Question # 1 Advocacy: (35 points)- Meetings with state or federal legislators, including any virtual activities- Describe your relationships with elected officials, government and non-governmental organizations, etc.- Describe your chapter/ chapter members’ participation in the national.
Advocacy in Action campaign. (for 2022, this information can only be used to help your chapter) Building relationships with elected officials, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is crucial for effective advocacy. Here’s how you can foster these relationships and engage in advocacy activities:
1. Relationships with Elected Officials: (10 points) • Actively engage with state and federal legislators by scheduling meetings to discuss relevant issues and policies. • Maintain open lines of communication through regular email updates, newsletters, or social media interactions. • Attend town hall meetings, public forums, or legislative hearings to interact with elected officials and voice your chapter’s concerns. • Participate in political fundraisers or community events where you can establish personal connections with elected representatives.
2. Engagement with Government and Non-Governmental Organizations: (10 points) • Collaborate with government agencies related to your chapter’s focus area to understand their priorities and policies. • Seek opportunities to partner with NGOs working on similar issues to amplify your advocacy efforts and share resources. • Attend conferences, workshops, or networking events to connect with representatives from government and non-governmental organizations. • Establish regular communication channels with relevant stakeholders to exchange information, coordinate actions, and stay updated on policy developments.
3. Chapter and Chapter Members’ Participation in Advocacy Campaigns: (15 points) • Participate in the national Advocacy in Action campaign, which aims to mobilize chapters across the country to advocate for specific issues or policy changes. • Engage chapter members through awareness campaigns, educational events, and workshops on advocacy strategies and techniques. • Encourage chapter members to participate in grassroots lobbying efforts, such as writing letters, making phone calls, or organizing petitions to support the campaign’s objectives. • Leverage social media platforms and online advocacy tools to spread the campaign’s message and rally support from chapter members and the wider community.
For 2022, utilize the following information to help your chapter: • Share updates and resources related to the Advocacy in Action campaign with chapter members regularly. • Organize virtual meetings or webinars featuring guest speakers or experts who can provide insights and guidance on effective advocacy techniques. • Facilitate virtual lobby days where chapter members can meet with elected officials or their staff members through video conferencing platforms. • Provide templates or guidelines for writing emails or making phone calls to elected representatives to support the campaign’s objectives. • Track and document the chapter’s advocacy efforts, including the number of meetings, letters sent, or actions taken, to demonstrate the chapter’s engagement and impact. Remember to adhere to all legal and ethical guidelines while engaging in advocacy activities, and always keep the interests and goals of your chapter and its members at the forefront of your advocacy efforts.Question # 2 Community Engagement and Outreach: (35 points) – MOAA Community Outreach Chapter Grants, Community Sponsorship Program, MOAA Crisis Relief Fund- Scholarship and JROTC/ROTC activities – Other community outreach/service conducted by your chapter -Collaboration with other VSOs/MSOs
Community engagement and outreach are essential for a chapter’s impact and connection with its local community. Here’s how your chapter can engage in various community outreach activities and collaborate with other Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) and Military Service Organizations (MSOs):
1. MOAA Community Outreach Chapter Grants:(6 points) • Apply for MOAA Community Outreach Chapter Grants to support local community projects and initiatives. • Identify areas of need within your community, such as education, healthcare, veterans’ services, or military support, and develop grant proposals accordingly. • Execute projects funded by the grants, such as organizing veteran recognition events, supporting military families, providing scholarships, or improving local infrastructure.
2. Community Sponsorship Program: (6 points) • Engage in the MOAA Community Sponsorship Program, which allows your chapter to financially support local community organizations or events. • Identify and sponsor organizations aligned with your chapter’s mission, such as veteran support groups, military-related charities, youth programs, or community improvement projects. • Establish partnerships with sponsored organizations to enhance the impact of your chapter’s support and collaborate on joint initiatives.
3. MOAA Crisis Relief Fund: (6 points) • Promote and participate in the MOAA Crisis Relief Fund, which provides financial assistance to MOAA members facing unexpected emergencies or hardships. • Support fundraising efforts for the Crisis Relief Fund within your chapter and encourage members to contribute. • Raise awareness about the availability of the fund and provide guidance to members in need of assistance.
4. Scholarship and JROTC/ROTC Activities: (6 points) • Offer scholarships to local students, focusing on military-connected individuals or those pursuing careers in the military or related fields. • Engage with JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) and ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) programs at local high schools and universities. • Provide mentorship, career guidance, and support to JROTC/ROTC students, including mock interviews, resume workshops, or leadership development activities.
5. Other Community Outreach and Service: (6 points) • Organize community service projects, such as food drives, clothing donations, or volunteer efforts at local organizations. • Host informational workshops or seminars on topics relevant to the military community, such as healthcare benefits, financial planning, or transitioning to civilian life. • Participate in community events, parades, or fairs to raise awareness about the chapter and its mission. 6. Collaboration with Other VSOs/MSOs: (5 points) • Foster collaborations and partnerships with other VSOs and MSOs in your community. • Participate in joint events, initiatives, or advocacy efforts that align with shared goals. • Share resources, best practices, and experiences with other organizations to amplify the collective impact of the veteran and military community. Remember to document and communicate the outcomes of your community engagement and outreach activities to demonstrate the chapter’s impact and engage members, sponsors, and the wider community. Regularly assess the effectiveness of your initiatives and seek feedback to improve future endeavors. Question # 3. Recruiting and Retention: (25 points)- What have you done to recruit younger (ages 40-60) members?- How do you find and reach potential members?- How do you keep your members engaged?- How do you promote an environment where all new members feel welcome?
Recruiting and retaining younger members is crucial for the long-term sustainability and growth of any organization. Here are some strategies to recruit and engage younger members and create an inclusive environment for all new members: 1. Recruiting Younger Members (Ages 40-60). (5 points) • Leverage digital platforms and social media to reach and engage with younger individuals who may be interested in joining. • Develop targeted marketing materials and campaigns that highlight the benefits and value proposition of membership for younger age groups. • Attend career fairs, industry conferences, or local community events where you can connect with professionals within the desired age range. • Collaborate with educational institutions, professional organizations, or young professionals’ networks to promote your chapter’s mission and engage potential younger members.
2. Finding and Reaching Potential Members: (5 points) • Utilize various channels to identify potential members, such as referrals from existing members, networking events, online directories, or industry-specific forums. • Maintain an updated website that provides comprehensive information about your chapter’s activities, membership benefits, and how to join. • Leverage email marketing campaigns to reach out to individuals who have shown interest or interacted with your chapter’s online platforms. • Actively engage in community outreach activities, where you can interact with individuals who may align with your chapter’s mission and values.
3. Keeping Members Engaged: (5 points) • Provide diverse and engaging programming, including informative guest speakers, professional development workshops, social events, or recreational activities. • Encourage member involvement by offering leadership opportunities within the chapter, such as committee roles or event coordination responsibilities. • Establish mentorship programs where experienced members can provide guidance and support to younger or newer members. • Regularly communicate with members through newsletters, emails, or social media platforms to keep them informed about chapter activities, updates, and relevant industry news.
4. Creating a Welcoming Environment for New Members: (5 points) • Assign a designated point of contact or a welcoming committee to guide and support new members during their onboarding process. • Organize new member orientation sessions to familiarize them with the chapter’s structure, activities, and available resources. • Foster a culture of inclusivity and respect by encouraging all members to actively listen, share their perspectives, and collaborate in decision-making processes. • Conduct regular social events or networking opportunities to facilitate interactions between new and existing members and foster relationships.
5. Promoting Diversity and Inclusion: (5 points) • Emphasize the importance of diversity and inclusion in your chapter’s messaging, events, and initiatives. • Actively seek out and welcome members from various backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. • Create an inclusive environment by providing opportunities for members to share their unique perspectives, organizing educational workshops on diversity topics, or promoting collaboration between different affinity groups within the chapter. Regularly gather feedback from your members to understand their needs, preferences, and concerns. Adapt your strategies and activities based on this feedback to continuously improve member engagement and satisfaction.
Question uestion # 4. Leadership Succession: (25 points)- Describe how you identify and train future leaders.- How do you mentor new leaders? Describe your method for selecting new leaders.- Where is your process codified? (by-laws, standard operating procedures, etc.)- How do you motivate and recognize your current leaders?
1. Identifying Potential Leaders: (4 points) • Look for individuals who demonstrate qualities such as initiative, problem-solving skills, effective communication, teamwork, and a strong work ethic. • Observe individuals’ performance and track their progress over time. • Seek feedback from supervisors, colleagues, and other team members regarding their potential for leadership roles. • Encourage members to take on additional responsibilities or lead projects to assess their leadership abilities.
