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Winter Meeting - January 11, 2002:

Sam Saxton called the meeting to order at 0844.

Sam welcomed and thanked everyone for coming. Introductions were made and the chairman presented the following information.

Chairman's Report: Sam discussed the philosophy of "pulling the family together". More specifically, that the role of the National Marine Corps Council (NMCC) should be to take the lead on bringing together all council organizations and provide overall guidance/policies. Sam then asked BGen Brewer to provide some background and a historical perspective regarding MCCs.

BGen Brewer: BGen Brewer began by explaining that she found no overlap in the missions of the MCC. The Peacetime Wartime Support Team was established around 1996 and was tasked with the readiness of the reserve and to establish MCCs wherever there are reserve units. She did find, however, a "complimentary overlap" objective, which was to assist Marines and their families through community outreach programs. Further in her files, she found guidance stating that the focus of effort for future MCCs should be to integrate Marine Corps Associations into a nation-wide network and perform the community outreach mission. To do this, each association is to operate and maintain a personal computer, capable of accessing a commercially available network. Additionally, each association should actively support the formation of over 186 MCCs nationwide. The Marine Corps league has volunteered to act as the coordinator for the effort to frame MCCs (with guidance from MajGen Hardy). (4) recommendations were provided:

1. The Marine Corps should establish and maintain a Community Outreach branch or office within the public affairs function of both HQMC and the various elements of MARFORRES to provide available information and support to the various associations to further the community outreach effort.
2. The Marine Corps should make information available to the various associations on a commercially accessible on-line network.
3. The Marine Corps should attempt to make the process of separating Marines form the active component a more positive experience to encourage continued participation, not only with the Marine Corps Reserve, but also with those associations that support the Marine Corps and its community outreach.
4. That the NMCC redirect its focus of effort to community outreach. It is also recommended that NMCC be asked to assume the continuing role of the semi-annual NMCC meeting to address coordinating associations' efforts and resources in the community outreach program.

In 1999, Maj Curtin (Public affairs/Community relations, HQMC) contacted BGen Brewer asking "How can HQMC provide better support to Veterans and other groups/associations such as NMCC?" The last information she provided prior to discussing the agenda items was The Marine Corps General newsletter (Jul 2000) wherein Col Griffin submitted an article entitled "Tying a KNOT with the USMC Organizations---Looking Back; Looking Ahead" Specific points were: Commandant's Link, The Veterans Affairs Model, On-Line Connectivity, and the improvement of the Special Projects Directorate (SPD) office by hiring a GS-14 and the creation of the "General Officer Desk".

Agenda Items: Col Joel Eissinger was introduced and he began by introducing Capt Stewart of the General Officer Desk and described the function of SPD in "pulling together" the various associations. He stated that, "the mission is to ensure the Marine Corps exists in perpetuity, via maintaining and increasing public, private, and congressional influence and support." To accomplish this, communication links and integration of the various associations must occur and legislative focus should be examined in order to cultivate congressional support. We must:

1. Speak with a single, strong voice.
2. Stand up for and support Marine Corps values.
3. Support the needs of the Marine Corps.

Additionally, he explained the number of military veterans was decreasing in Congress---support. Finally he concluded with the following questions:

1. Who are our Marine networks?
2. What is our membership?
3. What is our outward focus?
4. Who are our financial supporters?

Following Mr. Eissinger's remarks, the board members initiated an open discussion. Topics discussed are described below.

NMCC Charter should be copied and disseminated to other associations to assist in the preservation of a strong Marine Corps and to facilitate the flow of information both up and down the associations. Warren informed the members that at a 1974 "Call to caucus" that Gen Davis held, the community relations position (which is now part of USMC Public Affairs) was located at the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps (ACMC) office and was held by (2) reserve Colonels. He felt as though there was a good effort to promulgate the mission and objective of the MCC but there was no continuity---problem.

The Marine Corps Reserve Officer's Association is a stand-alone organization that is part of a Military coalition, which is totally separate from the military. They can lobby Congress etc. Perhaps they can provide some guidance or information on how they are organized etc.

How do we organize NMCC to be most effective? Non-profit? What role do we play in compiling current directories? We must identify certain prerequisites to be a part of NMCC?what are they?

Tasks:
1. An action plan on how to organize the database needs to be developed. (Sam, Col Davis, Will, and MSgt Crick)
· Who are the members of NMCC (35)?
· Need to determine who the presidents, executive assistants, and the representative to the Council are (within 30 days)
· Provide copies of contact information to board members during the next meeting.

2. Is the Marine Corps Association amenable to providing the overall administrative and financial support for
a National Headquarters? (Col Davis)

3. Need to identify the role of SPD and PA-BGen Davis, and get "the word out"-possibly via The Marine Corps General. (Col Eissinger)

4. A concept paper needs to be drafted. (Col Wiedehan, Gen Maloney)

Conclusion: Once the tasks above were assigned and all members agreed upon the responsibilities, all members gathered for a closing prayer and the meeting was adjourned.

Attendees
(Note: Users who did not sign in will not be reflected on this list. If you attended and are not included below, please email l.mitchell@mca-marines.org.

Chairman
Col Jerry Brown (Ret.) Vice Chairman
LtGen Bill Maloney (Ret.) Korea 2000 Foundation
BGen Margaret Brewer (Ret.) Women Marines Association
Col Walt Davis (Ret.) Vice President and COO of Marine Corps Association
Col Warren Weidehan (Ret.)
Col George Hofmann (Ret.) Marine Executive Association
MGySgt Reuben McNair (Ret.)
Mr. Will Donaldson Hard Corps Inc.
Mr. Joel Eissinger (Col, Ret.) Director, Special Projects, HQMC
Capt Alyssa Stewart General Officer Desk, Special Projects Directorate, HQMC
LtCol Steve Eckberg Manpower and Reserve Affairs (M&RA), Marine for Life
MSgt James Crick MITNOC