A GENERATION OF CHANGE – UNDERSCORING CONSTANT CARE FOR OUR NGAKY MEMBERS

In the years since 9/11, the understatement of this generation seems to be, “things have changed so fast, and changed so far, that…” We seem to control so little of our own lives and agendas. And, those who would harm our Nation and our way of life continue to get a vote in how our lives are run. The underlying life needs of our members, though, remain constant: Safety in our homes, our schools, our armories, and our communities; the food we eat; the water we drink; and the air we breathe. Behind each of these bedrock concerns can be found a National Guard member standing their watch, protecting our fundamental freedoms at home and around the globe. I am so very proud of our Soldiers and Airmen in uniform, those who have served with pride, and each of those who support these heroes.

The few short months since our last National Guard Association of Kentucky (NGAKY) Annual Conference have raced by – in part because the conference itself was pushed into the Spring by ice storms which pummeled our Commonwealth in January and February – and in part because our lives have been so full in days since. The needs of our members continue, and the services provided by our Association have never been more critical in meeting these needs. We no more rapped the closing gavel at our last Conference, and then we rolled right into the National Conference in Nashville in September with a huge Kentucky contingent. And now, our next State conference looms large on the near horizon. It is only because of the dedication to service to our members that we are seemingly able to sprint from event to event, while remaining committed to the race of endurance without running out of wind! We now have some of the most dedicated professionals staffing our NGAKY office in recent memory, and are better postured than ever to serve our membership than ever. We have enjoyed a string of dedicated past Association Presidents who have left their mark on NGAKY by positioning us to operate using sound business principles – which keep us on sound financial footing.

The Kentucky presence was noted in at the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) Conference in Nashville, with more than 100 members from around the Bluegrass State raising their voices on our behalf. Given the size of our State Association, our proportionate representation was the envy of the Conference floor! We not only carried the Kentucky message to the national stage, we brought the benefit of the national-level agenda back to our Commonwealth to shape our membership service programs for the coming months and years.

Despite our extensive mobilizations, deployments, and other commitments, our membership numbers remain strong – but not without room for improvement. It is easy to get lost in the statistics of how many members we have in the State- and National-level Associations, but we must remember what these numbers represent. While some states boast of membership counts of more than one hundred percent, the better yardstick of what these numbers actually mean is likely found in the breadth and scope of the services offered to each member, and how quickly these services can be brought to bear in an hour of need. Perhaps just as importantly, a key measurement of these membership numbers is in how well our collective voice is leveraged to bolster the efforts of our Senior Leaders in uniform to bring the resources we need to our Commonwealth to support our Army and Air National Guard. That is, maximizing the efforts of our National Guard Leaders in uniform for better lives for our members! In reducing this to a single sentence: “Our resolutions and legislative agenda matter, and are heard by those who can do something about them.” While the raw numbers of the large states in the NGAUS might incline a reader to be impressed with such huge numbers, it is the quality of our Membership that is driving our effectiveness and our effectivity on your behalf.

Because these numbers – and the quality of these numbers – matter, I encourage each of our current and prospective members to consider how they may expand upon and further this success: Is there someone on your drill hall floor who is not a member, who should be? Is there a young leader in your ranks we may champion as a committee member or Chair? Are there routine concerns heard in the lunch line or at the meeting table that might be captured and catapulted onto the State or National stage as a resolution agenda item – and given the weight and influence of our professional association?

Our NGAKY Conference Committee strives to make our State Conference an exciting and memorable event. Countless hours go into the planning of every detail, and the vast majority of us are impressed by the notable speakers and great entertainment at each event. The bread-and-butter of these State and National conferences, though, rests in the message we broadcast to our Armed Forces Leadership and to Congress. We have such tremendous clout, and such unparalleled access to key leaders in Frankfort and Washington – clout which is our stock-in-trade in projecting the needs of each Kentucky National Guard member so that it is heard by the right ears, and touched by the right hands. Every member counts, and the needs of every member matters. A fresh-off-the-press example of our State legislators hearing our voices was just announced in a resolution supporting a State tax-free benefit for all military pay – Active, Guard and Reserve – effective 1 January 2010 – saving every military member of our Commonwealth hundreds or thousands of dollars in their tax bill. This relief couldn’t have come a moment too soon, and it bears repeating that every member counts, and the needs of every member matters!

We are only a couple of months away from our next NGAKY State Conference, scheduled for 12-14 February 2010 – a time for us to consolidate our voice and focus our energy. And, since our State Conference is among the first held in the wave of state-level conferences, it is a tremendous opportunity for us to shape the impressions of our State and National Leadership with the thumbprint of our Kentucky National Guard and the needs of our members. We punctuate this opportunity with great music, amazing hospitality rooms, and the fine traditions for which Kentucky is renowned. We will then carry this thumbprint to the national stage in Austin, Texas, just a few months later in August. We look forward to welcoming the greatest number of participants at our NGAKY State Conference ever, and hope to see each of you there!

By the time this article appears in print, Halloween, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years will each seem to steamroller us. But the dedication to the service of our membership won’t miss a beat. Whether that service entails expediting an insurance Death Benefits claim, rewarding and recognizing excellence in service with one of our many Association awards, or simply keeping pace with a member’s change of address – our staff and dedicated volunteers strive to provide the best service possible.

On behalf of the Board, Officers, and Staff of NGAKY, I wish safe travels for each of you in the holidays ahead. I thank you for your continued service to our Commonwealth and Country, and encourage your deeper participation in carrying the Kentucky National Guard message to our Leadership. I welcome your calls at 502 229-3241, or your emails at ben.f.adams@us.army.mil.

COL Benjamin F. Adams III
President, National Guard Association of Kentucky