Policies & Procedures
The Military Affairs Division is one of the three business divisions of
the Chamber. The
activities of the Division are lead by the President, Military Affairs,
with assistance from
the Vice President, Military Affairs and a shared Administrative
Assistant. The Military
Affairs Division focuses efforts in two prominent areas through a
diverse mix of programs
and activities. Areas of focus are:
-
Building on a rich tradition of
strong support for our military
-
Advocating and facilitating the
continued growth of our local defense industry
The Division supports the administrative requirements of the
Military Affairs Board and
its committees, and oversees the planning and execution of
activities of the Military
Affairs Council, as directed by the Board.
Military Affairs Board
The activities of the Military Affairs Council and the Military Affairs
Division shall be
conducted and coordinated by a Military Affairs Board (hereafter
referred to as the
Board) composed of not more than 15 voting directors. The Board will
coordinate and
conduct the Program of Work as established by the Chamber Board of
Directors; develop
and approve initiatives undertaken by the Military Affairs Division and
Military Affairs
Council at large; and ensure that all activities of the Military Affairs
Division adhere to
the spirit, intent, and are in accordance with the Bylaws of the
Colorado Springs Chamber
of Commerce.
Regular meetings of the Board will be
held every two months (unless otherwise
determined by the Board). Special meetings of the Board may be held at
the call of the
Chair.
Notice of all regular meetings will
normally be given to each director via e-mail NLT 4
working days prior to the meeting by of the President, Military Affairs.
Notice will
include meeting time and place, as well as the agenda. Read-aheads may
also be included.
The notice will be addressed to the director at the last address the
director has furnished
to the Military Affairs Division and/or Chamber. Directors constituting
one-third of the full Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum. An
act of the majority of directors at which a quorum is present shall be
an act of the Board.
The Board shall consist of not more than
fifteen (15) voting directors and shall be
composed as follows:
Chair, Military Affairs Council (Board
Chair)
Vice Chair, Military Affairs Council (Board Vice Chair)
President, Colorado Thirty Group
President, Colorado Springs Economic Development Corporation
Chairman, Defense Mission Task Force
Immediate Past Chair, Military Affairs Council
Three (3) Chamber Board Liaisons
Six (6) at-large directors
County Commissioner*
City of Colorado Springs Representative*
Chief Executive Officer, Chamber of Commerce*
President, Military Affairs*
President, Governmental Affairs*
President, Business Affairs*
Vice President, Military Affairs*
Administrative Assistant Secretary of the Board*
Notes
1. Representatives indicated with an (*) are non-voting members who
serve as advisors
only. The Nominating Committee will make recommendations to the Chair of
the Board
each year for the at-large position vacancies. The Chair will make known
to the MAC membership the number of upcoming at-large vacancies. MAC
members may indicate their interest in serving on the Board to the Chair
of the Nominating Committee.
The Chair will present the nominees to
the full Board for approval. These appointees
should be chosen to strengthen continuity of management while fostering
leadership
development to engender future success.
Board of Directors shall serve on a
calendar year basis from January 1 through December
31. At large members shall serve for a 3 year term and shall serve for
no more than one
term. After a one-year break, they are eligible for reappointment to the
committee. The
Chair will phase the at-large directors to ensure continuity and
retention of corporate
knowledge.
Chamber Board Liaisons will serve no more
than a three year term. Selection of Chamber
Board Liaisons will be made by the Chief Executive Officer of the
Chamber in consultation with the Chamber Board of Directors and the
President, Military Affairs.
Should an at-large seat become vacant
during the year, the Board Chair has the option to
appoint a new at-large director or leave the seat vacant until the next
nomination cycle.
The Chair should give consideration to
those previously nominated, but not selected, if
interest of the MAC member remains.
Directors are encouraged and expected to
attend regular meetings. Directors absent from
three consecutive meetings, except for good cause, shall be deemed to
have resigned from
the Board.
