Voice Contact: I know that most of our members have not ever spoken with any of our board members, let alone with me personally, but I would like to change that. Six complaints regarding non-receipt of the new IPA-USA ID Cards led to the VP’s and myself contacting Region 24 members in order to verify that National has given you adequate renewal notification and delivered your ID Cards. But during that process, we heard a lot of comments about IPA membership in general and not all were positive. The following info is directed to our newer members:
(1) Why join the IPA or any other organization in the first place? [a] Because my partner was a member. [b] During my upcoming trip I had hoped to meet officers, who would show me around or give me tips about what to see when I arrive. [c] During my last trip to Germany, some officers I met wondered why I had never joined the IPA, so I signed-up after returning to the States. [d] I wanted a way to learn and practice the languages of my parents’ homeland.
(2) Why continue that membership? [a] I continue to ber a member of IPA, because of the many frienships made over the years. [b] Despite not attending any meetings in 25 years, I read the newsletters to find out what you younger folks are up to. [c] I’m still a member because someday that one visitor from Overseas, not interested in Seattle, will be traveling through Idaho and Montana.
(3) Why quit the IPA? [a] My first overseas trip to Italy was disappointing, because my IPA contacts failed to call or meet me, in fact I received the cold shoulder from the several officers I did chance to meet.[b] On my third trip to Europe, but first thru IPA, only one IPA member bothered to meet me in any of the four countries. [c] My kids are too young to travel, so I’ll sign up again when they are older.
Is the IPA really the best way to travel? Frankly you may have discovered as did Cherie and I, that the answer is NO. Being a member of IPA does not guarantee the greatest vacation; we met only 10% of the police persons we had hoped to visit in Europe and America. But in that 10% we found a group of people who prefer to socialize with folks who serve their countries in uniform (be it police, fire, or military). You just can’t help but notice something grand about a person who is willing to risk his or her life to protect another. And that same person will no doubt receive you in a manner reminiscent of the prodigal son.
Aside from National’s travel procedure, I encourage members to get-a-hold of one of our Region 24 Board Members a few months before the vacation. That way one of us might be able assist with an initial communication by e-mail or telephone with police officers at your destination.
A primer for developing travel contacts: Our board members recommend two or more of the following activities to begin and maintain travel contacts:
(1) Invite an IPA exchange student to live in your home for a few weeks or months. Not all, but nearly every teenager will remember your kindnesses and invite you to visit his or her family when you get ready to travel.
(2) Pay attention to our website [or phone a board member] for arrival dates of police officers visiting the Pacific Northwest. If you take the trouble to meet with them personally, they will remember you and be more positively disposed to invite you to their homeland. [Contrary to popular belief, Seattle is not a destination city, most folks stop-in just to board a cruise ship to Alaska or pick up a rental car enroute to California].
(3) Become a member of a several police associations like the Blue Knights, retired officers assns, LEOFF, Fraternal Order of Police, or the Int’l Assn of Chiefs of Police, etc. Many of our closest friendships develop more from associations with officers of like minds [birds of a feather, etc], than from chance meetings.
(4) Host an IPA meeting in your home. Besides the ever present police stories at our social events, we also exchange a lot of information about destination police contacts, travel bargains, social events, hotels, and sightseeing.
Yours in Friendship!
As always, remember “Service through Friendship.”
