What exactly does the national CPOA do?

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

I've always seen a role for local chapters to unite active and retired members, generate funds for good causes, oversee the CCTI, etc.., but I have no idea as to the purpose of the national CPOA. Would someone please explain?

[BMCS Charlie Womack (Ret)]

Dennis and All,

Greetings,

Read the last page in any issue of THE CHIEF. What we do and provide is there. Any specific questions can be answered by contacting the National Office.

cgcpoa@aol.com
703 941 0395

Charlie

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

I found the below listed quotes on your website. But, if may paraphrase, you represent us at HQ and with Congress, have connections with a couple of insurance companies, maintain one scholarship fund, and put out a magazine. Now, with the exception of representation at HQ and Congress, we can get all that other stuff elsewhere. So, my interest lay in your representation. What has the CPOA done in that regard, that I can point to and say "That's why I belong to this organization!"


"At the National level, our Executive Director represents the interests of all Coast Guard Enlisted personnel on various committees and councils on military affairs in Washington, DC, and provides information to the membership on what is happening. Chiefs elected to National Office stay in contact with Headquarters to keep them informed on our ideas and opinions, and are responsible for administering policy of the CPOA.
At the Chapter level, Chiefs assist local commands with various seminars, help CG families assimilate into the local community by providing information about stores, schools, churches, etc., and help dependents of members away from their families feel welcome and part of the Coast Guard family. They arrange CG Day picnics, children’s Christmas parties, Thanksgiving and Easter Day activities and other social events, and provide assistance to the local community in organized sports, clean-ups, neighborhood crime watches, Scout organizations, etc. CPOA members take part in nationally organized assistance programs such as the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon and Special Olympics."

and this...

"A comprehensive insurance program, which includes: TRICARE/MEDICARE supplements, cancer, life, auto, homeowners, renters, dental, term life, etc.
♦ Automobile insurance discounts through Government Employees Insurance CO. - GEICO.
♦ The Captain Caliendo College Assistance Fund (CCCAF) to help CPOA/CGEA family members with college costs.
♦ A magazine, “THE CHIEF”, to keep you informed on what other Chiefs are doing and provide a forum for presenting ideas.
♦ Over fifty Chapters established in the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. Sharing with other Chiefs, through association and mutual acquaintance, our professional abilities, loyalty, and devotion to God, country and service, and promote unity and morale through responsible leadership.
♦ Affiliation with and sponsorship of the CPOA Auxiliary for family members, and the Coast Guard Enlisted Association - CGEA - for Coast Guard members in pay grades E-6 and below.
♦ Representation with other military and fraternal organizations through our National Executive Director, which allows us to stay abreast of legislation that will affect our members. The ED is a member of The Military Coalition and the Council of Military Organizations (COMO).
♦ Join an exclusive fraternity of Chief Petty Officers: The United States Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Association"

[BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret)]

Dennis --> Are you, or have you ever been a member of the CPOA?

Wray....:cool:

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

I was. I stopped paying dues when I retired. Why do you ask?

[BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret)]

Just curious.....

Wray.... :cool:

[BMCS Charlie Womack (Ret)]

I found the below listed quotes on your website. But, if may paraphrase, you represent us at HQ and with Congress, have connections with a couple of insurance companies, maintain one scholarship fund, and put out a magazine. Now, with the exception of representation at HQ and Congress, we can get all that other stuff elsewhere. So, my interest lay in your representation. What has the CPOA done in that regard, that I can point to and say "That's why I belong to this organization!"
SIZE][/I]


One can get the Group rates from FRA, TREA, Etc, and we belong to the same lobbying organizations as these others, (see members list on The Military Coalition website) so it begs that if I am going to belong to an organization why wouldn't it be the only organization in the world that is for Coast Guard Chiefs, run by Coast Guard Chiefs.

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

"...if I am going to belong to an organization..."

That's sort of what I'm getting at. I'm not normally "an organization" kind-of-guy. Based on what I've seen in other threads, I'm not alone. It's possible that Chiefs don't seem to be interested in the CPOA at the National level...because they aren't. They (we) don't see a lot benefit from it.

Tell us some things that CPOA National has done in the past that have made our lives better.

