Page 4 - untitled

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

President's Message

I am trying to put my thoughts only get one new member from each of our existing mem-
together for this presidential bership, we could double our membership in a year. We
message and I am finding that need new members who can reach out to drilling reservists
my thoughts are all over the and convince them to take over the helm. Sailors still reach
place. I keep reflecting on how out to us when they have problem, and NERA is usually
NERA operated in the past the first place they call for help. Considering NERA is the
during the Manny Ratner years first place Sailors reach out to with a problem, the value
and what has subsequently of NERA is still understood and respected. I just wish we
transpired. We are continuing could reverse the trend of losing members and not being
Joanne Elliott, YNC
to lose members due to age and able to recruit new members to replace the aging member-
National President
unfortunately to the passing ship. So please help me and NERA in our recruiting efforts.
of our members. Many of our chapters are inactive, and
we rarely hear from the rest of our membership unless I welcome any and all communication with each and
they are having issues with pay or VA issues. Although I every one of you. Feel free to call, text, email or Facebook
have spent the last ten years with the Big J Encampment, me. My "door" is always opened, especially in light of the
I have had difficulty convincing the drilling reservists to challenges facing us due to the effects of the COVID-19
join NERA. I know NERA is not alone in this problem virus. Find ways to keep in touch through social media
of recruitment, because we hear that all the member orga- and even try using group meetings venues like Zoom,
nizations are having difficulty getting and retaining mem- Ring Central, Facebook, etc.
bers. This is a culture shift. Even though I am a member
of two CPOAs, the VFW and American Legion, I cannot Stay safe and stay strong.
get individuals to see the value of becoming a member of
military organizations. On the other hand, if there is a
problem, I will still get a call.
Joanne Elliott, President
The bottom line to all these rambling thoughts is that Steve, Naval Enlisted Reserve Association
Mike, Geno and I cannot do this alone. We still need each [email protected]
and every one of you to reach out and recruit. Even if we 215-431-6372

We need new members who can reach out to drilling reservists and con-
vince them to take over the helm. Sailors still reach out to us when they

have problem, and NERA is usually the first place they call for help.

Congratulations to NERA

for winning the 2020 Best

of Falls Church Award!

4 The Mariner • 2020 SPRING Edition • Volume 63 • Issue 1