chaptersinaction

“Chapter leaders need to engage with surviving spouses in their chapter and become aware of their talents and skills and use them,” Bergquist says.

Starting new chapters SSAC member Gail Joyce helped es- tablish the Greater Granbury (Texas) Chapter (www.granburymoaa.org) in 2012 and served on its board of directors. Now, as the chapter’s sur- viving spouse liaison, she continues to support her affiliate, assisting with monthly meetings; collecting, assembling, and shipping care pack- ages to servicemembers; and provid- ing current information to surviving spouses. She also serves on the chap- ter’s scholarship committee, chaired by surviving spouse Diana Littlejohn. Another surviving spouse, Alice Karr, is the chapter’s liaison to the Texas Council of Chapters (www.texas- moaa.org). “I never met so many strong, ac-

tive, qualified women until I got in- volved with MOAA,” Joyce says. Finding surviving spouses and getting them to join a chapter isn’t always easy, however. Last year, Joyce led the chapter’s surviving spouse recognition ceremony. Three survi- vors wound up joining the chapter, and Joyce helped persuade local, county, and state officials to make September Surviving Spouse Month. “It really is my great passion to get surviving spouses in chapters,” Joyce says. “They really bring something special to the organization.”

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— 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.

Congratulating Great Affiliates

This month, during our annual meeting in Orlando, Fla., we will celebrate our best- of-the-best chapters and councils throughout our association. This year, we will congratulate the 165 Levels of Excellence Award winners for 2014; 114 chapters or councils earned the cov- eted five-star award for their outstanding performance, and 51 chapters or councils earned the four-star designation for their excellent performance and contributions in their communities throughout 2014. The Levels of Excellence winners will be formally recognized by MOAA

Board of Directors Chair Gen. Charles T. “Tony” Robertson, USAF (Ret), at an award banquet. These councils and chapters represent the best of our as- sociation and are our ambassadors in their respective communities. Regard- less of their size or location, these chapters and councils are continuing to make a difference in their communities. I congratulate all of the winners. I’m often asked why MOAA members should join a chapter. I just smile and ask the individual about his or her friends and interests. If you are like me, most of your closest friends are former servicemembers and their fami- lies. It is the shared bond of service and experiences that brings active duty, former, and retired servicemembers and their families together. Most healthy MOAA chapters are engaged in what I call camaraderie with a purpose: Camaraderie brings them together, and the mission — com- munity-service projects — keeps chapter members engaged. The chapters highlighted in the feature article “Camaraderie With a Purpose,” page 68, and in “Added Strength” in this department, along with the Levels of Excel- lence winners, all have identified this purpose within their chapters. A strong, shared purpose answers the question of what you are interest- ed in. It also helps answer chapter guests’ common question, “What does your chapter do?” Odds are, your local chapter already is involved in several community-service projects that fit into your area of interest. If a chapter isn’t already working on a community-service project, then maybe the chap- ter can begin to work in that arena with your help. We have over 400 chapters and 34 state councils across the country. Along with their community-service activities, many chapters are vital to helping their local communities understand and address the many issues facing today’s servicemembers and veterans and their families. Our chap- ters and councils routinely work with their community and state military and veterans’ organizations to have a positive impact. Your participation, at all levels, maintains MOAA’s strong voice. I hope to see you in the future at a chapter meeting.

— Col. Barry Wright, USA (Ret), director, Council and Chapter Affairs

PHOTO: SEAN SHANAHAN OCTOBER 2015 MILITARY OFFICER 45