Selection of the Chair and Vice
Chair
In accordance with the Chamber of Commerce Bylaws, the Military Affairs
Board/Council Chair is appointed by the Chamber of Commerce Board Chair,
subject to affirmative vote of the full Board of Directors. It is the
goal of the Military Affairs Board to rotate the Chair
between a person with a recent and/or significant military background
and a civilian from
the business community.
Recommendations for the Chair and
Vice-Chair positions will be made by the Nominating
Committee to the Military Affairs Board. Once approved by the Military
Affairs Board,
the nominations will be submitted, in writing, to the Chamber Chair of
the Board. Final
selection of a new Chair and Vice Chair of the Board/MAC should be
accomplished a
minimum of three months before the expiration date for the term of the
sitting Chair.
The Chair of the Military Affairs Board/Council shall also serve on the
Chamber
Executive Committee and as an officer of the Chamber (Board of
Directors), in accordance
with the Chamber Bylaws.
The Chair is responsible for presiding
over meetings of the Military Affairs Board and
accomplishing the annual Program of Work. The Chair will also serve on
the Defense
Mission Task Force and coordinate those activities related to military
contacts.
The Chair will serve as the Chair of the
Area Chiefs of Staff (ACOS). The Chair will report to the Military
Affairs Board regarding significant activities affecting the Chamber and
the community, command changes, and other matters as appropriate. The
Chair will be responsible for carrying the sense of the Chamber as
promulgated by the Military Affairs Board or the Chamber Board of
Directors to the members of the Military Affairs
Council and ACOS.
The Vice Chair shall assist the Chair, as
requested by the Chair, and shall serve in the
capacities listed above in the absence of the Chair.
The Chair is also a non-voting member of
the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments
(PPACG), representing the interests of the military installations.
Board Committees
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee of the Military Affairs Division shall consist
of total of five
members: the immediate past Military Affairs Board/Council Chair
(Committee Chair),
current Military Affairs Board/Council Chair and Vice Chair, and two
at-large members.
The two at large MAC members shall be appointed by the current Board
Chair. The
President and/or Vice President, Military Affairs Division, will serve
as a non-voting
advisor to the Committee and prepare minutes from the meetings.
The purpose of the Membership Committee
is to act on applications received from
perspective MAC members by reviewing qualifications and assessing
likelihood that the
applicant will be an active MAC participant. The membership process
should support
inclusion rather than exclusion. In order to process applicants in a
timely manner, the Committee should meet monthly (excluding December).
If a face-to-face meeting is not possible, the meeting may be conducted
by e-mail. A majority affirmative vote by committee members shall
constitute approval of an applicant. If an applicant is denied
membership by the Committee, the decision will be automatically reviewed
by the Military Affairs Board at
the next scheduled meeting. If the Board upholds the Membership
Committee decision,
the applicant must wait one (1) calendar year before reapplying.
The Membership Committee reports on its
actions at the regularly scheduled Board
meetings.
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee shall consist of the three previous
MAC Chairs. The Chair of
the committee shall be appointed by the Board Chair. The Committee will
be formed
NLT June of the CY.
The purpose of the Nominating Committee
is to provide annual nominations for the
positions of Chair and Vice Chair, and for any open at-large director
positions.
The Committee will meet as required by
the Chair of the Committee to meet the
requirements for a smooth transition and to allow required action by the
Military Affairs Board and the Chamber Board of Directors.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee shall consist of three MAC members. The Chair of
the Committee will be a Board Director appointed by the Board Chair. The
Committee Chair will recommend two other MAC members to the Board for
the Committee.
The Finance Committee will work closely
with the President, Military Affairs on the
formulation of the annual budget. The Committee will also provide a
financial report to
the Board at regularly scheduled meetings, and make recommendations to
the Board on
unplanned budget actions.
