MIAMI - U.S. Army Garrison-Miami held its Military Family Action Plan conference Feb. 25-26 at the Intercontinental West Miami Hotel in Doral.
MFAP is the joint implementation of the Army Family Action Plan. It is an effective way for the Army community (Soldiers, spouses, Family members, single soldiers, retirees and Department of Defense civilians) to voice their concerns to Army Leadership for change and resolution.
This year's conference, organized by Mary Ortiz, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation volunteer coordinator, emphasized spouses and family members.
Ortiz says MFAP also serves generals, commanders and managers by allowing them to check on services and ensure that her office is "where we need to be in providing what they expect."
This year, an "intimate" group of volunteer service members and spouses attended the conference and held group discussions about the quality of life issues that were most important. The issues were given specific titles, a scope and recommendations.
"We weren't impressed with the numbers - the group was small due to the Haiti mission - but we were very impressed with the outcomes," Ortiz said. "We have identified some family services that we don't provide currently, had some solid thought processes and incredible ideas to build on."
"The Army has 'heard our cry' and made families a priority," she said. Ortiz was involved in the program since the beginning as a volunteer, and now brings that experience to Miami as a conference organizer. "Twenty-six years ago, there were no programs like the EFMP, I've seen that evolve and worked with it myself."
That broad application of good ideas is part of what makes MFAP so powerful, Ortiz said. EFMP originated with an AFAP conference, and now affects all communities; ideas generated here can reach far beyond Miami.
"I've sat in on the councils discussing AFAP issues at the Department of Army-level and seen what happens," said Rico Williams, an MFAP facilitator. "The smallest thing can make the most significant change not only to the local community, but Army communities throughout the world."
MFAP facilitators assist the group in arriving at and developing their issues.
"The facilitator's role is dynamic," said Williams, "We keep the group on target by making sure they are addressing the issues thoroughly and articulating them well."
Williams also keeps the mood in the room positive and objective. During discussions he gently keeps the discussion current and on time.
"This can and should be fun," he said. "At no point is this meant to be a griping session, you need to make it enjoyable."
When you make the people who come up with issues responsible for providing a solution, Williams said, "It definitely puts a new light on it. Issues could be interpreted many different ways, the people who are affected have the insight to clarify the issue and make it understood."
Hand-in-hand with good assistance is enthusiastic participation, according to Ortiz. The group at this year's conference was small but motivated.
"The group and people that came out for this, I got the best of the best," she said. "They dropped important things in their lives to come here and express their needs."
Following the brief to Garrison Manager Denis Martin, Ortiz' next job is to consolidate the issues and raise them to the level needed for decision.
"They expect us to report back to the leadership, develop and implement services," she said. "In this forum, we can reach (U.S. Southern Command's) Gen. Fraser quicker than he could discover these issues on his own."
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