Page 8 - FCA Diamond Point March 2026 smg v.1

FROM THE RAFINO PRESIDENT

FCA Membership: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to update
everyone on RAFINO activity.

As we start a new year, it is important to recognize that RAFINO is now
reduced to 2 volunteers from the 6 Special Staff volunteers that were on
board when I assumed the duties of President in October 2022. Luckily,
the 2 remaining volunteers, 1SG (R) John Veal and LTC (R) Robby Robson,
continue to cover all the necessary RAFINO functions.

John kept the RAFINO newsletter going and worked on membership
COL (R) Kelly
issues. I appointed John to acting First Vice President to ensure that RAFINO had leadership
continuity if something happened to me. I also appointed John to the position of Assistant
Treasurer. Along with me, he is now a signatory on the Schwab Investment Account and the local
Atlantic Union Bank Account.

I accepted the role of President for a second term at the Business meeting during the 2024
Charleston Reunion. Unfortunately, no one stepped forward from the membership and threw their
hat in the ring for each of the 3 elected positions in 2024. I hope we can reverse this latest trend in
2026 and attract elected Officers and Special Staff volunteers. I am asking the RAFINO
membership to meet this challenge.

John Veal completed the initial AFRI contracting activities in 2025 to ensure that we can have a
great 2026 Reunion at Colorado Springs (28 October – 1 November 2026). All RAFINO
Life Members and their Spouses and/or Family Members are eligible to attend the 2026 reunion. I
hope that there will be overwhelming support from the RAFINO membership for our Reunion.

As part of the 2027 RAFINO New Membership Drive, I am providing the opportunity for FCA
Members, who are not RAFINO Life Members today, to attend the 2026 Reunion. FCA Members
who are Retired or who are Retirement-eligible in the Active Army, Army Reserve, Army National
Guard, Defense Financial Management, or Army Financial Management are now eligible for
the 2026 reunion without immediately applying for RAFINO Life membership. For
subsequent Reunions that are held every 2 years, FCA Retired/ Retired-eligible Members who
attend the 2026 reunion in Colorado Springs but did not join RAFINO as a Life Member in 2026-
2027 will not be eligible for subsequent reunions until they apply for RAFINO Life Membership. In
other words, FCA Retired/Retired-eligible Members will be able to attend a single RAFINO reunion
to meet other RAFINO members and experience a great RAFINO reunion before joining RAFINO as
a Life Member which is the only dues option now available to all our members.
Register EARLY for the 2026 RAFINO reunion. The Reunion Hotel is at Embassy Suites Colorado
Springs. All eligible RAFINO and eligible FCA members can register for the 2026 Reunion using
the following link:

https://www.events.afr-reg.com/e/RAFINO26

As a practical matter, if no Officers are elected to the Board, I will begin to shutter the RAFINO
organization starting in November 2026. If you have availability and would like to volunteer for the
Board, send me your name and tell me that you are willing to volunteer for the RAFINO Board or
nominate yourself for President, Vice President, or Secretary/Treasurer.

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