Illinois Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve December 2009-January 2010

Don’t forget media in event planning

Whenever you are planning a Statement of Support signing, Patriot Award presentation, Briefing With the Boss or other event, don’t forget to include the local press.

Sending out a short media advisory or making a call to local media ahead of time could pay big dividends by having press show up to cover your event. If the press come out to cover the event, you should still have someone on hand to take photos and send out a press release with pictures afterward, especially in smaller media markets where the chance of coverage is greater.

If you aren’t sure how to write a press release or what makes a good photograph, con-tact Illinois ESGR Public Af-fairs Chair, Mike Holub, or Executive Director, Lt. Col. Tim Franklin for tips or help.

OASD-RA McCarthy speaks to Illinois Chamber

Assistant Secretary of De-fense for Reserve Affairs, Dennis McCarthy visited Chi-cago Dec. 11 as the guest speaker for the Illinois Cham-ber of Commerce Board of Directors Luncheon at the Mid-America Club.

McCarthy spoke to Illinois Chamber board members about the importance of sup-portive employers to National Guard and Reserve members who serve their nation. He also talked about the sacri-fices these employers make on behalf of their employees who serve in uniform and challenges that have emerged because of more frequent de-ployments due to the transi-tion of the Guard and Reserve from a “strategic” reserve to an “operational” reserve.

Discusses key role of employers in Guard, Reserve success

GUEST SPEAKER: Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, Dennis McCarthy, spoke to members of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors at the board’s December 11 meeting and luncheon in Chicago.

Illinois ESGR holds Annual Training Conference, Employer Awards Banquet in Peoria Jan. 15-16

“At the Department of De-fense we know that employer support is critical to our na-tional security,” McCarthy told the group.

see OASD-RA, page 3

Three Illinois companies - AT&T Illinois, Leo Burnett, and Motorola - signed corpo-rate Statements of Support at the Illinois Chamber lunch-eon.

ANNUAL EMPLOYER AWARDS BANQUET: Members and guests stand at attention as the 182nd Airlift Wing Color Guard, Illinois Air National Guard, posts the colors to open the 2010 Illinois ESGR Annual Em-ployer Awards Banquet held at the Hotel Pere Marquette in Peoria Jan. 15.

The Illinois Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve gathered at the Hotel Marquette Jan. 15-16 for its Annual Training Conference and Employer Awards Banquet. The annual conference and banquet gave Illinois Committee leaders and volunteers the chance to get together and refocus on the mission and goals of ESGR, while recognizing the outstanding employers in Illinois over the past year.

The conference kicked off the morning of Jan. 15 with a welcome from Field Chair, Michael Ayers, and remarks from acting ESGR Executive Director, Pauline Brunelli.

see APAC, pages 4-5

Inside this issue:

Message from the State Chair 2

Whitey’s gets Above & Beyond 6

BNSF given Seven Seals Award 7

Sangamon County Recognized 8

PRESS COVERAGE: Include the local media in your ESGR event planning. Getting press coverage helps tell our story to a wider audience.

Illinois Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

State Chair Michael Ayers

Employer Outreach Terri Bergagna

Military Outreach Terry McCollom

Ombudsman Director Ron Bacci

Awards Gloria Guy

Public Affairs Michael Holub

North West Chair William Glynn

North Central Chair Terry McCollom

Central East Chair Tom Murgatroyd South East Chair

Dayton Loyd South West Chair

Clyde Jones Central West Chair

John Sheedy North West Chair

Rick Pollack

FULL-TIME STAFF

Executive Director LTC Tim Franklin 217-761-3642

tim.franklin@us.army.mil Program Assistants

Jean Collier 217-761-3971

jean.collier@us.army.mil Christina Dibble 708-824-6010

christina.rivera@us.army.mil

MAILING ADDRESS

Illinois ESGR 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd.

Springfield, IL 62702

Page 2 Illinois Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

Message from the State Chair ... I would like to thank every-

one who was able to attend our Annual Training Confer-ence and Employer Awards Banquet in Peoria January 15 and 16. The strong attendance and participation was noted by our guests from National ESGR office. We were hon-ored to have NCESGR Acting Executive Director, Polli Brunelli, along with other members of the national staff. We were also honored by our two major speakers, RADM Steven Day, U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, and Col. Scott Thoele, Com-mander, 33rd Brigade Combat Team. They each reminded us of the importance of our com-mittee’s work.

For those who attended, I hope you found the sessions and networking opportunities with colleagues worth-while. The sessions were fo-cused on the need to work together to meet the goals and objectives set both by the National Committee and our-selves.

