HELP CAN BE ON THE WAY WITH JUST A PHONE CALL

In its January newsletter one Northern California chapter announced that “Approximately 70% of our members have paid their dues for 2009; hopefully the other 30% will send their checks very soon.”

Another chapter of more than 300 members still has 100 members to renew for the new year.

Dark times have arrived, for some more so than others.

The Darkness of Bad News
Declining memberships certainly don’t signal good news. What’s going on? Times are changing. The culture is changing. People aren’t as interested in organization membership as they have been in the past. Chapters on balance are not engaging the younger generation officer. Some chapters are in crisis.

The Darkness of Confusion
Some members are calling for radical change, both strategically and tactically, indicating that chapter leaders must know more about marketing, specifically promotion, public relations, and publicity, suggesting that leaders are completely in the dark and just don’t know what to do. continue reading

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BUT WILL YOU MISS THE OPPORTUNITY?

There are many officers in the community, even members of national MOAA, who might be interested in chapter affiliation if they knew about the chapter and its work.

Chapter members often show up for a luncheon or dinner meeting and are ignored. So they don’t come back.

Recruitment and retention are pressing issues today. Some say every member should be a recruiter; every member should make others feel welcome. But in so many cases members are not taking advantage of the opportunity.

Here are four (4) reasons opportunities might be lost: continue reading

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EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS PROVES CHALLENGING

The recent Lake Tahoe discussions were often spirited and resulted in some very useful information.

Such discussions can be carried out throughout the year using this weblog technology, but improvements are needed for full communications effectiveness.

The Sender
More active participants are needed, members who will share ideas, express needs and wants, and stay true to basic purposes. To post an item or comment simply send a message by e-mail to warren@cal-moaa.org and it will be posted without delay.

Encoding
Perhaps few members are professional writers; however, they are highly educated and trained and can certainly make significant contributions to the weblog. Members need to exercise real care when selecting words or misunderstandings will occur. continue reading

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ACTIVE PARTICIPATION KEY TO COUNCIL AND CHAPTER SUCCESS

In late September 2008 CDR Allan Thompson, USN (RET), President, Golden West Chapter, issued a desperate plea for members to serve on the chapter’s nominating committee.

There were no takers.

“Unfortunately all requests for members to serve on the nominating committee have been declined by the members we contacted,” he said. “I will be out of town until October 1 so I am requesting that interested members contact Tim Richards or any board member with positions you will desire to hold.”

He explained that, “We are a volunteer organization run by volunteers; so, without volunteers for board positions it will be necessary to either fold or merge. This is your choice. By failing to volunteer for a board position, you are voting to terminate our chapter of MOAA. I hope that the choice to volunteer is made by enough members to fill vacant board positions.”

This same situation currently exists with any number of California chapters. In many cases, leaders are trying to lead but followers won’t follow. And the consequences are now being seen across the state–in 2007 San Gabriel Chapter failed and in 2008 more than a dozen chapters are in serious trouble. continue reading

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SAMMONS LEADS EAST BAY CHAPTER STARTUP EFFORT

Earlier this summer at the Coast Guard Island USCGC Bertholf commissioning an official issued the command to “Bring the ship alive!” And the lights went on, the bells rang, the radar antenna began to turn, and there was a blast on the horn. The first brand new cutter to join the fleet in more than 35 years indeed came alive.

Under the leadership of CDR John Sammons, USPHS (RET), CAL-MOAA Secretary and Marin County Chapter member, a number of people have been working hard to restart a defunct East Bay Chapter in the Oakland-Alameda area, and they hope to be able to issue the command, “Bring this chapter alive!” very soon. Former and potential officers and members will gather, meet together, continue strategic and operational planning, and ultimately initiate the events and activities of a typical MOAA chapter. East Bay Chapter, likely to be renamed Coast Guard Island Chapter, will hopefully come alive.

John has been able to locate an interested group of former East Bay Chapter members who have been contacting others, both former members and prospective members, in an effort to generate interest and support. In addition, a number of Contra Costa Chapter members have been developing and coordinating relationships–CAPT Jim Torres, USN (RET), Director, CAL-MOAA Area 2 as well as chapter president, CAPT John Haffner, (SC) USN (RET), and LCDR Duane Counsell, USN (RET). Col John Loughran, USAF-Ret, former MOAA board of directors member, and CAPT Warren McDonald, USCG (RET), member, MOAA Board of Directors, have been providing advice and counsel.

But it has been John Sammons who has been promoting this effort literally for a couple years, providing the leadership and technical capabilities to make a restart happen. He has been working with the understanding that if MOAA members want a chapter they will make it happen and if they don’t, they won’t. continue reading

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CHAPTERS IN DIFFICULTY NEED A REDEEMER OF HOPE

A San Jose Mercury sports headline for August 25 stated, “Redeem Team Redeemed Indeed,” a reference to the 2008 Olympics men’s basketall team. The story lead was, “Redemption complete: Team USA strikes gold.”

According to Mark Purdy, Mercury sports writer, all the team did was keep the promise. “It was LeBron James’ promise, actually. He said the team would represent all of America. And it did.” A very nervous America. “Every possession counted in this game,” James said after the 118-107 victory over Spain that took back the Olympic title. “Much respect to the players from spain. But the U.S. is back on top again.”

Some California chapters are facing extraordinary challenges. Engaging the younger generation officer. And providing effective and efficient leadership succession.

In 2007 the San Gabriel Chapter went inactive because no member would step forward and accept a leadership role. In the Golden State today there are about a dozen chapters in difficulty with some sure to close.

The members of San Gabriel Chapter lost all hope. Members of other chapters are losing hope fast. What many chapters need now is a redeemer of hope. continue reading

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BECOMING AN AGENT OF HOPE

LTC Tom Lasser, USA (RET), an Army aviator with California Army National Guard experience, seeks out Southern California news appropriate for posting to the Council’s weblog. He is constantly alert for military community-related late news and information, specifically events and activities which could be of interest to members. Then he forwards the items for posting, sure that the information will prove useful to others. He’s making a series of contributions. He’s making a difference.

Tom Lasser, through his sharing of information, has become an effective agent of hope.

The Council and its chapters take advantage of opportunities to serve the wider military community and and at the same time leaders are facing some formidable challenges. Chapter memberships are falling off and many members are failing to take up issues beyond the local chapter.

In addition, the uniformed services as well as the National Guard and reserve units are not the organizations many knew in the past. Things have changed dramatically. The younger generation of officers have developed new interests and values, making the transition from TROA to MOAA slow at best.

A New York Times headline on Sunday, August 17th, stated, “Allies Ask Obama to Make Hope Specific. MOAA members everywhere need to become agents of hope and make hope specific within the military community. It’s time to become active vs passive, get fully involved in the Council and chapters, share the hope, and in short impact others positively. continue reading

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FINDING HOPE IN THE SMALL STUFF

Recently there was a news story of a young girl who climbed to the top of a New York building to enjoy the Hudson River view, even climbing a ladder higher to the top of a chimney. Moments later she fell 180 feet to the bottom of the chimney…and survived. Authorities said she fell into a 24″ pile of soot and ashes, breaking her fall, surprising fire department rescuers and paramedics.

A pile of ashes. It’s often the little things that make a difference.

About a dozen California chapters are in difficulty. Fewer members. Recruiting challenges. Leadership succession problems. And in some cases member apathy. Sometimes it seems like there is no hope.

But there is hope in the small, everyday stuff of chapter life. With every member involved doing little things it all adds up to….making a difference. continue reading

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