[BMCS Jim Madsen]

I would be interested to know how much $$$ the CPOA contributes to lobbying efforts in DC. We have a MCPO-CG that has a loud and clear voice at HQ. I am quite sure his is heard much more than CPOA. I am 3-1/2 hours from my closest Chapter. I was a member of the Mt. Hood Chapter but that has folded. I actually never attended any meeting other than CCTI because of the distance. Call me lazy, cheap... I didn't want to make the trip 3-1/2 hours each way to attend, but I did correspond via e-mail. The local chapters or Chiefs messes will make things happen because that is what we do. I am interested in what National is doing. They get my $2.00 per month which isn't much, but where is it going? I hope that there is some donations to FRA that does have lobbying efforts on behalf of us. I just don't recall seeing anything of import in any of the Chief magazines that I get on rare occasions. I see lots of things that chapters are doing and good for them.

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

Thank you, Jim. Couldn't have said it better myself.

So, do you CPOA advocates only discuss rules of order, or are you going to enlighten us to the benefits of such an organization?

[BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret)]

Dennis,
Perhaps I am wrong, but you don't sound as if you had much to do with the CPOA prior to your retirement, other than pay you dues. You appear to have no clue what the CPOA does or did while you were active duty.... Were you at all involved in any level, other than the Chapter level? Did you ever hold a chapter office? Ever attend a convention? You sound very negative about this.

While I think the CPOA has much room for improvement, I just don't like the negativity you are producing... does anyone else get that, or is it just me.?

Wray.... :cool:

[BMCS Jim Madsen]

I don't think it is negativity as simply curiosity. I think everyone is familiar with what the CPOA does at the local level. That is usually highly visible. What isn't visible is what the CPOA is doing at the National level. The Chief magazine, in my opinion, should have articles and information about what is happening at the national level. At least something similar to bullets that we submit for our marks. How are we to evaluate the effectiveness of the current leadership without that information. We all have a vote. We are entitled to more than a vision. I would like to hear about accomplishments. I don't think that is negative.

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

Wray-
You're correct. I didn't have anything to do with the CPOA at the national level except for paying my dues.

My question is, why should I? What has the CPOA National done to warrant my support?

As Jim said, "I would like to hear about accomplishments. I don't think that is negative."

[BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret)]

Dennis,
The person that could best answer your question is probably the Executive Director Tom Scaramastro. You can find him here: http://uscgcpoa.org/
or .. you can e-mail him: cgcpoa@aol.com

You, like me may not have much CPOA activity in your local area. Lately, the only way I have supported the organization is by paying my dues... Those that obviously benefit most are the active duty, or even retired that live in the area of a local chapter.

If the CPOA decides to hold a convention closer to me, you can be I will be there.

Wray... :cool:

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

I emailed him and asked for his input.

It is telling, though, that those of you who are active in the CPOA National aren't able to provide some solid examples of achievement.

I hope I'm wrong in my assumption that nothing really productive comes from the CPOA National. I'd like to think that we have some significant degree of legislative influence.

[BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret)]

I think the only one here that has been active at a National level is Charlie Womack. When I get my CHIEF MAgazine, I read it, but certainly don't memorize it, or the accomplishments of the CPOA.

As with all organizations there are high points and low points. Members shouldn't bail out during the rough times.. instead they should do what they can to help out. Here again, those that can do the most are the active duty members.

Wray... :cool:

[BMCS Charlie Womack (Ret)]

Greetings Everyone,

I for one am a huge advocate of improved communication. I do not want to down play what we do, however everyone must remember our National Staff consist of Tom, our Executive Director, and a part time secretary. That is it. I do know the E D attends numerous meetings with the committees he belongs to with TMC and many times these happen on a moments notice. Tom does everything our National Office provides. Membership, Editor of The Chief, All the financial responsibilities, all the General Admin, TMC as stated above, etc. (all his duties are stated in the By Laws and Ops man both available on our website) One man with part time help to service nearly 10,000 members is very time consuming. He works most Sat and some Sun as well as at the beckon call of the Pres. We have an office. In contrast FRA has a couple buildings completely staffed. I cannot quote each House or Senate resolution we took part in and that is very unfortunate, but I would be hard pressed to ask our E D to have to write articles along with his other duties.

