Offutt Takes the Helm
As NLUS President at Convention
By AMY L. WITTMAN, Editor in Chief
Navy Leaguers took advantage of opportunities to share ideas, mingle with active-duty sea service
members, sightsee and meet a New York Times
best-selling author when they converged on Long Beach,
Calif., for the National Convention June 19-22.
Collaboration, partnerships and professional development emerged as themes for this year’s event, with
outgoing National President Philip L. Dunmire and
President-elect James H. Offutt setting the tone even
before the convention began. Since the Board of
Directors’ meeting in October, where Offutt became
president-elect, the two worked together to craft a program that would go beyond the typical business meeting and give attendees several venues at which they
could interact with each other and special guests.
New this year were professional development
“tracks” developed in concert with Convention
Chairwoman Maria-Isabel S. Dickey, a member of the
Long Beach Council and the Greater Los Angeles Area
President. Topics included future Navy League training
opportunities, women in leadership, effective messag-
ing, the council mission, event planning, legislative
affairs, how to attract “Gen X” members, fundraising
and communicating effectively.”
Among the highlights was a book signing and pres-
entation by New York Times No. 1 best-selling author,
marine adventurer and Korean War veteran Clive
Cussler prior to the Welcome Aboard Reception kick-
ing off the convention on June 19. It was standing-
room only as Navy Leaguers lined up to purchase his
latest novel, “Zero Hour,” written with Graham Brown,
and then have it signed.
ERIC PARSONS
New Navy League National President James H. Offutt and his wife, Becky,
share a toast with outgoing National President Philip L. Dunmire and his wife,
Linda, during the dinner June 22 that concluded the 2013 National Convention
in Long Beach, Calif.
ERIC PARSONS
Dunmire stands with Clive Cussler
after presenting him with the National
President’s Theodore Roosevelt Award
following a book signing by the best-
selling author prior to the convention’s
Welcome Aboard Reception June 19.
