Chapter Meeting

Important Chapter Dates for September and October

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

We have some important Chapter dates coming up, beginning with our next Air Commandos Lunch on Wednesday, September 23.

Our Air Commandos lunches have no agenda. They are informal gatherings, a chance to have lunch, talk aviation, catch up with friends and enjoy the conversation. At the same time, we are continuing to discuss what is happening with AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134, the programs we are developing, new relationships in our community and ideas for where we go next. Bring your thoughts and ideas with you.

On Wednesday, October 7, we will hold our monthly Chapter Meeting & Lunch. In addition to Chapter business and updates, we will have a presentation by the Honor Flight Network.

Honor Flight Network is a national nonprofit organization that transports eligible veterans to Washington, D.C., at no cost to them so they can visit the memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice. The program gives priority to World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans, as well as veterans who are critically ill. It operates through a nationwide network of local hubs and has transported hundreds of thousands of veterans since the first Honor Flight in 2005.

Then on Wednesday, October 21, we are back to our informal Air Commandos Lunch.

All three begin at 11:30 AM in our “Ready Room” at ROC’s Firehouse Grille in Palm Desert.

There is no charge to attend. You only pay for your own lunch and beverage.

Everyone is welcome. You do not have to be an AFA member to join us. Come for lunch, come for the conversation, and come see what is happening at AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134.

Thanks!

A Very Successful Meeting for AFA Palm Springs

/ Ian L. Sitren / 2 Comments

The September 2 meeting was much more than a regular business meeting. It was a very successful first meeting under our new leadership, with some new faces around the table and members also joining us remotely. It was our first opportunity to bring everyone together to talk about the changes already underway and where AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 goes from here. Our new President, Ian L. Sitren; and our new Secretary/Treasurer, Frank Iain Parsons.

The discussion began with AFA’s mission and its three central areas: Educate. Advocate. Support. That mission provides the foundation for what we want to accomplish as we move forward.

One of the biggest surprises has been the actual size of our Chapter. We now know that AFA Palm Springs has 519 members, including 333 free Mission Members. A major priority will be doing a much better job of communicating with that membership and giving people more opportunities to participate.

Communications are already being expanded. Our website has been revitalized and is being updated regularly, and we are increasing our presence on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. We are also moving to year-round Chapter operations rather than going dark during the summer.

Cyber Education will continue to be an important part of what we do. The Chapter conducted a very successful Cyber Camp this summer, and we are now working to continue and expand our Cyber Education programs and opportunities for young people.

We are also continuing our successful Teacher of the Year program. AFA Palm Springs has had three consecutive honorees go on to be named AFA California State Teacher of the Year, an extraordinary record that we want to continue.

Aviation will become a larger part of our activities as well. We are developing our relationship with EAA Thermal Chapter and its Young Eagles program, which introduces young people to aviation and gives them an opportunity to experience flight firsthand. We also plan to build a stronger relationship with Civil Air Patrol Palm Springs and explore other ways our organizations can work together.

Behind the scenes, we are modernizing how the Chapter operates. Records are being digitized, administrative systems are being updated, and information will become much more accessible to our members. We are also beginning the process of updating our Chapter By-Laws to better reflect how an active organization should operate today.

As new programs and activities develop, we will be looking for members to serve as Program Leads. This gives people an opportunity to take responsibility for something that interests them without creating unnecessary additional officer positions.

And our regular gatherings will continue. We meet for lunch every two weeks in what has become our “Ready Room” at ROC’s Firehouse Grille in Palm Desert. Once each month that gathering includes our formal Chapter meeting. The other lunches are casual, and everyone is welcome.

There is a lot happening at AFA Palm Springs right now, and the success of our September 2 meeting was a very encouraging start. Seeing new people around the table, longtime members returning, and others participating remotely showed us what is possible as we reach out to more of our 519 members.

With new leadership, better communications, expanding programs and new relationships throughout the Coachella Valley, we have an opportunity to build a much more active Chapter.

Now we need our members to be part of it.

Thank You!

AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 Moving Forward

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

Tomorrow, Wednesday, September 2, at 11:30 a.m., we will gather for a very important AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 meeting and lunch at ROC’s Firehouse Grille in Palm Desert.

