Executive Director's View

Stepping Out Smartly

By CAPT Jim Gillcrist, USN (Ret.)

NHA is off to a refreshing start in 2022 with new leadership in the hunt to do things a bit differently. The new Chairman, RADM Dan Fillion, and new National President, CDR Emily Stellpflug, who represents the VRM Community, are keen to improve the value proposition for becoming and staying a member as well as embrace innovative approaches. Attracting more JOs, Aircrew, and Maintainers to the organization, offering more fun and camaraderie, providing professional development from winging through an entire career and beyond, and improving the networking and mentoring potential within the organization are all critical elements to raising the value proposition.

◊ Targeting new, younger members involves a concerted effort to attract more JOs, Aircrew, and Maintainers to the organization because we fix, we fly, and we strike as a Rotary Force. ◊ Offering more fun and camaraderie means stimulating more regional events during the year to create greater connection and team

◊ Delivering professional content, across a career and beyond, that is engaging and valuable requires an appetite to try new things.

◊ Driving networking and mentorship into the fiber of the organization demands commitment and an understanding that this is who we are.

Other examples of moving out smartly include:

◊ Returning to print for Rotor Review has begun with printed copies going to the Wings, FRS’s, Fleet Squadrons (two copies per squadron), and Weapons Schools

◊ Themes for the Winter Issue of Rotor Review #155 (“Leadership and Culture”) and for the 2022 National Symposium (“The Human Advantage”) aim to address organizational and warfighting challenges that will enable execution of NAVPLAN 2021.

Lastly, increasing overall membership is a strategic priority with a goal to push the organization over 3,000 active members this year. Currently, NHA is at 2,682 members. Membership is the lifeblood of the organization. New members challenge and push the organization to remain vibrant and relevant. Increasing pilot and aircrew nugget membership coming out of production sources (HT & FRS squadrons) as well as at Fleet squadrons will be key drivers to reaching this stretch goal and sustaining our professional organization.

Finally, connecting with expired members remains a team sport. Active members at all levels are in a great position to help drive membership by reaching out to those who have allowed their memberships to expire. For those of you who are on the fence about renewing – just “get to yes” and do it as NHA is your professional organization!

◊ Please keep your membership profile up to date.

◊ If you should need any assistance at all, give us a call at (619) 435-7139 and we will be happy to help – you will get Linda, Mike, Allyson, or myself.

Warm regards with high hopes, Jim Gillcrist.

NHA Executive Director presents Lifetime Membership (LTM) Challenge Coin #179 to LT Chris “Rudy” Leigh with CDR Tony “P-Rez” Perez (LTM #500) in parade position.