MOAA NATIONAL DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR MAKES STATE SWEEP

Col Lee Lange II, USMC-Ret, Director, MOAA Councils and Chapters Affairs, recently completed a swing through California visiting and speaking at Orange County, Contra Costa County and Valley Ridge Chapters as well as conducting specific association business.

His formal chapter presentations were often preceeded by a special breakfast or dinner meeting with chapter directors and officers making possible important two-way communication, counsel and guidance, and the offer of certain resources.

The Contra Costa County Chapter luncheon meeting at Walnut Creek attracted more than 45 members and guests to the very beautiful Blake’s Restaurant on the grounds of an up-scale golf club

Col Lange began his presentation by announcing that MOAA has recruited more than 6,000 new members in 2007 and suggested that retention will be a significant new challenge.

He said that MOAA headquarters is located in what used to be an old bank building in Alexandria, VA, currently employs about 95 people, an equal mix of retired military personnel as well as civilians, with sons and daughters included in the group. He described the organization structure of twelve (12) departments and elaborated on his own organization, the Councils and Chapters Department. MOAA now has about 366,000 members.

A central theme of the presentation was that chapters are very important. Chapter members are critical to legislative advocacy, the core of grassroots support, by establishing and maintaining relationships with local legislators and their staffs as well as faithfully sending in letters and postcards in support of key legislation. Members are ambassadors for MOAA, serving as servant leaders, creating visibility within communities, literally doing things to support the local military and general communities.

Current challenges are the ones most are already familiar with, namely membership and obtaining interested and qualified chapter leaders. The larger the membership, the greater the “clout” especially at the national level. The “Give Me 10!” program seems to be making a positive impact across the country. Leadership succession is becoming more more critical as chapter members move along in years having made earlier contributions. Success will often come with careful preparation and implementation of a succession plan whereby members are chosen early, invited to participate in chapter management, provided an orientation and training, and moved into progressively responsible positions.

During the question and answer period one member asked the percentage of members who are actively serving and the answer was about 17-18%. Most members are retired. Another question had to do with whether MOAA ever considered allowing senior enlisted personnel to become members, much like USAA has done. Col Lange indicated there had been some discussion about it but for the time being MOAA will remain an organization for officers only. The idea has not been completely ruled out, however.

The social hour was underway shortly after 1100 with Col Lange talking with and getting acquainted with many of those in attendance. CAPT Mark Shafer, USNR (RET), President, Marin County Chapter came by to hear the presentation. COL Warren Enos, AUS (RET), Interim Vice President, CAL-MOAA was there. The new Professor of Military Science at the University of California, along with his deputy, were also present. And there were a number of new faces, officers attracted to the event and even then considering chapter membership.

It was clear from the outset that CAPT Jim Torres, USN (RET), the chapter’s president, as well as the Council’s Director, Area 2, was excited about the size and enthusiasm of the crowd. The chapter is in something of a transition both trying to attract the new generation officer and locate a new and more convenient meeting place.

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