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reserve-component servicemembers who have served on active duty since Sept. 11, 2001, receive credit for such service in determining eligibility for early receipt of non-regular service retired pay.
Military advocates After lobbying on the Hill, partici- pants and their spouses attended a dinner where keynote speaker Minnesota Rep. Tim Walz spoke about transcending politics when it comes to the safety and care of servicemembers and their families. Walz, who served for 24 years in the Minnesota National Guard, is a key member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. While in Con- gress, he has championed enhanced veterans’ benefits and led the effort to pass the Traumatic Brain Injury Center Act. He also supported the Post-9/11 GI Bill in 2008. During the Arthur T. Marix Award
ceremony and reception on Capitol Hill, Council and chapter leaders also took time to thank their congressional leaders and key staff members who supported MOAA’s legislative initia- tives last year. (For more details, read “Honoring Advocates,” page 58.)
Getting involved Seminar participants learned about the DoD State Liaison Program and 10 state-level issues they could support that would help improve the quality of life of servicemem- bers and their families. Council and chapter leaders also received tips on how they could support the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve and the Military Child Education Coalition. Col. Lee Lange II, USMC-Ret.,
director of MOAA’s Council and Chapter Affairs Department, held a
4 0 MI L I T A R Y O F F I C E R J U LY 2 0 1 0
working breakfast where he high- lighted the importance of MOAA’s new federal charter. Following breakfast, chapter leaders heard from members of MOAA’s staff and board of directors who outlined the association’s goals as well as tools leaders could use to improve recruit- ing and retention in their chapters.
What’s up at MOAA Col. Mike Jordan, USAF-Ret., direc- tor of MOAA’s Contract Services and Marketing Department, outlined to participants ongoing and upcoming marketing and membership initia- tives, including a “member-get- a-member” program MOAA will launch this fall. Cmdr. Kati Tracy, USNR-Ret., of
MOAA’s Benefits Information and Financial Education Department, briefed council and chapter leaders about services the department pro- vides. The department offers many helpful publications, which can be used as recruiting tools. Spouses also were invited to attend a special ben- efits information briefing. Col. Dick Crampton, USA-Ret.,
highlighted MOAA’s The Officer Placement Service (TOPS) — a career-transition-assistance pro- gram for servicemembers and their spouses. He asked leaders to identify a chapter member who is well-suited to serve as a TOPS liai- son and consider placing more em- phasis on TOPS as a way to recruit younger officers. At the briefing, attendees learned the 2010 Chapter Presidents’ Symposium will include training sessions for chapter TOPS liaisons and membership chairs. Members of MOAA’s Auxiliary
Member Advisory Committee also gave participants an overview of the work they’ve been doing for the mili-
tary community. They urged leaders to appoint an auxiliary liaison in each chapter in their state and have an aux- iliary liaison serve on the state council. MOAA President Vice Adm. Norb
Ryan Jr., USN-Ret., then presented the 2009 Communications Awards. (View winning entries at
www.moaa.org/ communicationsaward.) MOAA con- ducts the annual contest to recognize affiliates that do an outstanding job communicating with their members using a variety of media.
Drawing to an end Gen. James E. Cartwright, USMC, vice chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addressed attendees and their spouses during the seminar’s closing luncheon. Cartwright touched on topics ranging from the troop draw- down in Iraq to long term care issues for wounded warriors before fielding questions from luncheon attendees. After lunch, attendees participated
in a lively cross talk, where leaders shared best practices and discussed state-level legislative efforts. Before adjourning, members of the
national board of directors approved a charter for the new Northeast Missis- sippi Chapter. Delegates also learned about chapters in development in Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Ne- braska, New York, and Utah, as well as the reestablishment of the Utah Council of Chapters. To review presentations from
the seminar, visit MOAA’s Web Base at
www.moaa.org/chapters. Select Chapter Leaders, then News & Events, and Council Presidents’ Seminar 2010.
MO
— Contributors are Col. Lee Lange II, USMC-Ret., director; Col. Barry Wright, USA-Ret., deputy director, Council and Chapter Affairs; and Kris Ann Hegle. For submission information, see page 18.
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