Here is a quick list for those who want to lead projects.  These are good volunteer activites that any Airman, NCO or SNCO can participate in.  Get some good PR for your chapter and your division.

• Telephone residents and encourage them to register to vote.
• Provide a voter pick up or transportation service for seniors.
• Campaign for a candidate who is running for an office.
• Organize a public issues forum for candidates.
• Contact your juvenile court system. Find out if they have a “Kids in Court” program to match older kids who have been in court as abuse victims with younger kids who are facing a court experience.
• Go door to door to register votes.
• Design and paint a community mural.
• Become an advocate. Contact your legislators on issues close to your heart.
• Contact a local organization about donating flags to public institutions.
• Help neighbors paint and repair their homes.
• Arrange for the local health department to conduct neighborhood health checks.
• Volunteer to teach classes on a sport you enjoy and know a lot about
• Contact Habitat for Humanity to see how you can support them in your community.
• Work with the local health department to set up an immunization day or clinic to immunize children against childhood diseases.
• Organize a newcomers group in your neighborhood to welcome new families.
  Produce a neighborhood newspaper.
• Train to become a guide for your local tourist bureau.
• Make maps of local parks, libraries or historic sites.
• Research local historic sites and provide the research to visitor’s bureau.
• Petition your city to make drinking fountains and/or restrooms in public areas available.
• Volunteer to clean up trash at a community event or county fair.
• Make signs to label community buildings and sites of interest.
• Set up an art exhibit at a local business, school or nursing home.
• Design a mural or quilt highlighting important aspects of the community.
• Organize a campaign to paint storm drains to prevent dumping of hazardous materials.
• Set up an informational display at a local library.
• Volunteer to help with Vacation Bible School.
• Organize a community chorus, orchestra or band.
• Volunteer to help set up for a community event.
• Distribute leaf bags during the fall encouraging residents to clean leaves from their streets and yards.
• Adopt a pothole and raise funds to repair it.
• Plan native flowers or plants along highways.
• Adopt a billboard and use it for a public service announcement.
• Campaign for additional lighting along poorly lighted streets.
• Clean up vacant lot.
• Collect supplies for persons who have been in a fire or natural disaster.
• Help fix a run-down playground.
• Start a yard of the week award for your neighborhood.
• Participate in an Annual parade.
• Spruce up and paint the community or youth center.
• Plant a community garden. Adopt a town monument and keep it clean.
• Clean an elderly neighbor’s driveway and sidewalk after a snowfall.
• Clean up after a natural disaster.
• Organize a local blood drive with the American Red Cross.
• Plant flowers at town hall.
• Organize a campaign to raise money to buy and install new playground equipment for a park.
• Survey community agencies to learn the leading causes of accidents in your community then design a campaign to reduce accidents.
• Paint a mural or clean up a local park.
• Plant flowers in public areas that could use some color.
• Mow the lawns and care for the plants of neighbors who are away on vacation.
• Conduct a community accessibly check to identify potential barriers for individuals with disabilities.
• Plan a disabilities day where friends or classmates are given a physical disability for day and are forced to function during the day.
• Read aloud to a person who is visually impaired.
• Build park benches.
• Paint fences or park benches.
• Help winterize homes in a poverty-stricken neighborhood.
• Lend a helping hand at a local community center.
• Identify corners where bushes and trees make it difficult for drivers to see.
• Conduct a neighborhood drive to collect used furniture.

All AFSA service projects have the intended purpose of benefiting the community in some way. This project was no different. Early on Airman Stuffy had spotted an article in the local newspaper about a proposed project, which they had hoped to start. Upon reading the article, he contacted them for details. It was then he learned that the project written up in the newspaper had been put on hold. While he was there, she showed him the run down flagpole. He agreed to take on the project. He then met with Bud Sevall, of VFW Post 1807, whom the pole had been dedicated to back in 1940. They discussed details of what work was to be performed and what flags the finished pole would fly. It was decided that in addition to an American Flag, they would like to see the POW-MIA flag flown as well.

Most AFSA service projects involve managing other chapter #1 members, who provide the manpower for the project. This project was slightly different. Since the flagpole is over 50 feet high, the DPW/ Forestry Department of America was contacted to redo the top section, which was only accessible by using a truck with a bucket. The lower section work was performed by Airman Stuffy and several members of the chapter. The work included grinding, priming and repainting the flagpole. Also the concrete base needed to be pressure washed and treated before it could be repainted as well. Tools for this portion of the project were borrowed from John Roberge of Roberge Construction in America.

Mr. Jones, director of Mass Industries was contacted about the possibility of donating a flag. The facility donated both the 10 x 15 American Flag as well as the 8 x 10 POWMIA Flag. On a recent Thursday this past October, Airman Stuffy, members of Chapter #1, Sara of America Recreation Dept., Ret. Lt. Col. , and Robert, VFW Post Commander were all on hand to witness the outdoor flag raising ceremony, which brought this project to a conclusion.

Chapter #1, America meets Wednesdays
from 11 to 1300 at the Auditorium. Anyone interested in joining
the chapter or looking for other AFSA information should contact Art Airman Stuffy, Chapter President, at (555) 555-5555.

PHOTO COURTESY PAM CORKERY

As part of Kingston Cub Scout Pack 49’s yearly celebration of Veterans Day, Kingston Bear Den 1 hosted guest speaker Jim Crowl at their last meeting. Crowl is a Kingston World War II Air Force veteran who flew over 70 missions during the bombing raids against the oil refineries in Ploesti, Romania. During one of these raids in 1944, his airplane was shot down and he was held as a prisoner of war. Jim presented a video documentary to the Cub Scouts highlighting the importance and danger of the missions he flew. Crowl answered many questions from the Cub Scouts and his presentation helped reinforce the importance of Veterans Day.

