Linking Leaders

As the NDIA Chief of Staff, I will take a more active role in the PDAC. I believe that the composition of the PDAC is such, that as an advisory council, it can provide valuable input to the leadership of NDIA and directly to its CEO, General (Retired) Hawk Carlisle. In that vein The PDAC will meet twice annually with the CEO to present issues and recommended action items for NDIA. In that endeavor, the PDAC, has decided to focus its efforts in four areas:

• Collaboration: Where are their opportunities for our Divisions to collaborate with each other? What  are the gaps and seams, or even redundancies where we can be more efficient and more effective? This collaboration opportunity is also extended amongst our Chapters across the United States. Just as important are the potential opportunities between divisions and chapters. We are already seeing this with or Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Division and The Michigan Chapter that executes an annual Ground Vehicle Systems Conference. We also need to be able to provide a collaboration platform where our membership can engage in dialogue across the spectrum of issues and concerns. We intend on moving this capability forward in our digital strategy.

• Relevance: Our Chair, Dave Broden, has a lot of great thoughts here and I encourage all to provide him some feedback on how we might go about measuring Division Relevancy.

• Communities of Influence (COI): Quite frankly a term not well understood and we at NDIA with The PDAC’s assistance need to better define this and develop a governance mechanism to lead these COIs.

• NDIA Data Base: As I travel throughout the country, the subject of our membership database, is a constant source of frustration for our members and quite frankly, for the NDIA staff. We must look for ways to improve access and the knowledge management aspects of this critical need for our members. This is an issue that we must place at the forefront as it directly impacts our membership. I am going to personally be taking this one on.

Finally, I ask, that as your Chief of Staff, please let me now the good, the bad and the ugly. We owe it to our members to be the very best Defense Association that we can be, they deserve nothing less. Giddyup. At the Heart of the Mission.

The NDIA Program Development Advisory Council (PDAC) together with NDIA Leadership is implementing Initiatives focused to ensure NDIA Enterprise activity, Division Relevance, and Chapter Networking effectiveness. PDAC and NDIA staff look forward to joining with Division and Chapter leaders and members to establish Vision of Relevance to priority topics.

For one-hundred years NDIA has been the “go to” trusted leader in national security and defense community. This leadership was and is built on a vision to identify, understand and champion priority topics, to involve the industrial and government defense community, and to promote networking dialogue exchanging ideas and views across the community. This core focus shapes the NDIA Vision and Mission today. The NDIA Leadership and staff, members, and Defense community collaborative partnership thru events and communication has provided research, resources which ensured impact and benefits.  The commitment of individual and company members, Divisions focused to National Security capabilities, and Chapters linking members thru networking, partnerships, shaping the industrial base and readiness.

Throughout the years NDIA has effectively adapted and focused to National Security evolving priorities. As we look forward the geopolitical landscape and technology and capability innovations requires that US and Allied Nation priorities be adapted rapidly.  The NDIA Vision forward recognizes that the Vision must address both the National Security and Defense capability (technology, systems, resources) objectives and the NDIA organization approach and processes to effectively communicate, collaborate, and convene forums relevant to National Security and related community interests. Based on rigorous review of NDIA Enterprise member participation, collaboration, impact and benefits opportunities addressing the Vision forward priorities have been identified. The NDIA Program Development Advisory Council (PDAC) together with NDIA leadership and staff has identified four (4) Focus Topics with action processes for the NDIA Enterprise, Divisions, Chapters, and staff function to shape activities ensuring Relevance to the capability vision for technology, system, and capability readiness. PDAC will establish the approach and work with NDIA staff and Division and Chapter leaders to form a Vision of Current and Future Relevance. Relevance is the priority with other three topics selected to capture the full spectrum of activities related to relevance. As PDAC evolves the approach to each topic we seek and welcome member participation or comments.

