Vietnam War Memorial Post 639

80/20 Rule - 2/8/04                                        Back:

I've lived all over the US and I've been involved with business and organizations all my adult life, so I guess you could say "I've been around".  In most companies and most civic organizations there is what is called "the 80/20 rule", which simply put means 80 percent of all the work that is accomplished is done by 20 percent of the people.  If I bring that to Post 639 with a membership of about 600 people, then we should have about 120 people doing the work in our post.  In reality some of the 600 people are absent from the area, but still send in their dues so they are still part of the post, and some member's health or age may restrict their participation, so I probably should reduce the number to about 400 that could participate or a total of 80 members to work and do the things needed to make our post strong.  After 5 years of being a member that came by once or twice a month to drink a beer and maybe shoot a game of pool, I decided to "get involved" about 4-5 months ago.  Over the past 4-5 months I've come to realize the work at this post is really done by about 25 people or less.  Some of those do a lot and some do less, but only about 25 really do any work for the benefit of the post and its noble causes.  

Now back to the 80/20 rule.  If the members of this post would only get participation to that rule, we would have an additional 50 plus participants to help with the work of the post.  Because we are getting such poor participation (by the way, I was one of the worst post participants in the past) we are breaking the backs of the officers and members that are doing the post's work, or worse yet, the work not getting done.  Even with some members being almost unpaid full-time employees of the post a lot of needed work is not getting done.  It doesn't matter if 20 people are working 50 hours per month, or if 50 people are working 20 hours per month to get the job done.   

OK, now what about a solution to the above issue?  The easiest solution is for all of us to give a little for the benefit of the group.  Remember our credos, Together then, Together now - and Vets helping Vets.  So what does the individual member do?  The most important is that each member of the post has some skill or ability that would be an asset to the post if they would just give it a chance.  We need so much that any participation would be helpful.  But the biggest thing we need is for everyone that is able to get involved.   

Some would say that the world's most powerful man was Dwight D. Eisenhower, because as Supreme Allied Commander he had control of the largest military presence that was ever assembled.  A newspaper reporter asked him about Leadership during this time and how it felt to be that powerful and what was his greatest attribute.  Eisenhower took a pin and tied string around it.  He said if you tried to push the string to make the pin go where you wanted it to go, it was impossible to push it where you wanted, but if you simply pulled the string, you could make go exactly where you wanted.  His point was simple, you can push people and not get anywhere, but if you lead them, they will follow you. 

Apathy and negativity have no place in our organization, so if you don't like the way our post is working, get off your ass and get involved to make it a better post.  Don't sit back and criticize what others are doing, get off your ass and get involved.

I am personally challenging each and every person that reads this article to get off their ass and get involved to the extent that your other commitments to God, family and job will allow.  I know how it is, since I have a wife, 3 teenagers, church involvement and a job that sometimes takes 80 hours per week to get done.  Everyone doesn't have to give 50 hours per month, or even 20 hours per month.  The challenge is to give something back to help your brothers, end of story.

Bill Roark
2/8/04

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Press Release - Steve Newton                            Back:

At Post 639 we have a brother that has always done whatever he could to help our post and its membership be the best we could be.  He is the one that set up our first web site and has always supported us and all veterans in many ways.  I recently received a press release about Steve's contributions and would like to pass it along to the members.  If you get a chance to give him a call or drop him an email, I think he would really appreciate it.   Here is the release:   Bill Roark

To all news outlets:  7/4/2004

Chief Steven J. Newton (ret), former police officer for the City of Springfield and former Chief of Police in Clever Missouri, (And former Marine/Navy member), has been awarded the Department of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service. 

Chief Newton was awarded this honor for his work with the military and organizations that
support the military.  Chief Newton is 3rd Vice President of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and continues to write articles for various law enforcement, military and veteran organizations.  Chief Newton is now retired, afflicted with Parkinson’s disease.

The Honorable Senator Christopher Bond presented the nomination to the Pentagon and the Secretary of Defense. 

7/1/2004 1:31 PM

 

The honorable Christopher S. Bond
United States Senator
United States Senate
Washington, D.C.  20510-2503

Re:  Department of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service

Dear Senator:

First, I want to thank you for your support of my nomination for the Department of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service.  The group of people, who recommended me, The Soldier Moms, has generously let me be a part of their group and have adopted me as their brother as I have, they, as my sisters.  Sir, it is they, along with their sons and daughters who are serving this great Nation, who are the true hero’s and patriots.  I have watched this group laugh, cry and support one another and though I started a web site to help them and other groups, it is I would receive the most help.  Through good times and bad they are a rock of patriotism and I pale in comparison to them. 

And you, Sir, who has supported our troops in every way possible I wish to, commend you.  Your steadfast support for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and their families is an inspiration for us all. 

I accept this Award on behalf of my Sisters, Diana and my children Joseph and Sharon, and all the men and women in the Armed Forces.  They are truly a magnificent group of people.  And Sir, I wish to thank God for watching over us all and for shinning His light on this Great Nation.  May the Lord God in Heaven protect our kids in harms way and may He give our leaders the wisdom to serve this country.

 Other people I would like to thank:

The American Police Hall of Fame, who have been instrumental in awarding Patriotism Awards to many military members,

America Supporting Americans who get cities to adopt military units and ships

Post 639 of the American Legion, Angels in Camouflage, Glenn at “Mug a Soldier”

Please pass along my humble acceptance of this award to the Pentagon and please express my support and admiration to the Secretary. 

Sincerely:

 

Chief Steven J. Newton (ret)
A simple Child of God and of the United States of America