The AAAA President's Report to Our Stakeholders, April 2012
As we gather in Nashville for our 2012 AAAA Annual Forum, I would like to give you some highlights of what together we have accomplished over the past year.
2011 saw AAAA increase its capabilities to continue our mission to “Support the U.S. Army Aviation Soldier and Family” thanks to a growing membership, ever more effective chapters and record financial stability.
We have set standards for our financial support to our Chapters, and to the total aviation force; brigades, battalions, and companies.
Late in 2011, AAAA came to the attention of Congress and as a result AAAA was asked to support the newly forming Army Aviation Caucus. This caucus of 39 Congressmen and Congresswomen has the potential to become another defining event for Army Aviation. The new Chief of Staff of the Army accepted our invitation and made it an early priority to attend the AAAA Senior Executive Associates meeting in Washington.
Under the leadership of GEN Jack Keane, this group of retired three and four star general officer non-aviators volunteered their time and energy to support you and our Army.
Members of our AAAA National Executive Group, (your AAAA volunteer national officers) personally visited many of our chapters in 2011 and we intend to continue this effort for 2012.
Bottom line is that we have a very healthy fraternal organization lead by many of you who graciously volunteer your time and energy to AAAA and Army Aviation. Thank you so much.
The following captures some additional AAAA facts.
- AAAA is the only not for profit organization totally dedicated to supporting the entire Army Aviation Community
- Today, we have over 18,000 members in 71 chapters
- We are a member of the 3.5 million-member The Military Coalition (TMC).
- AAAA has over 350 corporate industry partners with 2,600+ individual members
- The AAAA Annual Professional Forum includes over 300,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space and 2012 has set new records in pre-registration, hotel rooms occupied, and exhibit space.
AAAA Scholarship Foundation, Inc., (AAAASFI)
- The AAAASFI is a totally separate corporation formed in 1963 as a tax exempt charity.
- Over $4,500,000 in scholarships have been awarded to over 2,700 soldiers and families for college and graduate school since inception
- In 2011 alone, the AAAASFI awarded $309,000 to 210 students.
- 100% of every donation to AAAASFI goes directly to students or fund principal as ALL overhead expenses are paid by the separate membership corporation,
AAAA Recognition
- Over 700 Soldiers, DACs and units from all three components have received National AAAA awards since AAAA began in 1957.
- AAAA provides awards to the distinguished graduate and honor graduates of all aviation related courses
- AAAA provides free membership to deployed aviation soldiers
- Every month each chapter can provide a free membership to one chapter Soldier, NCO or Member of the Month at AAAA National’s expense
- AAAA has provided and administered the award of over 8,000 Army Aviation Branch Order of Saint Michael awards. The Honorary Knight of the Order of Saint Michael was added in 2010 for non-aviation related supporters of our Branch.
- There are dedicated pages monthly in the Army Aviation Magazine for individual and unit accomplishments
- AAAA sponsors, funds and administers the Army Aviation Hall of Fame with over 140 inductees
Chapters
- AAAA National Executive Group, the National Executive Board, and its Chapters are run by volunteers
- 71 chapters are the heart and soul of the organization taking care of Soldiers and families and are located in 36 States and four overseas locations.
- AAAA has sponsored scores of Welcome Home and Send-Off ceremonies through our chapters; approximately $70,000 has been provided by AAAA every year since the beginning of OIF/OEF
Spouse and Family Programs
- The AAAASFI has dedicated spouse scholarships
- AAAA underwrites and administers the Lady of Loreto spouse awards program; over 540 given out to date
- Army Aviation magazine features a “Spouse Corner” every month and has a dedicated spouse issues editor.
- And we always include a spouse professional program at our Annual Professional Forum.
All of these points are available in a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation available on our website, www.quad-a.org.
When somebody asks you what AAAA does, let them know. AAAA is there for you like no other organization. This is your association.
We are proud of what we have accomplished together and look forward to continuing the mission – “AAAA Supporting the U.S. Army Aviation Soldier and Family.”
Continue the mission!
LTG (Ret.) Daniel J. Petrosky
President, AAAA |
