COMMANDER'S COLUMN
Mark Davis, Detachment Commander
areacommandersal@aol.com

My Fellow SAL Members,

Well here it is December and half the year is almost gone!

There are still to many ZERO SQUADRONS! I wish someone could tell me why! There is one complaint that I have, in the past few weeks I have called at least six Area Commanders and District Commanders to find out why they still have ZERO Squadrons. To date, I have only gotten responses from two people. When I make a phone call to find out why and don’t get an answer this annoys me. When I leave a message to get a call back, this is exactly what I expect. You would expect no less from me. You were elected to do a job, if there is a problem, we can fix it!

Next up is my RAKE! Oh were oh were has my little rake gone? Does anybody know?

Last but not least, the holidays are coming up. Please do not forget our brave men and women who will not be home for the holidays. Remember them in your prayers. What they are doing is making it possible for you and I to enjoy the holidays with our families.

On behalf of my wife and myself I wish you all the happiest holidays, and a safe and healthy New Year.

ADJUTANT'S CORNER
Ed Sheubrooks, Detachment Adjutant
fishermn9@aol.com

Gentlemen,

As we turn our sights and sounds to the holiday season, let us remember those who are less fortunate than us. Let us not forget our families, friends, and neighbors that still have a loved one serving in the Middle East or elsewhere protecting the American way of life. Keep them in your prayers. Get a few members together and make a visit to the local Veterans Home or Nursing Home. Have a Gift Drive prior to going and take them with you on your visits. For some, this may be their only Christmas.

I know of several Squadrons that are hosting Children’s Christmas Parties. Christmas should be a time of joy for all, but for some it is a burden, especially if the parents are out of work. Contact the local Salvation Army or Red Cross to see if there are any Families that need any special assistance. Let’s try to make this the best possible Christmas for all!

Membership is way behind last year. We still have 20 “Goose Egg” Squadrons. If we continue to fall behind at the pace that we are going, we will never reach our Goals, much less even our 100% from last year. Come on Guy’s lets pick up the pace. We have the tools, now lets GET ER DONE!!!!

I have received many e-mails and phone calls about the checks that were presented at the Past Detachment Convention for the Children's Miracle Network. These checks were presented on the National Convention floor at the end of August. Apparently National Headquarters sat on the checks. I have made numerous phone calls and sent several e-mails to National Headquarters about this. I have been assured that the checks have been sent to CMN, and hopefully by the time this goes to print will be deposited and cleared by your banks. I am sorry for Nationals delay in getting this done.

In closing, I want to take this opportunity to wish each and everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from my family to yours. Here’s to a safe and happy holiday season for ALL!

CENTRAL AREA MEMBERSHIP

Richard Crooker, Central Area Membership Chairman

Gentlemen,

FARMING FOR THE FUTURE - FARM HAPPENINGS
Jim Roberts, Detachment Membership Chairman

Hello all,

I had the opportunity to participate in both the City of Jacksonville's and the City of Tallahassee's Veteran's Day Parades and I want to tell you that I had a great time spending time with our veterans and letting them know that we appreciate their service to this country. Let us keep on thanking them and take the time to let our service men and women know how much we appreciate what they do and those that have served for what they have done. Thank a Vet.

I just received this report from Department HQ. I just want you to know that we still have about 20 Squadrons that have not sent in any membership as of this report. This is about 13% of the Detachment that has no membership in. Not sure what is going on but we need to put some fertilizer on these guys and get the cultivation process started.

We are not doing bad percentage wise, even though we did not make the last target, but we have a ways to go to get to our next target of 60% by December 13, 2006. We really need to meet this target and I challenge each and everyone of you to talk to the importance of membership at your next squadron meeting. Encourage your Squadron Leadership to transmit membership as soon as possible to help us make the remainder of our target dates.  We need your help.

All of the Detachment Vice Commanders, NEC John Crawford, NECA Larry Smith and the Detachment Commander Mark Davis all received the farming tools and are expected to have their tools when they come and visit you and your Squadron and District events.  Make sure they have their tools, if they don't have some fun and let Ed and I know.  I have heard that the Commander was the first one to loose his farming tool. I understand that the rake is on a world wind tour of Florida, I am sure that we will here more on this at a later date and may see something on the website about it.

Remember that we need to focus on our renewals this year and I am hoping that we can continue to to get better percentages this year from last. This will greatly increase our membership each year that we increase our renewals. Our goal this year is 90% renewal.

On a personal note, thanks to all of those that attended the Fall Conference and supported a resolution for me to run for National Commander of the SAL.  We still have some work ahead of us before we get into the race but the Fall Conference was the start of this long road. Thanks to you all and I look forward to continued service to the organization.

From my family to yours Happy Holidays and our best to you in the New Year.

SOURCE ARTICLES

Anyone with articles for THE SOURCE may submit them to the Adjutant. Please have all articles to me by the 1^st of each month. Articles may be faxed to 772-595-6375 or 772-460-1559. They can also be e-mailed to Fishermn9@aol.com. Remember that this is your newsletter. Let’s put it to GOOD USE!!

ENDORSEMENTS FOR OFFICE

It is the policy of the Detachment that no endorsements for Detachment or District office be published before the annual Fall Conference. All endorsements must be sent in writing to the Detachment Adjutant. All endorsements must include the Post Commanders or Post Adjutants signature and the signature of the Squadron Commander and Adjutant.

The following endorsements have been submitted.

For Detachment Commander

Stan Weyman, Squadron #24  

Richard Crooker, Squadron #139

For National Executive Committeeman

        Mark Davis, Squadron #57

All endorsements will be published each month, space permitting.