Volume 1, Issue 1
EUROPE REGIONAL MEDICAL COMMAND
BMEDDAC FRG NEWS
2RD QUARTER JULY 2012
Special points of interest:
A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMANDER
CHECK OUT BMEDDAC FRG’S
Greetings, BMEDDAC Family:
YOUR SUPPORT ASSISTANT RUNNING AN EFFECTIVE FRG: SPECIAL EVENTS WELCOME HOME TO THE 172ND
Inside this issue:
Bamberg Grafenwoehr
2
Hohenfels Illesheim
2
Katterbach Schweinfurt
3
Vilseck HHC
3
Contact Information
4
Welcome Home
4
FRG Help Corner
4
As I have been in command now of BMEDDAC for over a year, I want to take this opportunity to welcome all the new personnel and their family members into the fold and bid a fond farewell to those who will be departing soon. The support of family is incredibly important for the Army and to the BMEDDAC mission. The Family Readiness Group (FRG) program is the means with which we keep our families informed and empowered. I would like to thank the commanders across the footprint for their support to the BMEDDAC FRG program. Without their energy and perseverance, we would not have an FRG to speak of. In addition, I am grateful to the staff and family members who have given freely of their time and efforts to build and support the FRG. The goal of the BMEDDAC FRG is to provide mutual support, information, assistance and a network of communications among and between Soldiers, ci-
“All are welcome to be a part of the FRG” vilians, family members, and the community. The FRG helps families meet the challenges of unexpected crises, military requirements, and adjusting to a new home in a foreign country. Through the FRG, staff and family/significant others are better able to support each other. The FRG provides opportunities for staff and families to meet each other, to socialize and network, to ask questions, and to express ideas and concerns.
Extended families, fiancées, and boyfriend/ girlfriends are also invited to be a part of the FRG. However, the benefits of the FRG would not be possible without all of the dedicated volunteers who have already spent countless hours fundraising, conducting FRG meetings, and sponsoring clinic/unit activities. The FRG depends on volunteers to function and I encourage you to consider volunteering in your FRG. The work is plenty but the rewards are immeasurable. Serving To Heal, Honored to Serve.
Prior to and during deployment, the FRG helps support Soldiers and families and serves to address challenges they may be facing. All are welcome to be a part of the FRG. Indeed, the FRG encompasses employees of all flavors and any family members. Members include Soldiers, DA civilians, Local Nationals and family members.
COL Robert Goodman
BMEDDAC FRG NEWS Page 2
Bamberg Bamberg FRG has begun having monthly meetings. They currently have one Solider deployed and are sending care packages in support.
Grafenwoehr Grafenwoehr FRG is on the verge of getting off the ground. A FRG leader has been identified and will start holding meetings soon.
HHC Family Fun Day From left to right: Amy Ward, Elsa Stachl, and Marie Stachl at an outing June 23 in Vilseck.
Mark your calendars: German/American Volksfest in Grafenwoehr August 3-5.
Hohenfels Hohenfels FRG is making progress with regular meetings and attendance. Support for families with children has been their primary focus. They are currently looking into a boat ride and tour of Regensburg.
Illesheim
Pot luck Baby Showers made family members feel like home at the Katterbach Health Clinic
Illesheim Health Clinic's Major Vince B. Myers relinquished command June 28, 2012 to Major Roger L. Ball II who becomes OIC of Illesheim Health Clinic and the Deputy Commander Ansbach Health Clinic. Major Myers parting words included his honor to have not just lead, but learn from his staff. Major Ball thanked COL Goodman for entrusting him to his most treasured assets, the staff of Illesheim Health Clinic. Major Ball
eagerly welcomes the opportunity to serve the Illesheim community and believes our families are the illuminating presence that guides our Soldiers.
Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 3
Katterbach The Katterbach Health Clinic FRG has performed several fundraising events. Utilizing a volunteer professional Photographer, photos were taken of USAG Ansbach Soldiers and their family members at the Spring Fling Bazaar. “This was a low cost fundraiser that allowed us, with no up-front investment, to start up our FRG informal fund” says FRG Co-Leader Daniela Rossman. It had a great outcome and was a lot of fun
for FRG Members of the Katterbach Health Clinic to attend. Additionally we also ran a Hot Dog Sale at the School Track Run.
They were performed in a potluck style and made family members feel like home and being part of the Katterbach Team.
The FRG of the Katterbach Health Clinic has also helped to make their Soldiers and family members feel like home while far away from their family & friends by holding and organizing baby showers for Soldiers and their spouses.
It is very important for us to build soldier and family cohesion and morale as well as to give them the necessary support while stationed in a foreign country far away from home.
Schweinfurt
From left to right: Daphne Kirvin, Evelyn Pascual, Monica Smith, Ingrid Ramos and Camellia Garcia
Katterbach Health Clinic Schweinfurt continues to search for a FRG leader. Any referrals would be appreciated! The FRSA is working with ACS to find a willing person to help start the health clinic’s FRG program.