With the over 3,000 return-ing National Guard and re-serve component members having returned from deploy-ments, the pace of our work has picked up a bit. Thanks to each of you, we have met the time and work de-mands. Thanks to the Om-budsman volunteers for work-ing and closing cases in good time. Thanks to those who have provided valuable work and participating in Yellow Ribbon Ceremonies and other reintegration briefings and support efforts.

Your continued participa-tion as an ESGR volunteer is a key to those efforts. Be-cause of you and thousands of volunteers like you across the country ESGR is able to reach out to tens of thousands of employers in building a net-work of support for the men and women of the Guard and Reserve.

As noted during the Annual Training Conference, we have some ambitious, but achiev-able goals for the coming year. Those are:

Increasing the number of signed Statements of Support by 20 percent. Some continu-ing dialogue with NCESGR leadership will be necessary to ensure the numeric goal set for us, 1,482 signed SOSs from Civilian Employer In-ventory (CEI) database listed employers is the right goal.

Contact and brief 100 percent of National Guard and Reserve units in Illinois.

Close or refer Ombuds-man cases within 14 days.

Recruit 21 new volun-teers onto the Illinois Com-mittee.

Again, these are ambitious, but achievable, goals. We have a great leadership team in place that is focused on motivating, engaging and recognizing area volunteers to meet these new goals. Please know the area and functional chairs, full-time support staff and I are all there to help pro-vide you with the tools, train-ing and other support you need to reach the milestones we’ve set. Don’t hesitate to reach out to any of the leader-ship for the support you need.

At a January 14 face-to-face meeting in Peoria, the Executive Committee dis-cussed the possibility of con-ducting a second training con-ference during the year. This conference would be called to review and discuss implica-tions of a soon-to-be ap-proved new NCESGR Strate-gic Plan. The NCESGR lead-ership has been working to complete the new plan for some time. It is our under-standing that a new, broader mission is contained in the plan. This new mission will bring with it some new/revised objectives that will

have implications to the work we do. Because of this antici-pated change in emphasis, it was decided we should bring us all back together to decide how our plans and operations as a state committee may be changed. We will keep you posted as we examine the feasibility of second meeting.

Lastly, I want to note NCESGR is conducting a series of Volunteer Leader-ship Training Program courses this year in a variety of functional areas. New this year, we are able to nominate select volunteers as “emerging leaders” to attend these courses. If you would like to take on a leadership role at some point with our state committee, please let your area chair know. When the course and registration schedule is finalized, we will distribute the information and identify those to be sent to the training from our committee.

As always, thank you for all you do for ESGR to support the men and women of the National Guard and Reserves and the Illinois employers for whom they work. I am hon-ored to be your State Chair and truly appreciate the com-mitment and enthusiasm you bring to the job.

Michael Ayers State Chair, Illinois ESGR

Page 3 Illinois Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

OASD-RA:

Continued from page 1

“By signing a Statement of Support, they are publicly ac-knowledging the continued importance of service in the National Guard and Reserve,” McCarthy added.

While the AT&T and Leo Burnett SOS signings were new, the one by Motorola was a reaffirmation of a previous signing made by the Illinois-based company.

“The support of employers is critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the National Guard and Reserve,” commented ESGR National Chair, James Rebholz. “Our Guardsmen and Reservists would not be able to continue to serve in uniform if not for the continuing support of great employers like AT&T Illinois, Leo Burnett and Motorola.”

While a Statement of Sup-port is not a binding document, it is an important acknowledge-ment by an employer that:

They recognize, honor and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA);

Their managers and su-pervisors will have the infor-mation and tools they need to effectively manage their Guard and Reserve employees.

They recognize and sup-port their service members who serve in uniform in the Na-tional Guard and Reserve.

AT&T SOS SIGNING: James Rebholz, ESGR National Chair (standing left), and Dennis McCarthy, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs (right), look on as Patrick Venetucci, President of AT&T Illinois, signs an ESGR Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve.

WELCOMING REMARKS: Chairman of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Calvin Butler (above), introduces the Dennis McCarthy, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, to the Illinois Chamber’s Board of Direc-tors luncheon at Chicago’s Mid America Club Dec. 11, 2009. McCarthy was the featured speaker at the luncheon.

PHOTO CENTER: Illinois Chamber Board Treasurer, Bill Beck, asks a question following remarks by Assistant Secretary Dennis McCarthy. PHOTO LEFT: Darcy Davidsmeyer of Motorola accepts a Statement of Support wall display from Den-nis McCarthy, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, Dennis McCarthy.

PHOTO ABOVE: Terry McCollom trains volunteers on the ESGR Military Outreach Program during round-robin training sessions. PHOTO RIGHT: Acting Executive Director of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, Pauline Brunelli speaks to members of the Illinois ESGR Committee at the 2010 Annual Training Conference.

