Voices for Troops fromthepresident
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MOAA is launching a subsidiary organization that will enable those who aren’t eligible for MOAA membership to lend their voices to your association’s advocacy for the military community.
Today, less than 1 percent of the na- tion’s population is serving, or has served, in Iraq or Afghanistan. Of the re- maining 99 percent, many are not familiar with the military — yet they want to know more and show their support for those who are serving. I want to tell you about an ex- citing initiative that will benefi t you and the military community MOAA serves. In October 2010, MOAA’s board of direc- tors unanimously approved an initiative to establish Voices for America’s Troops® (Voices) as a nonprofi t subsidiary of MOAA. Membership in Voices will give those who are not eligible for MOAA membership an opportunity to be informed, educated, and engaged on relevant issues that aff ect to- day’s servicemembers and their families, as well as those who previously have served. Voices will strengthen MOAA’s mis- sion and clout and serve the public interest through its educational and informational eff orts. Voices will foster a better understanding of how impor- tant “people” issues are to maintaining a strong national defense. I’m sure you’ll agree the timing for Voic- es is right as the military community face some of the toughest challenges we’ve seen in a decade — potential cuts in end strength, reductions in military pay, issues surround- ing wounded warriors and their caregivers, and many more. Voices is a new and welcome oppor- tunity — especially as the nation brings programs to our communities in support of
people issues, such as ongoing support for wounded warriors and their family mem- bers. MOAA expects to energize Voices members into grassroots action on key leg- islative issues that aff ect all military people, adding to the already impressive numbers MOAA and The Military Coalition bring to bear on Capitol Hill. As a subsidiary of MOAA, Voices will both increase your asso- ciation’s clout and serve the public interest. Voices members are not members of
MOAA, nor will they be able to participate in most association benefi ts and services. Voices has its own identity, and annual membership dues are $15. These will be used to administer the organization and support MOAA programs that benefi t the entire military community. We are asking our board of directors to authorize chapters to admit Voices members as chapter mem- bers. If the board agrees, it will be up to each MOAA chapter to decide if they want to allow Voices members to join their team. As I write, there are more than 5,000
Voices members, most of whom joined through our strong partnership with Pentagon Federal Credit Union. Now it’s time to ask your friends and family to look into Voices for America’s Troops (www
.voicesfortroops.org). It’s one more way to strengthen MOAA’s mission and support America’s military and their families.
— Vice Adm. Norb Ryan Jr., USN-Ret.
*online: Learn more about Voices for America’s Troops® at
www.voicesfortroops.org. 12 MILITARY OFFICER MAY 2011
PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT
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