chaptersinaction Excellent Leaders

During MOAA’s 2015 annual meeting, council and chapter leaders participated in a roundtable discussion before attending the Levels of Excellence Award dinner.

C

ouncil and chapter leaders gathered for MOAA’s 2015 annual meeting, held Oct.

30-31 in Orlando, Fla. Affiliate leaders attended many special events, includ- ing a chapter roundtable session. Council and Chapter Affairs Com- mittee Chair Lt. Col. Edward Marvin, USAF (Ret), opened the roundtable by introducing MOAA President Vice Adm. Norbert R. Ryan Jr., USN (Ret). “Our councils and chapters are the foundation of our association,” said Ryan. “You never stop serving, and for that I can’t thank you enough.” Col. Barry Wright, USA (Ret),

director of MOAA’s Council and Chapter Affairs Department, then provided attendees with an overview of the council and chapter system, which encompasses 34 councils, 411 chapters, 16 satellite chapters, and a new chapter in Traverse City, Mich. Participants learned about MOAA’s new membership model, the redesigned MOAA website, the new Council and Chapter Policies and Procedures Guide, refinements to the Levels of Excellence Award contest, and the Chapter Recruiting Program. Leaders also learned about national MOAA’s communication media and the aspirational goal to achieve chapter influence in every congressional district. Wright then emphasized the new March 1, 2016,

52 MILITARY OFFICER JANUARY 2016

deadline for 2015 Levels of Excel- lence Award submissions. During an open discussion ses- sion, affiliate leaders shared success stories while others sought advice on how to recruit younger members. Wright advised leaders to establish a chapter mission statement, compose a short message on why someone should join their chapter, and prac- tice their recruiting methods. “National MOAA has many re-

sources available to guide chapters with recruiting, but you need to per- sonalize your efforts for your com- munities,” Wright told attendees.

“

Our councils and chapters are the foundation of our association.

— MOAA President Vice

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

”

Following the roundtable, par- ticipants could attend a SeniorNet workshop on how to access and use technology for empowerment.

Levels of Excellence Awards The highlight of the annual meeting was the Levels of Excellence Award dinner, where MOAA’s very best councils and chapters received five-

On the road: This month, Col. Barry Wright, USA (Ret), di- rector, MOAA Council and Chapter Affairs, will visit members of the Florida Council of Chap- ters. See MOAA Calen- dar, page 89, for dates.

star awards and above-average coun- cils and chapters received four-star awards. This year, 17 of MOAA’s 34 councils and 147 out of 411 chapters received accolades. Keynote speaker and Chair of

MOAA’s Board of Directors Gen. Charles T. “Tony” Robertson Jr., USAF (Ret), thanked affiliate leaders for implementing MOAA’s missions at the local level and for continuing to be the bedrock of the organization. Robertson also thanked Ryan for his service to MOAA, which began in September 2002 and ends in January 2016. He then presented Ryan with an appreciation award on behalf of the council and chapter members.

Recognizing excellence The award ceremony started with the presentation of the 2015 Auxiliary Liaison/Surviving Spouse Excellence Award to Joan Perry, surviving spouse liaison for the Grand Strand (S.C.) Chapter. Perry was recognized for her outstanding work supporting surviv- ing spouses and for the volunteer work she does in the Myrtle Beach, S.C., area. “Thank you MOAA for rec- ognizing the roles surviving spouses play within their chapters,” she says. “I am honored to receive the MOAA national surviving spouse award. And thank you Grand Strand Chapter of MOAA for the nomination.”