The National Security Forum conducted its first annual meeting. The purpose of the session was to outline our intentions with respect to future programs and commentaries, and provide highlights and issues regarding logistics, financials, membership, website and IT developments. Here are some key highlights from that session:
Tyrus W. Cobb is the founder of the NSF and is the Director of overseeing our programs and commentary. He traced the growth of the National Security Forum from the small group that gathered at the Gold & Silver to discuss current foreign policy and international economic topics to the vastly expanded organization it is today.
The NSF provides balanced commentary and programs on issues pertaining to U.S. and global national security topics.
- The NSF recently has hosted key figures who play significant roles in these issues, including GEN John Abizaid, former CIA Director Rae Huffstutler, former Federal Reserve official, Dr. Gerald O’Driscoll, former U.S. Army Europe and Africa CG, General Carter Ham, and former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico and Venezuela, Jeffrey Davidow.
- Informed commentary is also provided from a wide variety of sources addressing key national security issues, including U.S. policy regarding recent Chinese and Russian aggression, American interests and strategies pertaining to the conflicts in the Middle East, on global financial concerns, and such controversial topics as gun control.
- The NSF has a wide following not just here in northern Nevada, but in the Washington power corridors and internationally. It represents a unique contribution to what is described as a growing “creative class” of individuals here in this region.
Elaine Alexander is the Board Director overseeing financial affairs. In her financial update she highlighted:
- We have approximately $40,000 in the bank.
- For year end 6/30/15, total receipts were $70,497 and expenses were $66,770. For year to date 6/9/16 receipts are $71,825 and expenses are $57,767.
- Revenues come from breakfasts, dues, donations, and spike June-August with the dues cycle.
- Breakfast revenues cover breakfast expenses, but do not cover operational expenses.
- WWII vets attend without charge; active military & students attend for only $10, which is below cost.
- Without membership dues and donations, NSF could not continue.
- Membership has grown over 10% in the last 2 years.
- NSF has no employees – only 2-3 contractors that are paid by NSF every year.
- Speakers, admin work, accounting, tax prep, legal services, website design/maintenance, front desk, and meeting logistics are all donated services for which NSF pays nothing.
- Grants are being sought for the purpose to compensate Ty Cobb for work performed and to attract speakers who require payment.
Dr. Jim Megquier serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors and also oversees our fundraising efforts. He highlighted:
- There are three grant requests now in progress.
- One informational Executive Summary has been given to a representative of the Mallory Foundation at a meeting.
- We are also nearly ready to meet with representatives of the NV Energy Foundation, sometime in July.
Dick Bartholet serves as Board Director overseeing memberships. In his report he highlighted:
Membership has grown:
2013: 184 members
2014: 204 members+20 members 11%
2015: 233 members+29 members14%
- Attendance at breakfast meetings has grown:
- 2015 average attendance averages 145 people, of which about 2/3rds are members
- 2016 year-to-date attendance averages 170 people, again with approximately 2/3rds members
- Maximum attendance – 232 in December. Over 200 attended in May 2016. We are quickly approaching capacity, so it is important to RSVP.
- At each meeting, we average around 6 WWII veterans; their breakfasts are complimentary.
- Speakers and their guests also receive complimentary breakfast.
- We also average around 6 students and active military in uniform, and they receive a discount for breakfast.
- Your dues and donations help to offset these costs.
Ben Tedore is the Director overseeing our IT and website development, along with Major Jerry Morris. Ben highlighted these points:
- The website allows members to read the regularly updated news feed, signup for the newsletter, pay membership dues, RSVP for meetings, as well as pay for upcoming meetings, donate to the Forum, and contact our representatives.
- The website has 11,263 annual visitors. 75% of visitors arrive from search results, and 75% of searches are from the U.S.
- The newsletter has 1,217 subscribers, which is up from 600 in 2012. 53% of viewers read the newsletter on a desktop, while 47% of viewers use a mobile device. 97% of viewers are located in the U.S.
Skip Hansen is the Board Director handling NSF logistics. In his report he made the following points:
- The NSF has convened at a number of local establishments, from the Gold and Silver to the Prospectors Club to the Sienna, and now at the Ramada.
- We are very pleased with the responsiveness and the flexibility shown by the staff at the Ramada. They understand how difficult it is for us to provide with exact numbers, and have shown an unusual ability to adjust when 40 or more folks show up then have signed up.
- Down the road we likely will experience a necessity of having to restrict attendance, as the most the Ramada can likely handle is in the range of 240 attendees. That may mean allowing only actual members of the NSF to sign up prior to a certain date or other measures.
Dr. Carina Black is the Board Director overseeing all operations of the Forum. As such, her responsibilities also involve meeting financials, organizational issues, insuring balanced commentary, and staff management.