U.S. Navy League Seattle Council 2014 Annual Report
Individual Highlights: 2014 Highlights 2 Membership
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New in 2014
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2014 Pictures
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Contact Navy League Seattle Council By Mail: PO Box 16171, Seattle, WA 98116 Online: www.navyleagueseattle.org Membership:
[email protected] By phone: SNL Office: 206-448-2120 Tom Jaffa at (206) 932-3792 Social media Find us on Facebook Navy League Seattle
2015 Outline of Events March 18 – Installation of Officers Banquet May – USCG Appreciation Night July/August – Fleet Week Events November – USMC/Navy Birthday th
4 Thursday monthly Board meetings 4th Thursday Monthly Social Hour
Scuttlebutt “Civilians supporting the Sea Services (USCG, USMC, USN, U.S. Merchant Marine, NOAA Corps), their members and their families through direct action and enhanced public awareness”
President’s Message As I reflect upon my past year as President, I am honored to support so many fine men and women who defend our safety and security in the maritime arena and beyond. I have had the pleasure of meeting many of our Sea Services including our Canadian partners. We have seen some traditions close such as the last gathering of the USS Colorado Alumni Assn and others re-
energize such as our advisory board addition for Youth Programs and new Fleet Week events. Your Seattle Navy League (SNL) has supported the Sea Services in big ways such as Fleet Week and small ways such as providing protocol advice and ceremonial flags to make a small decommissioning ceremony for survivors of the USS Colorado special and respectful. No matter
the call or the cause, your SNL will always rise to the occasion to honor our Sea Services in the best way possible. I encourage all to make 2015 a year where you will support the Seattle Council’s efforts in some way whether it is large or small. Dan Neilsen .
The Year Ahead While 2014 was a great year and much for us to be proud of, we see even greater opportunity for 2015. Our first opportunity is the Installation and Awards Dinner scheduled for th March 18 at the Coast Guard Base Seattle. We are excited to be returning this prestigious dinner back to Base Seattle, as it is fitting to be honoring the hardworking sailors at an operational base. In the Spring our focus will be on our premier, signature events associated with Fleet
Week. While we had a record number of visitors on the visiting Navy and Coast Guard ships, we expect to improve our support of the fleet to attract even a larger number of visitors. There will be many opportunities and need for volunteers. So please block off the last week in July to help support our visiting Sailors and Marines. While continuing to support our men and women serving in the Sea Services, one of our top priorities is to continue attracting new
members and sponsors. We should all be recruiters and fund raisers, actively working to expand our support base. Our goal is to increase our active membership by 20 percent and our financial support for service members by 30 percent. By working together we can achieve this goal and help make the service we provide as the Seattle Council the best in the nation. Matt Miller
Photo: Maritime Executive
2 Pictures of our past events can be found at www.navyleagueseattle.org
Sponsoring Fleet Week and Welcoming the Ships Planning the events for Fleet Week is one of the highlights and honors for this Council and it is also one of the most challenging times of the year. It takes a Seattle Navy League village to pull off the many events we host successfully year after year and the driving force behind this are Tom and Diane Jaffa. Using their combined decades of professional experience in
their Tourism Management careers, Tom and Diane line up venues, guests, volunteers, negotiate the best rates for food, plan the scripts, organize the many awards that are distributed, and they get all the details right every time. In 2014, SNL hosted more Fleet Week events than ever before including: - Reception Dinner
- Sea Services Luncheon - Eagles & Anchors Reception - Welcome the Fleet Dinner - Rotary VIP Tour - VIP Ship Embark - Canadian Navy Ships Competition - Fleet Tour line managers - SNL Farewell to Ships
Appreciation Awards and Banquets This year we presented over 100 awards to Sailors of the Year/Quarter, Enlisted Persons of the Year/Quarter, Enlisted Persons of the Quarter, Non Rates of the Month, Corporate Sponsors and many others. These awards were presented at a variety of events
including the Sea Services Luncheon, Annual Awards Banquet, Field Visits, Paddy Coyne Social Hour
Supporting our Adopted Units shown here from CAPT George Pellissier to CAPT Matt Walker on 7/17/14 aboard adopted unit USCGC Polar Star.
