Sharing the Faith
Posted by Warren Enos on 23 Oct 2007 | Tagged as: Recruiting
SPEAKING OUT FOR MOAA
Recently a major U.S. Army Reserve unit, the 351st Civil Affairs Command, offered a MOAA member a chance to speak to its officers duing a formation assembly. The intent was to brief the officers on military professional associations and specifically offer MOAA National and local chapter memberships.
It was a time to share the faith.
The assembly was an imposing group of 30 or so field grade officers–lawyers, medical doctors, engineers, educators, and other professionals. It was a challenge for the briefing local chapter member, an intimidating situation, but the briefing went reasonably well and later 12 officers completed MOAA membership applications.
Sometimes in situations like these there can be a lot of fear, feelings of inadequacy, yet it’s important to persevere right to the end. Just keep at it until the mission is accomplished.
It’s easy to make excuses for non-performance.
–I’m a Nobody
Not so. MOAA members are highly educated, trained, and widely experienced officers having accomplished much over the years. Individual records are often very impressive. Just keep in mind that MOAA National is in direct support with information and documents almost guaranteed to help with recruiting.
–I Don’t Know What To Say!
Doesn’t have to be that way. With a little study it’s possible to quickly state the MOAA mission, tell about the organization’s recent history, list some of the accomplishments. And there’s plenty of information available about the local chapter, including who’s involved and what they do, details about luncheon or dinner meetings, and the services members provide the local military community. It’s easy, using a page from Military Officer Magazine, to summarize the benefits.
–What If They Don’t Listen to Me or Believe Me?
Most active duty and drilling Guard & Reserve officers know little or nothing about military professional associations and specifically MOAA and they demonstrate an initial interest. Sometimes it may not look like it, but many are listening closely. At the same time, if certain supporting materials–Today’s Officer Magazine, MOAA publications, etc.–are made available, there will be a tendency to believe what is said. MOAA empowers its members for the recruiting task.
I Don’t Speak Well!
The odds of that being true are remote. Military officers have a wealth of background and experience that has provided speaking opportunities over the years. If rusty, it makes sense to do some rehearsing before an appearance, and some practice might help a lot. A normal conversational tone before an officer group seems to work well.
Send Someone Else!
In the local chapter every member needs to be a recruiter. If the chapter doesn’t send you, then who? A good way to operate is to go in pairs, with one member speaking to strategic recruitment issues, the philosophy of the military professional association, and the other ready with an explanation of membership and the requirements.
When it comes to sharing the faith all members have specific talents to offer. There is a place for everyone.
Nothing really astounding happens to those who say “No!” when opportunities to serve the military community come along.
One Response to “Sharing the Faith”
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Several years ago Al Roller ( When he was President of Pendleton Chapter) and I went on the Base on a Saturday morning for a prearranged meeting with a number of Reserve Officers (Army not Marines).
First it was obvious that the gentlemen had to be rounded up to attend. I don’t recall the count but it was it was less than a dozen in a small conference room.
They were courteous, listened to us and accepted MOAA applications that were annotated with the Chapter identification. Anyway none joined on the spot presumably because they were from other parts of the state and would be returning home shortly.
Of course we’ll never know whether any of them later joined MOAA but I know we both left the occassion glad that we’d (eighty year olds) made the effort.