President’s Points Feb 2008

I would like to first hope that everyone's holiday season went well with plenty of time spent with friends and family.  With this end of the holiday season, we of course are bringing in a New Year.  The New Year period is a great time to reflect on the past and look hard and clear into the future. Sometimes looking forward can be difficult.

 

What will the New Year bring? I have a few goals that I would like to set out for our Aerie. Not only is membership recruitment important, but also the recruitment of new and existing members to volunteer and to help out for functions at the Aerie. You would not believe how many things a few folks in our Aerie, volunteer and help do. If more folks would lend a hand the work could be spread more thinly. I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart those who have rolled up their sleeves in the 2007 year, and have helped tremendously our Aerie's success.

 

It has been told to me many times that we should stop looking for anyone who will be member with the initial dues amount in their pockets, but look for the person with the due amount in their pockets and willing to be an Eagle. Being as Eagle as many you know, is more than hanging out in the social room or attending social events. Being as Eagle is helping others, helping your community, and providing support and services for your Aerie. That is the Eagle I strive to be, and that is the Eagle that so many of you, our membership, has made me very proud of and stand beside; as proud Eagles!

 

Another concern I have will probably ruffle some feathers, but if this stirs some debate, so be it. Debate is a good thing. We have to look hard at the aging aspect of our membership. This is not just at our Aerie level, but is also affecting the FOE on an International and State Level. We are very fortunate not only to have a good young representative in our membership, but also that these folks are serving as volunteers and Aerie Officers. Our Aerie has one of the lowest mean ages of Officers in the State. This is remarkable, and we should be proud of these young leaders.

 

You need to ask yourself this though? Thirty years from now, who will be Eagles members? How many Eagles members will be have? This is a huge concern, and if we don't start looking at recruiting and retaining young members, our organization as we know it will clearly change or cease to exist. It is easy to dismiss this now, but those of us who want to our Aerie to be here 30 years from now, should head this warning. If we don't start attracting some younger membership, bad times could befall us. It is the only logical conclusion with our lack of recruitment of persons age 21-30. And yes I am very aware, that I too am far from this demographic : ).

 

I am going to speak of this in our upcoming Aerie Meetings and seek advice and counsel from the Officers and members who attend meetings. Hopefully, by the time we commission our 2008 – 2009 Aerie Officers, we are able to put forth a clear attainable plan and agenda on this issue.

 

So I ask you members of the Grinnell Eagles Aerie 2545, go out and recruit new members both young and who will volunteer; in addition try to volunteer at least for one function every six months. If you want to know how to volunteer, email me at scucmd@gmail.com and I will help you along the way.

 

Remember, we are not a bar, we are more than a social entity, we are the Eagles; proud, service minded, and investors in our future and our community; "People helping People…….."

 

God Bless!

 

 

Jeffrey A. Hughes

Worthy President 2007-2008