FRG has helped to make their Soldiers and family members feel like home while far away from their family & friends by holding and organizing baby showers for Soldiers and their spouses.
Vilseck Vilseck Health Clinic FRG is excited to welcome home our last deployed Soldier, MAJ Christopher Curtis! MAJ Curtis served with TF 3-66 from March - June 2012 after relieving MAJ Benjamin Platt as the TF Surgeon, so that he could come home for the birth of his daughter. Vilseck Health Clinic had 9 deployed Soldiers and staff member spouses during the 172 SIB tour in Afghanistan and is excited to have
them all home safely.
Vilseck Health Clinic staff and FRG are also working on a project to beautify all the Health Clinic buildings by donating flowers and window boxes to improve the appearance and welcome of the
VHC FRG is sad to say farewell to our treasurer, Mrs Janice Hartley, but is also thrilled to have Mrs. Becky Platt step up to fill the position! Thank you Mrs. Platt!
BMEDDAC HHC
facilities. On June 23, the BMEDDAC Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC)’s FRG kicked off the summer with a lot of sun, food, games, and laughter. The FRG’s Event Coordinator, Mrs. Sarah Derr, headed up the event. Families enjoyed a bouncy house, tug of war, volleyball, water guns, and water balloons! There was a lot of laughter, especially when the frozen tshirts came out and Soldiers
from HHC raced to untie the frozen t -shirts and put them on as fast as they could. The FRG also did a polish pottery fundraiser at the end of May, which helped to provide funds to support the “Summer Fun Day.”
YOUR FAMILY READINESS SUPPORT ASSISTANT
Page 4
Managing and operating a Family readiness Group properly can be challenging for FRG volunteer leaders and Unit leadership. It requires full-time planning efforts as well as capable support from skilled staff. Family Readiness Support Assistants (FRSAs) work directly for the Commander and have become a vital asset to units. The FRSA’s main duty it to provide the Commander, the Family Readiness Liaison (FRL), and FRG leader with administrative assistance in support of Family readiness programs and activities. FRSAs also work closely with community resource agencies to provide appropriate referrals for the Commander. Cheryl K. Hintz FRSA BAVARIA MEDDAC CMR 411, Unit 28308 APO, AE 09112
The mission of the FRSA is to maintain the continuity and stability of Family Readiness Groups as units undergo changes in volunteers and leadership. Taking the administrative burden off volunteers allows FRG leaders to concentrate on performing outreach to Soldiers and their Families in the command.
DSN 476-4788 CIV 09662-83-4788 BMEDDAC.FRSA@AMEDD.ARMY.MIL
The FRSA is an integral part of the FRG, an official Army program . Unit commanders at all levels are expected to establish and support FRG operations. The FRG encourages resiliency and provides activities that enhance the well being and esprit de corps within the Unit. From FRSA Resource Guide
RUNNING AN EFFECTIVE FRG: SPECIAL EVENTS Fun activities are an absolute must! To create a FRG that is flourishing and growing strong, plan some fun things to do as a unit family. Here is how to go about planning a fun event:
Brainstorm for Ideas
FRG Leadership should allow FRG members to decide on the fun activities they would like to participate in as a FRG. “Piggy Back” on event ideas like Auctions, Audience Participation, or Black Tie Events.
Planning Phase When: Consult calendar checking for train-
The health clinic provided support in medical redeployment operations for Soldiers in the 172nd Infantry Brigade returning from Afghanistan throughout the month of June.
DEADLINE FOR 3RD QUARTER NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 20, 2012
ing schedule, holiday weekends, special weekends (Super bowl, for instance). Review with special events committee and Commander. Where: Will travel be involved? How far from post? What are opening and closing times? Do they allow food and drinks? Costs: Are the admission fees? Are group rates available? How will everyone be fed? What is the reservation deadline? Will childcare be available? What are the overall costs? How will these cost effect ;pw-income Soldiers and families? How will the expenses be paid? Who: Whole FRG, remember single Soldiers and single parents? Families only? Children? Extended family members? How: Define tasks and schedules for key committees.
Making it Happen
Provide a copy of the planning guide to each committee. Do not micromanage your chairpersons but do check the status of critical items. If critical tasks begin to slip, use kind and persuasive skills to get back on track and if necessary, assign someone else to help.
The After Action Report
Identify what went well, what areas caused concern, what could have been done better, who should be thanked and what the group recommends about the event. An After Action Report is part of the history of the FRG that is passed from leader to leader.
Planning carefully helps to ensure that all tasks will be completed and your event will be a success! Get everyone involved in doing something, each FRG has a treasure trove of talent and abilities! Utilize single Soldiers too and not just for the “dirty work”. Be sure to praise and thank your volunteers at regular intervals, especially publicly. Allow time at your next meeting to give recognition to the volunteers that were exceptional. Remember, in addition to having fun together, the goal of special events is to build cohesion and improve moral among the unit family.