Dear Fellow Retired Sergeant,
I hope everyone had a memorable summer. The June Membership meeting was held in Elmsford, NY and very well attended. As always we had many guest speakers and served a delicious meal.
The RSA Board has been busy as usual, On June 13th we sailed on the Independence of the Seas, for our RSA Travel event, Bermuda was enjoyed by our members and their families. We also got to witness the NY Knick’s win the NBA Finals aboard the ship. On June 25th, we held Base Line Heart Monitoring in Long Island NY and August 25th in Staten Island. The previous year we were able to save two of our members who were walking around with life threating illnesses. PLEASE take advantage of these services. On June 26th, we attended the SBA Picnic in Staten Island and on August 6th, we joined the SBA, FOP, NCPD in a day of fun at the Boces School in Bellmore for children with special needs.
As I write this message and trying to find the words to thank my dear friend and Secretary John Foster, he has been an inspiration to me and a true friend. I want to express my sincere appreciation to our Secretary for his unwavering commitment, dedication, and service to our organization. As a founding father, he has been with us from the very beginning, helping to build the strong foundation that has allowed our organization to grow and succeed. His leadership, hard work, and steadfast support have been instrumental in our accomplishments, and his willingness to serve has inspired everyone around him. We are deeply grateful for his loyalty, countless contributions, and continued commitment to our mission. Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do to make our organization stronger. John, you will always have a home with the RSA, for those members who have never met you, I tell them now that you are a true hero. I would like to bestow the title of Secretary Emeritus.
As we approach election time, I believe strong communities are built by people who choose to get involved—volunteer your time, support local initiatives, attend community events, and help make a positive difference where you live. Get out a vote.
Our upcoming General Membership meeting will be held on September 23rd, 2026 in Mineola. We will be sponsoring Vendor Night, all our supporters will be on hand to offer advice and special discounts to our membership. On October 6th, 2026, we will be having our 4th Annual Golf Outing at Harbor Links in Port Washington. The event has “sold out” every year. In the Centerfold of the Newsletter, you will find the information for our January 27th, 2027 Florida membership meeting. Please book early, this event also sells out every year.
Our annual membership dues remain just $25.00, a modest investment that helps sustain and strengthen our organization. Like many organizations, we continue to face rising operational costs, including administrative expenses, communications, meeting facilities, and other essential services. Even with these increasing costs, we are committed to being responsible stewards of our members’ contributions by carefully managing our finances, seeking cost-effective solutions, and keeping dues as affordable as possible. Every membership dollar directly supports our mission, helps us continue serving our members, and provides the resources needed to grow our organization while maintaining the high standards and values that define us. We appreciate your continued support and investment in our shared success. Inside the Newsletter you will find two Scholarship Raffle Tickets, due to your generosity, in 2026, we were able to award $ 22,186.00 in prize monies and three (3) $ 7400.00 scholarships.
In closing, I want to thank the board, the members, the SBA, all our supporters and everyone who makes this organization possible. I’m truly appreciative to all that make this happen. May God Bless you all.
Fraternally,
Robert Cotumaccio
President
