Twenty-six AUSA chapter presidents and four region presidents attended an Association two-and-a-half day training program focusing on membership and chapter operations.

Welcomed to the national headquarters in Arlington, Va., by retired Gen. Carter Ham, AUSA president and CEO, and retired Lt. Gen. Pat McQuistion, vice president for membership and meetings, the class first toured the headquarters and met the Association staff.

The program was hosted by the Regional Activities Directorate, led by retired Col. John Davies.

Briefers included: retired Lt. Gen. Guy Swan, vice president, education; John Gifford, director, government affairs; Harry Rothmann, director, information technology; Patty Barron, director, family readiness; and Charles Schellpeper, deputy director of membership.

Topics covered were: AUSA 101; chapter automation; chapter activity reports; the Chapter Leader Portal; corporate, retiree, reserve component, and Army civilian membership; and recruiting and retaining members.

Also covered: chapter communications; an introduction to MagnetMail; marketing; congressional relations; the new AUSA website; family programs; young professionals; NCO and soldier programs; and the 50th Anniversary Vietnam Commemoration.

Brig. Gen. Malcolm Frost, Army chief of public affairs, spoke about the Army’s new “Meet your Army” program, and how the Association can have a key role in helping with this project.

At the conclusion, the attendees received certificates of completion at a ceremony.

One chapter president described the training as “a great learning experience,” and another said after meeting the staff that “the future of AUSA is looking bright.”

(AUSA photos by Stan Crow)