EANGUS President's Connection

March  2009

The "Presidents Connection" is the official communication tool from the office of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS) Association President Frank Lever.

MEMBERSHIP:  Good news! The National Office did a membership comparison   from 28 February 2008 to February 2009 and we are showing growth.  That is good news considering the hard economic times facing all of us.  However, we must continue to educate our young Soldiers and Airmen to include a lot of the Senior NCOs on the value of belonging to the only Association that works diligently for them.  Too often we take for granted all the things professional associations do for us.   

WHAT HAS EANGUS DONE FOR ME LATELY?

The President requested a 3.4% pay raise.  EANGUS, along with the Military Coalition of which EANGUS plays a major role, lobbied for and got a 3.9% increase.  That .5% difference represents the following: 

 *           E-4 with 4 years of service- gains an additional $11.00 per MUTA 4, and a $41.00 increase in AT pay.

*           E-6 with 12 years of service - gains an additional $16.00 per MUTA 4, and a $60.00 increase in AT pay.

*           E-9 with 25 years of service - gains an additional $27.00 per MUTA 4, and a $101.00 increase in AT pay.

  AGRS

 *         E-4 over 4 years of service - gains $80.00 a month 

*         E-6 over12 years of service - gains $121.00 a month

*         E-8 over18 years of service - gains $163.00 a month

 MilTechs   

*           GS-6 - gains $975.00 a year      GS-8 - gains $1,203.00 a year

*           GS-7 - gains $1,087.00 a year   GS-9 gains $1.325.00 a year

  Lower TRICARE Reserve Select Fees

 *           Member only - $47.51 a month - a reduction of $33.49 per month

*           Family - $253.00 a month reduction of $72.83 a month

      Where can you get Health Care cost for your entire family for just $253.00 a month?

New MGIB benefits for those who served 90 day tours of Active Duty

*           Tuition - $21,250 per year             Books - $1,000 per year

*           Stipend - $11,952 per year            Tutor - $1,200 per year

More AGR positions  - 2,133                 More MilTech positions - 1,177  

These are just a few issues that EANGUS worked on your behalf in 2008.  

LEGISLATIVE WORKSHOP:  EANGUS conducted its annual Legislative Workshop and breakfast on Capitol Hill.  My thanks to Chairman Jim Rains and our Legislative Director Frank Yoakum for putting on this very successful event which had approximately 50 participants from various states. I would also like to thank all the guests and instructors that participated in this successful event.

At the Breakfast on Capitol Hill, EANGUS recognized SENATOR SAXBY CHAMBLISS of Georgia and Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina with Eagle Award for their exceptional meritorious achievement championing legislation critically important to the enlisted men and women, their families and veterans.  EANGUS also recognized Mr. Mike Dubois and Mr. Neil McKiernan with the Militia Award.  Their work as key staff members in Congress resulted in critical legislation being passed.  

FINANCE COMMITTEE:  My sincere thanks to Delano Kerby, Finance Chairman and the Finance Committee for all of their hard work. They spent many long hours reviewing the budget, making changes and recommendations to the Executive Council concerning the fiscal position of our association.  They recommended the selection of a new auditing firm for FY 2008.  During the interview process potential auditors suggested several changes to our accounting procedures that could result in savings of tens of thousands of dollars in taxes.   

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING:  During the Executive Council meeting Executive Director Mike Cline presented an itemized financial cost analysis of processing annual members, life members, renewals, the legislative program, and the cost per member of the New Patriot magazine. The detailed report provided the Executive Council with financial information which resulted in an in-depth discussion of our Association's financial position and our path forward.  The Executive Council agreed that for EANGUS to continue to provide the members services and legislative efforts, EANGUS must approve a bylaws change increasing our annual dues from the $9.00.  The report indicated that to provide the services that EANGUS presently provides to the membershi p, it costs in excess of $41.00.  The Executive Council has not determined the exact amount of the increase but each Area will discuss with their States and report to the President their findings.   

Another discussion centered on the possibility of moving the National Office from the D.C. area to a less costly area, and  keeping only a small office in the D.C. area for legislative purposes.  Area Chairman Frank Hotaling will continue to research the issue and report back to the Council.  

The Executive Council also approved entering into a three-year contract with Lifelock, a company that helps guarantee loss of identity protection for members and their families.  Lifelock will offer the identity protection at a reduced rate to EANGUS' members and their families over the much advertised rates seen on TV.  

The Council voted to extend the contract of Executive Director Mike Cline to December 2010.  EANGUS faces many challenges this year with lower membership, less revenue, reduced workforce, and a new administration and Congress.  Mike's leadership will ensure that we continue to address the needs of our members through these economically challenging times.  The Executive Council will begin the process for selection of a new Executive Director to succeed Mike in early 2010.  The President will announce the selection of the new Executive Director at the 2010 Annual Conference in St. Louis, MO.   

