As people of God living in a blessed nation as we are, opportunities abound for every form of service for God and our neighbor (nation). I am awestruck by the variety, depth, and dedication our Association members “perform and provide” through their faith groups and other organizations to help people in God’s name with their “time, talent, and treasures”. I feel honored to be in your presence.
USACCRA is a unique association among all the military related non-profits and Army branch associations in that we are 100% volunteer. We have no leased office, no paid positions, and a miniscule reimbursement, yet perform and provide way above “pay grade”. This very fact is why Thrivent Financial, a religious corporate 500 company with billions of dollars in assets, is intrigued with our Association and agreed to be a corporate sponsor for our 2024 biennial gathering, a first for them and us. And by the way, the reason why the Association has operated this way is because it wanted to keep its dues low and membership available for the entire Army Chaplain Corps Family. Sadly, this truth has not always been articulated well or often but let all know it’s an avoidance of making money a hinderance to being family.
All this said, volunteers keep Association operations moving, growing, and successful. Your board of directors are volunteers and work hard for one or two three-year terms of office. They are unsung heroes, but they can’t operate without the rest of the Association. In these next few paragraphs, I will detail opportunities to serve God and nation through our Association. You are needed. If this noble effort to support the Army Chaplain Corps continues then we all need to be known and counted as assisting somewhere in our operations.
Opportunity #1 Chapter Development
We have three ongoing chapters in Washington, DC; San Antonio, TX; and Tucson, AZ. We have another chapter coming on board in Minneapolis, MN, in September 2024. We are making efforts to re-establish a Columbia, SC chapter and establish chapters in Tennessee and near Ft. Cavazos (formerly Hood). We are engaging the IMCOM UMT and the OCCH with new ideas for arranging chapters near or at several major Army installations. This is exciting and a good start, but all will fail without the current membership contacting our current 3rd VP for Chapters, CH Karen Diefendorf, with leads of folks where you live and your efforts to help organize these groups. Please contact Karen at kdiefendorf@hotmail.com. Pray for our new Minnesota chapter. We will celebrate their arrival at our Gathering in October.
Opportunity #2 Scholarship Development
People are willing to donate money towards scholarships for spouses and children of Association members. We need an action team of at least five people to launch this effort. Currently, we have three people come forward. We need at least two more members. Is God calling you for this? If so contact me at srlloyd@msn.com or 909-553-5196 (PST). If you can’t volunteer, consider a donation. We have a member who will match dollar for dollar up to $5,000 ($10,000 for scholarships) to “prime the pump”. We have another doner (a recent actively serving Army Chaplain and her husband) who is committing to two $1,000 scholarships each year to further this effort. Shame on us if there aren’t a few volunteers to make this finally happen.
Opportunity #3 Gathering Registration
We have until 20 September to register for the 22-25 Oct 2024 250th Chaplain Corps anniversary kickoff gathering in Columbia, SC. Everybody in the Corps is invited. Please go to our website, chaplainregiment.org and do the 2-step process of registering and making hotel reservations (separate actions. Remember to mention you are part of the Association Gathering to the hotel when making reservations to get your special rate!). We are shooting for a robust presence to begin the next 250 years!
May every article I write to you include my gratitude and thanks for who you are and what you do for God and country. We are a peculiar bunch, but by volunteering we make positive significant differences in the lives of many for God and country.
Blessings always—————Scottie Lloyd, USACCRA President
