The November 2005 Scott-St Louis AFCEA Chapter meeting was held in conjunction with the annual world-wide conference for the Air Force's senior communications and information leaders, SCOPE WARRIOR.   Traditionally held at Keesler AFB, MS, SCOPE WARRIOR is a forum to discuss current communications issues and plan future initiatives.   The conference was relocated this year due to the effects of Hurricane Katrina. 
 
The guest speaker for this month was Colonel Frank W. Barnett, Commander, 226th Combat Communications Group, Montgomery, Alabama.   Col Barnett discussed the Total Force effort required to establish essential communications in the aftermath of Katrina.   The efforts of the 226th and 228th Combat Communications Groups were critical in the establishment of key communications capabilities to the Gulf Coast after more than three million phone lines and the majority of cell towers in the region were destroyed. 
 
In other news, the Scott-St Louis Chapter of AFCEA sponsored Communicators Sports Day on the 21st of October at Scott Air Force Base.   Communications and Information professionals from USTRANSCOM, AMC, AFCA, DISA, 868 CS, 805 CSPTS, and 375 CS competed in a spirited series of events starting with a 5 K run and finishing with tug-of-war.   DISA emerged victorious during this year’s competition.

Many people have provided comments or submitted questions about our registration system.   We have compiled a list of questions and answers to help clarify why the system does what it does (or doesn't do). View the Registration FAQ

AFCEA Scott-St. Louis launched its completely redesigned website early yesterday morning.   The most visible change is, of course, the new look and feel.   The site uses a color scheme similar to the previous incarnation but makes much more extensive use of cascading style sheets (CSS) to control the display. 
 
With the exception of the Photo Gallery and Briefings, all functionality from the old site is in the new one.   (Those and other modules will be added within the next few months.)   It's not the old features that make the new version so great, though.   It's the new ones!   Most notable are the redesigned Mailing List, the redesigned Sponsors page, and the entirely new, fully-automated registration system. 
 
But a great website just isn't really great if the viewers (that's you) aren't happy with it.   We welcome (and request) your feedback on the new website and all of its features.   If you have any questions, concerns, comments, or suggestions, please drop us a line and speak your mind:   info@afcea-scott.org.

Early yesterday morning, in conjunction with the launch of the new website, AFCEA Scott-St. Louis activated its entirely new and completely automated registration system.   Members of the mailing list got a first glimpse at the new system when they opened their inboxes to find the restyled monthly event announcement. 
 
The new registration system includes custom event announcements and a more secure, two-step registration process.   When users visit the new website to register for the next event, they are presented with a simple form that asks for their name, email address, and company or organization.   Once the information is submitted, the automated system sends them a message requesting confirmation of the registration.   The message includes a link that the users can click to submit the confirmation.   Then, a final registration message is sent, which informs the users that their registration has been confirmed.   That message includes a link that allows the users to cancel their registration, should they need to do so. 
 
The automation in the new system will alleviate the stress of the manual registration process.   The majority of users will find the new system a smooth new way to do business.   Of course, we can't guarantee that there won't be any problems, so we monitor the registration list and happily respond to any inquires we receive. 
 
The new registration system includes other great features, too.   For example, you can have your information added to our mailing list automatically when you register.   The true beauty of this is that the monthly announcements are actually customized to each recipient, and if you follow the "register now" link in the announcement, the system will pre-fill the registration form with your information.   This will save you from having to manually type in your information for each registration.   Ultimately, registering for an AFCEA Scott-St. Louis event can become a simple 4-click process (load, preview, submit, confirm). 
 
Be on the lookout for more great features!

The 2nd Annual ISR Transformation Symposium in St Louis, October 12-14th co-sponsored by USSTRATCOM and DIA. The topic for this year is going to be "Enhancing Net-Centric Operations: From Space to Mud."   Lieutenant General Robert Kehler will be one of the keynotes for the event. Click on the link below for more information.

The red, white, and blue AFCEA shirts with the Scott-St Louis logo on them are available for order.   The shirts are $40 each.   If you are interested, please email Cindy Heflin at cindy_heflin@sra.com.   Please indicate quantity and size (small, medium, large, or X-large).   The shirts run slightly large in their sizing.   They are a blend of cotton and synthetic fabric, so the shrinkage should be minimal.

The O'Fallon Chamber of Commerce requests your interest and support as citizens and commercial enterprises in the City of O'Fallon. The Chamber of Commerce now has a Military Affairs Committee and its mission is to support and strengthen the social and commercial ties between Scott Air Force Base and the O'Fallon Community.  
 
The Military Affairs Committee, a working group previously known as "Friends of Scott," was organized to assist the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois' effort to keep Scott Air Force Base open during past base realignment and closure (BRAC) actions. Today, our area is preparing for the 2005 BRAC study: the Military Affairs Committee plan to be very active in the new campaign to keep Scott Air Force Base part of the community. 
 
The committee is currently planning the 11th annual "Salute to Scott" picnic. This event continues to grow in size and provides an excellent show of support for the base. The committee also supports the base awards program with quarterly contributions to the Outstanding Airman Program. Other projects have included bringing a Junior Air Force ROTC program to O'Fallon Township High School.  
 
As a member of the O'Fallon community, I'm sure your local company and corporate office will want to take an active role in the Military Affairs Committee's programs. To facilitate this, the Chamber Board of Directors has created a special means for your company to become a central part of the future of Scott Air Force Base and the City of O'Fallon. A portion of your annual dues will be split between general Chamber funds and an account to be budgeted for the Military Affairs Committee's programs and projects that relate to your interests and the interests of the Scott O'Fallon community.   If you would like to specifically donate to the Salute to Scott Picnic, your donation would be very appreciated.  
 