Page 4 Illinois Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

APAC:

Continued from page 1

Training on day one of the conference included a NCESGR update from Re-gional Deputy Director for Central Region, Lt. Col. Eric Hill, as well as an overview on USERRA trends from Joel Samaroo, Central Region Na-tional Case Manager.

The evening of Jan. 15 Illi-nois ESGR Committee mem-bers, military and civilian guests honored the top Illinois employers for 2010 at the An-nual Employer Awards Ban-quet.

The committee recognized three employers with the Pro Patria Award, the highest state level ESGR Award. Pro Patria Award winners for 2010 were Brinks Hofer, Gilson and Li-one; Chicago Fire Department; and Northrop Grumman Infor-mation Systems.

Employers receiving the Above and Beyond Award were Alfred Benesch and Com-pany; American Buildings; Belleville Memorial Hospital; Berthold Electric; Health Care Service Corporation; In-sure.com; Joel Berman Archi-techture and Design; LaGrange Police Department; Merck and Company; Motorola; Office Max; Packer Engineering; Pala-tine Police Department; Village of Midlothian; Winnebago

Sheriff’s Department; and Illi-nois State Police.

The training conference re-sumed the morning of Jan. 16 with new member orientation and a presentation by Gary Cyr of National Guard Bureau on using the Civilian Employer Inventory (CEI) database to maximize employer outreach activities.

BANQUET PROGRAM: Brig. Gen. Robert Pratt (right), Illinois Army National Guard, and other banquet guests listen to guest speaker, Col. Scott Thoele, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Commander, talk about his experiences as brigade commander during the unit’s recent deployment to Afghanistan where Illinois Guard Soldiers served as trainers and mentors to Afghan National Security Forces .

Page 5 Illinois Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

PHOTO ABOVE: Bruce Weisseg of the law firm Brinks Hofer, Gilson and Lione makes remarks after accepting the ESGR Pro Patria Award at the 2010 Illinois ESGR Annual Employer Awards Banquet in Peoria Jan. 15. The Chicago firm was one of three Pro Patria Award winners honored by the Illinois committee for outstanding support to their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. PHOTO LEFT: Col. Scott Thoele talks about his experiences in Afghanistan as commander of the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and deputy commander of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VIII. Thoele prepared and led more than 3,500 33rd IBCT Soldiers on their mission to Afghani-stan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The mobilization and de-ployment of the Illinois Army National Guard infantry brigade was the larg-est call-up of Illinois Guard troops since World War II. Eighteen Illinois Guard Soldiers lost their lives in sup-port of the OEF mission.

Page 6 Illinois Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

FT. BLISS, Texas – The Illinois Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve recently presented Whitey’s Ice Cream of Moline with an ESGR Above and Beyond Award in recognition of the ice cream company’s support to our men and women in uniform.

“The Above and Beyond Award recognizes employers who provide outstanding support and cooperation to members of the Armed Services, who like the Minutemen before them, have answered their nation’s call to serve,” said Michael Ayers, Illi-nois ESGR Field Chair “Supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s National Guard and Reserve.”

Whitey’s owners Jon and Jeff Tunberg donated a refrigerated rail car of their distinctive “camouflage” ice cream to Texas Army National Guard Soldiers training for mobilization at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Illinois ESGR Executive Committee member, Tom Murga-troyd, presented the Above and Beyond Award to the Tunbergs at Ft. Bliss Nov. 20, 2009 in recognition of their support for the Soldiers training their in preparation for deployment to Af-ghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

“The Above and Beyond Award recognizes employers who provide outstanding support and cooperation to members of the Armed Services, who like the Minutemen before them,

have answered their nation’s call to serve.” Michael Ayers

Illinois ESGR Field Chair

ABOVE AND BEYOND AWARD: Tom Murgatroyd (right), Illinois ESGR Executive Committee member and Central East Area Chair, pre-sented Whitey’s Ice Cream owners Jon and Jeff Tunberg with the ESGR Above and Beyond Award during a Texas ESGR Bosslift event held at Fort Bliss in November 2009. The Tunbergs donated a rail car of camouflage ice cream to Texas Guardsmen training at Ft. Bliss for a deployment to Afghanistan.

Moline company given Above and Beyond for troop support

Statement of Support Signings

3M SIGNS SOS: Manager of the DeKalb 3M plant, Jim Bohlig, signs a Statement of Support Jan. 13 as a way to show support for the plant’s employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. Because the National Guard and Reserve make up more than half of our nation’s military strength and capability, the continued sup-port of employers like 3M is critical to our security here at home and around the world.

DEKALB WAL-MART SIGNS SOS: Illinois ESGR North West Area Chair, Rick Pollack (left), looks on as Sean Hamer, manager of the DeKalb Wal-Mart, signs a Statement of Support for the men and women who serve in uniform in our nation’s National Guard and Reserve. The Statement of Support program is a way for employers to publicly acknowledge their Guard and Reserve employees.

