Members of the National Executive Council (NEC), fellow Montford Pointers and members of the Ladies Auxiliary.
Thank you for electing me as your National President. I am confident that our National Vice President, Mike Johnson and your elected officers are dedicated in ensuring that the great story of Montford Point will be told in the same vain as the Buffalo Soldiers and the Tuskegee Airmen. The purpose of this document is to let you know where I stand on some critical issues.
A. Reasons for my decision to run for the National Presidency. I sincerely did not intend to seek this office when I addressed the NEC at the Spring Council. My decision was based primarily on the belief that I could move our Association forward at a quicker pace. I believe during my 18 year association with the Montford Point Marine Association, I have established myself as a person who does what he says he will do.
I was very fortunate to be personally mentored by our first National President, Brooks Gray, among many others. Brooks taught me the importance of communications and keeping folks my Chapter (Beaufort at the time) informed about everything that the leadership was doing. Brooks also taught me to keep lines of communication open by phone calls, mailings and personal contact. Brooks also encouraged the use of the media. I have used his teachings to help move both the Beaufort and the Philadelphia Chapters in compliance with our by-laws and in prominence with the Association.
B. My Platform: My ten pledges to the Association.
1. Follow-up on initiatives begun by my predecessors; Audit of our Financial Situation Monitor the completion of our Documentary Film Revitalize our Monument Project 2. Meet with the leadership of the Marine Corps to ensure Headquarters Marine Corps is aware of our concerns, specifically to ensure every recruit and Officer Candidate learns the history of Montford Point. 3. Be seen. I plan to continue to travel to various events to bring the story of Montford Point to the masses. 4. Hold our National and Local Officers accountable to the By-laws. 5. Streamline the Awards Process, specifically the Hall-of-Fame. 6. Establish firm Convention Standing Operating Procedures. 7. Establish a membership committee, with our National Vice President as the Chair, to look for innovative ways to bring the younger service members in our Organization. Look for ways to streamline the process to put membership cards and packets in the hands of our new members. 8. Revitalize existing chapters, particularly in large cities such as Atlanta & Cleveland, where the use of the media can assist us. 9. Partner with other Veterans Groups, such as the Tuskegee Airmen and the Marine Corps League, to share ideas and possibly membership rosters. 10. Work my butt off to make the Montford Point Marine Association an organization you can be proud to say you are a member!
C. What I will do to carry out my pledges to the Association. I will personally work closely with the National Executive Council Members to assist, motivate and encourage their assistance in accomplishing our goals. I firmly believe in our motto that “Working Together Works!”
D. What I will not do as the Chief Executive of MPMA. I will not dismiss any recommendation to improve our Association before I do my due diligence and consult with our National Vice President and Regional Vice Presidents, as well as any former National Presidents, whom I will seek their input.
E. My final promise to the membership is that I will keep the lines of communications open. I make every attempt to return calls within 24 hours unless I am traveling for my Company. The best place to reach me is at my home number 610-495-3619. I usually reserve Sunday late afternoon and early evenings to receive and place phone calls. If your issue cannot wait until then, please feel free to call my home any day. West Coast members, please be mindful of the time difference. If there is an absolute emergency, you may reach me at my work number 610-337-7000 ext 7797 during normal working hours. Again, please be mindful of my need to stay focused at work. For those who have my personal cell phone number, I asked that you restrict use of that number for all but the most urgent of calls. I can also be reached by e-mail at geeterj@yahoo.com.
Most of you have known me for many years, please understand this; I will not tolerate anyone who thinks they can push through personal agendas that have no benefit to the Association. Please do not think you can dump a problem on my lap and then distance yourself from it. I will immediately ask you for your recommendation or a solution once confronted with an issue. I think that a former reporting senior captured my style very well when he wrote in a fitness report that those who know me casually may think that I am a Pollyanna, but that I have the requisite force to complete any mission. My mission is to help facilitate the advancement of this Association and to ensure the legacy of the Original Montford Pointers is never forgotten. My promise to you is to never lose focus of that mission.
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