Headquarter Chatter – Winter 2020-2021
Greetings! I hope you are receiving this with a sense of anticipation of the good things a new year can bring! As I write this this, I am preparing for a big event later in the day. My son is getting married today! This morning, over breakfast, I remarked how nice it will be for 2020 to be OVER. He commented, “Well, to be honest, a lot of great things happened to me in 2020.” He completed a quest to join the Army as a Warrant Officer, took steps deep into adulthood as he moved out on his own, he got engaged and today, he’ll become a husband! In January, he starts flight training in Ft. Rucker, Alabama.
As I contemplated his response, I realized that our situation is often shaded by our perspective – how we look at it! While there has been a lot about 2020 that has not been as I would have written the script, and there have been “losses”, there have been a lot of great new opportunities embedded in the mix. In a lot of ways, it’s all in how you look at it. How’s your perspective these days?
For VAHS, there has been a significant sense of loss this year, but it hasn’t been a total loss. We had to cancel our Hall of Fame nominations and our banquet. That was one of the harder decisions we had to make, but it doesn’t tell the whole story of our year! We have had some significant connections with new members and friends, and we received some excellent donations of artifacts and information. We have taken strides in ways that may not always be visible, but we are not just stuck in lockdown mode!
I am hopeful that 2021 will be a year of new engagements and milestones!
Think about it. Are there ways you might be able to serve the Society right where you are? We are only as strong as our member base. Thanks for being a part of that strong foundation for our activities! Together, lets look to new possibilities in 2021!!
Fiscal Responsibility and Strategic Priorities
One of the “losses” we have experienced in 2020 is in the area of donations. Our fundraising activities suffered a lot with the lack of in-person activities. We took in very little by way of donations in 2020. How about joining us in the quest to attain the level of financial health needed to ensure our long-term existence? Do you know someone who might be able to give towards our activities? Reach out! Have you considered including a financial gift to VAHS in your will? Anything you can do would be greatly appreciated!
As always, I remind you…we are only as strong as our member base! YOU are a central part of our strength. Lean in with us and lets do this together!
Our Vision: “We will be the premiere association respected for inspirational programs in preservation, education and appreciation of Virginia air and space history for current and future generations.”
Fasten your seat belts, place your seat-back table in the full upright position as we prepare for takeoff. We are ready to launch into a new year and I trust that you’re ready to join us on the journey! Bring some friends to the Shannon Air Museum and walk through the Hall of Fame with them. (The museum is now open for tours in groups of up to 5 people at a time.) You’ll be enhancing the future of VAHS and helping to bring our Commonwealth’s Aviation Hall of Fame to the minds of more people!
As we face the new year, please remember – It is the generous support of our members that sustains our existence. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society today!
Greg Fletcher
President