As reported in my last howgozit, responding to widespread demand from wings and squadrons throughout ANA, a small cadre of National Capital Region individuals has worked to re-establish an ANA national headquarters. That re-establishment is now fact and we're up and running; not only are we up and running but we have some senior active Naval Aviation leaders applauding and in support. Meanwhile, our mission remains as it has always been: "To educate and encourage an interest among the general public as to the importance of Naval Aviation in the defense of the United States and its allies.." Some more details follow.

Our initial and temporary Board of Directors consisting of Captains Ernie Snowden and Dutch Rauch and me has or will soon have effected then following.

Signed an "Assignment and Assumption Agreement," with the Naval Aviation Foundation (NAF) by which our membership database, our logo, Wings of Gold and other assets were transferred from the NAF to the new ANA.

Filed Articles of Incorporation as an IRS Code 501c(3) organization with State of Virginia, thus making all monies given to ANA tax-deductible.

Entered contract negotiations with Howard Associates to provide administrative support.

Prepared draft bylaws which will be promulgated soon. The new by-laws will stipulate a governance organization different from that which has gotten the new ANA started, an organization which will take effect when the by-laws are complete, but last only until the membership can vote on the persons designated.

The new, and still temporary, organization will consist of a board of directors of retired four-star Naval Aviators, yet to be named, a chairman, Admiral James L. Holloway, III; a president and CEO, Vice Admiral Bob Dunn who will also be an ex officio member of the board of directors. The president will be supported by an appointed executive committee, only some of whom have been thus far named, and an executive director. Currently on the executive committee are Captain Dutch Rauch as the Secretary-Treasurer, Captain Chris Vatidis as the Membership Director and Captain Ernie Snowden, CO of the Washington-Anacostia squadron. Captain Zip Rausa will be the executive director and an ex officio member of the executive committee. To repeat, the board members, the chairman and the president will be voted on. Present plans are to conduct this election coincident with the publishing of the spring issue of Wings of Gold. This is to ensure the governance organization is acceptable to and aligned with the desires of the ANA membership. By the way, the only paid position in the list above is the executive director, and he's also the editor of Wings of Gold.

The new organization is most sensitive to spending and the need to keep ANA in the black. At present we see our only significant expenses to be the aforementioned salary for the executive director, a fee to Howard Associates for their administrative support, the costs of Wings of Gold over and beyond what might be accrued from advertising and some minimal expenses for office materials and postage. We do not intend to raise dues and there will be no assessments; however, there may from time to time be a membership-wide plea for voluntary extra contributions. In that connection, the end-of-the-year solicitation signed out by Admiral Holloway brought in over $3,600. Many thanks to all those who contributed. A more complete summary of our financial status will be published soon.

To ensure we stay on track we intend to construct and publish a business plan. Until we do, in addition to doing all we can to fulfill the ANA mission, we intend in the first year to effect the following.

Keep the active Navy leadership engaged.

Send a monthly e-mail Howgozit newsletter

Publish four issues of Wings of Gold. Wings of Gold is our flagship publication. It tells our story to the world and to the membership. Should you be able to provide articles, photos and the like you will participate in its success. Also, if you know of any company or other organization that would like to advertise in Wings of Gold, please let Zip Rausa know. The more the advertising the better the magazine and the easier on the budget it is.

Rejuvenate the ANA website.

Reestablish the Naval Aviation Industrial Council (NAIC). This council will maintain an essential link among active Navy leadership, industry leadership and the ANA. Look for more on the NAIC in a future issue of Wings of Gold.

Conduct an ANA-wide election for a permanent board of directors, a chairman and a president. As stated above, this election will use a tear-out sheet in the spring issue of Wings of Gold as a ballot. More on this money-saving strategy in a future howgozit.

Update the ANA membership list and add to it by ten percent. "Every member get a member" may sound a bit trite, but it works; and your help in growing membership is essential.

Reestablish and rejuvenate squadrons that have gone offline or become inactive, especially those proximate to areas of fleet concentration.

Reestablish and rejuvenate the Washington-Anacostia Squadron. While we value each and every squadron and their commitment to the ANA mission, the Washington-Anacostia squadron is pivotal to our mission as it involves senior active Naval Aviators on duty in Washington and the many contractors with offices in the National Capital Region who support Naval Aviation. Fortunately, we have an experienced Naval Aviator with both contractor and ANA experience, Ernie Snowden, who has volunteered to shepherd the Washington-Anacostia squadron back to life. In fact, he is even now in the saddle having arranged the first gathering of the new Washington-Anacostia squadron at a luncheon meeting at the Army-Navy Country Club on March 2. In fact, Ernie has outdone himself by arranging for, not one but two, outstanding speakers: our ANA chairman, Admiral James L. Holloway, III, and Rear Admiral Bruce Clingan, the Director, Air Warfare, on the Navy staff in the Pentagon.

If you're close by, you'll want to sign up.

Finally, the new ANA will pretty much live on e-mail between issues of Wings of Gold, especially until our website gets back up. You're encouraged to use e-mail with us and keep us informed even as we try to keep you informed. Comments and questions are welcomed.

VADM Bob Dunn, robtdunn@aol.com

Captain Dutch Rauch, svwindmills@erols.com
1446 Waggaman Circle
McLean, VA 22101

Captain Zip Rausa, zip@anahq.org
WINGS OF GOLD
2133 Freda Drive
Vienna, VA 22181

Membership applications and renewals:

Association of Naval Aviation
2550 Huntington Ave, Suite 202
Alexandria, VA 27303