[Note: FD59 donation links are listed at the bottom of this message]
WP-ORG’s technology foundation modernized
If you’ve been using WP-ORG services, such as class or society listserves, web pages, eulogy pages for deceased classmates, or secure credit card sites over the past 30 years, then you know that WP-ORG launches a fund drive every six months to collect operating funds. We do this style of fundraising as a ‘vote of confidence’ in what we provide. It keeps us responsive to member needs, which is fundamental to our mission: West-Point.Org (WP-ORG), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, provides an online communications infrastructure that enables graduates, parents, and friends of the military academy to maintain and strengthen the associations that bind us together. We will provide this community any requested support, consistent with this purpose, as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Due to our ongoing technology upgrade/modernization effort, we delayed our normal April 2026 fund drive. We’re proud to announce that WP-ORG completed this major technology upgrade by moving its core systems to Amazon Web Services, commonly known as AWS, in June. This move replaced aging equipment, improved reliability and security, and gave us a more flexible foundation for future services and features. We are now starting our regularly scheduled fund drive.
What improved?
- More reliable listserv messages: Our previous email setup increasingly caused messages to bounce or get blocked by major providers such as Gmail. We moved listserv delivery to Amazon Simple Email Service, part of AWS. This change simplified the sending process and dramatically improved the number of messages that reach members successfully.
- Modern systems replaced aging hardware: We replaced older physical equipment with virtual systems hosted through AWS. We can now create, update, expand, or remove these systems much more easily than physical servers. This reduces the risk of hardware failures and helps us respond more quickly as our needs change.
- Stronger network security: We upgraded to a virtual FortiGate firewall. The new firewall can run the latest security updates and better protect our network and services.
- More frequent backups: We back up all systems every day. We back up important information, including email and database records, every hour. These backups reduce the risk of data loss and help us recover more quickly if a problem occurs.
What this means for WP-ORG
We now have a more modern, reliable, secure, and standardized technology foundation. The new setup is easier to maintain and easier for additional volunteers to understand. That means volunteers can get up to speed more quickly, improve our current services, and help add new features. The move to AWS created a stronger and more flexible foundation for WP-ORG’s future and helped ensure that WP-ORG will be around for another 30 years.
How to donate to Fund Drive 59
Our operating budget for the six-month period is $56,424. You can donate online at https://www.west-point.org/donate/ and use whatever method is best for you – credit/debit card, PayPal, check, or stock donation. Budget detail for this six-month period is posted at https://www.west-point.org/budget/ for anyone who wants to see exactly what we expect to spend.
Please consider donating today if WP-ORG has been useful to you:
- General donation page (links to credit card, Venmo, PayPal, and check options): https://www.west-point.org/donate/
- Direct credit card donation form: https://secure.west-point.org/donate/
- Donation report: https://secure.west-point.org/donate/report/
- FD59 budget: https://www.west-point.org/budget/
Thank you for helping us continue this work.
Sincerely,
Warren Hearnes ’89
on behalf of WP-ORG Advisors
