Military Officer - November 2006 - (Page 48)

chapteractivities New Approach M OAA always has been a dynamic organization. But in order for the association to remain the One Powerful Voice® it has become, MOAA chapters must continue to play their part. Key to success in this is new chapter leaders knowing how they ﬁt into the overall structure of MOAA and preparing to assume their roles as grassroots leaders in their respective communities. So nine years ago MOAA held its ﬁrst Chapter Presidents’ Symposium with one objective: mine the ideas of chapter presidents and heirs-apparent on how to successfully manage a chapter. It’s been a sound plan. MOAA publishes these suggestions and recommendations, and those who earnestly try to incorporate the recommendations into their chapter operations report improvement across a wide spectrum of operations, from leadership succession to enhanced community involvement. If followed, the suggestions appear to work. This year’s symposium in Savannah, Ga., had a different approach, 48 MILITARY OFFICER NOVEMBER 2006 C the men and women of the Military Ofﬁcers Association of America.” Chairman of MOAA’s board of directors Gen. John W. Hendrix, USARet., had the honor of introducing the president, telling the audience given that many new chapter presithat for more than 77 years MOAA dents hadn’t yet been exposed to has supported a strong national what it takes to run a successful defense — the chief component chapter. Sometimes vital chapter of which is a highly documentation can be qualiﬁed and capable lost, and publications career military force. important to managChapter About 500 people ing a chapter are not and counwere in attendance at always passed to the cil leaders the speech, including incoming president. To remedy this, were among MOAA members and invited guests; woundMOAA started a workthe MOAA shop for new presiguests host- ed troops from Walter Reed Army Medical dents, who learned ing PresiCenter in Washingabout the relationship ton, D.C.; members of between the national dent Bush. the diplomatic corps; organization and their Sens. Thad Cochran chapter, how to pub(R-Miss.), Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), lish a chapter newsletter, and how and John Warner (R-Va.); Attorney to recruit and retain members. General Alberto Gonzales; HomeTime will tell if this new paraland Security Secretary Michael digm has long-term beneﬁts, but Chertoff; and members of veterans’ the effort to pass advice and trainand military organizations, such as ing to these new leaders ought to Gold Star Wives. prove worthwhile. MOAA representatives who — Col. Chris Giaimo, USAF-Ret. Director, Council and Chapter Affairs greeted the president with Hendrix were Vice Adm. Norb Ryan Jr., USN-Ret., MOAA president; Col. Bill Flanagan Jr., USA-Ret., Virginia Council president; Cmdr. Tom Smith, USN-Ret., Maryland Council President Bush Meets With MOAA ﬁrst vice president; Lt. Col. Joe Simonelli, USA, of MOAA’s Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve Comhapter and council leadmittee; and Margery LeTourneau, a ers were among the MOAA member of MOAA’s Auxiliary Memguests hosting President ber Advisory Committee. George W. Bush’s address to the naDue to timing, space, and distion about the global war on terrortance considerations, only ﬁve ism Sept. 5 at the Capital Hilton in local MOAA afﬁliates were invited: Washington, D.C. General Smallwood, Montgomery The president opened his speech by saying, “I’m honored to stand with County, and Prince George’s County Field Reports PHOTO: RHODA BAER

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Military Officer - November 2006

From the Editor From the President Your Views MOAA Directory Rapid Fire Washington Scene Financial Forum Ask the Doctor Chapter Activities Cover Story: Financial Guidebook Got (the right) Insurance? A Penny Saved, a Degree Earned The “Y” MOAA Scholarship Recipients Pages of History Information Exchange Member Books MOAA Scholarship Donors MOAA Member Services Advertising Index MOAA Calendar Sounding Taps Encore

Military Officer - November 2006

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