2. American Military Retirees Association Strategic Planning Meeting September 25-26, 2010

4. AMRA National President Catherine La Valle and Director Vince La Valle stock up on AMRA’s new brochures…

5. Seasoned members Fred Gilman and Curtis Banker prepare to hit the books under the supervision of Mark Barie, meeting facilitator

6. Mark gives the group some brainstorming instructions about the “SWOT” method of identifying Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

8. Mark Barie and Ronald Knepshield mark their priorities on the lists

9. New Director Jeremiah Arbogast tries his hand at setting priorities

10. Participants get a little coaching amid enthusiastic discussion during this dynamic and team-building meeting

12. Staff Members Crystal Mang and Cathy Rock sweeten things up at break time.

13. Doc Holloway, David Cook and James Masterson sit ready to learn something new about Strategic Planning to help AMRA grow and thrive…

14. Right back at it after lunch….

15. Fred Gilman, Curtis Banker and Donald Buhr stop the old wheels grinding for a moment to smile for the camera

16. The La Valles are enjoying the experience (note the post-it notes decorating wall of the meeting room)

17. Ron Knepshield reviews the notes, Jeremiah Arbogast researches a topic and Mary Favreau sips thoughtfully as the back wall fills up with ideas

18. James Masterson also enjoys the mental exercise as Cathy Rock and Mark Barie discuss strategies

19. Things are getting intense…. Crystal Mang looks over Ronald Knepshield’s notes; Jeremiah Arbogast continues his search

20. Donald Buhr and Catherine La Valle take a breather

21. Jeremiah Arbogast and Mary Favreau have enjoyed the meeting

22. Fred Gilman, Mark Barie, Peg Bergeron, Curtis Banker and Jeremiah Arbogast share a few words and smiles at mealtime. It’s been a great day for AMRA!

23. AMRA: Who We Are and What We Do The American Military Retirees Association is for retirees from Active Duty, Guard and Reserve (including “Gray Area” retirees), the medically retired, those carrying a 100% total and permanent disability rating from the VA, and their surviving spouses. Our most important benefits are Advocacy and Information. AMRA provides current, unbiased news about your military benefits and entitlements and speaks for YOU through its Legislative Committee. AMRA invites YOU to add your voice to ours when it comes to monitoring DoD, VA and legislation in Congress affecting your earned benefits. Our most popular benefits are our TRICARE and CHAMPVA supplemental health insurance and our Scholarship program, which awards $35,000 in scholarships every year to our members, their spouses, dependent children, and their grandchildren. Also popular are AMRA News (a quarterly newspaper), AMRA eNEWS (a weekly electronic newsletter), our award program for JROTC and discounts on consumer products and services. Learn more at www.amra1973.org or by calling 1-800-424-2969.