On Monday, 9 November 2015, The Carlisle Barracks and Cumberland Valley Chapter (CB-CV Chapter) hosted a luncheon and visit with LTG Roger G. Thompson, Jr., USA Ret., AUSA Vice President for Membership and Meetings, at the US Army War College.  LTG Thompson is a member of the AUSA’s executive leadership team.

LTG Thompson met with 23 Army War College student representatives from the Resident Class of 2016 and select War College leadership including the Chief of Staff, COL Robert M. Balcavage, and the Army Heritage and Education Center Director, COL Peter D. Crean.  Carlisle Barracks and Cumberland Valley Chapter Board members in attendance included our Chapter President, COL (Ret) Jerry Comello, Chapter Treasurer COL (Ret) Ed Filiberti, and COL (Ret) Bob Hume.

LTG Thompson highlighted AUSA’s mission to serve the Army and its soldiers, and he talked about the Association’s current efforts and initiatives to expand member services and expand its membership.  He stated that current individual membership remains low with approximately 64,000 members worldwide.

LTG Thompson highlighted AUSA’s ambitious legislative agenda and discussed ways in which the Association advocates for a strong Army, its soldiers and veterans.  He emphasized the need to significantly expand the Associations membership – not to raise funds that are primarily raised through AUSA sponsored conferences and meetings, but to regain and expand AUSA’s ability to be heard on important issues for the Nation and the Army. LTG Thompson candidly discussed AUSA’s tenuous position with Congress and he indicated that the Association is losing some influence in providing information to Congress due to its declining membership.

See AUSA’s Legislative Agenda Here!

LTG Thompson also discussed several initiatives to increase member services that may help boost AUSA membership.  Most promising may be expanded member discounts across a much broader range of consumer goods that may become available by early 2016.  He further highlighted that AUSA is currently updating its membership services, online web presence, and Chapter management tools to enhance the Associations responsiveness to address member issues and to enhances its mission effectiveness and keep its members informed.

The meeting culminated with a short question and answer period where LTG Thompson thanked all for attending. He further encouraged everyone present to be engaged AUSA participants, to help spread the word on the important efforts of the Association, and to help AUSA maintain its awareness and focus on important issues for the Army and its soldiers.