Recent news from The MOAA Newsletter. View previous editions of Council and Chapter News here.
2020 Chapter Recruiting Program
Here are some key details about this year’s program.
The 2020 Chapter Recruiting Program has officially started! Each month, chapters will receive an updated near real time (NRT) report, a recruiting list with the names of new national MOAA members who live in your chapter’s proximity and who do not belong to your chapter, MOAA members who recently moved into the chapter’s geographic catchment area, and members who recently opted in to receive chapter communications. Committee Module administrators can find instructions about accessing and saving the NRT report online.
As you recruit new chapter members, make sure to report them to national MOAA. Find details about reporting new members as well as additional information about the 2020 Chapter Recruiting Program at www.moaa.org/content/chapters-and-councils/chapter-recruiting.
2019 Chapter Recruiting Program Results Are In
Congratulations to the winners of the 2019 Chapter Recruiting Program competition!
The final period of the 2019 Chapter Recruiting Program competition ended Dec. 31, 2019, with MOAA affiliates recruiting 603 incentive-qualified chapter members.
A $250 incentive is awarded quarterly to the top council in each of our four regions whose chapters recruit 40 or more new chapter members during the quarter. Those councils are:
- Florida — 105
- Texas — 109
A $100 incentive is awarded quarterly to the top non-affiliated chapter (no state council) that recruits 10 or more new members during the quarter. That chapter is:
- MOAA Uniformed Services Nurse Advocates Virtual Chapter — 12
Throughout 2019, your dedicated efforts and hard work resulted in 2,291 new monetary incentive-qualified chapter members. A $500 award is given to the chapter in each of six categories (by number of members), plus the virtual chapter, that recruits the most incentive-qualified members during the calendar year.
The annual award winners by category for the 2019 Chapter Recruiting Program are:
- Category 1: Contra Costa (Calif.) Chapter — 13
- Category 2: Hidden Valley (Calif.) Chapter — 46
- Category 3: Northern Arizona Chapter — 30
- Category 4: Olympia Area (Wash.) Chapter — 39
- Category 5: Monterey County (Calif.) Chapter — 52
- Category 6: Alamo (Texas) Chapter — 241
- Virtual Chapter: MOAA Uniformed Services Nurse Advocates Virtual Chapter — 79
Thank you for your great support in making the 2019 Chapter Recruiting Program a success!
Sign Up for the MOAA Insurance Plans Advertising Program
MOAA Insurance Plans is proud to support MOAA councils and chapters and is continuing the advertising program for 2020. A digital and print-ready advertisement promoting MOAA Insurance Plans will be available by request until May 31.
If a council or chapter would like to place the advertisement online or in a newsletter or other publication during 2020, it will be provided a copy of the advertisement and a payment of $100. Learn more.
Final Chance to Apply for a MOAA Foundation Grant
The deadline for MOAA councils and chapters to submit an application for a 2020 Community Outreach Grant is Feb. 29. The MOAA Foundation offers grants of up to $5,000 to MOAA councils or chapters providing services to local military and veteran families — either directly or through partnerships with other community organizations — in one of nine areas of critical military and veteran family need: housing, food assistance, employment, health (including behavioral health), family strength, community reintegration, financial assistance, legal assistance, and transportation. Watch this webinar to learn how to write a successful grant application.
Learn more about the grants and find the application.
Check Out the Redesigned MOAA Store
The new online storefront for The MOAA Store launched this week — redesigned to provide a cleaner user experience and easier navigation. If you bookmarked the old store in your web browser for easy access, you will need to update your bookmark with the URL for the new site. You can access this link under the "Member Benefits" tab at MOAA.org.
In the chapter items section of The MOAA Store, customizable apparel allows you to add a chapter name beneath the MOAA logo. To reduce processing time and cost, MOAA will need to digitize the files for all chapter names before an order is placed.
If you are interested in digitizing your chapter name for future orders, email kristens@moaa.org with your chapter name, point of contact name and email address, number of active chapter members, and expected number of customized orders for the entire chapter over the next 12 months.
Apply for the 2020 USAA/MOAA Sponsorship Program
Looking for ways to finance a special state council or chapter event? Apply for sponsorship of up to $800 for state council events or $300 for chapter events provided by MOAA’s affinity partner USAA. Councils and chapters may apply to receive funds for one event in the upcoming 2020 calendar year. Learn more and apply by visiting MOAA's website.
Surviving Spouse Corner: Leadership Opportunities
Surviving spouses are encouraged to apply for openings on MOAA’s board of directors and Surviving Spouse Advisory Committee.
National MOAA currently has several leadership opportunities for surviving spouses.
This year, MOAA is electing a new class for its board of directors, which governs and oversees the operations of the association. The 12-member class will begin its term in October. Surviving spouses of eligible officers are encouraged to apply for a director position. To learn more and apply, visit www.moaa.org/boardapplication.
Additionally, the Surviving Spouse Advisory Committee will be electing three new members. Each member serves a four-year term, with the option to extend the term an additional two years. The committee, which has six members, is tasked with making recommendations to MOAA’s president and CEO about key issues affecting the surviving spouse community.
Committee members also participate in MOAA’s annual Storming the Hill event, speak at regional council and chapter leadership workshops, write a monthly column, and present an annual Surviving Spouse Liaison Excellence Award. To apply for a position on the Surviving Spouse Advisory Committee, visit www.moaa.org/ssac-application.
Get Newsletter Content From National MOAA
Need some content to supplement your chapter’s newsletter? The White Label Newsletter Template includes information, articles, and helpful tips from national MOAA that already are formatted for inclusion in your newsletter. The content is updated every month to ensure you are receiving timely, relevant information.
From the Field
MOAA chapters give back to their communities through fundraising efforts, community-service projects, scholarship programs, and other initiatives. Here are some recent activities.
The Greater St. Louis Chapter gave $2,209 to two charitable organizations. Members donated $665 to Toys for Tots and adopted a service family from the United Way and St. Louis Post-Dispatch “100 Neediest Families.” Members gave money and gifts worth $1,544 to the family. This is the third year the chapter participated in these programs, and funds for both efforts exceeded previous years giving.
The Mohave (Ariz.) Satellite Chapter participated in a Stand Down in November 2019 in Lake Havasu. Chapter members staffed a MOAA information table at the event, which was hosted by the Veterans Resource Team to connect veterans with services and benefits.
The Pittsburgh Chapter celebrated in late December the 100th birthday of chapter member Lt. Matilda Benson, NC, USN. Chapter members presented her with a certificate, challenge coin, and card. Benson, who is past secretary of the chapter, served as a nurse at Pearl Harbor in World War II. She is one of two centenarians in the chapter.