Military Officer - March 2007 - (Page 50)

chapteractivities Keep Strong M OAA’s chapter system is the best of any military association’s. To stay strong, chapters must keep bringing in new members. More members means chapters can continue to make a difference in their communities. Here at MOAA national level, more members also means more clout in Congress. So two years ago MOAA launched the “Give Me 10!” recruiting program, bringing in more than 3,700 new members so far. Now the 2007 Give Me 10! program is in full swing. We’ve made this year’s program even better by making it easier for chapters to participate. There are plenty of incentives for chapters and new members alike. At the top of the list are complimentary memberships for currently serving members, in recognition of their sacriﬁces for the rest of the nation in the war on terrorism. And we offer reduced-rate, two-year memberships for retired, former, and auxiliary members along with cash prizes for chapters. For 2006, MOAA awarded more than $44,000 to chapters in recog50 MILITARY OFFICER MARCH 2007 T sent boxes ﬁlled with messages of support, comfort care items, batteries, ﬂashlights, prepaid long-distance phone cards, books, DVDs, and toys to be distributed to Iraqi children. The chapter also set up a Web site so comnition of their successful recruitmunity members and organizations ing efforts. The Virginia Council of Chapters led the nation with 554 new could ship boxes to the troops, with boxes and mailing instructions promembers; its top chapter, Southside, vided by the chapter. brought in an astound“What is amazing ing 319 new members. about this project is The council also was “It’s always that we haven’t resuccessful in getting 75 nice to have stricted it merely to percent of its chapters a taste of our chapter, [and] to opt in to Give Me 10! this has brought in sevand recruit at least 10 home.” eral new members for new members each. — Soldiers of D Co., 3rd Bn., 67th our chapter,” says Col. The Virginia Council Armor Regt. Troy Scott, USAR-Ret. proved that council inWhen 1/64 redevolvement in recruiting ployed in 2006, Sarais key to success. The sota Chapter members adopted the council assisted chapters by helping Army’s 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor with mailings and providing advice Regiment, and the 1st Marine Expeand other support — and it worked. ditionary Force. An updated Web site I look forward to working closely with councils and chapters in another (www.supportourtroopsmoas.com) gives all the information needed to successful effort. Let’s move out! — Col. Lee Lange II, USMC-Ret. procure, pack, and ship care packDirector, Council and Chapter Affairs ages to servicemembers via APO/FPO mail. Recipient servicemembers’ gratitude continues to pour in, such as this note from Marine Lt. Col. Bryan Sales: “Dozens and dozens of Sarasota Florida Chapters’ Support citizens send care packages to the Earns Praise From Troops Marines in Iraq. The packages are well thought-out — large enough for he Clearwater (Fla.) Chap- a ﬁreteam to share, small enough so that it is easy to transport, nonperishter has a longstanding Supable and non-meltable food, sundries, port Our Troops program. and reading material.” Two other Florida chapters — Sara“Iraq is no picnic,” wrote 21 solsota and the St. Petersburg Area — also diers of 3rd Battalion’s D Co. in a run programs that keep servicememjoint letter. “But we’re making the bers connected to home. best of our time here. Being as far The Sarasota Chapter started a away from the U.S. as we are, it’s Support Our Troops program in early always nice to have a taste of home. 2005 by adopting the Army’s 1st Bat You have touched more lives than talion, 64th Armor Regiment, which [we] think you realize, and [we] candeployed to Iraq. Chapter members Field Reports PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT http://www.supportourtroopsmoas.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Military Officer - March 2007

From the Editor From the President Your Views MOAA Directory Rapid Fire Washington Scene Financial Forum Ask the Doctor Chapter Activities Forward, March 10 Top Cities Tell Us About It Fly the Plan Cover Story: The War Poster One Percent Pages of History Information Exchange Advertising Index MOAA Member Services Member Books Sounding Taps MOAA Calendar Encore

Military Officer - March 2007

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