Recent news from The MOAA Newsletter. View previous editions of Council and Chapter News here. 

Levels of Excellence Award Submissions

May 1 is the deadline to submit your nomination entry for a Levels of Excellence Award. Find more details about this year’s competition.

Councils and chapters that want to be considered for a Levels of Excellence Award need to submit a nomination entry by May 1. To receive the maximum recruiting points, chapters must have 95% or more of their members be national MOAA members. Chapters have until the end of March to reflect member status in their committee module rosters.

A standard set of rating criteria will be used to evaluate all councils and chapters that submit a package. The very, very best councils or chapters receive a five-star award, and above-average councils or chapters receive a four-star award.

Find details, best practices, and award criteria.

MOAA Is Seeking Applicants for Its Board of Directors

The deadline to submit applications and letters of recommendation is March 31.

This year, MOAA will elect a new class of the board of directors — 12 new directors who will succeed the 12 who will complete their service in October. MOAA directors serve one six-year term and must be MOAA members. Like the military services and veterans’ communities it represents, MOAA draws its strength from the diversity of its members. Our membership base consists of both men and women of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. It is important that MOAA’s board of directors be representative of that diversity. To achieve that objective, MOAA strongly encourages its minority members to apply for positions on the board of directors.

Those interested must submit their applications and letters of recommendation by March 31. Find eligibility requirements and additional details at www.moaa.org/boardapplication.

Did You Know? Chapter Resources You Don’t Want to Miss

National MOAA offers a variety of tools and resources to keep chapter leaders informed about leadership topics. Two of these include:

• Virtual meetings about career transition/networking and legislative advocacy. For leaders involved with or interested in career transition/networking, contact abigailc@moaa.org. For the advocacy group, contact robillard47@gmail.com or don17609@yahoo.com.
• Online tutorials. The newest tutorial, Chapter Management 2020, is a condensed version of the popular regional leader workshop. Others walk you through using the Committee Module, provide insight on liability insurance and incorporation, and many other useful topics. Find the full library.

Sign Up for the MOAA Insurance Plans Advertising Program

MOAA Insurance Plans is proud to support MOAA councils and chapters and is continuing the advertising program for 2020. A digital and print-ready advertisement promoting MOAA Insurance Plans will be available by request until May 31. If a council or chapter would like to place the advertisement online or in a newsletter or other publication during 2020, it will be provided a copy of the advertisement and a payment of $100. Learn more.

Apply for the 2020 USAA/MOAA Sponsorship Program

Looking for ways to finance a special state council or chapter event? Apply for sponsorship of up to $800 for state council events or $300 for chapter events provided by MOAA’s affinity partner USAA. Councils and chapters may apply to receive funds for one event in the upcoming 2020 calendar year. Learn more and apply by visiting MOAA's website.

Surviving Spouse Corner: Philanthropy Large and Small

Here are ways you can give back to others, including two national MOAA programs.

By Patricia Farnsworth, Surviving Spouse Advisory Committee member

Philanthropy means generosity in all its forms — giving gifts of time, talent, and treasure to help make life better for others.

Wealthy people, companies, or organizations can donate large amounts of money intended to help meet the needs of others. These are very helpful and needed contributions. One famous example is Andrew Carnegie, whose foundation has helped to provide over 2,800 libraries in the U.S. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has fostered many efforts to improve global health. However, individuals can make contributions and benefit others by giving their time and efforts in smaller ways, such as:

• donating time to help provide food and shelter for those who are homeless or simply cannot afford to meet the needs of their families;
• volunteering as coaches in youth sports’ programs; and
• providing assistance to young people who wish to attain a college degree but cannot afford the cost.

Two examples of MOAA philanthropic programs are the MOAA Scholarship Fund and the MOAA Foundation.

Donations, large and small, to the MOAA Scholarship Fund by members of the association have made it possible for many children of eligible servicemembers to attend college — a benefit to all. And donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to the MOAA Foundation support high-impact, proven-successful programs and services that enable servicemembers and veterans of all ranks, and their families, to maintain a quality of life reflective of their selfless service to America.

Learn more about the Scholarship Fund and MOAA Foundation.

Get Newsletter Content From National MOAA

Need some content to supplement your chapter’s newsletter? The White Label Newsletter Template includes information, articles, and helpful tips from national MOAA that already are formatted for inclusion in your newsletter. The content is updated every month to ensure you are receiving timely, relevant information.   

From the Field

MOAA chapters give back to their communities through fundraising efforts, community-service projects, scholarship programs, and other initiatives. Here are some recent activities.

The Northwest Arkansas Chapter recently participated in an Eagle Scout project. Col. Brad Welch, USA (Ret), the chapter’s president, presented a certificate of achievement for outstanding American patriotism and performance to Boy Scout Adam Ledzinski of Goshen, Ark., Jan. 21. For his Eagle Scout project, Ledzinski worked tirelessly to fund and dedicate a new flagpole at Goshen City Hall. A significant aspect of the project was the creation and installation of benches around the flagpole that honor the military services. 

The Fort Campbell (Tenn.) Chapter joined with other MOAA chapters as well as several Tennessee veterans’ organizations Feb. 5 for “Tennessee Veterans Storming the Capitol.” Representatives from the organizations converged on the state capitol to meet with their district representatives and senators to discuss bills that affect veterans and military retirees and their families throughout Tennessee.

The Sandhills (N.C.) Chapter donated $1,000 to the Fort Bragg Fisher House in January. Chapter President Col. Nickolas Christopher, USA (Ret), as well as several other chapter officers, presented the donation to Fisher House Manager Vivian L. Wilson. The Fort Bragg Fisher House provides a "home away from home" for active duty and retired military families and patients receiving medical care at Womack Army Medical Center.