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CEO Comments – From where I sit...
From where I sit, we salute the departure of the
2008 economy, but, unfortunately, 2009 promises more of the same. The Air Force Aid Society
invests our cash reserves under the stringent oversight of our Board of Trustees and uses
a very conservative investment strategy. This approach meant that we avoided the schemes
and names that have been so prominent in the news and associated with large investment losses
(including some charities that have had to close their doors). However, in this crisis, no
one escapes unscathed. We have suffered losses like everyone else and are now adjusting strategies
and expectations to meet a new fiscal reality. What concerns us most is we know our clients
have suffered, to a greater or lesser degree, just as we have. The headlines carry the personal
stories of Americans struggling to deal with devastating losses to their savings, income,
or even their jobs. Here is how we intend to meet the future.
As I shared with our Air Force Major Commanders and leadership at all levels, we have had
to tighten our belt and extend our fiscal growth timelines. First and most importantly, we
have protected our most vital programs. You should see no change in our support to Emergency
Assistance to include the Falcon Loan Program. However, most of our other programs will be
held to the amount actually spent in 2008 and effectively experience zero growth. The single
largest adjustment will be in the number of Education Grants awarded. Many of you will remember
that over the last three years we grew our Grant program from $1500/Grant to $2000/Grant
and increased the number awarded to 3500 Grants in 2007/8. In 2009, the individual Grant
dollar amount will remain at $2000, but the number of Grants awarded will be reduced to 3000.
Our administrative costs have undergone similar belt tightening. We have instituted a hiring
freeze as well as frozen "merit’ pay increases (we actually have not had a merit increase
since 2007 and our folks have been promised more of the same through 2010). At the same time,
we have acknowledged the necessity to upgrade our ability to raise funds and here is where
many of you can help.
Our largest fundraiser has always been the Air Force Assistance Fund Drive (remember we are
not part of the Combined Federal Campaign - - CFC). The Assistance Fund Drive benefits not
just the Society, but the other three AF Charities as well (AF Village, The Enlisted Widows
Home and the Lemay Foundation). The drive runs February through June, is administered by
the AF Personnel Center and has a history of meeting its monetary goal. However, the goal
is usually met with something less than 30% overall participation. My challenge to our Commanders
is to help us improve to 50% participation. For an organization whose motto is "Airmen helping
Airmen", 50% doesn’t seem too much to ask. The campaign will kick off this month so we are
looking forward to great results.
From where I sit, I am in awe of the great support all of you provide AF Aid and through
us our Airmen. America is a great country and has a habit of coming together to solve tough
problems. At AF aid we anticipate the question "...where were you during the great economic
crisis of 2008 through 2????" Our answer remains the same as it has been since 1942, "Right
where we’ve always been - - standing strong and ready to help Airmen"!
John D. Hopper, Jr.
Lieutenant General, USAF (Ret)
Chief Executive Officer
Air Force Aid Society
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