chaptersinaction
shops. Lt. Col. John DeReu, USA-Ret., membership chair of the North Shore and Chicago Chapter and the Illinois Council of Chapters, attended a work- shop for membership chairs. DeReu gleaned several ideas on how to im- prove recruiting and retention, which he shared with chapter leaders during a recent Illinois Council of Chapters meeting. During a general session pre- sentation, DeReu also learned more about MOAA’s TOPS program, which offers career transition assistance to second-career servicemembers. “If you want to get some younger people in your chapter, start pushing TOPS,” says DeReu. To help achieve this goal, a work-
shop was held for chapter TOPS liaisons. Participants learned about
2012 KEY EVENTS
Jan. 1 2012 Give Me 10! (GMT) re- cruiting campaign begins. Feb. 1 Col. Marvin J. Harris Commu- nications Award contest submissions due. (Submit the Communications Award Checklist, found at
www.moaa .org/awardchecklist, with your entry.) March 31 Cut-off date for the GMT first-quarter awards. April 16-19 Council Presidents’ Semi- nar, Alexandria, Va. June 1 Council and Chapter Levels of Excellence Award submissions due. (Visit
www.moaa.org/chapters. Se- lect Chapter Leaders, then Forms & Guidelines, and link to the appropriate award entry criteria.) June 30 Cut-off date for the GMT second-quarter awards. Sept. 21-23 Western region Chapter Presidents’ Symposium, Las Vegas Sept. 30 Cut-off date for the GMT third-quarter awards. Oct. 29-30 MOAA Annual Meeting, Arlington, Va. Dec. 31 2012 GMT recruiting cam- paign ends. Cut-off date for the GMT fourth-quarter awards.
MOAA’s TOPS and state networking programs and received an overview of the job market from career-manage- ment consultant Capt. Jim Carman, USN-Ret., who outlined challenges separating servicemembers face when transitioning to the civilian sector. Alamo (Texas) Chapter member
Col. David Patrick, USAF-Ret., TOPS state networking coordinator for Texas, described his efforts to provide networking and career-transition resources to MOAA members at the state and local levels. Participants then exchanged ideas on how to improve their chapters’ TOPS programs. Council and chapter presidents and
vice presidents attended a chapter- management workshop, where they discussed legislative support and com- munity involvement, learned about resources available through MOAA, and examined the future of chap- ters. Council and chapter presidents and vice presidents then joined with membership chairs to develop useful recruiting and retention strategies. “I think the gravity of the recruiting
and retention situation facing MOAA came across loud and clear,” says Missouri Council of Chapters Vice President Cmdr. Dave Reed, USN-Ret. “We need more members, and we need more national members to be in a chapter. I was surprised to learn that only 18 percent of national members belong to a chapter.” Dale A. Ormond, deputy to the commanding general of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center in Fort Leav- enworth, Kan., addressed attendees and their spouses at the closing din- ner. Ormond provided insight into the challenges facing today’s career officers and spoke about two major
44 MILITARY OFFICER D ECEMBER 2011
Army initiatives — the Profession of Arms Campaign and the Army Leader Development Strategy. Both initiatives work to balance the operational need for forces with the training, education, and assignments necessary to develop professional officers who are well- rounded leaders. “It is imperative that we ensure that our future senior leaders have the opportunity to acquire the wis- dom that comes from a diverse set of experiences to enable them to make wise decisions about the future of our Army,” said Ormond. During a series of general sessions, members of the national staff briefed delegates on MOAA’s recruiting ef- forts, the TOPS program, and pending military-specific legislation. Delegates also learned how to improve their newsletters and websites and how they could support 10 key quality-of- life issues facing military families that are being addressed by the DoD State Liaison Office. Participants also heard from three chapter leaders who volun- teered to participate in a national pilot program called Community Blueprint, through which chapter and commu- nity leaders assess and improve the services provided to area veterans and their families. Delegates’ recommendations
on how to improve recruiting and retention, along with workshop pre- sentations and briefings by members of the national staff and guest speak- ers, are available at
www.moaa.org/ 2011symposium. MO
— Contributors are Col. Lee Lange II, USMC-Ret., director; Col. Barry Wright, USA-Ret., deputy director, Council and Chapter Affairs; and Kris Ann Hegle. For submission information, see page 18.
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