Greetings from Pax River!
On Thursday, 16 AUG 2018 your previous and incoming Leadership Team gathered for a “Hot Wash” of events from RFTW XXX. Having reviewed all the AAR’s received so far (it’s still not too late to send…), we discussed what went well and started looking at improvements in some areas. In the end it was a very good gathering for the closest we have to a “Change of Command” as the reigns are handed off to the new team.
New Leadership Team Members
Speaking of the new team, we’ve now filled the Ambassador and Staging Lead jobs…
> Ambassador Lead: Michael “Wizard” Turner
> Staging Lead: Steve “Hard Rock” Powell
Both are very experienced RFTW riders and team members with a passion for the mission, our riders and the people we support. Later this week, I’ll be updating the leadership contact list on the web site at rftw.us/southern-route-contacts. If you’re interested in volunteering for one of the support teams, contact that team lead – they’re already building their teams.
Platoon Leadership Volunteers
Our Platoon Coordinator is assembling the recommended list for Platoon Leaders, Assistants and Tail Gunners and will be submitting that list to me at the Kerrville Reunion next month. If you submitted a volunteer card, then Big Vic has it and you’re on the list. If you didn’t, it’s not too late – but time is running short. Please contact Big Vic if you are unsure if you’re listed or if you need to sign up to serve.
Outreach Team Lead – Memorials
Karoni Forrester has done an outstanding job over the past years as our Outreach Team Lead and will continue to do so on RFTW XXXI. To allow her freedom to focus on the Outreach Visitation portion of that mission, I am seeking another Outreach Team Leader to focus on our visits to Memorials and Monuments along the Run. This Lead should have experience with outreach participation and be willing to prepare and present information on those various memorials as well as help guide the breakaway Outreach Missions. This Lead will also coordinate with the Honor Guard Coordinator as required to ensure wreath presentations are staffed and ready on these outreaches. If you are interested, please contact me or the ARC to volunteer.
SR Finance Coordinator
Another very important position yet to fill on the Southern Route is that of Finance Coordinator. This person must be an All The Way rider or participant who has a good background in Accounting, Finance or Bookkeeping. As a 501(c)(3) organization, our adherence to specific procedures for money handling and disbursement is extremely important. The Finance Coordinator will work closely with me and the ARC leading up to and during the Run to ensure all donations are properly collected and accounted for and that all our expenses, outgoing donations, educational grants, fuel bills, etc. are paid promptly and fully. The Finance Coordinator also works closely with the Board of Directors with regards to all southern Route finances. If you are qualified, interested and want to be very involved, please contact me or the ARC to volunteer.
Kerrville Reunion: 21-23 SEP 2018
I always look forward to the Kerrville Reunion! Cowboy and Sam and many others work very hard to present an enjoyable and interesting weekend for the RFTW Family for a gathering in the interim between Runs. Besides the awesome Saturday Night Banquet, there is a Saturday morning breakfast, ride plans (including the Pie Ride), an open sitdown with some of the Board Members, and a Friday night VFW Mixer. Plus, your ARC and I along with many other Team Leads will be there to represent the Southern Route. For more information, go the RFTW Web Site Forums at rftw.us/forums/topic/tx- reunion-2018-for-all-rftw-riders. I hope to see you there!
Watch for Part 2 coming soon…
Bugs out!
