fromthepresident Listen and Learn L

Membership is the heart and soul of this 86-year-old association and strengthens our advocacy. As MOAA’s chief listening offi cer, I take great interest in hearing how we can better serve you.

Like most associations, MOAA con- ducts an annual survey to monitor our relationship with members and allow members the opportunity to be heard. The survey also is a tool for you to tell us how we’re doing and whether we are fulfi lling our promise to you. Your feedback helps us invest in your membership experience and grow the organization; we cannot thank you enough for taking the time to participate. We initiated the annual letter campaign

with April’s Military Offi cer and an interac- tive microsite at www.moaa.org. Links to the online survey were incorporated into the annual letter. All members — Basic, Pre- mium, or Life — for whom we have a valid email address received notice of the annual letter and instructions for getting to the sur- vey. We also promoted the survey through our e-newsletters, blogs, and social media channels. Thousands of you responded. What do we do with your feedback? After the survey closed May 29, the team began collecting and analyzing responses. The resulting picture will illustrate mem- bership satisfaction with our current products and services and highlight areas that might not be meeting expectations. With the insights your comments provide, we can improve member satisfaction and retention, thereby enhancing the associa- tion’s reputation, growing MOAA’s mem- bership, and increasing our infl uence. For example, MOAA asked you which

relocation services would best help you and your family through the frequent geo-

graphical moves that are part of a military career. Thus far, almost 55 percent have said they prefer a real estate service off er- ing, while 50 percent were interested in home-buying and rental-search benefi ts. Initial survey results also confi rm the importance of membership communication when you have questions about your mili- tary career, health care, retirement, or other life transition. More than 50 percent of re- spondents prefer receiving information via e-newsletter. These responses validate our investments into providing more relevant and personalized newsletter experiences. Our members are our best spokes- people and ambassadors; 90 percent of respondents would recommend MOAA to a friend. Sharing your story and the value of your membership with other potential members provides the engagement nec- essary to grow the association and shape legislative outcomes. As I said in the an- nual letter, the contribution of your voice ensures the growth and eff ectiveness of this organization and helps MOAA fulfi ll its promise to never stop serving. The ideals of July 4, 1776, are absolute

as MOAA remains committed to a strong national defense. I wish you a happy and safe Fourth of July, celebrating the birth of this land of the free and home of the brave.

— Vice Adm. Norbert R. Ryan Jr., USN (Ret)

*online: Find MOAA at www.moaa.org, www.moaa.org/facebook, and www.moaa.org/twitter. 14 MILITARY OFFICER JULY 2015

PHOTO: SEAN SHANAHAN