If you have any questions you may call our Executive Director, Ms. Becky Henry, at 618-632-3377, she would happy to answer any questions. 
 
Sincerely, 
 
Kyle McCarter, President 
O'Fallon Chamber of Commerce

Tresa Chastain has been selected by the AFCEA Educational Foundation for their Distinguished Service to Education Award.   Tresa is serving in her second year as this Chapter’s Award Vice President.   As the Awards VP, she is prominent in bolstering the number of Awards received by this Chapter and its members.   She has been a key player in our last two TechNets which have raised several thousand dollars in scholarship funds.   Tresa has headed the effort to award grants for professional certification testing. She will receive her award at AFCEA International’s TechNet in Washington, D.C. in May.   Congratulations Tresa and thanks for all your hard work.

Wanted:   Volunteer to lead the Chapter Public Affairs effort.   We need someone who can attend the monthly meetings and luncheons and TechNets;   summarize the remarks of the guest speakers; take publicity photos; and compile brief news releases to the local base paper, to AFCEA International, and to Signal magazine.   This does not require a journalism background or a professional photographer.   Enthusiasm and a basic grasp of the English language are the key ingredients. 
 
Please call Bill Lawrence at 618-624-2777 if you are interested.

Fellow Industry Partners,  
 
On behalf of the Scott-St. Louis Chapter of AFCEA, I'm pleased to announce our annual call for scholarship and grant applicants.   Last year, the chapter awarded over $22,500 in scholarships and grants to local area college and college-bound students.   I'm excited to announce our chapter will increase contributions to $28,600.   We will award (15) $500 grants and (17) scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 each.    
 
I've been involved with AFCEA for years and can say I'm highly impressed with the efforts of the young men and women of this chapter.   The scholarship program is just another example of how AFCEA supports our community.    
 
To ensure our employees and their family members are aware of this outstanding opportunity, please forward the message below throughout your companies.   Thanks for helping out this great chapter. 
 
Thanks,  
 
Bill Lawrence, Chapter President  
Scott-St. Louis Chapter  
618-624-2777

The 2005-2006 Scholarship and Grant applications are now available on the Scholarships page.

I am very proud to announce two extremely deserving winners of AFCEA International awards.  
 
Lt Dave Sorrels (photo) is the Young AFCEAN of the year winner.   Dave was one of 12 regional nominees.   The award was presented at AFCEA West in San Diego.   I can’t begin to tell you how thrilling it was to be there to see Dave receive this prestigious award.   Also there to share in the celebration were Dave’s wife, Trish; Col Earl Matthews, the AMC-A6; Maj Welker, the AMC Comm Group SCX; and Mr. Al Kunsmiller, our own AFCEA Regional Vice President. 
 
Taking home the Emerging AFCEAN Leadership Award was our own Capt Mike Myers.   Mike is off at school and couldn’t be there for the presentation, but we all celebrate with him. 
 
This continues a string of awards for young people in our chapter.   We all owe a round of applause to Tresa Chastain for her work in putting the awards packages together and getting them in on time in a very professional manner. 
 
Congratulations to these fine young officers who represent the best of the best.   With young leaders like them, AFCEA and the Scott- St. Louis chapters have a great future ahead. 
 
Bill Lawrence, President 
Scott-St. Louis Chapter

As we previously announced, plans are well underway for TechNet 2005.   It will be 19-20 July and it will be at the Collinsville Convention Center.   Stand by for further announcements as we work out the details.   Setup for the TechNet will be Monday, July 18th, hopefully followed by a kickoff mixer that evening. 
 
2Lt Dave Sorrels is the Chairman of TechNet 2005.   Dave is one of 12 AFCEA nominees for Young AFCEAN of the Year, so we have excellent leadership.   He will need lots of volunteer help from government and industry.   Please get involved.   You can reach Dave at 256-3736.   Rich Mock is graciously handling the program arrangements and if you have any ideas for guest speakers, panel chairman/participants, or seminar leaders, please call Rich at 229-5027. 
 
Initially, we planned to eliminate the annual May golf tournament and make it a part of TechNet.   After consulting the people who really understand what they are doing, we have decided to continue our annual golf tournament in May at the base course as originally planned.   Eric Lubeck is once again chairing the tournament.   For those of you in industry, we need your support.   Eric will have sponsor packages out in the near future. 
 
We plan to have a less formal “golf outing” on Monday, July 18th as a part of TechNet 2005.   We don’t have   a course selected, but we are trying to make it an “upscale” outing at a nice course.   Senior leaders and managers, we hope you will be able to participate.   This will be along the lines of what we did for the Ludwig dedication last year. 
 
We still haven’t decided on the cost of TechNet 2005 sponsor packages, but we hope to have something within the next 30 days.   If you are pressed to submit budget planning figures, suggest you go in with last year’s cost with a fudge factor for inflation.   We will get this information out to you all as soon as possible. 
 
On Monday, July 18th, AFCEA International is sponsoring the Executive Roundtable.   They will host General Handy and a select handful of his flag officer/SES leaders for a local evening with approximately 15 very senior, specially invited leaders (i.e. presidents, CEO, CIOs) within our industry.   We are hoping to have a panel the next day which will involve as many of those leaders as we can get.   This will be a pilot event and our chapter should benefit in many indirect ways. 
 
PLEASE get involved.   We need volunteers from both industry and government and we need SPONSORSHIP. 
 
Bill Lawrence, Chapter President

A recent US Small Business Administration new release discusses an Executive Order from President Bush, which will aid Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small businesses by increasing their federal contracting opportunities.   Read more at the official release:

A recent initiative from the National Black Chamber of Commerce has become a federal law.   Read more at the official release: