2013 Spring Update

Great Decisions Quizzes

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The Great Decisions 2013 season in Tucson kick off brunch was held on January 30^th.  Over 100 people from many local discussion groups joined first-time visitors to get details on the new season and to hear Dr. Gary Guertner, former Dean of the Marshall Center for European Security Studies, a staff member of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, speak on NATO’s Role in Europe and the Middle East. 

Dr. Guertner graduated from the University of Arizona where he also earned his master’s degree.   His Ph.D. is from Claremont Graduate School. He has also served on the faculties of California State University at Fullerton and the University of California at Irvine.  He is currently adjunct Professor at the Unive

 Dr. Guertner, who is currently a member of a DOD training team that provides regional, cultural, and counter-terrorism seminars for military units deploying formally to Iraq and currently to Afghanistan, explored NATO’s role in Europe and gave special attention to the unique challenges posed to NATO by the current Iranian administration’s efforts to develop nuclear power.  Both NATO and Iran are subjects for study in the 2013 Great Decisions briefing book.Dr Guertner is an adjunct Professor at the University of Arizona and the Bush School at Texas A and M where he teaches courses on National Security and American Foreign Policy.  Dr Guertner has published over sixty articles on defense and foreign policy for scholarly journals. His most recent books are: The Last Frontier: An Analysis of the Strategic Defense Initiative; Deterrence and Defense in a Post-Nuclear World; and, The Search for Strategy: Politics and Strategic Vision.

The Board of Directors of the Tucson Great Decisions Association held biennial elections.  Betty Lu Holland was elected president; Sue Ward will serve as Program Vice-President.  Joel Nixon continues his role as Recording Secretary and Barb Leonard was elected as Treasurer.  The Board appointments include Yash Mittal, Database Manager, and Dick Kelbaugh, who serves as Webmaster.  Kelbaugh was honored and thanked for his work in bringing the TGDA’s new website to reality (www.TGDA.org).

In addition, the Board honored past President Sue Ward with the Robert O. Burns Award.  Burns was one of the founders of TGDA and served as its president for a decade in the 1980s and early 1990s.

The Board emphasized the changes taking place in the scope of activities of TGDA.  Year-’round programs are being developed as a method of retaining and enlarging membership in the organization, and the expansion of groups remains a high priority for 2013 and beyond.

            It has long been a goal of TGDA to present programs to our local Great Decisions participants based on headlines and issues that reflect those selected for our annual briefing books.  This past fall, we were able to begin that effort.

Our speaker, Gerald Swanson, professor emeritus at the University of Arizona in the field of economics, presented a view of the Eurozone that captivated those present at El Parador on October 19.  Just over 100 people attended the event, which provided us with good information for the 2013 season, which will begin with the topic “The Future of the Euro.”

In the early spring, TGDA will present Brig. Gen. John Adams, recently retired from service which included NATO postings.  Watch our website for specific information on that presentation.

TGDA Inaugurates New Website

            The biggest local innovation of TGDA is the launching of our new website, www.tgda.org.  With ease of navigation and frequent updating, news of upcoming events and group information will be timely and useful.

Board member Dick Kelbaugh, aided by Board member Barb Leonard, worked on the details of the website’s formation.  With much feedback from other Board members, it is hoped that our website will help us communicate better and more often with Great Decisions participants and those who might be curious about our program.

If you have friends and acquaintances who may be interested in joining a group in 2013, please direct them to our website – among all those being offered, they may find the perfect time and location by clicking on Discussion Groups.