Greetings, IUSS friends and shipmates. It’s half way through 2017 and I thought it was an appropriate time to start laying groundwork for the nomination process to find the next Director of the IUSS CAESAR Alumni Association. I made the decision a few years ago that my tenure would come to an end at the 10-year point. I’ve been honored to be Director of our association since 2008 when I relieved Ed Dalrymple. Ed held the post since its inception for an amazing 15 years. Ed is my hero.

As background, you may be aware that I volunteer for several other efforts in retirement. I want to dedicate more time to those community service projects that actually have a direct impact and make people’s lives "better". For example, I am a volunteer tour guide on board Battleship WISCONSIN (BB-64) in Norfolk 2-3 days a week. Imagine that – an OT who never served at sea giving tours of a battleship Combat Center, Nav Bridge, Boiler and Engine rooms etc.! Stop by for a special tour when you’re in town. My wife Kathy is a volunteer EMT driving ambulances for EMS in Virginia Beach twice a week.

Additionally, Kathy and I are volunteer Make-A-Wish - Wish Granters for the local Hampton Roads area and CHKD hospital. We track the Wishes for 4 to 6 kids at any time. I also volunteer with a local police Precinct to mentor at risk 4th and 5th grade boys (10-12 years old) at a Title 1 elementary school once a week. This summer and I’m volunteering one day a week in Newport News, VA in support of a 30-family refugee housing complex. I stay busy and it's the way I want it.

I know I don't need an excuse or reason for stepping aside, but to tell you the truth I have given 45 years to the IUSS ever since attending A-school behind the "Green Doors" in Key West in 1973. My life IS the IUSS. It is and always will be IUSS. But now, I think it's time for me to move on and allow someone younger - new blood if you will, to take the helm. Time to bring the Association into the current century.

I plan to turn over (or resign) from the IUSSCAA Director position effective 1 January 2018.

Look for additional posts here in the near term outlining responsibilities of the Director (what it is I do) and my thoughts on a proper turnover process. Please think about stepping up or let me know if there is someone you think I should contact.

My best regards,

Jim Donovan
CAPT USN (Ret)
Director, IUSSCAA

Jim: How time flies. You and your better half certainly have a full plate. Is that you in the GEICO ad? You and the core team of Jack, Rick, Russ and Ellis have brought the Association into the 21st Century; I knew that I was not the person to do that. The Association has been well served by your stewardship👍BZ! We have come a long way from the labor intensive stuffing and licking envelopes, stamping and mailing of newsletters to a few hundred people at a cost of a few hundred dollars for each mailing. The aforementioned mentioned team streamlined, automated and dramatically reduced costs.
There are a number of talented members that could continue the Association. When we started the Assn: in 1993 it was a direct result of attendance at Change of Commands and sadly funeral services where people would catch up on shipmates. So we created a vehicle to keep track of people via The Cable and then added a website (Rick), databases created by Jack. The In Memoriam section to honor deceased members. The Association is the only vehicle that does this and it would be ashame for its demise due to lack of someone not stepping into the learship.

Thank you Jim.

EKD

Make that "leadership "

I for one want to thank both of you and all the web site workers for all that you have done for SOSUS/IUSS over the years.
As I have always said, "It is not the System, it is the People that made us what we are today. Always, Ed Smock

I,would just like to echo Ed's remarks in thanking Jim, his predecessor Ed, and all those who have made this my "daily go-to website" to connect with those who have made our "System" what it is, and has been, for well over 60 years. I do hope someone will(must be one of the previous generation from myself, Ed, George and Ellis)step up to the plate and take on the challenge of becoming Director of this IUSS website. My thanks to all who helped shape my life, that of my family and those of many others.
Irv (Dee) DeMatties