The Executive Council accepted the resignations of Area IV Chair David Culwell and Area III Director Glen Schmidlkofer.  Area IV Director Max Miller will assume the responsibilities of Chair for Area IV and Debra Ward from Mississippi was elected as the Area IV Director filling the vacancy created by Chairman Culwell's resignation.  Area III has not made a recommendation on a replacement director at this time.

Area IV Chairman Max Miller will undertake a study on our membership database program with Harris Connect and report back his findings to the Council to see if it fulfills the Associations needs.

The Board of Directors of the EANGUS "We Care for America" Foundation underwent a grueling three days of a Strategic Planning Workshop conducted by retired Warrant Officer Ali Westby from Arkansas.  A lot of good ideas were exchanged.  This may be the first step in getting the Board and the entire Executive Council of EANGUS involved in raising funds for the WCFA Foundation.  In 2008 we received just over $8,000 for the Foundation.  We need to continue to support our needy Guardmembers and their families.   

I want to thank Past President Nate Monastra for his efforts in getting the Cleveland Grays to make a second $5,000.00 contribution to the Foundation.   

Executive Director Mike Cline called on our friends from Prudential Financial to again make a large donation of $30,000.00 to the WCFA program.   

Area V Chairman Brad Thomas will finalize the Strategic Plan.  Once this is done, the Board of WCFA will initiate applications for grants to support the Soldiers and Airmen Emergency Relief Fund.  Past President Tony Nathe has agreed to assist the Board in writing these grants.  I want to thank Past President Nathe for his help and guidance.  

MAY MEETING:  The Executive Council will meet May 29-31 for a Presidents' Workshop and site visit at our conference site in Rochester, Minnesota.  Area IV Chairman Max Miller will lead the Presidents' Workshop.  We will provide an agenda for you very soon.  Go on-line at www.eangus.org and register for the workshop.  Hotel information is contained on the web page.  

Search Engine: What if the EANGUS "We Care For America" Foundation earned money every time you searched the Internet? Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support our cause? Well, now it can!

GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine.  Get quality search results from Yahoo and watch the donations add up!

GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37% of each purchase to EANGUS "We Care For America"! Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, eBay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop.  Every time you place an order, you'll be supporting EANGUS.

Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter "EANGUS We Care For America Foundation" as the charity you want to support. And, be sure to spread the word! You can easily load the GoodSearch Bar to your Web browser.

 We need your help so we can continue to help our National Guard soldiers and Airmen through the Soldiers and Airmen Emergency Relief Fund. 

It costs nothing but a click on your computer to use the GoodSearch.com search engine. 

EANGUS Travel - Use this service for both business and personal travel as EANGUS gets rebates.  www.ytbtravel.com/3133eangus <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102463556549&e=001xE4IHXcgCWNfJy05b7wVj2SI5g0lqwPOUH1vq2QZSFgmjhrSp_V4vG9NzJbWfENGU2nAs154Jjs9zAI-WRTVil67aSD8j4-1FEMAa2RB3lb-WXkDjB9TygsCi9ZCzEm2>  or www.EANGUSTravel.org <http://www.eangustravel.org/> .

2009 Important Dates: 

  15 April - Awards -  Must be submitted to Deb Ward, National Chairman by 15 April

  15 May - Resolutions - Must be submitted by 15 May to Chairperson Debbi Newton  

  30 May - 1 June - President's Workshop & Pre-conference Site Visit - Rochester, Minnesota 

Corporation Partnership program:  EANGUS offers a 25% rebate to any State that gets a corporate partner.  The State will receive the rebate for each consecutive year that the Corporate Partner remains a member.  For more information on the program contact the EANGUS Executive Director Mike Cline.  Copies of the new policies have been sent to all states.

Junior Enlisted:  Brad Smith and others have signed up on FACEBOOK to communicate with other Junior Enlisted members.  Join us on FACEBOOK.  Smitty.smith73@us.army.mil <mailto:Smitty.smith73@us.army.mil> .                                                                        

National Conference: 

Rochester, Minnesota - 9-13 August 2009 Military Parade Professional Development Awards Luncheon recognizing the ARNG NCO and Soldier of the Year TAGs will meet at our conference 

Thanks for all you do every day for EANGUS.

Sincerely,

Ellen and Frank Lever

EANGUS

3133 Mount Vernon Ave

Alexandria, VA 22305

USA

http://www.eangus.org

mail to webmaster@hngea.net

     The objectives of the HNGEA is to promote and advance the status, welfare and professionalism of the enlisted members of the Hawaii Army and Air National Guard, to further the interests of the Hawaii National Guard, and to promote and maintain adequate national security.