It was an honor for Seattle Navy League members to attend several change of command ceremonies this year including the one
The picture on the far left is from a special tour of the Seattle Vessel Traffic control center as well as the USCG small boat station in Seattle.
and other events. Thanks to our corporate sponsors and individual donors for helping to sponsor the awards.
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2014 Sponsors/Business Members
Our Wonderful Volunteers Make It Possible! This year SNL volunteers were the “Disney greeters” during fleet week tours for visiting Navy ships. We ensured visitors were informed and the lines moved as efficiently as possible. We answered questions about the Navy League and Sea Services. Our 3-year intern Kyle Curtis remained as Board Secretary and was the leader of the effort – gathering volunteers, getting bright pink t-shirts made and generously donated
by our sponsor Athletic Awards, training volunteers and participating in Fleet Week organizational meetings. Many thanks to Kyle for your great leadership and energy!
We need volunteers at each SNL event to help organize, decorate, check in guests, etc. It doesn’t
take much time in general and makes a big difference if everyone can give a little. Please inquire about other opportunities to support our mission: Supporting Our Sea Services, the Men and Women who Serve and their Families. We’d love to have you involved. Please contact the Navy League office at (206) 448-2120!
…………… Our members contribute in many ways. Of course, your dues help Navy League and Seattle Council operate. Also crucially important is the message that you help us take out into the community. The message has two parts. First, our nation needs to continue to maintain a strong military to protect and defend our national interests around the world. And particularly for the state of Washington, since
we’re the most tradedependent state in the country, our Navy and Coast Guard need to be able to keep the sea lines of commerce open, or our economy is doomed. And second and equally important, the men and women who serve in our military are the finest in the world. They and their families deserve our support.
Sponsors/Support Levels $25,000 Diamond Supporter (Event Sponsor) $10,000 Platinum Supporter $5,000 Gold Supporter $2,500 Silver Supporter $1,000 President’s Circle*** $500 Bronze Supporter $250 Star Supporter $100 Sustaining Supporter $50 Individual Supporter Other $_______
The Seattle Navy League welcomes your involvement.
***ask about our Friends of the Seattle Navy League program (Those committing $1,000 a year for 3 years are eligible to attend special VIP Events)
Naval officer now working in the private sector who has a lot of enthusiasm, energy and great ideas! Welcome Aboard Jeff! Welcome to our new members in 2014!
Jeff Davis
[email protected] 360-536-4198
We ended 2014 with 350 members strong! I’d like to introduce a new partner in the membership leadership of SNL – Jeff Davis. Jeff is a former
And a special THANKS to all of our individual Donors for their generous contributions throughout the year!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED We need your help! • Be a greeter at events? • Help with registration and check-in? • Provide some door prizes items? • Sponsor guests for $50, $100, $500 or more?
Membership Report – Jim Gordon, V.P. of Membership Hello Past Members and Welcome New Members!
The Boeing Company Tri-Tec Manufacturing The Jaffa Company GM Nameplate/Supergraphics Starbucks Coffee Company JP Morgan Chase Ship Supply Fremont Dock Company ManTech International Corporation City University of Seattle Best Western Plus Executive Inn Tsuruni Records Athletic Awards Company Ivar’s Restaurants
Jim Gordon
[email protected] 425-450-4396
For info regarding donations and benefits associated with each level, please contact Tom Jaffa at (206) 448-2120.
Local Seattle Dues Needed The amount rebated from our yearly dues to National does not cover this council’s expenses. As a result, members need to help the Council fund the annual activities. We ask that every member support this council’s activities with a monetary contribution toward expenses which can be considered local dues.
Non Profit Status Reminder The Seattle Council, as a 501 c 3 not for profit is totally dependent upon voluntary contributions of time and financial resources. We thank you for your support!
The Annual Donation Form can be found at http://www.navyleagueseattle.org/ or contact Tom Jaffa. Thank you!
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New in 2014
“What a fantastic experience it was to learn from this great and energetic organization.” - SNL Intern Ellie Judd
We tried a few new things in 2014 which all met with great success! Earlier we mentioned the greeters we provided for the ship tours during Fleet Week. In addition, we added a couple new events to Fleet Week such as the Eagles & Anchors Reception and Fleet Week Dinner. Eagles & Anchors was an event to mingle
the Chiefs and Officers and was held at the Maritime Event Center and attended by record crowds. The Fleet Week Dinner was a smaller affair welcoming the ships and Admirals to the Seattle area for the week. Our intern this summer was Ellie Judd and she was invaluable in the office and in the field
staffing events, and supporting all the detail that goes into successful event planning such as invitations, seating charts, award logistics, seating logistics, etc. We wish Ellie great success in completing her Management degree at the Seattle University Albers School of Business and Economics next year.