Please identify our Division or Chapter liaison to PDAC as these actions proceed. If interested, please identify which topic and how you wish to participate. (email to PDAC@ndia.org).

The four Topics outlined below:

1. Relevance: The evolution of National Security technology and capability changes as well as awareness of Policy (Acquisition, Data Rights, ITAR, Industrial Base, Small Business etc.) require that NDIA identify and shape the charters and scope of Divisions, Chapters, and NDIA Policy with attention to current and future objectives. Periodic relevance assessment and updates will track with DOD and service priorities and expand participation by community members. PDAC will define a template format to identify a topic roadmap and update the charters. The outcome identifies event topics, opportunities for collaboration and expansion to Community of Influence (COI). Establishing Division and Chapter periodic relevance reviews is the goal.

2. Collaboration: Topics, technology, and systems as well as processes today often benefit from sharing of subject matter expertise across two or more organizations. Collaboration sharing may be linking NDIA Divisions, Chapters, or joint activity with other organizations. The joint activity collaboration may be simple informal exchange of information, joint location events, integrated events or long-term arrangements for cooperation. The PDAC assessment will provide guidelines for collaboration alternatives, a collaboration agreement draft including governance responsibility etc. Increased attention to benefits of collaboration such as expanded awareness and understanding the NDIA goal.

3. Community of Influence (COI): Community of Influence (COI) represents a linkage of multiple organization with common interests in relevant topics. As Relevance is considered as relate to a Division, Chapter, Special Topic, Capability etc.  consideration of related industry, government or academia etc. organizations which have similar interest should be identified and roadmap or matrix of the various source which have relevant influence or expertise should be established. Divisions or Chapters should consider application and use of COI to complement core resources. Collaboration approaches for each organization within a COI should be considered. The NDIA goal is for each Division and Chapter to establish and track links to at least one COI roadmap. Note; PDAC has example available upon request.

4. Data Base: Management and utilization of NDIA membership data base enables awareness and communication of activities of interest to each member as well as providing NDIA with a resource of subject matter expertise. PDAC together with NDIA staff is establishing a data base and use policy which focuses on content, purpose, use, and security/privacy. The data base will be available for use by Divisions and Chapters for member communication.

For the past several months, the PDAC has been considering the priorities that should guide our efforts. We have settled on four as the most critical facing our chapters and divisions and I’d like to offer my perspective on them as a chapter leader.

In looking at Collaboration, the PDAC is interested in helping chapters and divisions in working together to better support our chapter and division activities. This is obviously collaboration on two levels, first among chapters and divisions that might share common interests in terms of the industries’ they serve. Often divisions and chapters each plan activities that are associated, but don’t leverage the capabilities each can bring in support of the other. As an example of how this might work, last year the Fuse Division decided to hold its annual meeting in my home town of San Diego. The division reached out to our chapter for a keynote speaker and we secured the participation of the Weapons Officer from Commander Naval Air Forces to deliver a keynote that was directly applicable to the division’s efforts but with a “local spin” on the topic that made the speech even more relevant. PDAC leadership is considering a more formal series of steps that will bring chapters and related divisions together, but you get the point: through collaboration we can make the efforts of our divisions and chapters mutually supporting.

Another area for greater collaboration from the chapter’s viewpoint is among chapters, perhaps regionally, or among chapters with common customers. This can also include sharing “best practices” among our chapters not just within the PDAC, but at our annual Leadership Conference and through the pages of this newsletter.

A second priority we’ve discussed at PDAC has been Relevance. Considering your relevance as a chapter might lead to some slippery metrics and mushy, if not vague, soul searching on the part of chapter leadership. Here’s the questions I ask myself when I considered whether or not our San Diego Chapter was relevant: (1) Were our events well attended? Did our members feel that we were providing a worthwhile forum for them that merited their support? (2) Were local government leaders – our customers – willing to support and attend our events, seeing them as good venues to interact with our industry members and set forth their concerns? There are obviously other ways to assess the relevance of your chapter, but I think asking yourself and your chapter leadership these simple questions will lead you to spend your precious volunteer efforts in directions that are most productive and relevant.

