chaptersinaction
between MOAA and our leaders in the field. The new model will allow greater flexibility to meet train- ing requirements, reduce the staff needed for the event, and signifi- cantly reduce the cost. We also will begin to offer one-
day council and chapter leadership workshops three to four times a year. Our goal is to locate a host city that will allow council and chapter lead- ers from several states and councils to attend. We plan to invite up to three leaders from each council and chapter — presidents, vice presidents or membership chairs, and legislative chairs. This workshop will empha- size chapter management; there also will be break-out training focused on chapter recruiting or legislative chair training. Our tentative goal is to have 40 to 60 leaders at each workshop. The locations of selected host cities will vary each year, based on the need of each region. We hope to work in conjunction with an existing council-planned event when possible. Our first opportu- nity is in January, when we will work with the Florida Council of Chapters Winter Leadership Forum in Orlando, Fla. For council leaders planning an
event in the fall of 2017, now is the time to coordinate to act as a coun- cil host. We already have identified two of the three host cities for 2017. By late spring 2017, we will begin to confirm locations for 2018 events. As we move into 2017, our goal re- mains unchanged: to provide quality support and training for our council and chapter leaders. We believe the new leadership workshop model will allow the national team to be more responsive to local needs.
48 MILITARY OFFICER DECEMBER 2016 Looking Forward
December can be a month of reflection, as we look ahead to the upcoming year and pause during the holiday chaos to appreciate the moment. This month, we look back on MOAA’s 19th Annual West Regional Chapter Leaders’ Symposium, held Sept. 22-24 at the Flamingo Hotel Corporate Convention Center in Las Vegas. More than 150 leaders and spouses representing 15 states, six councils, and over 70 chapters attended. The symposium brought together council and chapter officers, along
with key national staff and board members, to discuss how to strengthen MOAA’s council and chapter system. The two-day event featured a series of workshops and breakout sessions addressing key chapter management is- sues, the chapter recruiting program, and legislative training. It also updated attendees on several MOAA departments. This year’s symposium also provided an opportunity for many of our members residing in the western region to meet Lt. Gen. Dana T. Atkins, USAF (Ret), MOAA’s new president and CEO. Participants also watched the new “Why MOAA?” video, available at
www.moaa.org/ whymoaa. By all accounts, the event was a success. This will be my final column. Many of you have heard me praise MOAA members for using their retirement to make a difference in their communi- ties and local chapters. I will retire in January 2017, after 10 years in Council and Chapter Affairs. Col. Terri Coles, USA (Ret) — who has served on the national MOAA staff for more than four years — will succeed me as direc- tor of the department. In this position, I’ve been privileged to travel around the country and meet chapter members. The meetings I attended always inspired me — they were like visits home with family. MOAA asks councils and chapters to represent us in your communities and support our legislative efforts with your elected officials, and you’ve always met the challenge. You are MOAA’s greatest ambassadors. The positive contributions chapter members make in their communities are immeasurable, and you have helped us make headway with your elected officials to further legislative initiatives affecting all veterans. MOAA has a great staff, and it has been my honor to serve with them. I’d
be remiss if I didn’t thank Brian Anderson, my former deputy; Terri; Carol Robertson; Victoria Twyne; and Amy Wood. I often was the spokesperson of our department, but they worked tirelessly to make our successes possible. I know you will welcome and support Terri with the same enthusiasm
you showed me; I know she will do great, and I wish her all the best. Finally, thank you to the many friends I’ve met in chapters over the
years. My wife, Barbara, and I will miss you all. — Col. Barry Wright, USA (Ret),
director, Council and Chapter Affairs PHOTO: SEAN SHANAHAN
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