Monthly Social Hour at Paddy Coyne’s “The SNL Social Hours at Paddy Coyne’s are a great way to meet members and supporters of the Sea Services…Network with members and business associates, enjoy food and drinks!” Thanks to the following for stepping up into leadership positions in 2015: President – Matt Miller President-Elect – Jeff Davis Secretary – Kyle Curtis Treasurer – Sheri Schiffman Chaplain – Lamont McDonald Immediate Past President – Dan Neilsen VP Membership – Jeff Davis VP Comms – Michele Bullock VP Res. Dev. & Outreach – Mark Haller VP Governance, Legis. Public & Military Affairs – Tom Jaffa Youth Programs Liaison– Dan Neilsen VP Finance – Jim Gordon
Also new in 2014 was a monthly networking social hour at Paddy Coyne’s at Pier 70. Tom Jaffa was able to secure a recurring place for us in the restaurant for our own. The food and beverage is terrific and there is a lot of room to mingle with Seattle area business
Thursday of every month typically and announcements are sent by e-mail, Linked In, Facebook and on the website.
The event is held the 4th
Governance
The above constitute the Executive Committee (or EXCOM) plus an At Large Member – Diane Jaffa
SNL was well represented by Dan Neilsen, Tom and Diane Jaffa and Mark Haller at the National Convention in San Diego this year. Tom was elected National Vice President and received a “Top Recruiter” award. Dan Neilsen accepted a “Meritorious Council” plaque for Seattle.
2015 Board Members include all of the above plus: Don Root Dave Schiffman Fred Smith Steve Tripp Lyn McClelland
In December 2014, several SNL Board members gathered for an afternoon retreat at the World Trade Center. President Dan Neilsen led
Advisory Board Addition: Curt Russell (Youth Programs)
people and active and retired members of our Sea Services. This event has already brought together several people who later partnered on business developments and we have had many distinguished guests.
a brainstorming session to better define the mission of the organization and a roadmap for the future. This led to discussion about future governance of the organization in preparation for upcoming elections and ideas about some new roles and responsibilities. For example, Curt Russell, the C/O of our Sea Cadets, was voted in as an Advisory Board Member. The Board also proposed to have team leaders and members sign up to be
liaisons with specific adopted units. SNL Board meetings are scheduled to occur prior to each Thursday social networking event so we can share news at those events.
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2014 Highlights in Pictures 2014 Seattle Council Navy League of the United States Officers President: Dan Neilsen Immediate Past President - Diane Jaffa* Vice Presidents: Jim Gordon - Membership Mark Haller* - Corporate Outreach & Resource Development Tom Jaffa* - Governance, Military, Public & Legislative Affairs and Sea Services Liaison Dave Schiffman – Finance & Communications Treasurer: Sheri Schiffman Secretary: Kyle Curtis Chaplain: E. Lamont McDonald Executive Director: Diane Jaffa National Directors* Directors Michele Bullock ∙ Lyn McClelland Don Root ∙ Fred Smith ∙ Jeff Davis Ex-Officio Directors RADM Richard Gromlich MAJ Son Kim Advisory Board ADM (ret) Thomas Hayward VADM (ret) Barry Costello RADM (ret) Herb Bridge RADM (ret) Bill Center Tim Beltz John Blackman Steve Leahy Tom Norwalk Hon. Roger Simmons Paul Stevens Betty Tisdale
Seattle Council Adopted Units USMC Recruiting Station Seattle USCG Sector Puget Sound USCGC Polar Star (WAGB -10) USCGC Polar Sea (WAGB -11) USCGC MELLON (WHEC -717) USCG Maritime Safety & Security Team (MSST), Seattle Navy Recruiting District Seattle Naval Hospital Bremerton USS OHIO (SSGN-726) Blue & Gold Commander, Carrier Strike Group 3 USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN-74) Commander, Carrier Strike Group 11 USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) University of Washington NROTC Blue Angel Sea Cadet Squadron NO NOAA Marine Operations Center – Pacific NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer (R-337)
