The Importance of the ACMEs and
How to Get Involved
 Is there a need to network and share information in
your region/state?
 Consider why it is important to come together and
share information.
 Where can you go for guidance/advising within the
military and civic community?
 Is there strong interest and will there be sponsored
efforts?
How to Start New or Plan for the
Next Symposium






Think outside of the Box
Consider needs of the state or region
What is the Military mission(s) in your region?
Establish goals early on, but they can change
Theme
Speakers
Officers
 Will your school/employer support your time and
expenses?
 It is important to NOT use ACME as a platform for
furthering your school’s interests
 One representative per school for board positions
 Meet early to plan symposium and set goals/theme
Areas That Require Leadership







Sponsorships
Logistics
Planning Chair
Scholarships
Marketing/Social Media/TV/Radio
Web master
Special Events
Why Are ACMEs Important?
•
•
•
•
“Boots to Ground”
Federal/State Budgets
Issues indigenous to the region
Less Expensive - Allows representatives in
the field access to what is going on in their
military communities
• Includes Local Politicians and Legislators
“Boots to Ground”
 Understanding the specific needs of the military in
the region
 Do local community colleges/universities offer a
“military friendly” product?
 At what level do the state legislators understand their
military community?
Federal/State Cut-backs
 Tighter budgets can make CCME’s and
National/International conferences too expensive
 Allows local counselors/ESO military access to new
legislation/laws/rules of TA/GI Bill/Financial Aid
 Forum for schools to learn from one another and to
effectively partner
What are the issues of your region?
 Army, Navy, Marine Corp, Air Force, National Guard
and Coast Guard?
 Is the military foot print shrinking, growing, changing?
 Who is the community and what degrees/programs
do they need?
 Dynamic and constantly changing
State/Local Legislators and Elected
Leaders
 Involve your state and local government
representatives and senior military leadership
 Provide a forum so they can meet, network, and
discuss the respective military community
How to Get Involved?
 Easy!
 Volunteer!
 Participate!
 Stay involved!





Scholarships
Annual symposiums
Professional workshops/“Brown-Bag” Lectures
Job fairs
Fundraisers
Reference Slides
Member-at-Large
 Supports the President and Board
 Helps facilitate and execute meetings and symposium
 Special Projects
 Virginia Wounded Warrior Program Charity Golf
Tournament
 Works on Committees
 Symposium Planning
 Marketing
 More
Virginia Wounded Warrior Program
Charity Golf Tournament
Membership Committee
 The committee will promote information about the
benefits of membership, establish a membership
process and maintain an accurate list of members
 The Committee will print name tags, prepare the pad
folio with sponsors information and distribute to the
attendees at the Symposium.
Awards Committee

Maintain award criteria and submit suggested additions or changes to
the Executive Board for consideration
 Review and submit nominations for each award category
 Preside over the selection process and report the recommended
recipients to the Executive Board for final consideration
 Notify recipients
 Coordinate the preparation of a commemorative to be presented to
awardees at the next annual conference and provide an invoice to the
Treasurer for payment
Treasurer
 Maintain all monies of the Council, keeping an accurate record
 Present the financial statements at Executive Board meetings
 Maintain a checking account for the deposits and payments of
Council funds
 Be one of two officers authorized to sign Council checks
 File and maintain tax forms