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

New Tool to Request Chapter Visits

Councils and chapters now can request visits from national MOAA representatives through an online platform.

National MOAA representatives typically attend council/chapter events or meetings every three to four years. If your council or chapter would like a national MOAA representative to speak during your next function, you can submit your request online.

At this time, we are only supporting virtual meetings due to COVID-19. Virtual meetings are a great way to remain connected to our councils and chapters as well as keep your members engaged. National MOAA representatives have supported numerous virtual meetings this year and look forward to continuing doing so.

You may also submit future date requests for visits. Our hope is to attend in-person visit requests next year, depending on guidance from the CDC. Once you have submitted your visit request, you will receive an automated confirmation email. In addition, you will receive the next steps regarding your request from Chapter Affairs Specialist Candice Young. If you have any questions or concerns, email chapters@moaa.org.

MOAA Hosts Virtual Annual Meeting

Learn more about what was discussed during the event, and access a recording of the meeting.

MOAA members from across the country gathered online with leaders and staff Oct. 23 for the association’s first virtual annual meeting in its 91-year history. The event provided the opportunity for attendees to learn about MOAA programs and initiatives and ask questions.

During his briefing, Lt. Gen. Dana T. Atkins, USAF (Ret), MOAA president and CEO, highlighted the importance of MOAA’s nearly 41,000 council and chapter members and the work they are doing in their communities.

“Chapter members never stop serving, and I’m grateful for their support,” he said.

[READ MORE: MOAA Members, Leaders Attend Association’s First Virtual Annual Meeting]

Surviving Spouse Corner: How Surviving Spouses Benefit From MOAA Membership

Surviving spouses will find resources, support, and connection.

By Dr. Vivianne Cisneros Wersel, Surviving Spouse Advisory Council member

MOAA’s mission is to improve the lives of those who serve and their families. As a MOAA member, surviving spouses have opportunities to connect with kindred surviving spouses in addition to receive information about benefits and programs that might be new to them.

Understandably, when someone becomes a surviving spouse, there is a certain knowledge gap to navigate. Surviving spouses of MOAA work to help close that gap.

It’s also important to note many survivors might not be aware they are eligible to join MOAA even if their military spouses were not MOAA members.

Depending on your membership level, surviving spouses will have a consistent line of communication as well as support regarding their eligibility for various MOAA benefits, such as discounts, advocacy, scholarships, and membership to their virtual chapter. Communication options include telephone, emails, literature, social media, and webinars.

Read more about the benefits of membership on MOAA.org.

A great example of the support MOAA provides is the MOAA Surviving Spouse Virtual Chapter and the Surviving Spouses and Friends Facebook group, which unites military survivors from different war eras. Through these avenues, a surviving MOAA spouse has ample opportunity to relate to like members with similar backgrounds. Local chapters also can provide a spouse with a tangible sense of community and connection.

Read past Surviving Spouse Corners.

Third-Quarter Recruiting Awards

Sept. 30 marked the end of the third quarter of the 2020 Chapter Recruiting Program competition.

During the third quarter (July 1 through Sept. 30), MOAA affiliates recruited a total of 363 new monetary incentive qualified chapter members.

A $100 incentive is awarded quarterly to the top council in each of our four regions whose chapters recruit 40 or more new chapter members during the quarter as well as to the top non-affiliated chapter in five categories that recruits 10 or more new members during the quarter (at least 20 new incentive-qualified members by a virtual chapter).

The third-quarter council winner is Texas, with 88 new members.

The independent chapter winner is MOAA Uniformed Services Nurse Advocates Virtual Chapter, with 42 new members.

View chapter-recruiting resources, sign up new chapter members, and check out your results via the chapter-recruiting tracker.

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 recently unveiled a monument in Warbird Park honoring past and present members of the chapter. Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune was the guest speaker at the ceremony. Members got the idea to build the monument two years ago when former president Col. Bob Hawkins, USA, died. View a photo of the monument on the chapter’s website.

The Silver Strand (Calif.) Chapter honored member Kathy Prout for her service to the chapter as surviving spouse liaison. Chapter President Capt. Marvin Heinze, USN (Ret), gave Prout an award for outstanding service signed by MOAA President and CEO Lt. Gen. Dana T. Atkins, USAF (Ret), in a front-yard presentation. Family and the board of directors of the chapter also attended.

The Sun City Center (Fla.) Chapter recently donated $1,000 to My Warriors Place, a retreat center for veterans, servicemembers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and Gold Star, Blue Star, and Silver Star Families. Chapter President Maj. James Haney, USMC (Ret), presented the check to Kelly Kowall, president and founder of My Warriors Place.