The Women Marines Association
The Service Continues
What Does It Take?
Many of our members wonder what it would take to become a member of the Board of Directors, or one of the various committees that support WMA. The answer is simple – a willingness to serve.
All of our National Officers are volunteers. The one thing they all have in common is a strong devotion to the Marine Corps, to WMA and to our members.
Even though it may seem as though we see the same names moving from position to position, it is usually because we can’t find new volunteers to support all of our critical positions.
If you want to see what kinds of positions we have, look at your new RM&D because that lists all our National positions and tells you how to contact the current incumbent.
Basic requirements for all positions include access to e-mail because our National officers are scattered all across the USA and we do most of our work electronically. You would also need to have access to some basic tools such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. You need to be willing to support one 1-hour training teleconference each month – normally on a Saturday afternoon. Once a year, the Board Members travel to support face-to-face board meetings and here is a small budget to help defray the cost of this travel. Normally, these board meetings are held at the next convention site. Many members wonder how much time is required to support the various positions and the honest answer is that it depends on the position.
Some of the committees meet on an as needed basis and other positions involve almost full time availability. We can always provide position descriptions and answer any questions you may have.
What Are The Benefits Of Serving?
That answer is simple as well. You get to meet and interact with many of our wonderful members. You get to make a difference in the lives of those you serve and you get to enjoy the camaraderie of sister Marines. WMA will soon be asking for volunteers to serve during the 2016-2018 term. If you have an interest or a desire to serve at the National level, please contact any of the current officers now so that you can have time to explore the available positions and decide whether or not you would like to run during the next election cycle. A great place to start is as an Area Director. You get to visit other chapters in your area; get to help start new chapters; assist chapters and/or members to resolve any problems they might have; be the interface between National and your Area; and learn a great deal about how WMA functions on the National level. You would also get exposure to the executive board positions which would allow you to make an informed decision about running for higher office.
If you have the time and the interest, please consider researching possible options so that you are in a position to respond when the request for nominees is sent out by our 2VP, Kathy Sheppard.
Get on board and help to make WMA a stronger association.
Semper Fi,
Kathy Wright
1st Vice President
You must also be a member in good standing of WMA National prior to applying for a position.