(Under President's Message are Action's Taken thus far)

 

 

 

     My sincere thanks and appreciation to the membership for electing me President of the 1st Marine Division Association. As you know, this Association is based on the camaraderie of members who have served in the 1st Marine Division since its founding on February 1, 1940. We, of the 1st Marine Division Association, are a band of brothers of the most decorated Marine Division in the history of the United States Marine Corps.

 

 

     In taking on the responsibility of President at this particular time, I have inherited a host of challenges, most dealing with the weak financial position that the organization has been struggling with for several years. However, the mission is quite clear and requires change, re-organizing and the establishment of new policies that will allow the Association to gain new financial independence and at the same time, accumulate growth.

 

 

     Many have asked the question, how did the Association inherit all these financial problems? The answer is in two parts. A number of years back, financial mismanagement of a large portion of the Association's operating funds were dramatically reduced, which we have never truly been able to fully recover.

 

 

     Also, today, we have 3,464 annual dues paying members who are trying to support an organization of 10,816 members. This is due to the fact that out of 10,816 members, 7,344 are life members and through no fault of the life members, past administrations did not anticipate the huge future inflationary reduction in the fund that also led to our present problem. The simple fact is that 3,464 dues paying members cannot support an association of 10,816 members.

 

 

     Our dues have not been changed in years and will be increased for all dues paying members to $35.00 per year, to partially offset the operating expenses of the Association.

 

 

     In addition, I am asking all members to make a yearly contribution to the General Fund for whatever amount you can afford.

 

 

     We are in the process of obtaining some significant fund raising contributions; however, until that becomes a reality, I feel the aforementioned request will carry us through the present financial shortfall, while future fund raising efforts, if fully supported by Association members, will generate the necessary revenue to support operations once and for all.

 

 

     I promise financial prudence during my administration and appreciate your assistance. If we, an Association of Brothers, pull together in the same direction, we will solve these problems.

 

 

Semper Fidelis

 

 

Michael J. Carone

President FMDA

 

 

The Association is moving into a severe financial situation and we are scaling down the operation. The Executive Committee has taken the following actions:

 

 

1. Executive Committee members are meeting weekly via eleconference to discuss and resolve the critical financial situation.

 

 

2. We are exploring the possibility of sending the Old Breed News electronically to known e-mail addresses. If e-mail addresses are not available, members would access the Association web site to secure the newsletter.

 

1stmarinedivisionassociation.org

 

 

3. The Oceanside office is operating on reduced costs

a. Executive Director's time has been reduced to 20 hours per week.

b. Office Manager's time has been reduced to 20 hours per week.

 

 

4. Oceanside Office Phones reduced to one line - 760-967-8561

b. Fax line will remain open - 760-967-8567

 

5. High Volume copy machine has been returned.

 

 

6. Director Meeting will not be held in San Antonio but in Oceanside, CA in conjunction with the Division Anniversary to save expenses. It will be held approximately the last week of January 2010.

 

 

The above actions are necessary for the Association to be solvent in January 2010.