Military Officer - August 2007 - (Page 48)

chapteractivities Upping the Ante I ’ve talked before about the dedicated members of MOAA’s 408 chapters and 36 state councils. They work together to help others and make a difference. When I visit a chapter, it’s clear to me this is where the inﬂuencers are. They are busy people with many contacts and relationships, yet they still ﬁnd time to be part of a chapter. Why? Because they see the chapter as being about something larger than themselves. To give you an idea of MOAA’s investment in chapters, look at our signature events program. I’ve mentioned the Council Presidents’ Seminar, which focuses on council leaders. Our signature event for both council and chapter leaders — the Chapter Presidents’ Symposium — is Oct. 5-7 in Dallas. We’ll bring in the key members of every council and chapter leadership team and their spouses from 16 states in the Midwest region for a series of workshops and discussions about chapter management. Chapter leaders also will interact with MOAA’s leadership team, listen to guest speakers, and hopefully leave the sympo48 MILITARY OFFICER AUGUST 2007 M Chapter members Maj. Jim Walker, USA-Ret., and Col. Jerry Bowen, USA-Ret. Bowen also serves on national MOAA’s board of directors. Bowen met Hardin last year when Bowen spoke at a St. Louis sium with tools to help them run Chapter meeting. Although Hardin successful councils and chapters. is a member of the St. Louis ChapWe owe this to chapter and counter, he frequently travels to Poplar cil members; in fact, we can’t give Bluff and once served them enough support as the commander of and recognition for a local Army National what they do. They We can’t Guard Company. lead the way in grassgive chapWhen Hardin indicatroots legislative supters and ed he was interested port and are MOAA’s in starting a chapter ambassadors in their councils communities. But they enough rec- that would serve MOAA members who could use some help. ognition. live in Southeast MisRight now the majorsouri, Bowen offered ity of MOAA members his assistance, and are watching relatively several organizing meetings were few chapter members do the heavy held in Poplar Bluff. Ofﬁcers such as lifting. Find out where the chapter CWO4 Cecil Brake, USA-Ret., who nearest you is and go to a meeting. now serves as the chapter’s second You’ll see why we think chapters are vice president, also offered their so important and why you should be support. Within months, the SEMO a member, too. — Col. Lee Lange II, USMC-Ret. Chapter was born. Hardin currently is focusing on reDirector, Council and Chapter Affairs cruiting and plans to visit several area National Guard armories. He also is helping chapter members learn more about their earned entitlements. “My only goal as president of the New Southeast Missouri SEMO Chapter of MOAA is to start Chapter Chartered a chapter that [will] dedicate itself to preserving [the] earned entitleore than 20 members ments of all members of the uniattended the charter formed services and of their families ceremony for the new and survivors,” says Hardin. “To Southeast Missouri (SEMO) Chapaccomplish this goal, I would like to ter, which was held April 23 in increase the number of members in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Col. Lee Lange our new chapter to give us a more II, USMC-Ret., director of MOAA’s powerful voice in Washington.” Department of Council and ChapThe SEMO Chapter meets every ter Affairs, presented the charter other month at the Holiday Inn in to newly elected president Maj. Poplar Bluff. The chapter also plans Dwight Hardin, USAR-Ret. Also to hold satellite meetings in towns on hand were Northeast Arkansas Field Reports PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT

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

Military Officer - August 2007 Contents From the Editor From the President Your Views MOAA Directory Rapid Fire Washington Scene Financial Forum Ask the Doctor Chapter Activities Cover Story: No Longer in Reserve A Different Path Weird Science Charge? Pages of History Faces of MOAA Member Books Information Exchange Advertising Index MOAA Calendar MOAA Scholarship Donors Sounding Taps MOAA Member Services Encore

Military Officer - August 2007

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