chapters in action

Future Leaders

MOAA chapter members provide a wide range of support to high school Junior ROTC cadets and programs, which foster good citizenship, teamwork, and patriotism.

I continue to be amazed when I visit a chapter and hear a national MOAA member and first-time guest of the chapter say, “I never knew we had a chapter in our community, and I’ve lived here for the past 10 years.” It leaves me perplexed and a little discouraged, but soon the picture starts to come into focus. Most often, this individual heard about the chapter after reading a letter from national MOAA announcing a staff member would soon visit the chapter.

MOAA has more than 400 chapters in all 50 states, with members who are actively involved in their communities. They are all having positive impacts on individuals who reside in those communities — and most go about their business with little fanfare. It is the way most of us conducted business while on active duty; we simply executed the mission while taking care of our troops without seeking the spotlight.

The challenge today is figuring out how to spread the word to non-chapter national MOAA members that there’s a chapter near them. Sometimes, it’s OK to publicize our good deeds, like those highlighted in the department’s main story, “Encouraging Young Cadets.” If you are a national member who doesn’t know where your nearest chapter is located, call MOAA’s Member Service Center at (800) 234-MOAA (6622), and a member service representative can direct you to your closest chapter. Or search at www.moaa.org/chapterlocator.

Recently, during a chapter visit, I met with a couple who had driven more than 25 miles to attend their first chapter meeting. They acknowledged they had just retired from the military and were getting settled into their second careers when they received a letter from national MOAA providing them with chapter meeting information. They ended up joining the chapter because of the issues national MOAA had advocated on in the past and those the association will continue to advocate on in the future on behalf of its members and all of those who are currently serving.

This couple was focusing on assimilating into a new community and starting work in new career fields. Yet they recognized they wanted to belong to a local chapter so they could contribute and make a difference in their community. They also have the added benefit of being part of a network of people who can provide helpful “intel” about the community and surrounding area. Our chapter members are good people who continue to make a difference in their communities and our nation.

I hope to see you during a future chapter visit. Thanks for your support.
— Col. Barry Wright, USA (Ret)
Director, Council and Chapter Affairs

Encouraging Young Cadets

Chapter members support a new generation of leaders.

Lee County, Fla., has one of the largest Junior ROTC (JROTC) programs in the nation, with more than 5,600 cadets in 14 high school programs. Each year, cadets look forward to competing in the Raider Challenge. But federal budget cuts in 2013 threatened to end the competition. When members of the Lee Coast Chapter (www.moaa.org/chapter/leecoast) heard the competition might end, they donated $2,000 to fund the event and buy trophies.

“The Raider Challenge was fascinating to watch,” says Dottie Conner, who attended the event with her husband, Florida Council of Chapters President Lt. Col. Jim Conner, USAF (Ret). “You could see the cadets honing their ability to work as a team, which is a skill they can use throughout their lives.”

On the road: This month, Col. Barry Wright, USA (Ret), director, MOAA Council and Chapter Affairs, will visit chapter members in Georgia and South Carolina. See MOAA Calendar, page 75, for dates.

online: Find a MOAA chapter near you at www.moaa.org/chapterlocator.