ArkLaTex Chapter

The ArkLaTex Chapter's Young AFCEAN Program grew from 57 to 79 young AFCEANs within the seven month period leading up to September 2012 where they now comprise 34 percent of the chapter’s overall membership. The ArkLaTex Young AFCEANs hold chapter board positions as Membership Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, Publicity Chair, and Programs Coordinator. The Young AFCEAN Program worked with the Membership Committee to bring three new Student Chapters into AFCEA, increasing membership of Young AFCEANs and enhancing the relationship between the chapter and local academic institutions. Early in the year, the Young AFCEAN Program Chairman noted a lack of continuing education opportunities within the community that were available for AFCEA members, both military and non-military, to meet IT certification requirements. Seeing this need, the Young AFCEAN Program chartered a plan and developed a free Continuing Education Lunch and Learn Program. Since the program's start, members of the local community acquired over 80 hours of continuing education credit. Involvement by the Young AFCEANs in the chapter’s committees ensures successful monthly chapter board and general membership meetings as well as the chapter’s signature events such as the Annual Scholarship Banquet and Golf Tournament. Additionally, the chapter’s Young AFCEANs were vital to the distribution of $8,000 in Science Teaching Tool Grants to four high schools for classroom equipment enhancements or innovative activities for special science-related teaching projects emphasizing STEM curricula, promoting future AFCEA membership growth. With its numerous contributions to young professionals, the ArkLaTex Chapter’s Young AFCEAN Program is most deserving of this award recognition.

Bethesda Chapter

What defined the program last year boils down to one word, substance. The Bethesda Chapter Program had enough substance to make the Young AFCEANs and overall community better than it was a year ago they by fostering career growth, making it easier for new Young AFCEANs to get involved, working with scholarship beneficiaries, and last, but certainly not least, recognizing and awarding leaders/emerging leaders. Last year the Chapter created a Mentor-Protégé program that paired up Young AFCEANs with senior leaders in their respective industries. Over the course of six months they attended various networking/industry events together, had weekly calls, and met on a monthly basis to catch up. In total the program changed the careers of eight mentors and eight mentees, and the Bethesda Chapter looks forward to growing the program each year! The Young AFCEANs put on a total of six events for the Chapter, along with monthly Young AFCEAN networking events. By the YACs taking the lead on these, it allowed the Chapter to recruit new members and help them take a more hands-on role within the group. Every member that wanted a leadership position was given the opportunity to lead. The YACs also participated in an outreach program where they mentored scholarship recipients on how to prepare themselves for a career in Federal IT. The outreach program allowed the YAC members to mentor the future generations of Young AFCEANs.

Central Maryland Chapter

Dedicated and continued care to member engagement, combined with increased opportunities and exposure for chapter and community members, has led the Central Maryland Chapter’s Young AFCEANs (CMD YAC) to become the foundation to the growth, outreach, and development of young professionals in the federal intelligence community. The CMD YACs have put on a number of events including a training program with UMBC, the monthly information exchange and fundraising series “Technology over Bagels”, Mentorship Nights, Monthly Socials, and a new weekend ski retreat to Seven Springs Mountain Resort. In addition to the many events put on by the Young AFCEANs, the YACs continued to support the Chapter’s annual Bull and Oyster Roast. One of the largest fund raisers for the chapter, this YAC run event has seen an increase in attendance and participation from local sponsors and industry/government involvement. The chapter was able to raise 30% more than last year, nearing $50,000, which serves several AFCEA scholarship funds. The YACs support other chapter level events including the Valentines Gala, 5K run, monthly luncheons, science fairs, local STEM events, and local tech council seminars. Additionally, the YACs, in conjunction with several chapters, hosted the 2012 TechNet Land Forces Conference, with the CMD YACs sponsoring a social after the week’s events. The Central Maryland YACs also continued with the establishment and development of the AFCEA Student Club with Anne Arundel Community College. The student club is established and has a strong base.

Hawaii Chapter

During Calendar Year 2010, the AFCEA Hawaii Board of Directors initiated a number of programs targeting the growth and sustainability of Chapter membership. In addition to the three to five percent membership-growth-per-calendar-year objective, increasing the number of AFCEA Hawaii Young AFCEANs to fifty percent of total membership by the end of Calendar Year 2015 was a secondary target. To achieve the latter the Board created the officer position of Vice President for Young AFCEANs Government. The existing officer position of Vice President for Young AFCEANs was modified to support Young AFCEANs from Industry. The combined efforts of LT James Micciche and Ilan Amir have resulted in the following events/programs that are growing the AFCEA Hawaii Young AFCEAN population by three to five new members per month: initiation of a three-tiered mentoring program, recognition of Young AFCEANs through expansion of the monthly awards program, AFCEA Hawaii monthly luncheons geared to issues of importance to Young AFCEANs, initiation of a Young AFCEAN panel to be held during the annual TechNet Asia-Pacific conference, Young AFCEAN socials geared to the recruitment of new Young AFCEANs, and development of a scholarship program for Young AFCEANs that pays for technical certifications.