Volunteer Opportunity with American Overseas Schools Historical Society

Did you know there are American schools all over the world for the children of American military and DoD civilians stationed overseas? The U.S. Department of Defense and Department of State currently operate or assist with more than 300 schools in more than 100 countries. There are also more than 600 privately owned American schools abroad.

The history of these schools is housed right here in Wichita by the American Overseas Schools Historical Society. The mission of AOSHS is to collect, record, and preserve the unique history of educating American children and youth abroad; and to enhance public knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the contributions made by American educators and their students in the advancement of democracy around the world.

The office/museum is located at 704 W. Douglas Avenue. It contains a small museum and two large rooms of memorabilia (most of which is still in boxes) sent in by former or retired overseas educators, or schools that have closed with the draw-down of troops overseas. AOSHS is presently looking for volunteers to help out in the office a few hours a week. They may soon be looking for part time employees to help keep the office open a few hours a day as well.

If you are interested in volunteering or employment please give the office manager, Sara, a call to set up an appointment to visit our facility. If you are in the area at any time stop by the office. Office hours vary during the summer, but if you catch Sara there she'd be glad to show you around. You can also call ahead at 316-265-6837.

For more information on the AOSHS, visit their website at http://www.aoshs.org/.

Did You Know?: Your Kids Can Use the Fitness Center Too

Not sure what to do with your kids while you’re working out? Bring them with you. Young children are welcome in the supervised play area of the Family Room where you can work out and watch them at the same time. Starting at age 10, youth may use the Family Room cardio and weight equipment following these stipulations:

• Become a registered user in the Youth Center’s Fit Factor program.
• Both the child and a parent must attend and complete an introductory course provided by the HAWC.
• The child will be issued an “Introductory Course Completed” card which they must keep with them at all times while using the facility.
• Must be under the direct supervision of a parent at all times.
• Use is restricted to the Family Room ONLY.
• Remember, safety, safety, safety!


Other stipulations for youth in the Fitness Center are as follows:

16 years of age and older: Unrestricted use of all Fitness Center facilities and equipment. They do not need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

13-15 years of age: All cardiovascular and weight equipment and group exercise rooms require interactive supervision from an adult (parent, legal guardian, coach, or qualified fitness or youth center staff member). For other activity areas (basketball court, racquetball courts, running track), a parent or legal guardian must be in the facility.

6-12 years of age: Access to all cardiovascular and weight equipment and group exercise rooms is prohibited (with the exception of the Family Room for ages 10-12). Other activity areas (basketball court, racquetball courts, running track) require interactive supervision from an adult at all times.

Under 6 years of age: Not allowed in the facility, with the exception of those facilities providing a parent/child area (PCA) for supervised play and/or those children who are supervised spectators at a sports or special event.
For information, contact the Fitness Center at (316) 749-4009.

Using Social Media as a Member of the Air Force

There has been a lot of discussion about members of the military using social media, such as facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. Leadership understands the need for airmen to connect with family and friends across the country and the world. In fact, as of 26 April the Air Force cleared the following 30 social media websites for access on government computers:

• myspace.com
• facebook.com
• flickr.com
• photobucket.com
• mail.yahoo.com
• mail.google.com
• hotmail.com
• blogger.com
• twitter.com
• wordpress.com
• youtube.com
• hi5.com
• linkedin.com
• friendster.com
• webmail.aol.com
• chat.aim.com
• orkut.com
• mtv.com
• metacafe.com
• groups.google.com
• stumbleupon.com
• classmates.com
• myyearbook.com
• xanga.com
• moveabletype.com
• live365.com
• livejournal.com
• imgur.com
• gotomeeting.com

The Air Force Public Affairs Agency, Emerging Technology Division has created a guide to help airmen navigate the fine line between sharing information with friends and family and violating OPSEC and other Air Force regulations. It is entitled “New Media and the Air Force” and is available online at http://www.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-090406-036.pdf. This guide shares valuable information for participating in social media and creating your own website or blog. We will highlight some of the most important information here, but encourage you to read through the guide if you are considering blogging or dialoging in any way about your Air Force career.

The Air Force is engaged in social media as well. They have created a profile in Facebook called Hap Arnold (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1409442190) to interact with Airmen all over the world. There are five Air Force-produced Podcasts available at www.af.mil/newmedia.asp. Over on YouTube, the Air Force has created a channel called AirForceBlueTube. Air Force Link (www.af.mil) is the official Web site of the U.S. Air Force and the official blog is http://airforcelive.dodlive.mil/.

