John Roberts Big Sir
Dear Fellow Sirs,
Gary and I attended the State SIR meeting last week and I will summarize the main points. The most important take home message was that Branches may make important decisions regarding the newly proposed changes on an individual basis.
As the SIR membership has aged, the number of potential new members sponsored by existing members also has aged. It has become difficult to attract Baby Boomer-IIs (ages 60 to 69 in 2024) to join and hence the median age of branch membership has increased to over 79. (That means that half SIR members are 80 or older.) As members age, they prioritize their lives to focus on self and family and interest in branch leadership declines. Without energetic leadership, the number of branches dissolving or merging has increased. Today SIR loses 2 to 5 branches a year.
Research highlights that BB-IIs are looking to fill their new leisure time by participating in organizations offering well-organized, well-run activities for physical and mental stimulation. Often these activities are those they enjoyed before “work” filled all their waking lives. The SIR Board would like SIR to be recognized by BB-IIs as an organization which can “Enhance Your Lifestyle” and where you can forge new friendships which can last a lifetime by participating in mental, physical, and social activities.
State SIR President Rich Carlston is forming a SIR Branch Advisory Council to help the SIR Board of Directors establish the strategic direction and develop the implementation plans to sustain SIR. All branch leaders interested in actively participating in this work should let Rich know at [email protected].
I will be asking again for a vote on the issues previously raised in the August meeting to confirm our Branch decision on the following:
Stay tuned!
John,
President to be
Hit em straight, 😃
Big SIR,
John
Little SIR Gary Kohler
Our October Speaker is Mr. Doug Miller:Doug Miller, an Army captain and helicopter pilot in Vietnam who later retired as a major, has done all of that and keeps on serving.
Miller is perhaps best known locally for his leadership efforts this year in planning and completing the Veterans Memorial, that was dedicated Nov. 12 in Pioneer Cemetery.He also served as president of the local chapter of the Association of the United States Army, an organization that is focused on making life better for active-duty military members and their families at Camp Parks in Dublin and the East Bay. For several years, he headed up the Army’s Wounded Warrior program, also known as AW2, making sure that the 60 most severely wounded soldiers in his region received good care as they underwent rehabilitation.
He is also a lifetime member of the Vietnam Veterans of Diablo Valley, the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, Pleasanton Post 237 of the American Legion and Pleasanton Post 6298 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, where he has served as president. In addition, Miller is a former Alameda County Veterans Affairs Commissioner, was a director of East Bay Stand Down, a program that supports needy local veterans, and also helped establish a local Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation team in Pleasanton that provides mentorship and support to severely wounded soldiers.
He served two tours in Vietnam as an Army helicopter pilot during his 10 years on active duty. When he stepped down from active duty in April 1977, he joined the Army Reserves where he served with the rank of major for another 10 years while also embarking on a civilian career that spanned the next 27 years.
Even though he had retired, Miller’s compassion for everything military stayed on, leading to a call from the Army in 2008 asking if he would become a contractor for its Wounded Warrior program.
He will be speaking about the Wounded Warrior program and his experiences with that organization as well as his time working with CIA agent Felix Rodriguez as one of his pilots during the Vietnam War in 1971-1972. Only later did he learn about his role in the Bay of Pigs, the capture of Che Guevera and his role in organizing the Iran Contra resupply program in the early 1980's.
Fellow SIRs; Please step up to volunteer for leadership positions on the Board of Directors and/or Activity Group Leadership roles. Help us make this chapter even greater and help launch an exciting new year of fun social events, create new activities (pickleball anyone?) and help us re-energize established activity groups. We are also in need of a new Little Sir/VP for 2025. Please contact me to review the options and get more information.
Gary Kohler
Little SIR/VP
(925) 596-0402
[email protected]
Gary Kohler
Dear Fellow Sirs,
Gary and I attended the State SIR meeting last week and I will summarize the main points. The most important take home message was that Branches may make important decisions regarding the newly proposed changes on an individual basis.
As the SIR membership has aged, the number of potential new members sponsored by existing members also has aged. It has become difficult to attract Baby Boomer-IIs (ages 60 to 69 in 2024) to join and hence the median age of branch membership has increased to over 79. (That means that half SIR members are 80 or older.) As members age, they prioritize their lives to focus on self and family and interest in branch leadership declines. Without energetic leadership, the number of branches dissolving or merging has increased. Today SIR loses 2 to 5 branches a year.
Research highlights that BB-IIs are looking to fill their new leisure time by participating in organizations offering well-organized, well-run activities for physical and mental stimulation. Often these activities are those they enjoyed before “work” filled all their waking lives. The SIR Board would like SIR to be recognized by BB-IIs as an organization which can “Enhance Your Lifestyle” and where you can forge new friendships which can last a lifetime by participating in mental, physical, and social activities.
State SIR President Rich Carlston is forming a SIR Branch Advisory Council to help the SIR Board of Directors establish the strategic direction and develop the implementation plans to sustain SIR. All branch leaders interested in actively participating in this work should let Rich know at [email protected].
I will be asking again for a vote on the issues previously raised in the August meeting to confirm our Branch decision on the following:
- Change from “Branch” to “Chapter”
- Change from Big SIR to President /Little SIR to VP
- Change to gender-neutral membership
Stay tuned!