Requests for support that come to the
Military Affairs Division from other agencies will
be presented to the Finance committee for discussion. A decision on
support will be made
by the Committee based on broad guidelines developed by the Committee.
Decision will
be reported out to the Board at the next scheduled meeting.
If the Committee feels a request for
support should be taken to the full Board, it will
agenda the item for the next scheduled board meeting. If time is
critical, an e-mail vote of
the Board may be taken.
Business Development Committee
The Business Development Committee shall consist of an appropriate
number of MAC
and/or Chamber members as determined by the Chair of the Committee and
the President of the Military Affairs Division. The Chair of the
Committee will be a Board Director appointed by the Board Chair. The
Committee Chair and the President of the Military Affairs Division will
recommend other members to the Board for the Committee. In most cases,
Committee members will be Chamber and MAC members. However, if a certain
expertise is needed, the Committee Chair may propose other members.
The Business Development Committee will
work closely with the President of the Military Affairs Division to
establish strategy and programs for the Divisions mission as an
advocate for defense industry and military mission growth.
The Committee will provide a report of
activities to the Board at regularly schedule
meetings.
Defense Mission Task Force
(DMTF)
The mission of the DMTF is to take the lead role on behalf of the
Military Affairs
Division to develop relationships, local government cooperation and
programs to improve
the ability of Colorado Springs military installations to discharge
their national security
and defense missions.
The DMTF was established to bring local
business leaders, local government leaders and
senior military leaders together in a partnership for improving the
effectiveness and
vitality of the numerous military facilities in the area. It maintains
an awareness of any
Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) initiatives and acts as necessary in
the best
interests of the military and community.
To accomplish the goal, the DMTF will
take the lead role in the following areas:
-
With the assistance of senior
military leaders, create programs for helping local
facilities now and into the future.
-
Create a working partnership between
the local community and the military
installations.
-
Arrange visits to local installations
for civilian leaders to improve knowledge of
the military mission and foster good community relations.
-
Publicize the importance of local
military installations to the community.
-
Keep contact with decision makers in
Washington D.C. to insure they are aware
of our interest in and the military value of our local facilities.
-
Conduct annual trips to D.C.
involving local concerned community leaders and
host events which will bring the leaders together with military and
elected
officials.
The DMTF Chair is appointed by the MAC
Chair, with concurrence of the Board, and
will serve for one year with the option of an additional years as agreed
to by the Board
Chair, and Chamber CEO. The DMTF Chair serves on a calendar year basis
from January
1st through December 31st.
Membership on the DMTF is voluntary.
Membership on the DMTF is not restricted to
members of the MAC or Chamber. Members may include community/military
leaders
with knowledge or skills beneficial to accomplishing the goals of the
committee.
The DMTF shall meet quarterly or as required by the DMTF Chair.
Other Standing or Temporary Committees may be established by the
Military Affairs
Board as required.
Military Affairs Council
The Military Affairs Council is dedicated to ensuring a positive and
supportive
community military environment is developed and maintained. The Council
operates
under the oversight of the Military Affairs Board
Military Affairs Council Mission
The Military Affairs Council actively supports a strong, effective
national defense and
our uniformed services. Members develop and maintain an environment
which
economically and culturally supports a viable military presence in our
community, and
provides a superior quality of life for its members.
Military Affairs Council
Membership
Membership limits of the Military Affairs Council are not prescribed.
Council membership is limited only by the practical number of members
that can reasonably be expected to participate in its affairs on a
regular basis, and provide consistent interaction with our military
members. Membership in the Military Affairs Council is open to any
member of the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce who believes in a
strong, effective national defense and wishes to actively show support
for our uniformed services. Military Affairs Council members are people
willing to spend their energies on developing and maintaining an
environment which economically and culturally supports a viable military
presence in our community, and provides a superior quality of life for
members of the military and their families.
