2007 Annual Membership Meeting
Updated January 13, 2008
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The 2007 annual membership meeting of the United States Military Retirees Association was held on Saturday, December 22, 2007 from 1000-1120 at the Army Community Services building on Yongsan's South Post. Attendance was dismally less than expected or hoped for with only two retirees in attendance.
Election of officers was held, with only one of the elected officers, Mr. Al Chellis, present and accompanied by Mr. Jack Terwiel, the outgoing Retirement Services Officer, who was attending to present a briefing on current topics of interest to the retirees. The required election of officers was held, with Mr. Chellis being re-elected president and Mr. Terwiel being elected Vice President. Mr. Bob Henault, who was not present, was re-elected Secretary. Since Mr. Chellis had purchased some food, the meeting quickly adjourned and an early lunch was enjoyed by all four of those present.
This may be a good time to remind Korea retirees of the purpose of the United States Military Retirees Association Korea. It is a dues-free private organization intended to provide assistance to retirees and their families, their survivors and others associated with the U.S. military forces in Korea. The organization is here to help you, but the organization needs your support and encouragement to continue. If this year's attendance was due to poor advertising or bad timing, we'll try to correct that situation over the next year. The 2008 meeting will be well-advertised and timed to allow maximum participation. If attendance is as poor as the 2007 turnout, it might be time to declare that the USMRAK has outlived its usefulness and disestablish it. That would allow the few dedicated persons who serve as officers of the association to redirect their time to something more useful.
Or maybe it's time to change the organization from dues-free to dues-paying, and with more frequent meetings, such as they have at Misawa AB. That association uses the money collected to assist those in need, such a low-income widows who cannot afford the winter heating costs. Those retirees participate because it makes them feel more like they're part of a community of people doing good. Would this be a better forum to encourage participation? Let's hear from you. Can our association be saved? Should it be reformed into local chapters? Give us your ideas!