There has been much discussion as to Communities of Influence (COIs) within the PDAC and NDIA national leadership. Briefly, COIs will be efforts to lead policy discussions on substantive issues facing the defense community by including other organizations and stakeholders in the discussion. The first NDIA-led COI is on hypersonic technology, an obviously critical subject that spans not only NDIA chapter and division interests but that of other organizations as well. COIs are still at the formative stage and a priority of the PDAC is to structure a process for the participation of chapters in COI efforts. In the meantime, I believe the philosophy behind the COI can be implemented on the local level by our chapters. There are no doubt regional issues that impact your business and the defense industry in your area that need to be recognized and discussed at the local level. NDIA chapters partnering with other defense organizations to discuss, explore, and advise on these issues is a useful way for your chapter to represent your membership and the defense industry as a whole. Working with sister organizations, such as AFCEA and ASNE, is a useful way to expand local membership involvement and share resources. This can be extended to local economic development councils (EDCs) and chambers of commerce who may need to understand the local impact of the defense industry. Such interaction and cooperation are part and parcel of the philosophy of the COI concept.

A fourth area the PDAC has discussed addressing is the need for a flexible, accurate, and assessible Data Base that will provide chapters and divisions access to members and the ability to reach out to members in their area. NDIA staff recognizes the need to provide our leadership with easier access to those NDIA members living in our chapter region and facilitate our inclusion of them in our chapter activities. This undertaking will require some commitment of resources and policy development, but it will help make our job as chapter leaders easier and provide us the opportunity to better serve our local constituency.

The obvious disclaimer on the above discussion is that it represents my own experience and reflection. I’d be interested in hearing from you as a chapter leader as to your thoughts on these four touchstones for PDAC efforts and how we might share ideas on them for the benefit of all our chapters.

Finally, I’d like to note that this year marks the Association’s 100^th anniversary. Started as a partnership between industry and Army officers concerned with the development of modern armaments in the early 20^th century, NDIA has evolved to a professional organization committed to the security of the United States through a strong defense based on industrial capability. As we look at our military capability at the beginning of the 21^st century, the need for this partnership is even more needed. As a nation we face greater threats and the advance of technology that fueled weapons development a hundred years ago proceeds today at an even greater pace. More importantly, the US cannot assume a technological superiority in the area of defense systems as technological development is a global phenomenon these days. NDIA’s leadership in maintaining the capability to develop and field sophisticated, superior weapons systems is even more needed now and our role in guiding both the development of and discussion concerning a strong defense is something that we can agree are essential to as NDIA members, both at the national level and within our own chapter communities.

As the PDAC Vice-Chair for Divisions and Chair of the International Division, I want to thank those who responded to my earlier request for major issues or challenges which they face as Division Chairmen. One of the common issues raised was the NDIA membership data base for their divisions or more specifically, the need for NDIA to address the inaccuracies that exist in our respective division membership data bases. In the most recent PDAC call we agreed that this issue is a high priority and that the NDIA staff will take the lead on addressing this systemic issue.

This challenge needs to be addressed because it is fundamental to enhancing communications within our Divisions and throughout our entire NDIA enterprise.  It is critical for our operational efficiency and effectiveness to develop and maintain accurate lists for Division participation.

A Quick Overview

NDIA uses the NetForum association management software (AMS) to manage its membership and event attendance data. It contains both the member database and event attendance data, combined into one system. When NDIA sends bulk e-mail it must comply with CAN SPAM Act and newer GDPR regulations, which among other things means running a new list for each mailing. This assures we do not pull addresses of people who have opted out of receiving messages.

The NDIA database contains some 375,500 individual records and presently has and over 1,700 corporate members and over 35,000 organizational records.  There are 182 committee codes and over 40 interest codes that an individual could be tagged with in the database, all of which are driven by the interests and structures of the Divisions.

