McGuire's AFSA chapter hosts convention, named 2008 Chapter of the Year Published May 5, 2009 By Senior Master Sgt. Cheri M. Sanders 87th Air Base Wing JOINT BASE McGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- McGuire AFB's Air Force Sergeant's Association Garden State Chapter 211 and 211A hosted the AFSA Division II 32nd Annual Convention and Awards Banquet April 25 in Dover, Del. "The Division II convention is an opportunity for total force AFSA members to come together for training sessions, discuss AFSA trends, and to provide chapters motivating tools to build a stronger organization in order to strengthen our voice on capitol hill" said Master Sgt. Suzanne Roe, 87th Civil Engineer Squadron and chapter president. "Being a professional organization, our existence is based on individuals with passion and drive to make a difference throughout the base and in our local community. Hosting this year's conference was a pleasure as well as an opportunity for our junior members to take the lead and be a part of shaping the future of AFSA." AFSA Division II is comprised of eleven active-duty, Guard, Reserve and auxiliary chapters from Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The convention consisted of training, networking and annual recognition of outstanding chapter accomplishments and individual achievements. Chapter 211 led the division recognition by receiving the most team and individual awards, including 2008 Chapter of the Year and 2008 Recruiting Chapter of the Year. Individual award nominees stood out in the chapter as well as within their respective units. The first-term airman and non-commissioned officer of the year nominees met an intense, face-to-face board comprised of four chief master sergeants from across the division. The chief panel asked nominees questions on various topics, such as Air Force history and Air Force knowledge, from the Professional Development Guide, opinions on current events and AFSA. Individual award winners were: Legislative Award Staff Sgt. Yarie Velez 87th Logistic Readiness Squadron Volunteer Service Person of the Year Award Master Sgt. Suzanne Roe 87th Civil Engineer Squadron First-Term Airman of the Year Award Senior Airman Brian Buhrer 87th Civil Engineer Squadron The Division also recognized Airman 1st Class Jennifer Palmer-Hill, 87th Aeromedical Squadron, as runner-up for Chapter Member of the Year. The Chapter 211 award winners will now represent Division II at the International AFSA convention August 15-19 in Atlanta, Ga., to compete for AFSA International honors. AFSA is an international non-profit organization that represents Air Force enlisted members. It is a federally-chartered association and voices the professional and personal interests of active duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and retired enlisted members of the Air Force.