Events

	Upcoming Events Past Events December 2008 S M T W T F S   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31                     << -=- >>
	Newsletter

Upcoming Events 2008

Volunteers Needed for a Community Garden Project with the Atlanta Community Food Bank: Saturday, December 6, 2008 2100 to 2400

ACOA is looking for 10-25 volunteers to assist with a community garden supported by the Atlanta Food Bank on Saturday, December 6, 2008 from 2100 to 2400. The community gardens are neighborhood initiated, implemented and maintained so most of the work is done by local gardeners. These garden clubs are comprised mostly of seniors in low-income neighborhoods and our volunteers help amplify the efforts of the neighborhood residents. Volunteers often times get the opportunity to work alongside some of the neighborhood gardeners! Activities you may partake in include: planting, seeding, weeding, turning the soil, building new beds, and moving materials all in the effort to help people grow their own food and beautify the area. Benefits of community gardens in low-income neighborhoods include: beautifying the neighborhood, provide fresh, nutritious food for the residents, reduce their food budget, and provide an opportunity for physical exercise and social interaction. Your help makes this possible! You do NOT need specific skills or previous gardening experience, just a desire to help and a good attitude!

• Volunteers will be working outside and should dress for the weather. No open-toed shoes please.
• Please bring sunscreen and insect repellent.
• ACFB will provide the tools, gloves, bottled water, snacks and other additional materials that we will need.
• Family and children 8+ years of age are also welcome to participate. Please let me know so I can let ACFB know how many people to expect.
• This project is not appropriate for those who cannot do moderate lifting (20-40 lbs) or stand for prolonged periods.

We will not know the specific worksite until 1-2 weeks before the project but it will be in Atlanta. A separate email will be forwarded to those expressing interest with the exact location and directions as soon as possible.

Please contact LCDR Andrea Sharma if you would like to volunteer or if you have additional questions. Volunteers need to sign-up by November 21, 2008.

Annual Physical Fitness test (APFT)

• Saturday, 20 September
• Saturday, 13 December

Always 0800 at the St Pius High School Track at Shallowford Rd and I-85 - Directions.  Officers should bring their own water bottles and towels/mats. Please email RSVP by COB of the preceding Thursday to LCDR Ed Dieser. Your scores will go home with you, so feel free to use this as a practice or the actual fit test.

We anticipate it will take less than an hour for an officer to complete the three components of the fitness test which include: 1.5 mile run/walk, push-ups and crunches or the side-bridge exercise.  [More information on the qualifying standards for physical fitness in CCRF.]

Volunteers Needed to Staff the USO

The Atlanta Commissioned Officer's Association (ACOA) is seeking volunteers that would like to take part in supporting the Jean R. Amos USO Center at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Commissioned Corps officer volunteers are needed during the above days/times (2-3 officers per shift).  If you are interested in being a volunteer, please contact LCDR Maleeka Glover at 770.488.6492.

All days have two shifts - 0800 to 1100 and 1100 to 1400!

• Saturday, October 18
• Saturday, November 15

Consider volunteering. Be a part of sharing our camaraderie and community service to those who serve in the uniformed services. This is a wonderful and rewarding opportunity for everyone!

Past Events 2005 - 2007

Lunch and Learn - Promotions
When: Thursday, October 23, 1130 to 1300
Where: Chamblee, Bldg 106, Conference Rm 1A

Lunch will be provided. 
View slides [PPT]

For questions, contact CDR Ed Dieser at 404.639.0757.

Atlanta COA Roadside Cleanup

• Saturday, August 16, 2008, 0930 to 1030

US Public Health Service Atlanta Metro Area Promotion Ceremony

Friday, July 27 at 0900
CDC, Clifton Campus, Building 19, Auditorium A

Family members, supervisors and co-workers are welcome to attend. You must RSVP to LCDR Amanda Dunnick at  with the number of persons in your party by COB on Friday, July 6, 2007. Additional information on promotion ceremony logistics will be provided after receipt of your positive RSVP. This ceremony is open to all Atlanta-based officers promoted in the 2007 T-grade promotion cycle regardless of the effective date.

Lunch and Learn
PHS Protocol and Service Standards
When: Thursday, March 15, 1200 to 1400
Where: Century Center, Bldg 1825, Rooms 1A and 1B

Presented by the authors of the PHS Officer's Guide: CAPT James E. Knoben (Ret.) & CDR Alice D. Knoben
 
This a great opportunity for you to learn more about PHS protocols and service standards from the experts! An opportunity to ask specific questions of the authors will follow their presentation of approximately 90 minute. This is also an excellent networking opportunity--meet other officers in the Atlanta area and talk about how you can be involved in this year's ACOA career enhancing activities!  For questions, contact CDR Bruce Tierney at 404.639.4223.

Lunch and Learn/Space-A Travel
Slides and handouts available in the ACOA Library section of the Resources page.

When: Friday, October 27th 1130 to 1230
Where: 1825 Century Center, Conference Room 1A/B
Lunch will be provided

The Atlanta Commissioned Officers Association will be providing an overview of flying Space-A (Space-Available) on military aircraft. Learn how Commissioned Officers can take advantage of this exciting opportunity and underutilized privilege to travel to various places around the world at relatively little cost. Enjoy the experience of meeting other uniformed service members on leave, military retirees, and other active duty families. If you have always wondered what it’s like to fly on a C-5 (the Air Force’s largest cargo jet), a C-17, or the famous C-130, just to mention a few, then this Lunch and Learn is for you. The Lunch and Learn will be held on Friday, October 27th from 1130 to 1230 at 1825 Century Center, Conference Room 1A/1B. For more information contact CDR Joseph Little at 770-488-3339.

Category Specific Promotion Benchmarks
The ACOA is again sponsoring a series of separate presentations covering Category Specific Benchmarks to assist in career planning and promotion. The Chief Professional Officers will be providing separate overviews of the specific benchmarks from their categories. Following the presentations, officers will also have the opportunity to ask specific questions concerning their category’s benchmarks. Contacts: CAPT Deborah Levy at 404.639.4086 or CDR Joe Little at 770.488.3339.

• Environmental Health: June 8, 1130 to 1230, Chamblee, Bldg 101, Room 3002
• Physician: June 15, 1200 to 1300.  Roybal, Bldg 19, Room 245/246 [PPT]
• Scientist: June 23, 1200 to 1300.  Corporate Square, Bldg 12, Room 3106 [PPT]

Lunch and Learn - PHS Deployment Uniforms
March 28, 2006 from 1200 to 1330
Century Center, Building 1825, Conference Room 1A/1B

Hurricane season is just around the corner once again! Come spend your lunch time with ACOA and learn about PHS uniforms with an emphasis on deployment uniforms. CDR Bruce Tierney will give a presentation on deployment uniforms and discuss recent changes to the uniform instructions published in July 2005 as time permits. It is especially intended for those who may not have a lot of comfort or experience with uniform wear.  An opportunity for Q&A will follow the presentation to give you a chance to ask specific questions about deployment uniforms.