Trish Dotson, USAFE 2011 Joan Orr Spouse of the Year

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Mara Title
  • 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LAJES FIELD, Azores --  If you've been at Lajes for any length of time, there's a good chance you might have heard the name, Trish Dotson, wife of Lt. Col. Robert Dotson, 65th Operations Support Squadron commander.

She's an extremely active volunteer, and consequently won the United States Air Forces in Europe 2011 Joan Orr Spouse of the Year award. In the midst of her busy schedule, she took the time to answer some questions regarding her most recent achievement.

65 ABW/PA: Have you ever been submitted for the USAFE Joan Orr Spouse award or any other Air Force spouse awards before? Trish Dotson: Yes. I was put forward for the Joan Orr Award for 2009. I won the Air Force Sergeants Association Spouse of the Year 2010. I won 65th Air Base Wing Civilian Volunteer of the Year 2010.

65 ABW/PA: What types of activities/events have you done throughout the year to earn the Joan Orr award?
Trish Dotson: I was president of the Officers' Spouses Club from 2009-2011. I organized several wing-wide fundraisers for the OSC charitable account, which went to high school scholarships, wing activities as well as student athletic and educational travel. I sat on the thrift shop board, planned and organized the thrift shop grand Open House, and sat as co-chair and organizer for the Lajes 2nd Annual Pink Tie Gala to raise awareness for breast cancer. I worked with the base chapel and the 65th Civil Engineering Squadron to redecorate and furnish the newly-founded Lajes Airman Ministry Center. I also acted as Key Spouse for the 65th Operation Support Squadron.

65 ABW/PA: Have you always been an involved spouse in Air Force activities?
Trish Dotson: I have been actively involved with spouses groups since 1999. Throughout the years, I have served as historian, parliamentarian, vice president, president and event/social chair. I served two years on the Ramstein Officers' Spouses Club bazaar committee in Germany. I have been an active spouse in every squadron we have been a part of.

65 ABW/PA: How does the Officers' Spouses Club at Lajes differ from other bases?
Trish Dotson: When I arrived here, the Officers' Spouses Club and the Enlisted Spouses Club were two separate groups. I thought that we could be more effective in our military community as one group. Being stationed at a smaller base, we all do everything together anyway and both groups were fundraising as well as co-operating the thrift shop for the exact same cause, so it made sense to me that we merge. After a lengthy one-year process, we finally came together and now we're one cohesive club. Before each club had approximately 20-25 members, and now we have 80 members in the Lajes Spouses Club. I guess one of the big differences is that at other larger bases, when you're part of a spouses club, you may see members of your club only when you go to the monthly meetings. Here, we do everything together...we are all so close; we are like one big family.

65 ABW/PA: How many children do you have? How difficult is it to be active on base while also being supportive to your family?
Trish Dotson: I have four children. Randi, who's 23, Jake, 21, Kate, 16, and Ty 12. My family is very supportive of my volunteer efforts. I feel now that my children are older, I'm able to be more active. The benefit of my children seeing their mother as an avid volunteer around the community teaches them that giving is definitely a worthwhile cause. I hope to teach them by example.

65 ABW/PA: What advice, if any, would you give to spouses who might feel disconnected in finding ways to get involved and become more active on base?
Trish Dotson: Well...I guess that is a simple answer for me. You just get out there and get involved. There are so many ways to volunteer that there is a volunteer opportunity for every type of personality.

65 ABW/PA: Is there anything else you'd like for readers to know?
Trish Dotson: Here's a quote: "You are defined by the choices you make...choose wisely every day." I choose to find strength every day in the little things....the joy of a rainbow, the guy in the milk wagon being pulled by the horse every morning, the cows and sheep in the middle of the road, glitter, friends and laughter.

*The Air Force Personnel Center is scheduled to announce the Air Force 2011 Joan Orr Spouse of the Year toward the end of May.