We have a lot to talk about.

We will announce our new Chapter officers and discuss the direction of a Chapter that now has a much larger membership. We will look at planning and modernization, improved communications, the future of our Cyber Education programs, and new ways for members to participate.

We are also expanding our aviation activities through our relationship with EAA Thermal Chapter, including opportunities to become involved with the Young Eagles program and introducing young people to aviation and flight.

A larger membership gives us more opportunities, but it is participation that will make those opportunities happen. We need our members there and taking part.

Come to the meeting. Bring your ideas. Ask questions. Get involved. Help us build what comes next for AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134.

Wednesday, September 2, 2026
11:30 a.m.
ROC’s Firehouse Grille
36891 Cook St.
Palm Desert, CA 92211

There is no charge to attend. You only pay for your own lunch and beverage.

If you cannot attend in person, join us by Google Meet:

https://meet.google.com/nzd-uisq-rre?authuser=0&hs=122

Meeting code: nzd-uisq-rre

Or join by phone:

(US) +1 475-239-1103
PIN: 618 612 054#

Everyone is welcome and Thank You!

350,000 Members and 200 Chapters – Welcome to AFA

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

Did you know that the Air & Space Forces Association now has more than 350,000 members and 200 chapters around the world?

Those numbers may surprise you. And they are growing.

AFA’s new Mission Membership is a free, digital-first membership open to Airmen, Guardians, veterans, government civilians, military families, industry professionals and others who want to support the mission of the Air Force and Space Force.

There is no cost to join, and Mission Membership provides another way for people throughout our community to become connected with AFA and their local chapter.

Learn more and join at:
https://www.afa.org/join/

But growing membership is only part of the equation. Here at AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134, we want membership to mean participation.

There is a great deal happening right now with Chapter operations, modernization, communications, organization and member involvement, along with the expansion of our aviation and Cyber Education activities and the development of new programs and partnerships. We want our members to know what is already underway and, most importantly, be part of it.

Now we need your participation. Everyone is welcome.

Whether you’ve been a member for years, have recently joined us, or are just getting acquainted with AFA, we encourage you to attend our events in person. Meeting face-to-face builds friendships, generates new ideas and helps all of us move the Chapter forward together.

We have three important opportunities coming up, all beginning at 11:30 a.m. in what has become our “Ready Room” at ROC’s Firehouse Grille in Palm Desert.

Wednesday, August 26 is our Air Commandos Lunch. There is no formal agenda, but this will be our first opportunity to get together informally with so much now happening at Chapter 134. There is a lot to discuss about the direction of the Chapter, officer transition, modernization, new programs and partnerships, expanding aviation and Cyber Education activities, and how our members can become more involved. Bring your questions, ideas and suggestions and be part of the conversation.

Wednesday, September 2 is our monthly Chapter Meeting and Lunch. This will be an important working meeting focused on new officers and what is already underway and what comes next. We’ll get into the specifics of modernizing our organizational structure and procedures, improving communications and digital resources, preserving our Chapter history, expanding member participation, strengthening our aviation and Cyber Education programs, and developing new programs and partnerships. This is an opportunity to hear what is happening, offer your ideas and take an active role in moving Chapter 134 forward.

Wednesday, September 9 brings us together again for another Air Commandos Lunch. Following our September 2 meeting, there should be even more to talk about. It will be another informal opportunity to continue the discussion, exchange ideas, ask questions and explore where members would like to become involved as the work moves ahead.

There is no charge to attend. Simply pay for your own lunch and beverage.

More than 350,000 AFA members nationally demonstrates the extraordinary reach of the organization. Here at Chapter 134, our opportunity is to turn that same spirit of membership into local involvement, bringing people together around the table and putting their experience, ideas and enthusiasm to work.

We hope you’ll join us for all three of these upcoming gatherings, or as many as you can. Your participation is what will help make AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 even stronger as we continue to grow.

Thank You

Important Chapter Updates Begin August 26

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

We have made some important changes to what we’ll be discussing at our next AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 gatherings. There is a great deal happening right now with Chapter operations, modernization, communications, organization and member involvement, along with the expansion of our aviation and Cyber Education activities and development of new programs and partnerships. We want our members to hear about what is already underway and, most importantly, be part of it.