SEVEN SEALS AWARD PRESENTATION: Illinois ESGR Employer Outreach Chair, Terri Bergagna, presents the ESGR Seven Seals Award to Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroad officials Andrew Johnson (center) and Paul Nowicki (right) in Galesburg following the BNSF Holiday Express train trip for Illinois military families Dec. 8, 2009. In addition to treating the families to the special holiday train ride, 2009, BNSF presented a $10,000 check to the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund. The award of the Seven Seals recognized the railroad’s support to Guard and Reserve members and their families.

The Burlington Northern Santa Fe received the ESGR Seven Seals Award during the holiday season for their support to mili-tary families with a special train ride on their Holiday Express.

The Holiday Express is a unique vintage passenger train that BNSF runs each year to pay tribute to members of the Armed Forces and honor the sacrifices they and their families make in the service of our nation.

In addition to being treated to a winter wonderland train ride through the Illinois countryside, military kids on the Holiday Ex-press had a visit by Santa Claus during the trip.

A winner of the Secretary of Defense Freedom Award, BNSF has demonstrated its commit-ment to its Guard and Reserve employees by going above and beyond the requirements of the Uniformed Services Employ-ment and Reemployment Rights Act.

BNSF given ESGR Seven Seals for support to families

Page 7 Illinois Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

PATRIOT AWARD: Illinois ESGR Central West Area Chair, Jay Sheedy (right) presented a Patriotic Employer Award at State Farm Insur-ance in Bloomington, Nov. 4, 2009. The Patriot Award went to Misty Vance, Director of Creative Services for State Farm. Vance was nominated for the ESGR award by an Illinois Air National Guard member from the 183d Fighter Wing in Springfield. Willie Brown (left), State Farm vice president, as well as 183rd FW Commander, Col. Mike Meyer (not pictured) also participated in the presentation.

Patriot Award Presentation

SUPPORTIVE EMPLOYER: Illinois ESGR North East Area Chair, Bill Glynn, presented two Patriotic Employer Awards Nov. 13, 2009 to Shirley Marx and her son, David Marx, of New World Van Lines. They were nominated for the awards because of their support of the National Guard and Reserve members who work for the com-pany based on the northwest side of Chicago.

Illinois Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Page 8

AWARDS PRESENTATION: Illinois Ad-jutant General, Maj. Gen. William Enyart (left) looks on as Michael Ayers (right), Field Committee Chair, Illinois Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, presented Andy Van Meter, Sangamon County Board Chairman, with ESGR Patriotic Employer and Seven Seals awards at the Jan. 12 Sangamon County Board meeting. Sangamon County was nominated for the Patriot Award by Col. An-thony Libri, Illinois Army National Guard, who deployed to Afghani-stan in 2008-09 with the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Based on Libri’s nomination, the Illinois ESGR Committee deter-mined award of the Seven Seals to the country board was also appro-priate. Van Meter also signed an ESGR Statement of Support of the Guard and Reserve on behalf of the county board. Photo by Staff Sgt. April Hawes, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office

FIRST LIGHT USA RECEIVES PATRIOT AWARD: Tom Murgatroyd (left), lli-nois ESGR Central East Area Chair, recently presented Jeremy Ross, Chief Executive Officer, First Light USA, Seymour, with the Patriotic Employer Award for his support of members of his workforce who serve in the Guard and Reserve. Ross was nominated for the award by James Nayonis (right), who serves as a Sergeant 1st Class with the Illinois Army National Guard.

Why logging your ESGR activities is important

There is a saying that goes, “If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?”

Logging and reporting your volunteer ESGR activities is something like that saying. You can be doing all kinds of things with employers and service members, but unless you complete the process by reporting your activities so that information makes it up to the National ESGR Committee, we don’t receive credit for the great work you are doing.

Why is this important? Be-cause the work you do for ESGR, whether it’s getting employers to sign Statements of Support, presenting Patriot Awards, briefing Guard and Reserve units, or any of our other activities ultimately con-tributes our funding bottom line.

As a committee, we report our activities to ESGR Na-tional at the end of each quar-ter of the fiscal year. Those metrics are used in deter-

mining how much funding we receive for the next fiscal year. The more we do, the more money we receive -- but only if National knows about it.

If you aren’t sure what information you should be reporting, contact Christina Dibble of the full-time sup-port staff, who can help you. She can be reached at (708) 824-6010 or chris-tina.rivera@us.army.mil.

VOLUNTEER REPORTING: Keeping track of and reporting your vol-unteer activities is a key com-ponent in helping justify more funding for the Illinois ESGR Committee.