When engaging in social media it is important to communicate effectively and safely. Airmen are considered to be on duty and representing the Air Force at all times. Actions outside the workplace are still subject to the UCMJ. Think about the photos, videos and details you are posting on social networks. You can lose your job over a photo or comment posted online. Employers use social media too. Adversaries also use social media to their advantage. Don’t help them out by posting details or photos revealing classified information.

Some Basic Guidelines for Blogging and other Social Media
Use common sense!
Don’t give classified info. Think before you speak or film and ask someone if you’re not sure.
Avoid the offensive. It’s not okay to post things that are vulgar, obscene, profane, libelous, illegal, or hate speech.
Avoid copyright and trademark issues. Get permission from the copyright owner before posting protected information or material.
Don’t violate privacy. Write whatever you want about yourself, but don’t violate someone else’s privacy.
Avoid endorsements. Using the Air Force name to promote an opinion or product is not okay.
Use Disclaimers
Blog about what you know.
Don’t lie! Giving a false statement is punishable by the UCMJ.
Give your opinion! But make sure you state that it’s not the organization’s opinion and distinguish opinion from fact.
Always identify yourself. This makes you more credible. Don’t try and disguise or misrepresent you identity either.
Be aware of the image you present.
Remember, the enemy is engaged!

Did You Know?: Armed Force Vacation Clubs

The Armed Forces Vacation Club is another of the many exclusive benefits for the Armed Forces. It is a space available program offering military and Department of Defense personnel accommodations around the world, starting as low as $369 per unit, per week. The AFVC is part of Wyndham Worldwide and has access to more than 200,000 vacation rentals in more than 80 countries.

 

Active and retired military are eligible, as well as DOD employees and select civilian employees in military support role. There are a variety of rental programs including:

 

• “Space A”: 7 nights condominium lodging for $369 USD.
• “High Demand”: Weekly resort condos in high-demand location and during peak season at varied rates
• “Nightly Getaways”: The convenience and amenities of a resort condo at a reduced nightly rate
• “Special Offers”: Special deals from independent hotels, bed and breakfasts, and campgrounds. May also include car rental and river cruise discounts, emergency roadside assistance, and more.

 

For additional information on booking and eligibility, visit www.afvclub.com or call 1-800-724-9988.

Club Members Eligible for $25,000 in Scholarship Awards

Air Force Club Scholarship program is a members-only program developed to help club members and their families defray the cost of higher education. Twenty-five winners will each receive a $1,000 award. Applicants must be accepted by or enrolled in an accredited college or university for the fall 2010 term. Student enrollment status may be either undergraduate or graduate curriculum

Entrants must provide a 500 word or less essay entitled “What does it mean to be a part of the Air Force Family?” Entry forms and eligibility information are available at Force Support Activities or at www.afclubs.net. Applications will be accepted from May 3 to July 1, 2010. Entries should be hand delivered to Ellen Weaver, Club Manager, at her office in the Dole Community Center. Winners will be announced on September 17, 2010 and awards will be mailed to the Force Support Squadron Commander for distribution.

Essays must be:
• 500 words or less, excluding title (Essays exceeding 500 words will be disqualified.)
• Typed in MS Word 12-point Arial or Times New Roman Font
• Single-spaced, with double-spacing between paragraphs
• One-inch top and bottom margin, and 1.25 inch left and right margin
• Submitted on CD

Essay package must include:
• CD containing essay with participant name, date and word count (do not put Social Security Number on the disk)
• Entry form included in the brochure (photocopies accepted). Make sure all information marked with an asterisk* is provided.
• Current College/University acceptance letter for new students or official transcripts for those already enrolled

Essays not meeting these parameters will be automatically disqualified. Submit your entry no later than July 1, 2010. All nominees’ entries received by HQ AFSVA/SVOF will be advised of scholarship selection or non-selection. Only one essay per eligible person will be accepted.

Current Air Force Club Members and their family members (e.g. spouse, son, daughter, stepson, and stepdaughter) who have been accepted by or are enrolled in an accredited college or university for entry during the fall of 2010 term as a part-time or full-time student are eligible. Grandchildren who are dependents of the club member are also eligible.

Force Support Squadron/Services commanders/directors, deputy commanders, division chiefs, flight chiefs, club managers, assistant club managers, marketing directors, staffs of MAJCOMs, HQ AFSVA, and HQ USAF/A1S and family members of these individuals are not eligible to participate.