As with any organization, there is strength in numbers. The more members equates to more money, for additional staff, and additional services. I do believe our college fund is one of the best in the country. We provide $5K annually to the winner. In order to make things better one really needs to be on the inside helping out. With the availability of the CGEA our Executive Director should not be going to the hill with his 9000 plus voters but instead he should be there with his 40,000 plus voters. We should be able to afford an employee to do nothing but the Magazine and Website keeping them up to date at all times with tons of information just as many of you are seeking. But it will take an increase in members. We have an unique opportunity to work toward building a much stronger organization run completely by Chiefs for Chiefs. (borrowed that line from Kevin Isherwood)

I believe in CPOA and I believe it is the right organization for the Coast Guard Chief past, present and future.

Charlie

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

Charlie-
If I'm understanding you correctly, you are saying that the CPOA National does so much that it's impossible to give up specific examples. And, that the staff is so small and so overworked that they couldn't give up info if they wanted to.

I'm afraid that's not good enough. At least, if you want people like me to take an active interest in the organization, that's not good enough. You can't tell me that the organization is worthwhile, and then not be able to tell me why.

I want to be a good Chief, so I'll offer solutions and not just state the problems. The CPOA National needs to get smaller and more focused. It appears to me that they are trying to do too much with too little and aren't accomplishing anything. Choose an attainable goal for the year that can be measured and reported. Give the rest of us something to hang our hats on. You do that, and I'll get behind you.

[BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret)]

Dennis I agree with much of what you have said... I suspect the National Secretary can better answer your questions than Charlie did... if you did request specifics.... and if they have answers. Tom now has the job that Dick Castor held. Both have always had a "full plate" in my opinion, but then again, most of us have too...

When you said "The CPOA National needs to get smaller and more focused." I agree!.. Part of that solution, in my mind is to let go of the CGEA. Either they can make it on thier own or they can't. They have been riding on our coat tails long enough. Time for them to exercise some leadership and training on their own. I believe this has driven some of the long time CPOA supporters away. As the name states, it is the CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ASSOCIATION, not the Enlisted Association. Everyone needs to Think about it!

I too look forward to Tom's reply to your e-mail.

Wray.. :cool:

[BMCS Burt Ford]

Why can't national do an email to the chpater presidents and they can pass along to us? I go to monthly meetings here but never once has anything been discussed or passed along form national. I would be happy seeing bullets.

Dennis, this is the first palce I have been active and I know what we do but that is it.

[PACS Steve Carleton]

In a fit of frustration, I posted this last night in the Convention Thread, but it really belongs here:


http://cgchiefs.com/forum/showthread.php?p=18458#post18458



Re: CPOA Conventions

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:
"We (the CPOA) need to remain relevant to today’s active duty chief petty officers or we will continue to experience declining membership numbers. At the chapter level the CPOA continues to do GREAT things."



And therein lies the issue Master Chief, the relevence to today's Active Duty Chief Petty Officer.

As today's Chief's look at the Association, most leave or just don't bother signing up in the first place. They read the brochures look through the literature and get an idea of what the association is doing on their behalf; voice in Congress, etc., but there are damn few if any deliverables that a rank and file member can point to and say, the CPOA represented me and my interests well on that issue.

Please point to one piece of legislation that had significant impact to our Coast Guard men and women that was championed by the CPOA? I know we are members of the Military Coalition, but what are the issues that the coalition is fighting for on our behalf?

I viewed the Military Coalition Website and there are 9 legislative standing committees, of which the CPOA Executive Director is a member of 5. In not one issue of the Chief Magazine or via e-mail have I seen anything communicated to or from the Coalition to me as a rank and file member of the CPOA. Nor has there been any effort to fire up the membership and entice them to write their congressional representatives on an issue.

So where is the relevence?

The local chapters are doing great things out there, things the Chief's Mess as a whole should be doing anyway.

If the only thing we can point to is that this is an organization by and for Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers, that alone isn't enough to carry us and maintain us as a viable national veteran's type organization.

[BMCS Charlie Womack (Ret)]

Charlie-
If I'm understanding you correctly, you are saying that the CPOA National does so much that it's impossible to give up specific examples. And, that the staff is so small and so overworked that they couldn't give up info if they wanted to.

O K, so I am not a good wordsmith. I apologize for giving you the above impression. I simply stated some facts so everyone would have an idea what we the membership are up against.

Yes, Tom has a huge job to perform for us. No! it does not excuse our National Officers and the (until this year)Board of Directors, who were the Chapter Presidents, for allowing this failure to communicate effectively with the membership happen.