2. Training and Development: (4 points) • Provide leadership development programs, workshops, or seminars that focus on building essential leadership skills such as decision-making, conflict resolution, strategic thinking, and communication. • Offer opportunities for employees to gain practical experience in leadership roles through job rotations, special assignments, or project leadership. • Pair potential leaders with experienced mentors who can provide guidance, support, and insights into the organization’s culture and expectations. • Encourage continuous learning through self-study, online courses, or attending industry conferences.
3. Mentoring New Leaders:(5 points) • Assign experienced leaders or executives as mentors to new leaders. • Conduct regular one-on-one mentoring sessions to provide guidance, discuss challenges, and offer feedback on their performance. • Encourage open communication and create a safe space for new leaders to share their concerns, seek advice, and learn from the mentor’s experiences. • Set clear expectations and goals for the mentees, and monitor their progress through regular check-ins.
4. Selecting New Leaders: (4 points) • Establish a clear and transparent process for selecting new leaders, which may involve interviews, assessments, or performance evaluations. • Consider a combination of factors such as skills, experience, demonstrated leadership potential, cultural fit, and alignment with the organization’s values and goals. • Involve multiple stakeholders in the selection process to ensure diverse perspectives and minimize bias.
5. Codification of the Process: (4 points) • Document the leadership succession process in a comprehensive manner, including the criteria for identifying potential leaders, training and development programs, mentorship guidelines, and the selection process. • Codify the process in various forms such as by-laws, standard operating procedures, or leadership development policies, depending on the organizational structure and culture.
6. Motivating and Recognizing Current Leaders: (4 points) • Provide regular feedback and recognition for their contributions, both in private and in public forums. • Offer opportunities for career growth, promotion, or challenging assignments to keep them engaged and motivated. • Implement reward and recognition programs such as bonuses, incentives, or leadership awards to acknowledge their achievements and inspire others.
• Foster a supportive and inclusive work environment that values and appreciates the efforts of leaders and encourages collaboration and teamwork. It’s important to note that the specific details and implementation of these practices may vary depending on the organization’s size, industry, and culture. Customizing the approach to fit your organization’s unique needs is essential for effective leadership succession.Question #5 Training: (20 points)- Describe training your chapter leaders have undertaken. (e.g., leader workshops, roundtables, council and national collaboration, etc.)
Training chapter leaders is essential for their growth, development, and effective leadership within the organization. Here are some examples of training opportunities that your chapter leaders can undertake:
1. Leader Workshops and Seminars: (4 points) • Conduct workshops or seminars specifically designed for chapter leaders to enhance their leadership skills and knowledge. • Topics may include strategic planning, effective communication, conflict resolution, team building, membership engagement, financial management, and event planning. • Invite experienced facilitators or subject matter experts to lead these workshops and provide valuable insights and practical guidance.
2. Roundtable Discussions and Peer Learning: (4 points) • Organize roundtable discussions or forums where chapter leaders can share best practices, challenges, and successes with their counterparts from other chapters. • Encourage an open and collaborative environment where leaders can learn from each other, exchange ideas, and brainstorm solutions to common issues. • Facilitate peer-to-peer mentoring opportunities where experienced leaders can guide and support newly appointed or aspiring leaders.
3. Council and National Collaboration: (4 points) • Engage in collaboration with other chapters within the council or national level to learn from their experiences and share knowledge. • Participate in council or national-level training programs or conferences where leaders can attend workshops, panel discussions, or keynote sessions. • Utilize online platforms, forums, or virtual meetings to connect with leaders from different chapters and exchange ideas, resources, and best practices.
4. Online Learning Resources: (4 points) • Provide access to online learning resources, such as webinars, e-courses, or leadership development platforms, to supplement in-person training opportunities. • Curate a library of relevant articles, videos, or podcasts on leadership topics that leaders can access at their convenience. • Encourage leaders to pursue professional certifications or participate in online courses related to leadership, nonprofit management, or specific areas of their responsibilities.
5. Mentorship and Coaching: (4 points) • Establish a mentorship program where experienced leaders can provide guidance, support, and personalized coaching to newer or aspiring leaders. • Pair leaders with mentors who have a track record of success and can offer insights into the chapter’s culture, operations, and challenges. • Conduct regular check-ins and feedback sessions to assess the progress of mentees and provide guidance on their leadership journey.
It is important to assess the training needs of chapter leaders through surveys, individual discussions, or assessments to ensure that the training provided aligns with their specific requirements and challenges. Additionally, regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the training initiatives and make necessary adjustments to continuously enhance the development of chapter leaders.
