The National Guard Association of Minnesota

NATIONAL GUARD ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA

President's News

Message from the President, March 2011

1) Membership drive is in full swing, please consider joining or renewing your membership at https://www.ngamn.org/join.php. Remind your first year officers their first year of NGAUS/NGAMN are free. Membership material along with video, can be found on our home page, http://www.ngamn.org bottom right of page.

2) Life Membership program- We are offering a free Life State Membership with the purchase of an Active Life Membership through NGAUS. This program is only available until 1 Jun 2011, so act quickly. Two options to pay, one-time $1000 or pay over two years with four $250 payments. See http://www.ngamn.org/Life-Membership-NGAUS-Web.pdf for an application. (Those who already paid their 2011 dues, we will subtract that from the payment) On average, if you have more than six years remaining, this is a good deal...plus, you will never pay another NGAUS/NGAMN dues again, ever, ever, ever. Regardless due increases in the future.

3) State Conference- 25-27 March 11, Rochester, Kahler Grand Hotel, Theme is Harley-Davidson. See http://www.ngamn.org/conf_2011_overview.php for all the info and registration about the conference. Rooms under the MN National Guard held until 25 Feb at the discounted rate.

4) Silent Auction- The ever popular Silent Auction will be held again. If you have an item or service for donation, contact your board member to coordinate getting it to Rochester. Start 25 Mar and ends 1/2 hour after the banquet.

5) Resolutions- we currently have one resolution to review. If you have any others, please let us know. Resolution forms can be found at http://www.ngamn.org/resolutions.php

6) Bylaws- a few additions to the bylaws need voting on at the conference. We will go over them in detail at the conference.

7) Scholarships- Let you know about the two scholarships coming up. Member and Dependent of Member. Application at http://www.ngamn.org/scholarship.php this year's essay is "HONOR".

8) 2013 conference- Time and Place selected St. Cloud Kelly Inn for 2013. We are soliciting ideas for 2014, draft plan has Metro area, but we are open to all ideas. Please share your ideas with your board member.

Message from the President, March 2010

Please pass along to your groups.

KP

-Preparations for the NGAMN conference are in full swing with many speakers. Highlighted by Former US Senator Norm Coleman as our keynote speaker and former MN Viking Mike Morris has tentatively agreed to speak at the Business Meeting.

-Theme for Friday night is "College", wear your alma mater's wear and see who else went to the same school.

-Our annual silent auction is shaping up as well, MN Vikings, Twins, and T-Wolves have confirmed some items and other teams and businesses have shown great interest and we are hoping for some more items. If anyone has items to donate, please contact CPT Peter Decrans or Capt Jason Hull.

-Go to www.ngamn.org and pay for conference and/or membership dues. Receive all the important information about the conference.

-We have also started a Facebook page, please go to http://www.facebook.com/national.guard.association.of.minnesota and become a fan and stay attuned to updates on the conference and legislative updates of interest to our organization.

-Though this information may be a little late for your MN taxes, the following state law was passed of great interest for Guard members. Basically, it comes down to the first $10,000 is tax exempt. If you already filed, an amendment is probably in your best interests. Yet another benefit earned with help from your association.

http://www.taxes.state.mn.us/individ/residency_and_filing_status/military/sub _active_duty_military.shtml

-For those interested in a Veterans Career Fair, one is being held;
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Earle Browne Heritage Center
6155 Earle Brown Drive
Brooklyn Center, MN

Sponsored by DEED's Veterans Employment Services and Hire Vets First.
http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/JobSeekers/Veterans/Minnesota_Veterans_Car eer_Fair/index.aspx

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