​Spring has sprung! At least it has here in sunny California. Spring is a time of fresh beginnings, hope for a good harvest and hearty growth. What a great segue into the heart of our Association - Membership!
 
Every organization I am involved with is struggling with growth. NCOA is no different, or are we? A lot of us are in the winter of our bloom which means we need to till the fields, plant those seeds, and fertilize and care for our current members. Then we can watch their growth as members and leaders. We all know someone who will benefit by being a bigger part of their communities, by volunteering when called and truly making a difference to our Veterans, past, present, and future. At the same time providing a network for their families with information, scholarships, grants, support, and friendship.
 
Spring is also a time when many of us "Spring Clean."  To that end our local chapters have a new and exciting project this year. We have partnered with a Veterans Homeless Shelter run by Volunteers of America (VOA). We asked what their top three needs were and the answers were surprising. First Need is new men's underwear. Wait, what? We always think of donating warm clothing, like coats, hats, gloves, socks, etc. During the intake process, the VOA provides a welcome bag with a change of clothes and basic hygiene products. Second Need is men's new or used clean jeans. Again, wait, what? We scour local Goodwill’s, thrift and charity shops (and our own closets) for these.  Third Need is coffee, sugar, and creamer. This one made sense as many of these folks have drug and alcohol addictions and if you have ever attended an AA Meeting, a lot of sugared coffee is consumed. Our local chapters meet the first Wednesday of every month and we have all agreed to bring and donate one of these three items before the meeting. I live close to the shelter and can deliver the items the next day. This year as you "Spring Clean" consider donating those jeans, hoodies, sweats, etc., to a homeless Veterans shelter, or for that matter, any homeless shelter.
 
      NCOA's annual conference will be here before we know it! The conference is in Norfolk, VA - 14-18 July 2025. I look forward to the conference every year. It is a time to learn about the annual events of NCOA, learn from a variety of speakers, renew old friendships, make new friendships and further our commitment to our Veterans. Plan to attend and I'll see you there!

Tammy Sullivan
International Auxiliary President
916-718-7750
www.ncoausa.org

Three Auxiliary Division members were recently selected to receive NCOA Bettsy Ross Educational Scholarship Grants in the amount of $500 each:

 Nick Marigo of Santa Rosa, CA - attending Santa Rosa Junior College
  Jozlynn Reyes of Marion, IN - attending Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame
  Hannah Scott of Tualatin, OR - attending Portland Community College

The Bettsy Ross Educational Fund was established in 1988 and is one more good reason for being a member of the NCOA Auxiliary.  

The Non Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA), a Military Service Organization (MSO), was created in 1960 to address quality of life issues for enlisted members of our Active, Reserve, National Guard, Retired, and Veteran members of all branches of the Armed Forces as well as their families.  As we have evolved, education, work force development, employment, legislative advocacy and the quality of life within our communities as well as the physical and mental health of our enlisted service men and women and their families have become our primary aim.

The Spirit of Sacramento Auxiliary recently supported the Rancho Cordova Business Expo and Job Fair.

A warm welcome goes out to the Spirit of Sacramento Auxiliary's newly-elected Board of Trustees.  Pictured L-R are Trustee Melissa Carnahan, Vice Chairman Ellie Witt, Chairman Tammy Sullivan, Treasurer Scott Rodowick, and Secretary Pam Wright.

Two Auxiliary members, Ava Newbury of Oregon City, OR, and Megan Ytzen of Colorado Springs, CO, were awarded Bettsy Ross Education Fund grants during the first quarter of 2022.  

​Best wishes to these two ladies who are working toward their degrees.

  
Meaningful work for military spouses - wherever life takes them.

Education and career opportunities now available for military spouses interested in working in the financial field! 

​AFCPE® and FINRA Foundation are offering an amazing opportunity that may be a great fit for qualifying spouses of the Non Commissioned Officers Association.

On March 1, 2022,  we began accepting applications for the 2022 FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship!

The FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship is a national program that offers military spouses the opportunity to earn a career-enhancing financial credential — the AFC® (Accredited Financial Counselor®) certification — while working with the military community.

 Through the Fellowship program, Military Spouse Fellows will:

1. Gain the experience and credibility needed to work in the financial field.
2. Make lifelong friends and connections with other military spouses in the program.
3. Build a flexible career that empowers them to achieve their dreams - while still supporting their service members and families.

Upon completion of the program, Military Spouse Fellows go on to serve as financial counselors at family readiness and support centers, credit counseling and tax centers, financial aid offices, and credit unions throughout the U.S. and abroad.