Pack 49, Boy Scout Troop 199, and several Kingston Girl Scouts held a Veterans Day celebration for the senior citizens at the Inn at Silver Lake. The participating Scouts performed a flag ceremony, led the seniors in the Pledge of Allegiance, God Bless America and the National Anthem. The Scouts took turns at the microphone and spoke about the importance of Veterans Day.

1. AFSA represents only Air Force enlisted people…
   AFSA members are active duty, retired or former Air Force, Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard enlisted professionals and their familes. Single-service orientation means AFSA works for YOU!
2. ACTION: You have a voice on Capitol Hill
3. A voice that is heard! When Congress wants the enlisted point of view, it asks AFSA. And we stay in touch with your elected officials every day!
4. INFORMATION: For and about the people behind the stripes with SERGEANTS…
5. SERGEANTS magazine sees the news from your perspective. 11 times a year, you get SERGEANTS delivered to your door; Auxiliary members get SERGEANTS too, with articles geared toward the concerns of Air Force families!
6. UPDATES: Long before an issue becomes a done deal…
7. You will know about it! In fact, AFSA’s toll-free Capitol Hill update line and website gives you the latest pending legislation information so you-and we-can react to effect policy!
8. SECURITY: With affordable insurance programs…
   Accident insurance is included your with membership. Affordable group life, health, cancer, dental, and auto insurance is also available.
9. SAVINGS: With discount programs for your and your family…
   Save up to 50% on eyewear; extra dollars on long distance phone service; up to 50% off on hotels and motels; car rentals at lower-than-government rates…and more!
10. EDUCATION: AFSA can help with scholarships and grants…
    …for you and your family. Get academic achievement scholarships, qualify for furthering education grants as an AFSA Auxiliary member, find dollars for education through the Airmen Memorial Foundation.
11. SERVICES: Members-only services chosen for your budget and lifestyle…
    More than 30 member services such as VISA and gold Mastercard programs, a mail-order prescription pharmacy, moving and relocation services, and more!
12. LOCAL ACTIVITIES: Know others who share your concerns…
    Involvement in your local chapter brings you in touch with your local community. You’ll meet others worldwide who share your concerns and interests.
13. ENLISTED PEOPLE WORKING TOGETHER: AFSA meetings and conventions for YOU…
    Lifetime friendships are formed here! These special events are planned with your budget as a top consideration

2. New guests were recognized and new chapter members were introduced

3. President’s Report –President Peebody stated the purpose of this meeting was for general membership awareness of on-going issues, concerns, and projects,

Committee Reports

Secretary’s report – Someone – Present – President Peebody referred to April 3, 2008 minutes which were emailed to members. No questions or corrections at the time. Motioned to accept by TSgt Soandso, 2nd by Mr. Biff to accept minutes

Treasure’s report – SMSgt Goin’ Crazy – N/A – $5000 extra from the Conference. Looking to go to quarterly awards, Honor Guard and CCAF Ceremony
(open)

Field Operations – chairman – Not Present (TDY till May) – need fill – SSgt Stevendiddy reported the ice cream socials at TCCC is scheduled for 30 May, need approx 10 people to come out, UOD. 2 shift operation 1400 at the Alzheimer’s section and 1500 at the south ward.
Also, looking at sponsoring the Hospitality Suite for a day at the international conference in San Antonio…more to come.

Legislative – MSgt (ret) Billy Bob, chairman – TDY – E-Mail will be coming out to go over some current hot topics. Veterans Association…Texas Land Board in “sunset” review, We don’t want this to go away! Stay tuned to your inbox.

Publicity/Website – SSgt Holymoly – chairman – Present – http://www.afsachapters.com/
Go to the website!!! Lots of info has been added and SSgt Hacker has done an excellent job with this project. If you have any suggestion/addition, shoot him a message.

Membership/Recruitment – chairman – Present. Wednesdays is the Airmen in training (AIT) briefings which allow us to reach 200 at a shot. Usually wind up with 30-40 recruits each week. Need more people to come out on Wed for the AIT briefing. Brief happens at 1245-1400 (first break) 1400-1630hrs. early! Newcomers briefing on the 8th, all we need is an hour or two to reach people on Sheppard.

Airman Activities Coordinator Report – Need An Airman Coordinator! – Working on an Airman Appreciation BBQ along with First Shirt Council on 20 June, 1100-1700. At the Golf Course Pavilion. Aprox 181 airmen in this category on base. (open)

CCAF Grad – AFSA 1054 sponsored a table serving cake and punch at the theater for the ceremony, it was a great chance to give back. (closed)

TSgt Dooly and SSgt Snuffy went out to the JROTC to present an award, good exposure to the H.S. kids. (closed)

6. New Business

a. Membership and Retention – Retention is down AF wide!…check into people who have expired and work their renewals. (open)

b. Membership drive – 21 May 1100hrs – 1300 hrs at the Comissarry
12 June 1100 hrs – 1300hrs at the BX! (open)

c. Freedom Fest: Ice-cream and Lemonade – profit to go to AFSA’s 4 worthy charities, Airman Memorial (open)

7. Meeting Adjourned at 1200hrs

Approved as written

//SIGNED, 29may08,bcc// //SIGNED, 02Jun08,jms//

7 May 2008 Chapter 1054 Official Membership
Meeting Attendees: