The reigns of the Captain Meriwether Lewis Chapter of the Association of the United States Army changed hands this month, and the new leader vows to make meaningful involvement, fun and soldier support cornerstones of the organization. Amy Tiemeyer, military relations liaison for America's Credit Union, envisions a dynamic chapter where soldiers and their spouses want to be a part of a movement that supports their fellow servicemembers, where they can volunteer at all levels of effort, and that holds events that are as much charitable as they are entertaining.  And, that was evident last month as she organized the chapter's second annual Zombie Run at Fort Steilacoom Park, featuring Army Rangers from Joint Base Lewis-McChord as the zombies, and volunteers and runners coming from other units as well to support soldier programs.  Next May, Tiemeyer has also planned a Strong Man (Woman) Competition to be part of JBLM's Armed Forces Day to support veteran service organizations. 

Tiemeyer inherits an AUSA chapter that has grown large in corporate support over the past few years.  What was once a small band of military retirees and business leaders doing everything is now a large operation with an executive committee and sub-chapters spread across the South Sound, each one linked to a particular Army unit on JBLM, providing support to those commands.  Tiemeyer will continue that structure, but also hopes to create a culture that recognizes today's younger soldiers and their spouses participate differently than older generations, and she'd like to build membership to a place where soldiers want to join to help other soldiers, and still have fun in the process.

"I want to see us increase membership through relevancy," Tiemeyer said.  

She recognizes that that goal means understanding servicemembers and their spouses come from different places of interests and situations, and that a cookie-cutter approach won't work.  She said there are those that want to play a huge role, but others that are happy to enter some data or make a few phone calls and call it good.

"There is a place for everyone in this chapter," Tiemeyer said.  

The proof is in the digits, too.  Tiemeyer has been encouraging all members and organizers within the chapter's ranks to use the hash-tag JBLMAUSA to maintain a record, and to highlight the good work and fun that are end results.

The other benefit of a larger membership is the influence soldiers can have on Congress.  AUSA on the national level educates Congress on the needs of the United States Army and its people.  AUSA has always been instrumental in helping servicemembers receive pay increases, housing allowance increases and much more.  The larger AUSA is in membership, the more clout they carry on Capitol Hill.  And, as Tiemeyer points out, the larger the local chapter is in membership, the more clout they carry with AUSA national in helping to frame which issues are brought to Congress.

"How AUSA speaks in Congress is huge, and we can have a say in that the larger we are," she added.

Tiemeyer knows a lot about servicemembers, too.  For starters, she enlisted in the Army in supply for three years, serving at Fort Drum and Korea, before transferring to the Navy Reserve where she worked in a Marine unit at JBLM.  She is also a military spouse, married to an airman with the 446th Airlift Wing at McChord Field.   

Tiemeyer said her military experience taught her that she could do more than she had imagined.  And she lives those principals every day.  In addition to assuming the presidency at AUSA, she is wrapping up her tenure as president of the Air Force Association chapter at McChord.  She's also working on her Bachelors of arts in business management, and she's set a goal of completing 100 running races, a half-marathon or better, in her lifetime.

"I'm currently at sixteen.  I've calculated that I'll complete the goal when I'm eighty-two."

Tiemeyer said she couldn't support the troops at the level she does without the support of her employer.

"I love my job," she said.  "I get to support servicemembers for a living."

She said that mission is as much hers as it is America Credit Union's mission.  In fact, ACU gives roughly $175,000 a year to JBLM programs and support services.  

One of Tiemeyer's jobs is to organize the annual Turkey Shoot - a golf tournament purposely hosted annually in November.  Last year, Tiemeyer raised $36,000 in that effort, money that went to support such programs as the JBLM Fisher House and Santa's Castle.

A few weeks ago, Tiemeyer was also inducted into the JBLM Hall of Fame, joining other worthy supporters of the base such as Lt. Gen. William Harrison, former mayor of Lakewood and former I Corps commander, and Joan Shalikashvelli, the spouse of the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

"It was such an honor to be inducted," Tiemeyer said.  "I appreciate the faith that they have in me.  I will work as hard as I can to uphold the standards."