No, I did not say our National Staff could not give specific examples, I said "I" could not, and that is my fault and mine alone. The unfortunate part is the communication has become a very low priority. Our current National President (who the membership elected) does not believe in feeding communication to the members except for what he sees fit.

One thing in all this discussion that has an old Chief puzzled is the issue of relevence. It appears to be driven by the benefits package instead of what Our Purpose is. Our Purpose tells us why we are an organization of Chief Petty Officers. Isn't that the revelent part? Shouldn't the benefits just be the by product which rewards us for our efforts?

Charlie

[CMC Bruce Bradley]

Charlie, I have and continue to agree with a lot of what you say about the CPOA. I will totally agree that Tom has his hands full running the National Office, he's two-blocked with little to no relief in sight. But I'd also like to know as others have asked in this thread, just what does the CPOA on a National level do you it's membership? Not just effort, but some results from those efforts.

All the members pay dues, which supports National. So what else are they to do, attend Convention? That takes money, I know have attended a few myself and paying out of my pocket. Yes, the Chapters can help support that, but that takes away from what the Chapters can and continue to do to support the community. I'd venture to say that in this day and age the membership supports the National CPOA by be active and procative in their Chapters and going good things in their areas.

We can all argue abut how we got here, what happened in the past and how they did things then, but as others have said it's 2007 and a newer generation is moving up. What attracted you and I to join back in the day, may not be enough for the newer Chiefs to do the same. I'd settle for them to join just to be active at the local level. Then National will see a better reveune flow. But with that the membership will have a renewed and louder question of what is National doing for the membership? Or are the members expected to just keep giving and giving with no visible or known results, other than a quarterly magazine.

[CMC Isherwood]

I have a different opinion and am on record regarding the "workload" at the National Office. Copied directly form the National Membership Chair report that I presented on the floor at the 2004 convention in Las Vegas.

"Shift to electronic media and move into the 21st century regarding Membership and mail outs. This will save time and money, both of which the CPOA has very little of. I can not personally tell you how long it takes to print, copy, staple, sort, stuff, lick, stamp, and deliver 42 Chapters monthly mail outs. I tell you that using computers and email, the monthly mail outs would take less than an hour to complete and cost virtually nothing to deliver. Of course there are some Chapters that will require hard copy mail outs. But certainly not 42! By the way, how much did it cost you to send your last email? When that same email got sent to the wrong address and was returned to you undelivered, how much did that cost you?"

Don't even get me started on the black and white allegedly quarterly magazine!!! It is 2007, technology exists to produce a high quality product from a desk top computer. The high quality magazine could easily be placed on line with an access code for current members and for those that do not have computers, the file could be sent to Kinkos or something, professionally printed and snail mailed to those members.

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

Charlie-
I emailed the National President and asked for some input. NEGRES. That's not good considering there are over 700 Chiefs registered to this site.

In regards to relevance, I don't need to belong to a national organization to identify myself as a United States Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer. And, I don't see how the CPOA adds to that distinction anyway.

I would love to belong to an organization that is bent toward making positive change, both within the service and the government. But, until you show me how that is being done, I'm going to keep my $2 per month in my pocket and look for an organization that can demonstrate productivity.

And finally, of course the benefits are important! What's the point of existing if we can't make things better?!?

[CMC Isherwood]

I could'nt stop....

