Greetings!   It has been several months since engaging membership on the activities of your AOC Chapter, the Strategic Roost.   Our annual "Salute to the Future" Scholarship Awards Reception on April 29 was a brilliant success which helped to provide five college-bound students an opportunity to achieve their dreams.   This subject brings me to another important issue... the life and health of the Strategic Roost.

First, I'd like to state that although we have not been as active as times or years past, both the board and myself have no intention of allowing the Roost to hold its last speaker pizza luncheon, to organize its last golf tournament, or most importantly to hand out its last scholarship award.   We are dedicated to the end that, if we are only able to assist one student with a desire for a college education in engineering or other specified field of science we will do everything in our power, influence, and ingenuity to keep our promise for that one student.

Speculation has it that the face of the Strategic Roost will change in the near future.   Although we have had to say good-bye to Tony Loper as our president and Ron Russel as our Speaker Chairman we look forward to new opportunities.   The positions of president and vice president will be open for election by the membership in October.   And of course there are always opportunities to help.   This week, for example, during the Offutt Open House/Air Show, Roost volunteers will be rolling up their sleeves once again to raise money for aspiring students.

Speaking of change, should you wish to have a say on Roost leadership this coming year, please do not hesitate to voice your opinions.   Should you desire more than a hearing but a leadership role, there is certainly opportunity there as well.   We hold a board meeting about once per month where you can be heard.   I'll make sure our website is updated to include where and when.   In the mean time, with the goal in mind, not supporting the organization for the sake of the organization but for the advancement of the notion of service and education for the youth we seek to help, those in uniform, and for our membership network.

These efforts cannot be undertaken alone.   I look forward to working with you these next few months as we seek ways to invigorate our approach to meet our goals in education and service.

And finally, if you have a chance to come out to the airshow this weekend (29/30 August), we have a booth where we will be selling souvenirs.   Come support the base and support your Roost.

Thank You,

-Mitch Houchin
President, AOC Strategic Roost Chapter