Annual Meeting

Frank Lasch welcomes members and guests to the meeting.

 

Falcone

Major Jake Falcone USMC, a marine who recently returned from the mid-east, presented a soldier’s view of the War in Iraq. Also speaking was Craig Gerhart, County Executive for Prince William County VA, offered his insights on Azalea Charities and working through the county.

Azalea Charities Annual Meeting sets
the stage for a bright year ahead

A changing of the guard as Frank Lasch steps down as
President of Azalea Charities and Doug Taggart takes the helm

Azalea Charities held its Annual Meeting on Sunday, July 27th at Giorgio’s Family Restaurant in Montclair, VA.  Over 50 people gathered to hear the plans Azalea Charities has for the upcoming year.

The big news was that Frank Lasch, Sr., stepped down as President of Azalea Charities. Doug Taggart will assume the position as new President.  Doug is currently the Chief Financial Officer of Azalea Charities and President of Overlook Systems Technologies, Inc. Other leadership changes include the appointment of Kevin Cheezum as Senior Vice President, Thomas Rachele as Chief Financial Officer and Susan Hebert as Vice President of Membership.  Carolyn Mahoney of Chenega Federal Systems and Patricia Hanrahan are the newest members of the Board of Directors. 

Frank Lasch, founder of Azalea Charities, will continue to serve as the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the organization. He outlined the state of the organization and fiscal plans for 2009.  “Azalea Charities continues to grow because of the great need in the community,” says Lasch.”With the numerous requests from our wounded military men and women and families a greater need to raise funds is needed. There is a need to raise $500K for our Aid for Wounded Soldiers effort and an additional $250K for our community support from Arlington to Fredericksburg.”

Future plans support the growth of Azalea Charities

Azalea Charities plans to put together two models over the next year. One model will act to serve our wounded men and women with lifetime support.  The second model will focus on how the community can support Azalea Charities and in-turn allows Azalea Charities to provide financial support to our youth and special needs programs.  Lasch and Taggart agree that if we could raise $750K in fiscal year 2009 we will make a big difference in our communities and help our military men and women and their families.

Azalea Charities also set a goal to address the issue of flat membership numbers by recruiting 2000 new members.  Promotional plans include a brochure highlighting the benefits of Azalea Charities, a public relations campaign and more outreach into the community.  Frank Lasch commended efforts by board members to develop creative fundraising efforts within their own businesses, citing the golf tournament put on by Chenega Federal Systems that raised over $25,000 as a great example.

Doug Taggert presented a financial revew of the year.  Azalea Charities has produced $302, 037.21 in revenue so far this year.  He anticipates that new capabilities to accept online donations will help to increase revenues in FY 2009.

Other efforts in the works include:

  • A continuing partnership with CrisisLink, a training program for a 24x7 hotline serving Army wounded soldiers and their families. 

  • A joint effort working with Hope for the Warriors and VA hospitals to identify wounded soldiers and families with needs with not covered by the military or VAs.