CPOA Recruitment and Retention “Proven Practices”.
a. CCTI Recruitment
Follow advancement lists and personally contact (Face Time) local potential Members. Partner with the local Chiefs Mess the coordination and involvement of the CPOA membership drive. Have the PCPOs fill out both a paper Allotment Sheet (encl 1) and a CPOA Membership Application (encl 2) to be retained in their CCTI binder. Explain to the PCPO that there is NO obligation to join the CPOA and that the sheets are simply an administrative part of the process. Through the combined efforts of the Chiefs Mess and the CPOA make $24 available for each potential new Member. At the conclusion of the CCTI ceremony gather the newly initiated Chiefs; explain to them that through the funds raised during their CCTI process, their first year’s Membership dues into the CPOA would be automatically paid. Further explain the virtues of paying their CPOA dues by allotment and offer $24 cash to each Member that allows you to process their previously filled out Allotment sheets and Membership blanks. In 95% of the cases, the newbie will agree to the allotment payment methodology and donate the $24 to your Chiefs Mess or Local CPOA Chapter….WIN for the Member, WIN for the Chapter, and WIN for the CPOA!! Above ALL, ensure that you follow through with activating their CPOA Memberships. Partner with a local Yeoman Chief to have the new Members signed Allotment Sheet entered into Direct Access, send the filled out and signed Membership Application to the National Office.
b. Retiree Retention
Watch for Retirement Ceremony announcements in your local area and monitor the monthly expected Retirement notifications in publications such as Evening Colors, The Chief, Reserve Magazine, email etc.. Contact the members that you recognize from the above lists and let them know that the CPOA could use and would appreciate their continued involvement well into their retirement years. Remind them that the CPOA values their past involvement and realizes that a physical contribution may no longer be possible, but a financial commitment is just as important to sustaining the CPOA.
c. Recruiting new or Re-Uniting lost CPOA Members
In an effort to boost Membership, I pose this challenge to every Member of “OUR” Association; “Recruit one new Member to the CPOA this year”. One Member…for the whole year and your done! Think about how easy that is, we all work with at least one person eligible for Membership in the CPOA. All you have to do is ask the potential Member if they are interested in becoming a Member of the CPOA. During your quest, you may find many folks that claim to be long-time Members, ask them when the last time they received an issue of “The Chief”? If the answer is “I can’t remember” or something like that. Write down their contact information (Name, Rate, Address, Phone, email) and contact Tom Scaramastro @ (703)941-0397 or Kevin Isherwood @ (808)541-2083 to verify/correct the information.
d. What’s in it For me
Provide congratulatory participation feedback for all active duty Members in your Chapter. Simply keep track of who, what, when, and where of all CPOA activities through out the year. Prior to the Chief, Senior Chief, Master Chief evaluation and CWO OER cycles, send the local commanding officers positive CPOA participation information for inclusion and consideration into your Members evaluations. This will answer the “what’s in it for me question”. Additionally, it will expose those that are exaggerating their CPOA involvement for personal gain (OER/Eval bullets, Recommendation endorsements, Award citations, etc..)
e. Wave the CPOA Flag
Ensure that your Chapter is involved in visible, locally relevant, high impact activities. The CPOA is very well know for it’s fund raising capabilities we need to do a better job of promoting the results of our efforts. After a Thanksgiving or Christmas Food Drive for our less fortunate Coasties, at the successful completion of a community service project or at the conclusion of any other CPOA activity produce and proudly display a thank you flyer extolling the results of the combined contributions.
f. CPOA Outreach
Meet with your local area Gold Badge and Chief of the Mess, establish a good rapport, solicit their support and ask to have the CPOA included in meetings as appropriate. Show them how you as an Association can help them as Senior Enlisted Leaders be more successful in their missions. We have the MCPOCG’s full support of the CPOA/Chief Mess as one body, now is the time to keep the MCPOCG’s CPOA support initiative PAIR (Promote Action Inclusion Relevancy) in the forefront. If the MCPOCG believes in and supports the CPOA, the Gold Badges will follow!
The Chiefs Mess and CPOA compliment each other when run right. The two organizations should combine efforts to conduct CCTIs, Food Drives for our less fortunate Coasties, community service activities, EPOY and other recognition events. Each entity playing specifically delineated roles in the process according to protocol and appropriateness. The MAJOR contributing factor to the resounding success of the Mess/CPOA venture lies in the PEOPLE; we have a core of true BELIEVERS in CHIEFS that just make it happen. And finally, CARING is contagious, catch it CHIEF!
Promote, Establish and Support a CG Enlisted Association in your local area. The junior enlisted of today are the Chief Petty Officers of tomorrow, new blood is vital to very survival of “OUR” Association. Recruit and Retain your relief Today!
Finally, contact your local Retiree Council Chairman, President of the Spouses Association and the heads of local Service support organizations (GEICO, USAA, FRA, etc..) to build mutually beneficial relationships that addresses common issues and concerns.
g. Promote the CPOA
Promote Membership at all times and at every event, explain the CPOA’s missions, goals and activities (see Membership brochure). When you run up against a hard sell ask, “Exactly what about the CPOA do you not agree with? Is it the fund raising events used to support “Toys for Tots”, “Scholarship Funds for CG family members”, “Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Drives for our less fortunate CG members”, “Disaster relief donations” etc..? Is it the camaraderie and networking used to hone leadership skills and enhance professional abilities? Or is it the time investment (explain the 1 member, 1 event, 1 time a year principal and how your Chapter holds events after work, on weekends, and during the work day, basically a time frame that fits everyone’s schedule). As a CHIEF all of these things represent to me the very reason why I became a CHIEF! If they still disagree and remain uninterested in CPOA have them explain their reservations and maybe together you can rectify the situation.”
Always have preprinted Membership Applications and Allotment Sheets readily accessible (in a folder under your arm). Have the potential Member fill out both forms on the spot, take the signed Allotment Sheet to a local YNC and ask them to enter the allotment into Direct Access. Fax the Membership Applications to the Executive Director (ED) Tom Scaramastro @ (703)941-0397.
h. Face Time
Get a list of local area active duty and reserve Chiefs from your ADMIN folks, compare it to your Chapter roster and produce a baseline.
1) How many active duty and reserve Chiefs are in you AOR?
2) How many Members are in your Chapter?
3) Compare #1 with #2, create a list of non-Members in your AOR.
Using this baseline, your work list has been created; Don’t email, the delete button is effortless. Personally visit the potential Member! It’s tough for a potential Member to say NO when they have to look you in the eyes after you have employed the Recruit and Retain strategies listed above in paragraph (g).
The most over looked demographic for potential Members are the “experienced” Chiefs, Senior Chiefs, Master Chiefs and Chief Warrant Officers. There is a presumption that due to their time in service that they are already CPOA Members. In many cases, you will find that the long–time Chiefs “assume and believe” that they are Members when in fact they may have been dropped from the rolls for many years!

