RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS

In some communities, particularly for those not using computers and the internet, it can be difficult to find the local MOAA chapter. It can be a real chore. Many chapters have no local telephone number or other contact information, and frequently chapter websites are out of date.

Once approached, we need to be sure there are no obstaches or barriers that might keep others away or turn them off if they do make a visit.

Language: Military speak? Double-speak?
Ritual: Are there objections to the meeting’s order of events?
Cultural: Is there something about leader or member behavior that’s otherwise inappropriate?
Financial: Is cost of the meal a problem for some?
Political: Is there an open bias one way or the other that will cause others discomfort?

Ok, there might not be anything there. We just need to be sure we’re not pushing anyone away, that we’re not doing something, saying something, behaving in some way, that will cause others to leave and not come back. Look around, and note the new faces and if they choose to return.

Are we putting up unnecessary barriers such as a dress code, or behaving with a political bias offensive to some, or charging too much for dinner/lunch, not greeting folks at the door, being rude and unfriendly?

Are we distracting visitors from the simple message that we just want to influence the directions of national security and protect our earned entitlements, help each other as best we can? Are we complicating the message, that we want to present a unified view on the issues?

We need to consider these things, determine if we are pushing others away, create a chapter environment where others will feel welcome, comfortable, and appreciated. We need to be door openers, not closers.

Websites are useful; they need to be kept up to date. Some kind of easily located local chapter contact information would be important. Newsletters need to be the best we can make them. And of course general dinner/luncheon membership meetings need to take place in an attractive location and feature speakers who are both entertaining and present an interesting and timely topics.

Any obstacles/barriers to recruitment/retention success?

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BEAT TO THE PUNCH

Whoa, gotta move fast these days.

There has been a lot of talk about approaching the officers of the CALANG 129th Rescue Wing, Moffett Field, Sunnyvale, trying to pick up a new member or two.

Lunch for 300? No problem. The Air Force Association (AFA) Tennessee Ernie Ford Chapter moved in force to prepare and serve a spaghetti feed, and timed it for a day, the annual muster drill weekend, when a maximum number of Guardsmen would be present.

The whole thing was coordiated flawlessly with CMSgt Likiana L. Ramos.

While the ANG members set up chairs and decorated tables, chapter members prepared the spaghetti off site and brought it to the base.

While a band played, Chapter President John K. Barbour and several other members served up the food, with assistance from cadets associated with the San Jose State University AFROTC Detachment 45.

Every person who went through the chow line received a membership application. During the lunch Barbour used a public address system to tell them about the chapter and its activities. The thing worked so well it’s going to become an annual event, he said.

When you go recruiting, don’t settle in on the notion you’re the only military group out there hustling. There are many other national and local groups working very hard for new members.

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COAST GUARD ISLAND

There is a scene in the movie “Seabiscuit” where two men are talking about the horse, banged up a bit, discarded, and yet, according to one, with potential. We know the horse goes on to win one of the world’s greatest races.

For many months, CDR John Sammons, USPHS-Ret and CAL-MOAA Vice President, has been working with a team, following a comprehensive operations plan, to start a new chapter at Coast Guard Island, Oakland/Alameda. We have just been informed that a chapter will not be allowed on the island.

Disappointing? Yes. End of the road? No. CDR Sammons even now is in the process of contacting area national MOAA members not affiliated with a local chapter, trying to determine interest in East Bay/Alameda County Chapter reinstatement, moving an action-oriented agenda ahead.

We know there are California chapters on the brink, having real difficulties, and in some cases dysfunctional. Sometimes one wonders if they really want to save themselves, grow and develop.

As we move into the future we need to look around, note what we’ve been doing, perhaps try something else. We need to think about it. Perhaps some of our methods are ineffective.

The 12 Step definition of insanity is “doing the same thing and expecting different results.”

There comes a time when we just have to ask the central question: Do we really want to grow the chapter and serve the military community in a variety of ways, some dimension beyond the social?

Why wouldn’t we want to overcome a crippled, hobbled, lame condition, if in part that’s the case?

–We’re familiar with the way things are now…we’ve been operating like this for a long time;
–We’re identified with what we have…the chapter as it is defines us, is just who we are;
–Perhaps we’re discouraged…continuing to limp along, seemingly with no market for what we offer;
–We’re rewarded by current actions…maintaining the status quo helps us mask the pain;
–We’re even fascinated by it…it’s kind of interesting, a lot of fun for some.

Sometimes there’s a lizard (bad habits/actions) on the shoulder, and before we can move ahead we have to silence it…no, we have to kill it. We need to start thinking “outside the box.”

There comes a time when we just have to move into a new era, moving away from self-defeating attempts to meet legitimate needs, wipe away the barriers.

It’s fine to have pleasant social times at meetings and share a fine meal, and even write checks for ROTC support or scholarships or special projects. As Col. Chris Giaimo, national MOAA Director of Council and Chapter Affairs, suggests, sometimes to save ourselves we need to be action-oriented, do much more, involve the membership, move into the arena of the unknown.

Continuing the effort after a Coast Guard Island rejection is just another example of some trying to make a difference.

COL Warren Enos
Director, Area 2

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