West Point Society Of Philadelphia

Programs: Monthly luncheon networking meetings, providing the following benefits: general education, via a presentation on a topic of interest, e. G. , military in general, academy specifically, support for veterans; employment support, via military transition networking, with time allotted to members seeking employment, and members who have or know of vacancies, with particular focus on service members leaving the military and transitioning to civilian employment; business and community development, via business-to-business networking and connectivity among veteran-serving nonprofits; support to military recruiting, via engagement between academy graduates and high schools students considering application to the academy, and supporting community members; and camaraderie among graduates. In 2017, approximately 360 paying members, 170 paying guests, and 40 free guests, attended, for a total of 570 engagements over 12 months (approximately 200 unique individuals benefitted).

annual champagne and cider reception for entering new cadets, providing recruiting and retention support, via engagement among academy graduates, current cadets, and accepted candidates who will be entering the academy as new cadets, and their families, focused on successful transition to cadet life. In may 2017, a total of 30 attended.

annual west point leadership and ethics conference, providing education and community development, via presentations and small group discussion; and general military recruiting support, via engagement among rotc cadets, academy graduates, high schools students, and invited staff and faculty. In october 2017, a total of 123 attended.

other program service accomplishments: *** support to cadets visiting philadelphia, e. G. , history class visit to historic christ church, providing recruiting and retention support, via engagement among academy graduates, current cadets, and supporting community members. In 2017, 50 persons participated in the history class visit. Total expense for this event was $900. *** spirit events, e. G. , tailgate events and attendance at local sports competitions such as the annual army-navy cup soccer match, and "watch parties" for televised games, providing recruiting and retention support, via engagement among academy graduates, current cadets, and accepted candidates, and supporting community members; and camaraderie among graduates. In 2017, 25 members attended the army-navy cup with discounted tickets (accounted for in part i, lines 7a-c), and more than 30 attended watch parties for army football games; program service expense for spirit events in 2017 was $111. 88. *** annual new year happy hour event, providing employment support, via military transition networking; business and community development; and camaraderie among graduates. In january 2017, approximately 30 members attended and benefitted. Event was pay-as-you-go in 2017; no expenses to report. *** other events in which the society participated but did not have a lead role included the all-academies ball sponsored by joint academy parents' clubs, and the new cadet picnic sponsored by west point parents club of southeastern pennsylvania, as well as the chapel of four chaplains dinner and the uso gala. Each of these events provides the opportunity to support recruiting/retention and/or veteran services, as well as business and community development and camaraderie. In each case in 2017, society members (primarily directors) paid their own way to attend; no expenses to report.