As a member-based organization, AUSA annually solicits proposed resolutions from its membership.Throughout the spring and summer months, individual members and chapters are invited to submit proposed resolutions aimed at enhancing the Army – its equipment, capabilities, and the quality of life of its soldiers and their families.Standing AUSA advisory committees are asked for input as well.The Council of Trustees appoints a resolutions committee at its spring quarterly meeting.Resolutions committee members are appointed from nominations received from throughout the Association. Every effort is made to select, from among qualified nominees, a committee that maximizes representation of the Association – geographically, demographically and from internal membership groups.The resolutions committee deliberates in Washington three days prior to and during the Annual Meeting.It also receives briefings from Army staff principals and drafts a final version of the resolutions to be recommended to the general membership.Chapter delegates are provided the draft resolutions when the Annual Meeting convenes.A public forum is held to hear member concerns and comments on the draft. The final version of the resolutions is considered and voted on electronically by each chapter two weeks following the Annual Meeting.Once adopted, the resolutions are published on the Internet at the AUSA website (www.ausa.org.) and in booklet form.Booklets are distributed to every member of Congress, congressional oversight committees, Pentagon officials, and AUSA chapters.Throughout the year, the resolutions serve as a guide in the formulation of AUSA’s legislative agenda.Our goal is to make the resolutions process and the resolutions themselves as relevant as possible. Why are resolutions important?Because we are a member-based organization, input from people who make up AUSA – active, reserve, guard, retired, veterans, civilians, and Army family members – is instrumental in determining what direction this organization takes in the next year.We rely on input from all of our members – from general to private – to tell us what issues are important. AUSA looks to its members to provide guidance – and we urge all members to become part of this process.One of the duties of this organization is to support the Army by lobbying the United States Congress.Through face-to-face meetings, letters, and phone calls, we make sure that your representatives understand the important issues facing the Army.In order to aid us in this effort we need you to tell us what issues are important to you. What can you do?The box found on Page 22 contains directions for submitting resolutions to the 2012 AUSA Resolutions Committee.Take a few minutes and tell us what you would like to see AUSA do for you in the upcoming year.We can address your concerns only when you let us know what they are.So take some time, submit a resolution, and work with us to help develop the objectives of the Association for the next year. (See related story, Page 22)