John,
President to be
Hit em straight, 😃
Big SIR,
John
Little SIR Gary Kohler
Our October Speaker is Mr. Doug Miller:Doug Miller, an Army captain and helicopter pilot in Vietnam who later retired as a major, has done all of that and keeps on serving.
Miller is perhaps best known locally for his leadership efforts this year in planning and completing the Veterans Memorial, that was dedicated Nov. 12 in Pioneer Cemetery.He also served as president of the local chapter of the Association of the United States Army, an organization that is focused on making life better for active-duty military members and their families at Camp Parks in Dublin and the East Bay. For several years, he headed up the Army’s Wounded Warrior program, also known as AW2, making sure that the 60 most severely wounded soldiers in his region received good care as they underwent rehabilitation.
He is also a lifetime member of the Vietnam Veterans of Diablo Valley, the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, Pleasanton Post 237 of the American Legion and Pleasanton Post 6298 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, where he has served as president. In addition, Miller is a former Alameda County Veterans Affairs Commissioner, was a director of East Bay Stand Down, a program that supports needy local veterans, and also helped establish a local Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation team in Pleasanton that provides mentorship and support to severely wounded soldiers.
He served two tours in Vietnam as an Army helicopter pilot during his 10 years on active duty. When he stepped down from active duty in April 1977, he joined the Army Reserves where he served with the rank of major for another 10 years while also embarking on a civilian career that spanned the next 27 years.
Even though he had retired, Miller’s compassion for everything military stayed on, leading to a call from the Army in 2008 asking if he would become a contractor for its Wounded Warrior program.
He will be speaking about the Wounded Warrior program and his experiences with that organization as well as his time working with CIA agent Felix Rodriguez as one of his pilots during the Vietnam War in 1971-1972. Only later did he learn about his role in the Bay of Pigs, the capture of Che Guevera and his role in organizing the Iran Contra resupply program in the early 1980's.
Fellow SIRs; Please step up to volunteer for leadership positions on the Board of Directors and/or Activity Group Leadership roles. Help us make this chapter even greater and help launch an exciting new year of fun social events, create new activities (pickleball anyone?) and help us re-energize established activity groups. We are also in need of a new Little Sir/VP for 2025. Please contact me to review the options and get more information.
Gary Kohler
Little SIR/VP
(925) 596-0402
[email protected]
Gary Kohler
Link to our Facebook page, click below:
Sir 34 Facebook page
Sir 34 Facebook page
New member
Clayton Yukumoto |
New member
Dick Daggett |
Activities
🌲🌲🌲 Save the Date! Wednesday December 11th our HOLIDAY LUNCHEON will happen.
The PREMIER EVENT of the holiday season. We have secured the world renowned Wedgewood Room at the San Ramon Golf Club for the event! It kicks off with a no-host reception🍷🍺 at 11:30AM. In addition to the usual comraderie, there will be live music and other surprises. Those who have missed previous HOLIDAY LUNCHEONS have spent the next 12 months in deep regret! Don’t let that happen to you: Tickets go on sale at our October lunch meeting and again in November. $30 per person: Checks made to SIRS 34 preferred, cash also accepted. THIS IS GOING TO BE BIG 💥💥⭐️⭐️
The PREMIER EVENT of the holiday season. We have secured the world renowned Wedgewood Room at the San Ramon Golf Club for the event! It kicks off with a no-host reception🍷🍺 at 11:30AM. In addition to the usual comraderie, there will be live music and other surprises. Those who have missed previous HOLIDAY LUNCHEONS have spent the next 12 months in deep regret! Don’t let that happen to you: Tickets go on sale at our October lunch meeting and again in November. $30 per person: Checks made to SIRS 34 preferred, cash also accepted. THIS IS GOING TO BE BIG 💥💥⭐️⭐️
Breakfast Group Contact Jim Benham at 925-484-3836 or [email protected] for questions
Next Breakfast To be the last Wednesday of the month at Vic's at 8:30, we have secured the back room. It is now reserved for us. The last Wednesday is October 30
Next Breakfast To be the last Wednesday of the month at Vic's at 8:30, we have secured the back room. It is now reserved for us. The last Wednesday is October 30
Wine Group for September at the Tom Crawford home
From Treasurer
Pat Fowler
“Thanks everyone for responding to the monthly attendance emails. It really helps us provide the facility with a reasonable estimate so they can plan accordingly.”
Golf: See Attached schedule for the new year.
Contact John Ropp for more information
Contact John Ropp for more information
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Beer Group
Next outing to be at Bottle Taps in Pleasanton at 3:00 pm Wednesday October 16th
Next outing to be at Bottle Taps in Pleasanton at 3:00 pm Wednesday October 16th
Bocce Group: Pleasanton Senior Center 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month
Note: 9:00 new start time!!!!
Note: 9:00 new start time!!!!
Contact Bill Junge for more information 925-846-5964
History Buff Group. For additional information contact Stephen Jackson at [email protected]
No meetings planned.
No meetings planned.
Coffee Group
1st and 3rd Wednesday at Denica's in Pleasanton Walmart Parking lot Area 9:00 am |
cc |
September Luncheon