4. If you, a Chapter representative, or ANY CPOA Member desire examples of the above Proven Practices or electronic copies of sample letters, Allotment Sheets, Membership Applications, and brochures do not hesitate to contact me. I will answer every question and forward copies to you for your Chapter specific personalization.

[BMCS Charlie Womack (Ret)]

Kevin, thanks I was trying to stay away for the electronic age issue as I to am highly infavor of adapting it!

Every one say "THIS IS CHARLIE'S PERSONAL OPINION": Hope the below is helpful

CPOA is a member of TMC and report the following 2006 achievements:


Won ban on TRICARE fee increases for FY2007
Defeated 5.1% Cut in 2007 Medicare and TRICARE payments to doctors
Established single-fee access to TRICARE for all drilling Guard-Reserve
Barred pharmacy copay increases for FY2007
Won waiver of $1,740 limit on Medicare payments for therapy services
Defeated enrollment fee requirement for TRICARE Standard
Mandated use of Medicare filing procedures for TRICARE claims
Prescribed access standards for injured and wounded servicemembers
Required Task Force to study sustainment of TRICARE benefits for long term
Pilot projects directed on early diagnosis / treatment of PTSD

ACTIVE/RESERVE FORCE ISSUES

2.7% 2007 pay raise (including targeted raises for certain grades)
Increase of 30K in Army and 5K USMC force levels over 2007 budget request
Won major restrictions on predatory “payday lenders”
Won $400K free SGLI coverage for members deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq
Won increased voluntary separation incentives to help avoid drawdown RIFs
Provided retirement credit for certain state duty performed by Guard after 9/11
Required more consistent Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) rules / explanations
Authorized housing allowance fix for mobilized reserves or retirees
RETIREMENT/SURVIVOR ISSUES

3.3% retired pay/SBP COLA for 2007
Minimum SBP annuity raised to 45% of covered retired pay (as of 1 Apr 06)
Expanded SBP coverage options for active duty deaths since 7 Oct 01
Won Permanent ID cards for retirees' totally disabled dependents
Upgraded escort / honors for combat deaths
Mandated review of removing SSAN from military ID cards
Authorized one year housing allowance for active duty death survivors

MILITARY FAMILY/ VETERANS/ OTHER ISSUES

Provided $50M in aid to school districts serving military children
Required full replacement value for damaged household goods on PCS moves
Joint Family Support Assistance Program to augment family center services.
Required DoD-VA study of traumatic brain injury, incl. family member impact

[BMCS Charlie Womack (Ret)]

And finally, of course the benefits are important! What's the point of existing if we can't make things better?!?

O K, When you (others may answer also) are looking for benefits what do you look for?