Current Efforts

In 2017 NDIA developed a formal list of member-specific data cleanup tasks to improve the accuracy of the database. In addition to these tasks, there are a number of other data quality checks being performed on a regular basis.

Has any of this helped? Yes - corporate member rosters are significantly more accurate than in the past because of the bounce data that we are now taking action on. At the end of FY16, NetForum showed 55,113 corporate member individuals and 1,654 corporate members. Today there are 1,718 corporate members (64 more than at the end of FY16), but only 50,719 corporate member individuals. Previously the member e-mail bounce rate was over 13% before this cleanup plan was established - it now sits at 5%.

What Remains to be Done

Is there more to do? Absolutely. A common complaint from Divisions is that certain members of the Division are not getting the bulk e-mail NDIA sends out. NDIA needs to now work on the maintenance and management of the Division/Committee participants. In order to maintain accurate lists NDIA needs Division leadership to be the authoritative source to identify Division participants.

NDIA has begun to reach out to Division leaders with lists of who in the database is identified with each Division and committee. This is targeted to be completed in the next few months, and Division leaders are asked to be responsive and inform NDIA of the changes necessary to make the lists accurate. But this is just the first step. Together NDIA and Division leadership must develop a process for maintaining and updating these lists when changes occur, such as holding and election or adding individuals to committees.

I encourage each of you to reach out to NDIA to help them update the members of your Division and support this critical task.

Next 100 Resources

As you know we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of NDIA. The marketing team is assembling some branding resources the Divisions can use in your meetings and events and a video on the history of NDIA. If you are able to use Dropbox follow the links below to download templates and videos that can be used.

PowerPoint Template – NDIA has updated its PowerPoint template with a Next 100 logo. Some of you are using an older version of the NDIA template and I encourage you to update to the newer one.

Next 100 Video – NDIA is creating videos that can be used in events and meetings that celebrate the 100 years of NDIA’s contributions to the defense of the nation.

NDIA will also schedule a webinar for Division leaders that will update you on the Next 100 project and brief you on the Program Development Advisory actions that are getting started.

Feedback Forum provides the opportunity for Division, Chapter Leaders and NDIA members to communicate with NDIA Leadership. The exchange of views regarding NDIA Enterprise activities whether related to Divisions, Chapters, Public Policy or other events promotes understanding and focuses attention on NDIA Initiatives benefiting all members, Divisions and Chapters. Sharing highlights and challenges is encouraged. Exchange of views regarding NDIA Division activity and content, Relevance to technologies, systems or process, the networking benefits of Chapters, or Public Policy issues and action comments each guide the NDIA Mission activities. Linking Leader issues seek to communicate priorities benefiting NDIA members and address topics identified by NDIA leaders. PDAC and NDIA staff will respond to topics and comments received with actions which benefit the NDIA Mission. This Feedback Forum column seeks to be an open BLOG for members to dialogue and recommend actions. Through this communication the NDIA goals for Relevance, Collaboration, and Community of Interest (COI) links will highlight Relevance of National Security topics, technology, and programs. As NDIA seeks communication and exchange among member the content and use of NDIA member data base is also a focus. Comments will shape how data is utilized. Please submit your comments, questions or interest regarding PDAC Topics to PDAC@ndia.org.

NDIA Mission success has been assured for 100 years through the membership activity in Divisions and Chapters together with partnership with US DOD and allied nations. Continuing National Security leadership into the next 100 Years will be assured through shaping the NDIA Enterprise, Division, and Chapter focus and activities to align with the ever-changing vision for Nation Security. The Program Development Advisory Council (PDAC), with NDIA leadership has initiated four (4) priority topics which offer opportunity for NDIA member benefits, Divisions relevance, and Chapter impact. The paragraphs below outline actions for Division and Chapter consideration and participation as these topics evolve within NDIA operations and activities. PDAC looks forward to working with NDIA Leaders (Divisions and Chapters) as we apply these initiatives. PDAC encourages communications regarding comments, suggestion, or participation on the four topic assessment teams. Linking with each of you to address the evolving vision will ensure NDIA Mission and Vision. Below are considerations for each of the four topics.

