to every paid
member early January 08, both announcing a 1 March 08 cutoff for nominees for
the 23 August Association Board Elections. The current governing Task
Force/Board will dissolve in August. I have been Secretary since July 2003 and
will step down to move on with retired life. Ken Alderson, Treasurer, has
served eight years in that capacity and said he will stay on for at least a year
to work with a new Treasurer, possibly taking on the Secretary duties as well.
Three more potential board candidates have tentatively (as of March) stepped
forward after being asked since no other members raised their hand for the
August 23 slate. Dennis Moorehead, Bob Humphries and Al Herrera. Dennis
previously served ten years as President, Bob as Vice-President for about eight
years and Al on the Task Force since 2008 and involved for years with Bandido
Charlie. We simply cannot keep going back to those who have already served well
and faithfully to keep the Association going. This has gone on for over a
decade.
Multiple alternatives have been proposed and discussed to include dissolving the
Association due to member lack of interest. The future of your Association is
in your hands. Unless 16th Infantry Regiment Association Members become active
and interested in the business of the Association and step forward to take on or
encourage others to become Board Members, the facts appear obvious as to what we
face.
Please contact any member of the Task Force listed on page 2 of the DD or on the
Website Administration list if you have comments, questions or hopefully am
willing to raise your hand to serve.
Thank you,
Ron Saxton
Secretary/President Pro-tem