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

The 2021 Community Outreach Grant Cycle Is Now Open!

The MOAA Foundation is accepting applications Dec. 1 to Feb. 28 for its 2021 Community Outreach Grants. To be eligible to receive a grant, MOAA councils or chapters must meet basic administration requirements and be actively involved in the delivery of community services supporting currently serving personnel and veterans and their families in one of 10 areas of critical family need: housing, food assistance, employment, health (including behavioral health), family support, community reintegration, financial assistance, legal assistance, transportation, and COVID-19 relief efforts.

In 2020, 23 MOAA chapters received grants totaling more than $84,000.

Learn more about the grants, make a donation, and find the application at MOAA.org/communitygrant.

Apply for the 2021 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 2021 calendar year. Those that receive funding must recognize USAA as a sponsor or contributor at the event.

Sponsorship will be considered for events such as state council conventions, chapter events that recognize ROTC and Junior ROTC cadets and enhance the chapter’s relationship with cadets’ schools, special chapter meetings to educate community members about benefits, and more.

Apply by visiting MOAA's website and filling out and submitting the online request form. MOAA will process requests in the order received and, if approved, transfer funds via Electronic Funds Transfer.

Enter the Communications Award Contest

The deadline to enter the annual Col. Marvin J. Harris Communications Award Contest is Feb. 1. Council and chapter leaders can submit entries to be recognized as a four- or five-star winner in two categories of competition: 1) print newsletters and electronic newsletters and 2) websites.

Entries will be accepted through an online submission platform. Find more details about the contest.

Surviving Spouse Corner: There’s a Facebook Group for That!

Connect with others and learn about benefits, legislation, and issues affecting surviving spouses and families through this MOAA Facebook page.

By Nancy Mullen, second vice chair, Surviving Spouse Advisory Council

Are you wondering where to go to get information about issues affecting surviving spouses and families? Are you looking for a supportive, nonjudgmental group to assist you in learning and keeping up to date on benefits and legislation impacting our surviving families? Need a pick-me-up or to connect with others who share similar interests as you? Join the MOAA Surviving Spouses and Friends Facebook page!

Who can join? We have recently expanded our membership to include not only surviving spouses but also our families, military spouses, council and chapter surviving spouse liaisons, advocates, and others with an interest in issues that impact the survivor community, regardless of MOAA membership. Particularly in these times of COVID-19 restrictions, we all need a way to connect with others whom which we have common interests.

Is this a public or private group? This is a private group, and there are no fees or dues. You are required to answer a couple of brief questions and be approved by the administrators of the group to join. These questions are designed to ensure we provide a safe place to share information and connect with other like-minded people as well as protect the group from those who do not have a legitimate interest in our issues.

The group’s rules are simple, and members may be removed at the discretion of the administrators. Here are a few of the do’s and don’ts to remember: 

• Do be kind and courteous; remember the Golden Rule and treat everyone with respect.
• Don’t attack someone else just because you disagree with them. We can disagree with one another but keep it respectful. Hate speech and bullying will not be tolerated and such comments will be removed.
• Do respect the privacy of the group. Comments made within this group are not to be shared outside of the group. Some of the discussions can be sensitive and private in nature, and it is important that we can trust each other. Files may also not be shared without the approval of the administrators. Posts within the page cannot be seen by the Facebook “friends” of others in the group, unless they are members of the group themselves.
• Don’t post sensitive information, such as your phone number, address, social security number, or bank account information. If you need advice that requires you to share this type of information, please privately contact the administrators for assistance.
• Do remember that “tone” is sometimes difficult to determine online. Stop and think before reacting negatively as you may have misinterpreted a comment or response. Remember that many of us are grieving, so please give a little grace.
• Don’t post about politics or political events. This page is apolitical and will not be used to promote any candidate or political party.
• Do feel free to contribute material to the site, provided it does not violate group rules. If you are unsure, please reach out to one of the Facebook group administrators.
• Don’t sell products or advertise your business. This is also not a dating site.

If you are a member of the group, you might have noticed more activity recently and even posts that are not benefit or surviving family specific. We intend this page to be not only an efficient way to disseminate information on benefits, proposed legislation, advocacy efforts, etcetera, but also a way for all of us to connect and uplift one another. Feel free to share an encouraging or funny meme and pictures of your loved ones and pets and post comments supporting each other. Our group is expanding, and we would be happy to welcome more members. We would love to get to know each of you, and look forward to your comments on our page.

Read past Surviving Spouse Corners.

Did You Know? Here’s How to Report a Member’s Death

Chapter leaders can report a member’s death by using the MOAA TAPS Form. After we receive your notification, the date is captured in our database and added to the member’s record. The surviving spouse, if applicable, will be contacted to receive the remaining membership of the deceased member.

Download MOAA’s New Seal

MOAA recently updated its seal to include the U.S. Space Force, a new branch of service eligible for MOAA membership. Download the new seal at www.moaa.org/content/about-moaa/moaa-logos.

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 Grand Strand (S.C.) Chapter partnered with the Waccamaw Tribe and the South Carolina Indian Affairs Commission to hold a drive-through assistance event for veterans Oct. 23 in Aynor. Veterans who attended received blankets, cold weather kits, food, medical/dental vouchers, temporary housing information, and other materials as well as grocery store gift cards and gas cards to help offset travel expenses. The chapter provided information about applying for COVID-19 Emergency Financial Relief Grants from the MOAA Foundation.

The Chattanooga (Tenn.) Chapter participated in the 71st annual Armed Forces Day parade in downtown Chattanooga. The parade originally was scheduled for May but was moved to October because of COVID-19 guidelines. The chapter also took part in the local Veterans Day memorial services, with chapter member Gen. B.B. Bell, USA (Ret), serving as keynote speaker.

Members of the Luke (Ariz.) Chapter recently helped a veteran with ALS disease move homes. A grant paid overdue rent and the transportation of his household goods in a storage container from Ohio. Chapter members worked with helpers from BeConnected and Community Bridges Inc. to unload the storage container, unpack some boxes, and set up furniture for the veteran.