Now we need your participation. Everyone is welcome.

Whether you’ve been a member for years or have recently joined us, we encourage you to attend our events in person as often as possible. Meeting face-to-face builds friendships, generates new ideas, and helps all of us move the Chapter forward together.

We have three great opportunities coming up, all beginning at 11:30 a.m. in what has become our “Ready Room” at ROC’s Firehouse Grille in Palm Desert. It is now equipped with our new 65-inch big screen for presentations, along with an improving sound system and faster internet service to enhance our meetings and gatherings.

Wednesday, August 26 is our Air Commandos Lunch. These lunches are informal, friendly, and have no agenda. But with so much happening at Chapter 134 right now, there will certainly be plenty to talk about. Come have lunch with us, join the conversation and hear more about what is taking place.

Wednesday, September 2 is our monthly Chapter Meeting and Lunch. This will be an important meeting focused on the work now underway throughout Chapter 134. We’ll discuss modernization of our organizational structure and procedures, improved communications and digital resources, preservation of our Chapter history, greater opportunities for member participation, expanded aviation and Cyber Education activities, and new programs and partnerships.

Then, on Wednesday, September 9, we’ll gather again for another Air Commandos Lunch. Every lunch brings new friendships, new stories, new ideas, and another opportunity to enjoy the company of fellow members and guests.

There is no charge to attend. Simply pay for your own lunch and beverage.

We hope you’ll join us for all three of these upcoming gatherings, or as many as you can. Your participation, ideas, and enthusiasm are what will help make AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 even stronger as we continue to grow.

Thank You!

Three Great Reasons to Join Us at ROC’s Firehouse Grille

/ Ian L. Sitren / Leave a comment

AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 is growing in exciting new ways. We’re expanding our aviation activities, growing our Cyber Education programs, building new partnerships, and launching initiatives that will strengthen our Chapter while creating new opportunities for our members.

Now we need your participation. Everyone is welcome.

Whether you’ve been a member for years or have recently joined us, we encourage you to attend our events in person as often as possible. Meeting face-to-face builds friendships, generates new ideas, and helps all of us move the Chapter forward together.

We have three great opportunities coming up, all beginning at 11:30 a.m. in what has become our “Ready Room” at ROC’s Firehouse Grille in Palm Desert. It is now equipped with our new 65-inch big screen for presentations, along with an improving sound system and faster internet service to enhance our meetings and gatherings.

Wednesday, August 26 is our Air Commandos Lunch. These lunches are informal, friendly, and have no agenda. They’re simply an opportunity to enjoy good food, good conversation, and the company of fellow members and guests.

Wednesday, September 2 is our monthly Chapter Meeting and Lunch. In addition to Chapter business, we’ll present a review of our successful Summer Cyber Camp and discuss the continued expansion of our Cyber Education programs. If you’d like to learn more about the exciting direction our Chapter is heading and how we’re helping inspire the next generation through aviation and cybersecurity education, this is a meeting you won’t want to miss.

Then, on Wednesday, September 9, we’ll gather again for another Air Commandos Lunch. Every lunch brings new friendships, new stories, new ideas, and another opportunity to enjoy the company of fellow members and guests.

There is no charge to attend. Simply pay for your own lunch and beverage.

We hope you’ll join us for all three of these upcoming gatherings, or as many as you can. Your participation, ideas, and enthusiasm are what will help make AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134 even stronger as we continue to grow.

Thank You!

Air Commandos Tomorrow Lunch July 15th

/ Ian L. Sitren / 1 Comment

Just a reminder that our Air Commandos Lunch is tomorrow, Wednesday, July 15, at 11:30 a.m. at ROC’s Firehouse Grille, 36891 Cook Street in Palm Desert.

The lunches are informal, friendly, no agenda, and a great opportunity to meet fellow members and guests over good food. There is no charge to attend. Simply pay for your own lunch and beverage. Whether you’re a long-time member, a veteran, currently serving, or simply interested in aviation, military history, and the Air and Space Forces, we would enjoy having you join us.

If this will be your first time attending, you’re especially welcome.

We hope to see you tomorrow!

If you’d like to learn how these lunches began and why they have become such a popular tradition for us, read The Story Behind Our Air Commandos Lunch. Thanks!