1. Relevance: Address Division or Chapter Charter and adapt scope to include a vision of topics which are emerging and will be focus areas in the future. Plan activities ensuring links and attention to relevance topics.

2. Collaboration: The effectiveness of each Division and Chapter can be enhanced through linking with other NDIA activities or other related organizations. Identify and initiate linked activity with a specific purpose. Note that collaboration approach may vary for communication only, shared program or related information, or joint integrated events.

3. Community of influence (COI): COI offers opportunity for NDIA Divisions and Chapters for linking with other NDIA or related organizations which have relevant interest. As technology and systems evolve the links are increasingly critical. Divisions and Chapters are encouraged to establish COI matrix roadmap of organizations with linked relevance and to outline opportunities of joint programs etc.

4. Data Base: Membership data base is recognized as a key asset for participation and communication. NDIA is evolving the data base for each Division and Chapter. Input is desired regarding what should be included, how data base can/should be used, and data base security/privacy control. Comments and thoughts regarding content and use of the NDIA data base is a priority input desired.

1. 2018 Model Chapters and Chapters of Excellence

Congratulations to our 2018 NDIA Model Chapters and Chapter of Excellence awardees! The NDIA Model Chapter Program was established in 2001 to promote the continuing relationship and open communication between National and its chapters. This year we added the NDIA Chapter of Excellence Program to encourage chapters to strive to reach new and more challenging goals. All Chapters who received the designation of Chapters of Excellence have also automatically earned Chapter Model Status. NDIA is extremely proud of all the hard work, leadership and commitment that our Chapter Leaders have invested in both their Chapters and their members! 
 
NDIA’s 2018 Class of Model Chapters:
Aberdeen Proving Ground Chapter 
Central Florida Chapter
Georgia Chapter 
Great Rivers Chapter
Greater Hampton Roads Chapter
Greater Tampa Bay Chapter
Gulf Coast Chapter 
Iowa-Illinois Chapter
Lone Star Chapter 
Michigan Chapter 
New England Chapter
Rocky Mountain Chapter 
San Diego Chapter
Tennessee Valley Chapter
Washington DC Chapter 
Wright Brothers Regional Chapter

NDIA’s 2018 Class of Chapters of Excellence: 
Central Florida Chapter
Greater Hampton Roads Chapter
Lone Star Chapter
Michigan Chapter 
Rocky Mountain Chapter
San Diego Chapter
Wright Brothers Regional Chapter

2. Chapter Leaders Advancement SerieS (CLASS) Launched

On February 13 the Chapter team launched a new education webinar series for Chapter leadership, CLASS (Chapter Leaders Advancement SerieS). This new specialty webinar series is in direct response to your comments and feedback from the 2018 NDIA Leadership Conference—this was created by Chapter Leaders, for Chapter Leaders. CLASS will be focused on providing you the tools and resources chapter to succeed. This will also be a platform by which Chapter Leaders can communicate and exchange resources and idea. Upcoming CLASSes will include briefs from NDIA’s CEO General Hawk Carlisle, Chapter Financials 101, and much more. Stay tuned and make sure to take notes! 
 
This last CLASS was focused was on how to access and utilize NDIA’s 100 Year Branding at the Chapter level. All resources can be found on the NDIA website under Chapter Leader Resources and in NDIA’s 100 Years Resources Dropbox for Chapters. We encourage you to take advantage of the customized Chapter Templates which includes letterheads, PowerPoint presentations, and logos all personalized to your chapter! The webinar recording can be found here. If you have any questions about the resources presented during CLASS, have trouble accessing the files, or just have a great idea for future CLASSes please email chapters@ndia.org!

