Resolutions process gives voice to AUSA members
Resolutions process gives voice to AUSA members
As a member-based organization, AUSA annually solicits proposed resolutions from its membership. Throughout the spring and summer, 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. How to submit a resolutionAUSA chapters and members are encouraged to submit proposed resolutions to the 2011 AUSA Resolutions Committee for consideration. Prior to the Association’s Annual Meeting, Oct.10-12, committee members will review the resolutions that will become the Association’s objectives for the year 2012.Proposed resolutions may be submitted on line to www.ausa.org – "Legislation – Resolutions – Guide to Resolutions Submission." We encourage you to use this format.A guide to resolutions submission may also be obtained from AUSA chapters. Submissions not in compliance with the guide will be returned to the originator.Also, submissions may be e-mailed, using Word or TEXT, to mdungan-abney@ausa.org, or mailed to: AUSA Resolutions Committee, Government Affairs Directorate, 2425 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201. Mailed submissions on a computer disk using Microsoft Word or TEXT format would be very helpful.The submissions must arrive at national headquarters by July 15.Draft resolutions will be provided to AUSA chapter delegates attending the meeting.Upon adoption, the resolutions will be published and distributed to all members of Congress, key members of the Army staff, Army secretariat, the Department of Defense secretariat, state adjutants general, chapter presidents and region presidents.The resolutions will be available on AUSA’s Web site.Standing AUSA advisory committees are asked for input, as well. The Council of Trustees appoints a resolutions committee at the spring quarterly meeting.The resolutions committee is 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 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 upon electronically by each chapter two weeks following the Annual Meeting.Once adopted, the resolutions are published on the Internet at the AUSA Web site (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 those people that make up AUSA – active, reserve, guard, retired, veterans, civilian, and Army families – 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. This association 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 elsewhere on this page contains directions for submitting resolutions to the 2011 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 time, submit a resolution and work with us to help develop the objectives of the Association for the next year.