Our Shared Vision Presented by Dr. T. Y. Hiter at the 2011 Reunion

The GEC met in Chickamauga to take a hard look at who we are and where we’re going

We know exactly why we exist: to fulfill our Charge : “To you, Sons of Confederate Veterans, we will commit the vindication of the cause for which we fought….”

We believe in God, home, family, heritage, duty, liberty, freedom, self-determination, self government, patriotism, truth and self-defense. That the Confederacy was founded upon these same things. That most Southerners today still admire and seek these things today. That education and training can achieve these things. That our actions can make a difference in achieving these things.

We have a threefold mission: First, to develop and implement strategies for sustained growth; Second, to train our leadership and educate our members to reclaim our Southern Heritage and our American Liberty; and Third, to proclaim to the world the truth concerning the War for Southern Independence and the Confederacy. These three parts are co-equal and must be accomplished simultaneously, starting immediately.

When there is no vision, the people perish

For ourselves, For our families, our Churches, our schools, and For the SCV!

An organization of southern men, 50,000 strong by the time of our 2016 reunion, that knows itself to be, and is widely seen by others as the pre-eminent authority on Southern heritage and American liberty.

First, we developed a list of 12 key areas of SCV operations and asked ourselves hard questions about what we’re doing in them Next, we surveyed all our Division Commanders, Lieutenant Commanders, and Adjutants on these issues And then, we consolidated all their ideas and analyzed what they had to say

1. Education 7. Funds Management 2. Training 8. Technology 3. Properties Management 9. Public Relations 4. Marketing 10. Risk Management 5. Budget and Finance 11. Camp Development 6. Growth 12. Fund Raising

And there are two ways to go about it.

The first way would be for us, the elected leadership to come up with a plan and put it out to you all for imple- mentation.

The other way is to enlist every single one of you to be a part of this complete overhaul of how we run this organization!

We’ve already identified the problems. Next, we’ll meet with the leadership, including Division officers to set GOALS and OBJECTIVES Then, Division Commanders will meet with Camp Commanders to make sure they clearly understand those GOALS and OBJECTIVES Camps will then meet to choose strategies and set measurable outcomes for each of them

Camps will report on a regular basis on completion of each GOAL and OBJECTIVE. National HQ will assist in every way we can. We’ll put together on-line training; we’ll assemble mobile training teams to visit Divisions; we’ll fine-tune whatever isn’t working. We’ll keep you informed all the way along. And, we’ll achieve our VISION!

Our vision is of an organization of southern men, 50,000 strong by the time of our 2016 reunion, that knows itself to be, and is widely seen by others as the pre-eminent authority on Southern heritage and American liberty.

Your help. Your support And your ideas

1. Education 7. Funds Management 2. Training 8. Technology 3. Properties Management 9. Public Relations 4. Marketing 10. Risk Management 5. Budget and Finance 11. Camp Development 6. Growth 12. Fund Raising

But …,

Education (two needs) Training Marketing Public Relations Growth

More than 1/3 of our Camps and Divisions report having no education programs or do not know what they have. Nearly 2/3 report having no speakers bureaus. GP 1

Only 1/3 of our Camps and Divisions have officer training programs. More than ½ report having no organized “pass-down” programs for new officers. Fewer than ½ know what is available from international HQ to help them, and more than 2/3 do not involve Brigade Commanders in officer training. GP 2

Two-thirds of our Camps and Divisions report having positive relationships with local media, but only a small fraction report using any media except newspapers and newsletters to enhance their activities and events. GP 3

19 of 22 respondents reported that they do not use the SCV PR manual, or else did not answer the question, at all. 2/3 report having no Camp or Division PR plan and 1/3 report receiving positive press coverage less than twice in the past year. GP 4

One half of respondents report at least one of the following as prime reasons for low retention: bickering, not a welcoming environment, or a failure to involve new members. Only ½ thought GHQ was helpful. GP 5

Fewer than ½ of our Camps and Divisions report working in public schools; only slightly more than half work in private schools, and fewer than 1/3 report working in home schools. GP 6

Right here; Right now.

Talk this VISION up. It’s a big challenge, but we can do it! Participate, when your Division and Camp Commanders ask you to gather and provide input Believe what we think you believe. Believe in the Charge.