August 4, 2008

My first remarks are to those who voted in this last election. I appreciate those who voted for me and their confidence that I have the capability to continue the good policies that were set during the last four years of the previous administration. I also appreciate those of you who voted for others. That, of course, is the way democracy operates.

I hope to show you that even though the candidates who some of you supported were not elected, you might become convinced that those who were are dedicated to work for the betterment of the KWVA. I will work to improve upon the successes of the past administration and to revamp those policies that have not been accepted by the membership.

Transition from one administration to another may seem like an easy task, but without the cooperation of the past administration, often times it is a long and tedious job. In this case, Past President Dechert and his staff have been very helpful, including with the change in the Membership Office staff and relocation and the sudden passage of our request to be chartered by Congress.

The financial changeover was made during the first few days after June 25. Thus, we were able to maintain dues deposits and bill paying with no interruption. In fact, dues are now direct deposited after being received at the Membership Office in Charleston, IL. We no longer have to mail checks to be deposited by the Treasurer in another state.

I have requested that each Director, both newly elected and those carried over, inform me in what capacity they would like to be considered to serve the membership, either as a Committee Chairman or on a Committee.

As I prepare this message, I am still receiving requests for assignments. I do not want to fill the positions with individuals who are not interested in improving the operation, but with those who are dedicated to doing so. Therefore, I have decided not to rush the appointment process, because it is more important to obtain Chairmen who are qualified individuals and are ready to tackle any and all problems as they arise. I will keep those already filling the slots until the Board has approved new individuals.

All elected Officers and Directors have been sworn in by Business without a Meeting and took office on June 25, 2008 per the Bylaws.

Obtaining the Charter has now been accomplished. The process of fulfilling the requirements that come with the Charter must be obtained, and processes to accomplish these requirements placed into effect. This also will be a slow process. Other requirements have also come to light, and solutions need to be found for them.

I ran for this office knowing a few of the problems, and I will say that the major problem was unrest by some of the membership. The main problem has been either the misunderstanding of the processes the Board of Directors works with or of how to communicate between individuals. I will be working to solve this problem.

Let’s start with this: if you hear things that you believe might be true—or untrue—please check with a Board Member you trust and try to solve a possible misunderstanding before sending an email to other members, and especially outsiders. The possibility is that any problem can be solved once the facts are learned and explained.

A problem disseminated by e-mail does not solve the problem; it only causes the problem to become larger by added mistakes in answers or untrue statements. True statements are easy to make if the facts are obtained and the other person really listens.

If people refuse to listen, there is no use in arguing to try to convince them.

The Board of Directors will be voting on all of those Committee Chairmen who I, along with the 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents, request to be approved. I hope that each of our members will give the Board of Directors his or her support, and give us the time to become a team for you.

God bless the KWVA and its purpose for veterans of the Korean War era.

William F. Mac Swain
National President, KWVA/US