Requirements are strictly enforced. Not meeting the requirements will result in disqualification. To download an entry form or to view last year’s winning entries, please visit www.afclubs.net.

For more information, contact Ellen Weaver at (316) 759-4330 or ellen.weaver@mcconnell.af.mil.

What is the Military & Family Life Consultant Program?

The Department of Defense (DoD) established the Military & Family Life Consultant (MFLC) Program to provide short-term, non-medical counseling services for service members and their families. These services are focused on issues specific to the military lifestyle such as:

• Stress related to the deployment cycle
• relocation adjustment,
• loss and grief,
• homesickness,
• separation,
• building resiliency, and
• reintegration and reunion
• developing and using coping skills

MFLC’s also provide coaching and counseling on life skills issues such as:

• anger management, 
• communication, 
•  relationship issues,
• productivity at work,
• conflict resolution,
• parenting, and
• problem-solving and decision-making skills.

The MFLC Program is intended to partner with and augment existing military counseling and helping services. MFLC’s offer flexible appointment times and locations, including locations off the military installation. Their services are free and no records are kept. Please note that consultants are mandated reporters of child abuse, domestic abuse, and duty-to-warn situations. Otherwise services are confidential and private.

All MFLC’s are masters or doctoral-level, licensed mental health professions. They work with families, individuals, couples, families and groups to provide non-medical problem identification and counseling services. They will address individual and family issues and provide crisis intervention when needed. All situations requiring formal mental health services will be referred to a military treatment facility or local clinical mental health providers. MFLCs may be assigned to a location for a 30 – 90 day rotation.

The program also offers consultation specializing in child and youth behavioral issues. Child and youth behavioral MFLC’s provide support to military children and youth and their family members or other adults who support them. Support can be provided in a variety of ways including groups facilitated at child and youth program sites, parent and staff training sessions, or direct intervention in classroom, camp or family childcare situations, including assisting staff in setting and managing behavioral boundaries. Examples of issues that may be addressed include:

• adjusting to school
• deployment and separation
• adjusting to the return home of a military parent
• family (sibling and parent-child) communications,
• behavioral concerns,
• fear, grief and loss; and
• other common developmental issues.

The MFLC Program serves all branches of the military and guard/reserve components. Additional “on-demand” services for guard and reserve units include briefings and counseling support for drill weekends and family events on topics such as the deployment cycle, communication, relationships, and grief and loss. Presentations are customized according the age and type of audience and the need for specific kinds of information.

To obtain information or to make an appointment, call (316) 706-4238 for adults or families and (316) 706-9672 for children and youth.

Fit Family Healthy Recipes

Chili

Every cook has a favorite chili recipe - we think this one will be yours. Like many other soups and stews, it tastes best when made the day before, allowing the flavors to mingle.

Ingredients you will need

Vegetable oil spray

1 pound lean ground beef

Vegetable oil spray

2 Large onions, chopped

2 8 ounce cans no salt added tomato sauce

1 1/2 cups water

2 to 4 medium garlic cloves, minced

2 15 ounce cans no salt added pinto beans, rinsed if desired and drained

3 Tablespoon chili powder

1 Tablespoon chopped fresh oregano or

1 teaspoon dried, crumbled oregano

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon cayenne, or to taste

Pepper to taste

2 Tablespoons cornstarch

1/4 cup of cold water

Cooking Instructions
 

1. Heat a large, heavy saucepan or Dutch oven over medium high heat. Remove from the heat and lightly spray with vegetable oil spray (being careful not to spray near a gas flame). Return the pan to the heat and cook the beef for 4 to 5 minutes, or until no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Pour into a colander and rinse under hot water to remove excess fat. Drain well. Set aside. Wipe the skillet with a paper towel.

2. Heat the saucepan over medium high heat. Remove from the heat and lightly spray with vegetable oil spray. Return the pan to the heat and cook the onions for 2 to 3 minutes, or until tender.

3. Stir in the beef, tomato sauce, 1 1/2 cups water, and garlic. Reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered, for 20 minutes.

4. Stir in the beans, chili powder, oregano, cumin, salt if desired, cayenne, and pepper. Simmer, partially covered, for 30 to 40 minutes.

5. Put the cornstarch in a cup. Add 1/4 cup water, stirring to dissolve. Stir into the chili mixture. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until desired consistency.

Yeilds 6 Servings
285 Calories per serving

Visit www.USAFFitFamily.com for this recipe and more!