Charlie

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

I'm not sure what TMC is, but I'll assume it's a military coalition, in which case, that's an impressive list of accomplishments. And, if the CPOA was an important component of getting those things done, kudos to the CPOA.

What benefits do I look for?

1. The things that you stated in your TMC list.
2. Active engagement with local chapters to get everyone on the same page in regards to CCTIs.
3. More scholarships opportunities for our dependents.
4. Transition services to supplement TAP seminars. A national organization should be able to cultivate contacts within government and business recruiting offices to facilitate job placement for retiring Chiefs.

I could come up with more, but I'd like to hear from the others.

[CMC Bruce Bradley]

Kevin, someone should make you the Membership Guru for the CPOA. Oh wait you are. Glad you added that all to the thread, I hadn't seen it in awhile. I totally agree with moving quite a few aspect of our association into the modern era. That might be a good step to appealling to your newer generation of Chiefs. But ia lot of t goes with what I said about working the local Chapter, which is where I think we need to concentrate your efforts to build up the CPOA.

Charlie, thanks for the list of CPOA/TMC accomplishments. Where did you find it? It's not on the National web site. If I missed it there than shame on me. But there are a lot of links that need update on that to again move on with technology. I never remember seeing any article in the magazine about our accomplishments either, yet another good place for them. I have to agree with Dennis in wondering what issues TMC did good with that were a CPOA initiative. I hope that we aren't just along for the ride. I do hope to make it back to another Convention soon, now that I'm moving out of the operationa world. I regret that I'll miss this year as the number one son is departing for an eight week stay at Cape May that same Monday. I think that momma will need some help working through that week.

[BMCS Charlie Womack (Ret)]

Bruce, you are correct. It is not on our website. I got it off the TMC site which we do have a link for. Thus my point of an earlier post. Communication of what is truly important to our membership is of a very low priority to the current leadership. We should not have to link to another site to view what we are supposed to be doing.

Dennis, thanks for your feedback on what you look for in an organization. There are some areas that need a lot of work and some just need to be tweaked. Curious you mention scholarship opportunities when we grant $5K annually. Do you mean we need to spend more or break it down into more awards. Remember our grant comes from donations. Here is another area we need to improve our website as there are opportunities out there we could have links to.

[BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret)]

Perhaps I missed it, but did anyone address the CGEA as being a part of the CPOA? They certainy are, in our magazine... If this is a perminent thing, perhaps it is time for a magazine name change... As I stated earlier, perhaps on a different thread, I thought they were only a temporary thing in our organization....'till they got established... as with many things they seemed to have melted right in...

Thoughts/comments anyone?

Wray... :cool:

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

Charlie-
In regards to the scholarship/grant opportunities, the CPOA needs to generate more money. Again, a National Organization should be able to come up with more than 5K (that's $5000, right?) per year simply by cultivating contacts within the business community alone.

Also, the more you spread it around, the more word gets around that you all exist. So, yes, I would recommend smaller awards to more people.

[CMC Isherwood]

Wray,
The CGEA was authorized in 1991, sometime after that they started showing up in the (back then) black and white The Chief magazine. My first recollection of a CGEA debate on the CPOA floor was in Seattle in 94’.

At the time I remember being venomously opposed to the CGEA’s inclusion into “OUR” magazine. I waited and worked hard for years to finally make Chief and now EVERYONE was included? That just ain’t right!!!

Bill Schott took me aside and explained to me why he was for it. I did not necessarily 100% buy into it, but Bill was/is a CPOA legend, so I backed off. It was not until I became the CPOA National membership chairman that I fully embraced the CGEA’s participation. As a matter of fact the CGEA is the CPOA’s life blood.

Speaking of facts, if we (CPOA) don't evolve soon as an organization, we won't have to worry about it anymore!! Anyone seen a T-Rex lately?

On the positive side, Monday I will attend the Golden Gate branch of the CGEA officer installment and charter presentation. VADM Wurster will speak at the ceremony as we add 60 plus new members to the roll!! Several hard charging EPOYs have taken the ball and ran with it. Amazingly, they already have had significant impact in the Bay Area and work extremely well with the Golden Gate Chapter. This is an aggressive bunch of petty officers, hungry to make a difference and are already kicking ass making a name for the CGEA.

Our relief's are on the horizon and the future looks good in their hands.

[BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret)]

Kevin,
Don't get me wrong.... Having a CGEA in the Coast Guard is a great, necessary thing... however, I do not feel they belong in the CHIEF Magazine.., that's all....

In my opinion, if the CGEA is the "life blood" of the CPPOA, the Chief's aren't doing their job.

I'd say give them all the support & guidance they need, but the two groups should remain separated.. To one day be a member of the CPOA will be a good goal for CGEA members, in my opinion...

I didn't join an "enlisted association", I joined the Chief Petty Officers Association... I think the merging of the two has driven some away...

Wray... :cool:

[CMC Isherwood]

Wray,
I understand your initial or continued aversion to the CGEA’s inclusion in The Chief magazine. But, we must adapt to the times or risk losing our targeted audience. In 1992, I became the 10,000th member of the CPOA. 15 years later, the CPOA membership stands at less than 9200 and trending down. The CGEA membership stands at more than 1000 and trending up. Net gain, approximately 200 members

Having the CGEA included in The Chief should not be a divisive issue. There presence should serve as a leadership success. A collaborative effort for the greater good of the BOTH organizations and the CG as a whole! Throughout my career, I was always told and still believe today that it was/is my “job” to work my supervisor out of their job. These young men and women of the CGEA deserve our respect and support for their contributions to the association.

For those that may not know, when a CGEA member signs up, their annual dues go into the CPOA’s budget. Matter of fact the CGEA allotment code is 066, which is the same as the CPOA’s. Think of it as compounding interest, the earlier we have a member on the rolls, the greater the benefit to the member, the CGEA, the CPOA and to the Coast Guard. I recommend that we invest in the CGEA early and often!

We can talk about whose fault it is until we are blue in the face, it won't change the fact that the CPOA needs to recruit, reunite and retain members. When one membership feeder stream appears to have dried up, we must find another one. In my perfect world, EVERY eligible former or current Chief Petty Officer would be a member of the CPOA. Many have tried to make that a reality, WE need your help and that of every Chief to be successful.

My concern for dialogue like this is that it may present a negative impression for those that are unaware or are on the fence about either organization. The positive impact that the CGEA and CPOA have through their collective actions far out weigh the political or administrative concerns.

I am extremely proud of the efforts of both the CGEA and CPOA active membership. The Coast Guard family is well served by BOTH purely volunteer associations.

[BMCS Eric Guerette]

I believe that communication like this will be what starts turning our organization around.
We need a Communication Committee. We need to keep our members aware of what the organization has done, is doing, and will try to do in the future. We need to have a list a pending legislation that TMC is supporting and develop our stance on those issues. We need to submit our own ideas to TMC to benifit the CG. How can any of that get done without good communication? If we want to increase membership and more importantly participation, then everyone has to be able to see what we are doing on a National level.
If I feel that something in the CG needs to be changed at the Congressional level, then I should be able to send a suggestion up through this organization. We should debate the issue and forward it to our partner organizations for action. That is the type of by-in the modern Chief needs to have. A sense of accomplishment, that we are working towards the greater good.
A $5k grant for someone to go to school is great, but a highly motivated large chapter could do that by themselves!

[BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret)]

I understand your initial or continued aversion to the CGEA’s inclusion in The Chief magazine. But, we must adapt to the times or risk losing our targeted audience.

Do you, really? You fully understand that I joined an organization whose membership was an exclusive membership made up of only E-7's E-8's & E-9's?

If a declining membership is the problem, the problem lies with the existing members, not properly and actively promoting the organization.

Maybe the organization is not doing things to prompt people to join.

The actions of the organization should not be to open membership to everyone, but to get more of the 'targeted' members to join.

For those that may not know, when a CGEA member signs up, their annual dues go into the CPOA’s budget.

This is exactly what I have said, the CPOA is now using the CGEA strictly for financial gain. Is that what it's really all about? What does the CPOA do for them?

Back when I was initiated, a standard practice by many chapters was to take a portion of the fines collected and pay for the first years dues for the new CPO. Is anything like this done any more? Once they are/were a member they often participated in more functions and felt more welcomed.

Eric: You don't need a "Communication Committee" -- There is one in place already. It is the Chapter President. If he/she is not getting the word out to the members, he/she is not doing his/her job.

Just more of my opinions.... You guys have to live with it.. My dues are paid 'till I die... and I suspect the only involvement I will have is to read the magazine, as long as it is published.

Wray... :cool: