Military Officer - February 2008 - (Page 12) fromthechairman Year of the Chapter MOAA’s affiliated chapters can play a pivotal role in association outreach — but chapter members and non-chapter members all must pitch in to make it happen. A superb council and chapter system is one of MOAA’s enduring strengths, the grassroots vehicle that supports our legislative agenda and creates magnificent ambassadors for MOAA across the nation, “home bases” for our members, and platforms for “servant leadership” to give back to local communities. Nonetheless, despite all these positive attributes, I’m concerned for the future of MOAA’s affiliates. MOAA has 410 chapters and 36 state councils — but only some 19 percent of our 367,000 members have chosen to affiliate with a chapter. This level is far too low, given the talent and potential for positive achievement within this association. MOAA has many dedicated, hardworking chapter members — in many cases with strong support from their spouses — whose organizations make a difference in their communities. Other chapters, for many and varied reasons, are barely getting along. Our strategic challenge, then, is to ensure chapters are relevant, are attractive to members in the future, and have the support they need to thrive. MOAA’s board of directors has declared 2008 the “Year of the Chapter,” with the goal of underscoring chapters’ role as the pivotal outreach component of our association. MOAA’s staff — in conjunction with our councils and chapters — is developing a series of initiatives to both strengthen our chapter system and broaden chapters’ appeal to current and future MOAA mem12 MILITARY OFFICER FEBRUARY 2008 bers. The chapters will retain their affiliate status, but together we’re going to develop and share some ideas that will help them progress. For many MOAA members not in chapters, the realities are undeniable: post-military careers; active and busy families; and location, age, and health issues. That’s why we have to be creative in our thinking and practice the art of the possible. Officers, by definition, are leaders — well-trained and used to accepting responsibility — and that puts MOAA way ahead of many other organizations. And because MOAA members pride themselves on being “servant leaders,” what better way to show that pride than by working with fellow members for the common good? If you’re already a chapter member, think about a new project, and bring a non-chapter member to your next meeting. If you aren’t a member, consider attending a chapter meeting soon, or — better yet — join a chapter. Give it a try. You’ll be glad you did. We’re ready to share your chapter success stories, and now — the Year of the Chapter — is a fine time to start. — Gen. Michael P.C. Carns, USAF-Ret. PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT
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