[PAO] National Board

Sat Jul 19 12:29:52 CDT 2014

So next year, we'll see you at the Motel 6 in Portsmouth, Ohio! We'll leave the runway market lights on for you.

I'll be here all week.

Lt Col Douglas E. Jessmer, CAP
Ubiquitous Wisecrack Officer

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> On Jul 19, 2014, at 12:19, Blake Sasse <bsasse at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> 
> I attend state, regional, and national scientific meetings on a regular basis and having hosted several, these prices don't seem terribly out of line for a conference with 500+ people (I'm assuming that is what our attendance is).  If you're looking for a site that has lodging and conference facilities available for a group of that size in a city with commercial air service its unlikely to be found for less than $100 a night.  You can usually save significantly on your lodging costs by staying at a cheap hotel and driving to the conference hotel (assuming parking is available and not too expensive).
> 
> The registration fees do seem a little higher than I would hope, but costs for renting conference rooms and related expenses (food/beverages for breaks, projection equipment, etc) are probably not going to be much less than $150 for a larger conference these days.
> 
> I do agree that the smaller metropolitan areas are where you should be looking for our venues.
> 
>> On 7/19/2014 8:44 AM, Karen Copenhaver wrote:
>> Dear Fellow PAOs,
>> 
>> As we continue our volunteer commitment to an outstanding organization, we gladly donate our resources to train and participate.  Across the years, we have attended conferences for our wing, region and our national board, and the cost has slowly increased, mainly because of the economic posture of the time. However, after reviewing the current cost associated with our national board, personally I am voicing a concern of how many members can afford this astronomical cost.  Registration - $205 per person plus room of more than $100+ per night (don't forget tax and tax); (plus the extra days lodging for a total of 5 nights if you stay for the entire event) then if you plan on attending our PAO Academy it is $45,  and if you want to attend the FEMA course it is $20, then Incorporating the Medal of Honor Character Development Program into Character Development for $20 and Grant Writing for $10.  We can easily add these costs to be exorbitant for many.  I've attended many National Board Conferences, but never experienced such fees, and would like to know what the "registration" is suppose to cover, if not the work labs, and associated hand-outs.
>> 
>> I would like to see a more reasonable cost for our National Board Conferences in the future.  We do not necessarily need a place like Las Vegas, Washington or Atlanta, or the like, as we do not have the numbers  of attendees to support that type of location as we once did with totals of upward of 2,000+ attendees.    We have some locations that could support the size of our event, with less expense to our members, such as Charlotte, NC,  and communities of that size across our country.  Our overall cost has escalated to a level whereby one must truly set aside additional funds up to more than $1,000 to attend, and that does not include airline tickets, which are escalating too.  I don't know how many of you join me in these sentiments, but we need a more economical platform for our national board conferences.
>> 
>> One other comment, wouldn't it be nice to have a non-military speaker like Bill Cosby to entertain and inspire us to continue our service?  As a volunteer organization, who gladly gives and gives so much to our communities and nation, I would hope that an individual like this would not charge, but to have airfare and other related costs (room and meals) to be covered to get him/her to be our speaker.
>> 
>> Realizing our organizational funds are somewhat limited and reduced greatly across the board, we could certainly reduce our cost by holding our national conference in a less costly location, and it would increase the numbers who can afford to attend.  It indeed is a great experience that everyone should have the opportunity to attend.  The labs, breakout sessions, or workshops... what ever they are called, are always phenomenal. The opportunity to network with your fellow members and national staff  is something that you will always remember as you also establish a contact and many times lasting friendships.  If you can..... please attend as it is an experience that you'll want again and again.
>> 
>> Thank you for your commitment and dedication to one of the best organizations of which you could ever be a part.
>> 
>> Respectfully,
>> Karen L. Copenhaver, Lt Col, CAP
>> Deputy Director, Public Affairs
>> MER
>> 
>> 
>> 
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> 
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