3. New Staff Announcement! 
Please join us in welcoming Sofia Losada to NDIA as our Manager of Chapter Development. Sofia joins us from a similarly sized Non-profit organization in Washington D.C. where her primary role was to serve as the liaison between the National office and its twenty-nine State Chapters. 

During her tenure as the Project and Community Manager, Sofia strengthened the National/Chapter relationship by establishing a system of regular check-in calls with State Chapter Boards for the purposes of goal-setting and trouble-shooting. In addition to many other projects, additional highlights for Sofia include developing ready-made tool-kits for State Chapter Boards and instituting a robust system of measuring KPIs in State Chapters to determine overall State Chapter health and member engagement. Prior to her final promotion, Sofia served as a Chapter Relations Coordinator and a Chapter Relations Specialist.

Sofia is ready to hit the ground running and is very excited to bring her expertise in chapter development to the NDIA team! If you have any questions or would just like to reach out to introduce yourself, her email is slosada@ndia.org.

NDIA Electronics Division
The Electronics Division is working with DoD on the issues involved with  defense industrial base access to assured and trustworthy electronics for our defense systems. The Divisions February 7 meeting focused on the changing nature of electronics for national security, addressing the role of electronics in U.S. national technology priorities. It featured presentations from CAPE, OUSD (R&E), DARPA, and NR. One of the most fascinating sessions was one that featured well-known experts in hardware hacking demonstrating how vulnerabilities can be exploited.

The Division is planning a series of webinars and breakfast meetings leading up to its August meeting to be held in conjunction with the NSWC Microelectronics Integrity Meeting (MIM) in Indianapolis. The MIM conference has a  growing audience aware of and interested in microelectronics and is welcoming the Division to hold its meeting in conjunction with MIM to address aspects of the Administration’s approach to secure electronics for military technology and capabilities.

For more information contact Dave Chesebrough at dchesebrough@ndia.org.

Upcoming Event:
1 May Breakfast Meeting | Microelectronics Innovation for National Security & Economic Competitiveness (MINSEC) Budget Priorities

• The Section 809 Panel released its third and final volume, containing 58 recommendations. NDIA has put forth a list of the Top 10 Recommendations that our Policy Team feels would have the most positive impact on acquisitions. You can view the entire report here and the top 10 recommendations here.

• NDIA is now offering a Regulatory Tracker that lists open FAR and DFARS cases relevant to the defense community, including synopses and status descriptions. For questions or comments about the Tracker, please email Regulatory@NDIA.org. Click here to view and download the tracker.

• NDIA Policy’s legislative team is engaging key House and Senate committee and office staffs prior to the 116th Congress as part of a legislative strategy for the 116th Congress. Workforce development, small business initiatives, and recommendations from the recent EO13806 report are common, bi-partisan priorities. We have meet with HASC and SASC staffs and the offices of Reps Brown and Kaptur and Sen Machin on issues regarding contracting, acquisition, cost, pricing, and workforce development. In an effort to best coalesce around an issue agenda, NDIA Policy is working with select HASC member offices to develop a defense industrial base caucus on the House side. If you are facing specific legislative issues you would like to discuss with NDIA’s Policy Team, please contact our Legislative Policy Associate, Christian Larsen at CLarsen@NDIA.org.

• The Section 813 Panel on intellectual property rights published its final report, available here. The NDIA Policy Team has summarized the top line findings from the report and made them available to our membership here.

• The DoD Office of Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment has published a new guidebook on OTAs intended to improve the use of the acquisition tool and to ensure more consistency across OTA acquisitions. NDIA contributed to the development of this guidebook through in-person and written feedback provided to the guidebook’s authors. An interactive version of the guidebook has been compiled by MITRE available here. A PDF version of the entire guidebook is available here.