The Power To Make Change
By Julia Pfaff
Winter 2004-05
I recently heard former Senator Bill Bradley speak about the uniquely American phenomenon of volunteer associations. Bradley described a fascinating meeting with Russian exchange students who were struck by the remarkable freedom Americans enjoy in creating volunteer associations which address various community problems, and how these associations had made such a positive impact on their communities. Many of these exchange participants, Senator Bradley noted, returned to Russia and began volunteer organizations themselves to address pressing needs within their communities.
I began to think about how volunteer associations and individuals have had such a positive impact on the military community at the national and local levels. I thought about those who had seen a problem in their community and, instead of just complaining or feeling powerless to do anything, sought solutions and rallied others to join them.
The National Military Family Association (NMFA), where I work, is such a group. The NMFA started in 1969 at the kitchen table of Raye Dickens, the wife of a retired Navy captain. This group of military wives was concerned that widows of retired service members were left without an adequate pension. They shared a vision and were determined to make a difference at the national level. Through their efforts and others, the Survivor Benefit Plan was created. NMFA has since championed a number of important issues for military families, including the creation of a dental plan for active duty families; the Women, Infants and Children (WIC)-Overseas program; and increases in family separation pay and imminent danger pay.
Many of the military's quality of life programs we take for granted were started through the efforts of a few people who saw a need and were motivated to do something about it. Army spouses suggested and have influenced the development of programs such as Army Family Team >Building and the Army Family Action Plan. Military wives sparked the Ombudsman programs in the Navy and Coast Guard, and the Links programs in the Marine Corps, and volunteers have worked hand in hand with the military leadership. In other cases, such as the annual American Women's Activities Germany (AWAG) Conference and the Hawaii Joint Spouses Conference, members of the military family community have come together to plan and conduct networking conferences outside of official channels but with official support. Each of our military communities relies on the fundraising efforts of spouse clubs to support scholarships, scouting programs, area beautification programs, school initiatives and countless others. Without the efforts of these groups, our communities would suffer.
One of the inspirations about working at NMFA is that we learn about so many dedicated military family members who are making a difference in their communities. Each year, we receive hundreds of nominations for our awards programs that recognize military families and national volunteer programs that impact the quality of life in their communities. All nominees, not just the winners, saw a need in their communities and did something about it.
The military community has always looked for ways to serve in war zones, supporting orphanages, schools and hospitals. The current war is no different. Last year, NMFA was contacted by Jim Hake, who wanted to create an organization that would connect deployed military members with donors in the United States who would raise money for them to participate in outreach projects among the local Iraqi or Afghani populations. This group became Spirit of America, which has raised the money to send everything from school supplies and sports equipment for Iraqi schools to sewing machines for Iraqi women's sewing cooperatives. Jim Hake, Spirit of America and our service members saw a need, worked to meet it and changed lives.
I applaud the many inspirational individuals, community leaders and volunteer associations who work so hard to boost the quality of life in our communities. The United States is a wonderful country where we enjoy the freedom to see a problem and work to solve it. I encourage you to join groups that seek change in your local community and military community. Volunteer: It's a uniquely American phenomenon.
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Julia Pfaff has spent most of her life in and around the military. Currently, she is Executive Director of the National Military Family Association, "The Voice for Military Families." She may be contacted at pfaff@nmfa.org.
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Mentioned in this column:
National Military Family Association
Navy and Coast Guard Ombudsmen programs
Marine Corps Links and Key Volunteers
American Women's Activities Germany
Hawaii Joint Spouses Conference
To look for voluntary associations in your area: NetworkForGood.org
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