in memoriam - Fleet Reserve Association

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
80 th NATIONAL CONVENTION, FRA
31 OCTOBER – 3 NOVEMBER 2007, CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
National President Sweeney, members of the National Board of Directors and fellow Shipmates, this is my fifth report
as FRA’s National Executive Secretary per Section 808(i), FRA C&BL.
My highest priority continues to be serving as the chief assistant to the National President and NBOD, while efficiently
managing NHQ and our outstanding staff, while maintaining FRA’s presence and effectiveness on Capitol
Hill. The past year has been a period of continuing transition at National Headquarters (NHQ) following the Finance
Officer’s assumption of many responsibilities previously held by the National Financial Secretary until November
2005. IMIS functions continue to be refined, fundraising is now totally managed in-house resulting in considerable
savings to the Association and the NHQ staff began work on LA FRA membership administration functions on 1
February 2007.
After my NHQ Staffing, Operations and Special Projects briefing to the National Board of Directors in May, I was
invited to present the briefing at several regional conventions. This has been well received and has helped inform
delegates about the day to day work that’s being done by your NHQ Team in support of the FRA, and a copy of the
briefing slides which includes an NHQ staff organizational chart is attached to this report. (Enclosure 1)
NHQ STAFFING
Staffing the NHQ with adequately trained and professional personnel is also a top priority. This is challenging in the
high-cost and competitive market in which we operate. Turnover continues and it’s important to note the significant
and time consuming HR processes associated with interviewing, hiring and orienting new staff members.
I believe we’ve reached the optimum staff level with the Finance Officer, 17 full-time personnel and three part-time
staffers. Complementing these employees as needed are temps that are brought to assist with special projects or during
staff leave. The number of employees is steady – and especially noteworthy given the significant additional work
being performed at NHQ associated with membership administration functions previously performed by Marsh, the
transfer of all previously contracted fund-raising functions in-house and the membership administration work in support
of the LA FRA per a Mutual Services Agreement that became effective on 1 February 2007. In short, we’re
doing much more with fewer people because we’re collectively working smart, effectively using new technology and
hiring better trained and professional individuals to join the staff – who in turn are more highly motivated and productive.
Teamwork is essential and there is more overlap between department functions due to iMIS and other new
capabilities.
Departures since my last report include Linda Jackson and Tabitha Smith in the Member Service Center, San Reddy
in the Marketing/Communications Department and the retirement after 25 years of NHQ service of MIT Vince
Cuthie in the Admin Department.
YNC Penny Collins, USCGR (Ret.) joined the staff as our new Director of Membership Development (DMD) on 30
July 2007 and former DMD and Health Care Advisor Bob Washington assumed responsibilities associated with a
new FRA Outreach Program. And following the retirement of MIT Vince Cuthie, we hired Sami Al-Samawi as our
new full-time Data Base Support Specialist (DSS). Others new to the NHQ staff during the past year are Maria Valverde
in the Members Service Center and Jessica Andrews our Public Relations Manager. (Note that new hires may
have different job titles as a result of a continuing evaluation of responsibilities and new technological capabilities
and changes associated with same.) As noted above, we’ve added the Outreach Manager position referenced in my
2006 report, and we’re pleased that Vince Cuthie is continuing on a part-time basis as our Scholarship Program Coordinator.
Staff hours are consistent for all personnel (0800-1630) with extended Member Service Center hours from 0800-
1730 (one MSC staff member works from 0900-1730 to accommodate calls from the western time zones).
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