Membership in the MAC is also available
to individuals who may not have a business
affiliation Chamber of Commerce membership. As an example, an individual
may apply
for membership in the MAC (or maintain their membership) if they have
retired from business and want to continue to support MAC activities.
They would continue to pay MAC dues, but not chamber dues.
The signed application for membership
submitted to the Membership Committee and if
approved, the President of Military Affairs will send a member welcome
letter, package
and invoice requesting payment of MAC membership dues.
Military Affairs Council membership
requires that the person supports the concept of a strong national
defense. Members are prohibited from using the Council activities to
solicit business for themselves or the firms they represent. Members
subordinate their personal interests and that of their company for the
good of the military and the community.
Members are highly encouraged to attend
the events of the Council whenever possible. A member's signature on the
membership application serves as acknowledgement and understanding of
the commitments outlined above.
Fees and Expenses:
To accomplish the mission, the Council members pay an individual fee
established annually by the Board. This fee covers the various expenses
related to providing support for area military personnel. The annual
participation fee has been established at $250. Dues are assessed on a
calendar year basis, but will be prorated for new members based on the
date of membership approval, except new members approved in October and
November. Prorated dues for those approved in those months will be
waived and they will be billed for the following years full dues during
normal end of year billing cycle. Additionally, Council members pay
their costs of attending Council sponsored events.
Area Chiefs of Staff
(ACOS)
The origin of the Area Chiefs of Staff meeting as a group of people with
key interests in
the military and the City of Colorado Springs can be traced back at
least to 1957. Monthly meetings began with key business leaders and the
Chiefs of Staff of each military installation, and sponsored by the MAC
to stay abreast of community/military problems/issues. Hosting of the
luncheon meeting has traditionally been rotated between
participants.
The main objective of the meetings is to
provide area commanders an alternative avenue
for identifying issues which, if resolved, would be of great benefit to
their installations/services, and initiatives which they believe could
best be achieved through
community and Chamber support.
Meetings are kept confidential, minutes
are not taken, only necessary notes for personal
follow up, and all comments and discussions are for non-attribution. The
strength and
effectiveness of the group is maintained by keeping membership to
essential functions
and key personnel.
Area commanders participate directly or
are represented by their Vice Commander or
Chief/Director of Staff, or, in rare cases, functional chiefs that can
speak for them. Key
city and county personnel participate directly, and the Chamber is
represented by the
Military Affairs Board Chair, Vice Chair, and President of the Military
Affairs Division.
Meetings are for principals only, membership is not transferable and all
substitutions
must be approved by the ACOS Chair (Military Affairs Board Chair).
When issues and initiatives are discussed
which require community and Chamber
involvement, they are brought to the attention of the Chamber Board
Chair and CEO of
the Chamber by Chair of the Military Affairs Board/Council.
Periodic review of the purpose,
effectiveness, and membership of the Area Chiefs of Staff
will be made by the Chairman of the Military Affairs Council and the
Military Affairs
Board.
ACOS Membership
Chair MAC (Chairs ACOS Meetings)
Vice Chair MAC
El Paso County Sheriff
Colorado Springs Chief of Police
USAF Academy Vice Superintendent
The Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce
Military Affairs Division
USAF Academy, 10th Air Base Wing Commander
AFSPC Director of Staff
NORAD/USNORTHCOM Chief of Staff
Army Space Command (ARSTRAT) Chief of Staff
21st Space Wing Commander (Peterson AFB)
50th Space Wing Commander (Schriever AFB)
302nd AW Commander (AFRES)
310th Space Group Commander (AFRES)
Ft Carson Garrison Commander
Ft Carson Chief of Staff, 4th ID
Ft Carson Chief of Staff, Division West, 1st Army
Rocky Mountain Corps of Engineers
Chair Defense Mission Task Force
Colorado Springs City Manager
El Paso County Administrator
Chair, Colorado Springs Chamber Board of Directors
CEO, Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce
Chamber President, Governmental Affairs
Chamber President, Military Affairs.
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