MOAA’s council and chapter members provide the heartbeat of our association, bolstering our national mission but also their local communities.

National MOAA is indebted to the leaders who volunteer time and energy to keep this network moving, but we know it is not an easy task. To assist, two chapters achieving significant member growth have shared tips and tricks working for them. 

Col. Bob Crawford, USA (Ret), immediate past president of the Northwest Arkansas Chapter, said that since 2021, the chapter has seen a net growth of nearly 100 members. 

“Before 2021, it was a social club. After 2021, we’ve become a community service and community support organization,” Crawford said. “The energy level has increased. People see that energy level and see this is something they can be involved in.” 

The Willow Grove (Pa.) Chapter experienced double-digit growth this past year, and chapter President Col. Paul A. Karwaski, USA (Ret), attributes it to a combination of outreach, a warm welcome to prospects, and the injection of some military bearing that takes them back to their service days. 

Here are some of the best tools in their toolboxes:

Everyone needs to recruit. Remind your membership often that each of them is a recruiting officer. Every encounter — be it at church, the grocery store checkout line, or the gas pump — with a veteran is an opportunity. “Get their contact information, a phone number or email, and send it to the membership chair,” Crawford said. Leads are only as good as the follow-through, which means you need to …

Get a committed membership chair. Every chapter needs a champion in this role who can be friendly but aggressive in the pursuit. In Arkansas, the chair receives leads and quickly sends out an email message with a one-sheet on the chapter, the latest e-newsletter, and a blank membership form. If no response arrives in three to four weeks, another email goes out. Consider a phone call if email outreach is not successful. 

Take advantage of targeted mailings. There are MOAA members living in your area who are not chapter members. How can you reach them? National MOAA can distribute a tailored email to local prospects. Snail-mail postcards are provided in a more limited capacity and based on chapter need. 

Support servicemembers nearby. Both chapters have leveraged National Guard units in their vicinity and are active mentors/supporters of ROTC and Junior ROTC programs nearby. Arkansas even recruited 11 ROTC cadets as members (cadets don’t pay for dinner or dues) as well as active members from the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade. In Pennsylvania, Guard leadership has attended meetings and provided briefs. Which brings us to the need to …

Land outstanding speakers. Karwaski devotes time and energy to establishing interesting luncheons that serve as a lure for prospective members. Guard leaders have presented on topics like unclassified updates on Army land strategy and the MQ-9 Reaper mission. Prospects who attend often leave educated, impressed, and likely to join. Also consider inviting local military recruiters to address the recruiting challenge. Members enjoy connecting with currently serving personnel. 

Channel their nostalgia. For military-related events in the community, Karwaski likes to bring his MOAA brand of military decorum and bearing to the proceedings. This can include an impromptu recitation of the service oath — or what he calls “renewing your vows.” It provides an instant sense of camaraderie that appeals to prospects. The Willow Grove Chapter also invested in chapter challenge coins, which serve as a powerful public relations tool. Plus, every new member is given a coin at a meeting, helping to cement their commitment to the group. 

Major Gary M. Portnoy, USAFR (Ret), of MOAA's Willow Grove Chapter briefs junior ROTC cadets at nearby Bensalem High School on MOAA and opportunities in the Air Force. (Willow Grove Chapter via Instagram)

Do you feel inspired to try some of these ideas? For them to work, Crawford said, “You’ve got to have an energy level for growth and that needs to spread through the chapter, so everybody is interested.”    

If one of these ideas works for you, or if you have a chapter membership success story of your own, let us know at editor@moaa.org.