chaptersinaction Best Communicators

The 2014 Col. Marvin J. Harris Communications Award Contest drew an impressive number of entries from council and chapter leaders. Find out which affiliates received top honors.

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ouncil and chapter leaders submitted 196 entries during the 2014 Col. Marvin J. Harris

Communications Award Contest. Under the rules of the contest, affili- ates are judged according to mem- bership size on up to three entries in the following seven categories: print newsletter, e-newsletter, website, legislative coverage (print), legislative coverage (website), recruiting bro- chure, and unique communication. Top entries in the council catego- ry included the Florida Council of Chapters’ print newsletter, The Com- muniqué, and the Virginia Council of Chapters’ website (www.virginiam

oaa.com). The judges also were im- pressed by the comprehensive na- tional and state legislative coverage provided by Pennsylvania Council of Chapters President Lt. Col. Robert Gray, USAR (Ret), in The Eagle, the council’s print newsletter. Affiliates in North Carolina dominated the e-newsletter category. Council Connections, edited by Capt. Douglas Ehrhardt, USN (Ret), bested the competition in the council cat- egory. Editor Col. Juan Chavez, USA (Ret), took top honors in Category III (200-299 members) for the Cape Fear Chapter’s Gram of Info, and Cmdr. Ronald Wilsbach, USN (Ret), editor

of The Gouge, helped the Charlotte- Metrolina Chapter lead in Category V (fewer than 120 members).

The judges especially commended the quality of the website entries. Webmaster Lt. George Wright, USN (Ret), earned the highest score of the competition for the Star Spangled Banner (Md.) Chapter’s website (http://starspan.org), in Category V (fewer than 120 members). The Hampton Roads (Va.) Chap- ter performed well in Category I (400-599 members). Chapter news- letter editor Cmdr. John Vermillion, USN (Ret), took top honors in the print and e-newsletter categories for The Tribute, while the chapter’s website (www.hrcmoaa.org) received first runner-up, thanks to the hard work of webmaster Maj. Clifton Furedy, USAF (Ret). In the Unique Category, the Kaw

Vice Adm. Norbert R. Ryan Jr., USN (Ret) and Gen. Charles T. Robertson Jr., USAF (Ret) (back row, left and right of center, respectively), join 2014 Col. Marvin J. Harris Communications Award winners (front row, from left) Col. Robert Certain, USAFR (Ret); Col. Jim Ling, USAF (Ret); Lt. Col. Robert Gray, USAR (Ret); Cmdr. Bob Douville, USCG (Ret); Col. Victoria Revilla, USA (Ret); Lt. Cmdr. Wynne Krell, USCG (Ret); Col. Dan Donovan, USAF (Ret); Col. Antonio Pimentel, USAF (Ret); Col. Jeri Graham, USA (Ret); Lt. Col. Marc Oliveri, USAR (Ret); (back row, from left) Col. Royce Taylor, USAFR (Ret); Col. David L. Slotwinski, USA (Ret); Lt. Col. Pat Christ, USA (Ret); Lt. Col. Charlie Marvin, USA (Ret); Col. Dale Ellenburg, USA (Ret); Maj. Cal Posner, USA (Ret); Col. Andrew Fallon, USA (Ret); and Col. Ron Perkins, USAF (Ret).

Valley (Kan.) Chapter in Category IV (120-199 members) received recogni- tion for written testimony in support of state legislation that would allow veterans with post-traumatic stress or substance-abuse issues to receive treatment rather than jail time. To view the top entries and the complete list of winners, visit www.m oaa.org/communicationsaward. Con- gratulations to this year’s winners! MO

— Contributors are Col. Barry Wright, USA (Ret), director, Council and Chapter Affairs; Col. Brian Anderson, USAF (Ret), deputy director; and Kris Ann Hegle. For submission information, see page 6.

PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT JUNE 2015 MILITARY OFFICER 47