Creating a NETWORK of LEADERS Commanders and Adjutants Association meeting focuses on education, collaboration By Janice M. Hagar “One of the ideas discussed at the roundtable was about fundraising,” said Small. “Someone mentioned the Ford Drive 4 UR Community program, where you can raise funds by test-driving vehicles. They had seen a lot of success from it, so I’m planning to bring that idea up at my next chapter meeting.” Small noted the fast-paced event was “like drinking from a fire hose” but ultimately provided a great deal of information that can be applied at the local level. “We had an opportunity to interact with the staff, and we got our questions answered on a one-to-one basis,” she said. “That was great because a lot of times, you have questions that are unique to your own organization.” “We talked with our best leaders from the [national adjutant and headquarters executive directors] to the employment side and the volunteer fraternal side,” added Rachel Fredericks, senior vice commander for the Department of New York. “We came together to toss ideas around the table to each other for good goals toward the future and continuation of education for all of our leaders.” Jerry Morgan, senior vice commander from the Department of Alabama, said this event makes it easy to see the passion that drives the organization. “The best part is meeting the people here,” said Morgan. “They don’t have a job title or a position— they share a mission, which is to support veterans.” ■ W hile DAV continuously works to enhance and expand its programs, capabilities and partnerships, the key to successful implementation is putting the right tools in the hands of the organization’s leaders on the ground—its commanders and adjutants. More than 100 participants gathered for the annual Commanders and Adjutants Association meeting, held in June at DAV National Headquarters in Cold Spring, Ky. During the two-day orientation, state and national DAV leaders—many recently appointed to their roles—gathered to learn how to effectively perform their duties and how the national headquarters supports their efforts as well as to build a peer network of contacts for ideas and support. “Alongside networking, it’s eye-opening to see the day-to-day operations at headquarters,” said Danny Oliver, then-president of the Commanders and Adjutants Association. “What we think we know would have filled a thimble compared to what we learned about the organization at the meeting. You could tell our leaders were impressed.” Leaders like Carolyn Small, senior vice commander for the Department of Georgia, learned about new tools and gained valuable insight into what’s working for other chapters and departments across the country. 28 DAV MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2018
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Creating a NETWORK of LEADERS
Janice M. Hagar
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