Done Being District Commander

[Redmaxx]

As of last Saturday, 9 June 2012 at approximately 1630 hrs I am no longer District Commander. It has been a short year but now that the convention is over it feel kind of good to be done. I was asked by a few comrades at the Department Convention to run for Department Jr. next year. I have a lot of thinking to do.

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[DoggyDaddy]

Congrats on completing your term of office.
Now you can rest. Would you call your year successful?
As District Commander, I assume you did not accomplish ALL your goals. 
Don't know any who did.
What personal goals did you not meet and what regrets do you have?

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[Chris Weber 5468]

Redmax, Remember, you and all other outgoing Commanders of all levels still have the responsibility to mentor your successors. It is in the Officer's Obligations.

Congrats on completing your term of office.

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[Redmaxx]

No, I did not accomplish all my goals. I really wanted to create another Post in the City of Detroit. With as big as that city is we only have 2 Posts. I was also very disappointed to learn that some of the previous District Commanders really didn't (and don't) know anything about the VFW and its programs. There was a Post that I probably should have recommended that the charter be pulled but I tried to work with them but I don't think that it was welcomed or appreciated. I believe that the new District Commander will recommend it. I also didn't get to all my Posts this year. It was a very busy year. On Sunday I felt like I should be doing something in the District and on Monday I felt lost. I feel ok now, being so busy and involved for the past 3 years makes it hard to back off.

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[IJK3770]

Redmaxx,
    Thank you for the time, energy and emotions you have spent in your years involved in leadership.  It is typically a thankless job.  Without members willing to serve in these positions where would the organization be?  Take care adjusting to not being in charge any longer.
Cheerily
IJK

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[Redmaxx]

After a long (at least it seemed long) deliberation, I have decided not to run for Department Jr. Vice Commander. I would love to be the first Desert Storm Commander but I can't do it at this time.

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[marlinnotafish]

I have been involved in veterans’ organization for 41 years next month.  During this time I have seen many well-meaning veterans get involved and take every office, chair, and assignment that comes open.

The result?  Burnout.  There is nothing wrong with learning a little two-letter word, NO.  This is for IJK and others on this board that have been around a long time.  Don’t you think it is better to take it slow, steady and easy and contribute your talents when needed and not try to do everything at once?

I am officially off my soapbox.

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[Chris Weber 5468]

Now you can have your time to do the most important duty of a Past Commander; being available to Mentor younger Members the way of the VFW and possibly into places of Leadership.
Doing this will also fill the void after stepping down.
I have been asked when I plan to go the next level and I find myself convinced that I will not at this time. I still work full time and would not be able to perform Department Duties properly.

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[IJK3770]

marlinnotafish,
    I have to agree that when one moves too fast it can and likely will cause burnout.  I was thrust into the role of Post CDR when I was serving as Sr-Vice when the CDR took a job and had to move 4 hours away.  I hadnt been in very long (4 years I think) and it was a cruel thing to do as I did not have the knowledge to deal with it - but I did grow into it and was re-elected twice before I said no.  Had a year or two as Adjutant  again after that and then became QM and have been doing this job since 93-94.  When I was CDR I never attended a District meeting - did not even know I was required to and no one from district ever contacted me about going.  The only time we ever heard from district was for inspections.  It was a good thing the QM knew what he was doing.  Since then the membership had twice voted relatively new members in as CDR and they burnt out quickly and never returned to a meeting after their term was over.  Now we make the chairs work so they have the opportunity to learn.  All chairs now attend all District meetings and Schools of Instruction.  Now when a new Commander is elected he/she is ready to go and familiar with everything.  We now have a CDR beginning his first term and if he is successful he will have the opportunity to repeat once and our Sr-vice will be ready in two years. So if all goes according to plan in two years we will have our first female Commander.
Chris,
    I, like you, have no desire to move up in the organization.  It seems that I get enough jobs without seeking them.
Cheerily
IJK

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