in memoriam - Fleet Reserve Association

our presence on Capitol Hill; legal action by the Fleet Reserve Club (FRC) of Annapolis against the FRA, dealing
with the revocation of Branch 19’s Charter (per NBR 25-07) and significant challenges associated with paying bills
and selling the property in Newport Rhode Island, and managing other changes.
I’ve worked very hard on these challenges during the past year and kept the NP and leadership apprised of developments
and received outstanding support from FO Paul Rigby and other senior staff. Additional details are referenced
in the reports indicated and under the various sections identified by headings in the remainder of this report.
DATA BASE MANAGEMENT
Overseeing in-house data base management and security is a major responsibility and even more so since membership
administration functions were brought in-house via the IMIS system. Sameer Mulla, is our part-time Data Base
Manager. He reports directly to me and also oversees our new Data Base Support Specialist (DSS), Sami Al-
Samawi. All data base functions are closely monitored and security enhancements include a recently installed security
access system and significantly improved air conditioning in the data server room in the Member Service Center.
Sameer and Sami also work closely with the Finance Officer, Directors of Marketing and Communications and
Membership Development, and Member Service Center staff and Sameer has been very effective in identifying major
problems and developing solutions via specially written programs to identify and correct data base errors and
improve financial and membership reports. As a result of this work, we now have a much more accurate membership
count than in the past. In addition, a complex de-duping process has also enhanced our data base integrity and resulted
in the elimination of unnecessary mailings and costs associated with same (see Director of Marketing and
Communications Report for additional details on this effort.)
Related to this work is an NBOD Resolution (NBR 49-06), approved by majority vote, social security numbers were
removed from Branch Alpha Rosters effective 7 July 2006. This action was related to concerns about identity theft
and I continue to strongly urge Branch Secretaries to be mindful of sensitive information on previous Branch Alpha
Reports and other data and institute effective disposal methods to ensure that no personal data is compromised.
SETTLEMENT OF FRC COMPLAINT AND INJUNCTION
As reported last year, on 28 July 2006 I was served with a copy of a complaint and injunction filed against the FRA
in state court in the State of Maryland by the Fleet Reserve Club of Annapolis, Inc. (FRC) seeking a decree determining
that the FRA has no control over the FRC and further seeking an injunction prohibiting the FRA from representing
or in any way maintaining that it has the power to do so. Per NBOD resolution 53-06, a response was prepared
by legal counsel and subsequently, NP Jerry Sweeney and I participated in a settlement conference with legal
counsel and FRC representatives and their legal counsel in Severna Park, Maryland, on 23 February 2007 during
which a consent decree consistent with provisions of FRA’s C&BL was agreed to per Enclosure 5. FRA’s legal costs
in conjunction with the law suit totaled $66,290.39 and were covered by our Directors and Officers Liability Insurance
coverage.
Effective Branch oversight of business enterprises is very important and of particular importance to this issue and
more effective future oversight of Branch business enterprises is NBR 24-07 which strengthens Sec. 1226, FRA
C&BL, which if approved by delegates at the 80th National Convention will supersede NBR 11-07.
FRA TODAY
Fund raising and other marketing initiatives/programs are detailed in the Director, Marketing and Communications
Report, however, noteworthy is the success and strong positive reaction to the rework that includes professional design
and renaming of Naval Affairs to FRA Today which was approved by delegates at the 79th National Convention.
In addition, expanded distribution of the magazine continues (including hand delivery of copies each month to
all Members of Congress) and extra copies are available for Shipmates wishing to assume responsibility for taking
copies to waiting rooms, Reserve centers or other high-traffic locations where potential members and others may
read them and learn more about FRA and its various programs. Shipmates may order extra copies by either contacting
me at NHQ (or via e-mail at nes@fra.org), or Eileen Murphy at Eileen@fra.org.
NES-3