MOAA Virtual chapters
MOAA Public Affairs and Communication Professional Virtual Chapter Chartered
On 25 October 2025, the MOAA Board of Directors voted to approve the Charter of the MOAA Public Affairs and Communication Professional Virtual Chapter (MPACOMVC).
Pictured below, left to right: Outgoing MOAA Chairman of the Board Gen. Gary North, USAF (Ret), Virtual Chapters Council President COL Jeri Graham, USA (Ret), MPACOMVC President CDR Linc Smith, USNR (Ret)
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During his presentation at the meeting, MOAA President and CEO Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly said, “Our team does absolutely remarkable work, and a major part of our work this past year has been focused on people, relationships, and delivering absolute member value."
“We know these relationships will be particularly important as we get ready to start a new administration here and the 119th Congress."
During his remarks, Lt.Gen. Kelly cited MPACOMVC as MOAA's newest virtual chapter.
Pictured below: MPACOMVC President CDR Linc Smith, USNR, MOAA President and CEO Lt. Gen. B.T. Kelly, USAF (Ret), MOAA Meeting of the Membership and Board meeting, Alexandria, Virginia.
Pictured Above, left to right: Outgoing chairman Gen. Gary L. North, USAF (Ret) is presented with a crystal eagle from incoming board chairman Gen. Thomas D. Waldauser, USMC (Ret), during the MOAA board meeting 2024, Alexandria, Va.
Here’s Why You Should Join, or Start, a MOAA Virtual Chapter
From the MOAA Homepage:
MOAA has seven virtual chapters: the Uniformed Services Nurse Advocates Virtual Chapter, the Surviving Spouse Virtual Chapter, the Public Health Service Virtual Chapter, the Chaplains Virtual Chapter, the Judge Advocate Virtual Chapter, the Advocacy for Servicewomen and Military Families Virtual Chapter, and the new MOAA Public Affairs and Communication Professional Virtual Chapter. MOAA’s virtual chapters are growing, successfully executing their respective missions, and complementing the efforts and membership growth of geographic chapters.
Like geographic chapters, virtual chapters are affiliates, not centrally managed. As such, each needs a champion who is willing to get the organization off the ground by drafting bylaws, filing for 501(c)(3) status, petitioning for MOAA approval, and recruiting members, among other actions. MOAA members who have been involved in leadership positions in geographic chapters are uniquely qualified to establish a new virtual chapter, thereby playing an integral role in an important membership initiative.
By creating these groups, MOAA can attract potential chapter members who are not otherwise able or inclined to attend physical meetings. For example, younger military professionals with family obligations may find it difficult to attend a physical meeting even periodically, but they are more likely to find time to call in for a one-hour virtual meeting from home in the evening while keeping an eye on the children. Likewise, highly dispersed members, such as those living in remote overseas locations, may not otherwise have the ability to connect with peers on a regular basis and may enjoy the camaraderie provided by a monthly call.
A virtual chapter should be bound together by a shared affinity (e.g., warfare specialty) and/or mission (e.g., health care advocacy). While the possibilities are endless, some interest groups that may lend themselves to virtual chapters include:
-Currently serving officers-Guard and reserve officers-Member spouses-Networking/mentoring specialists-State advocacy champions-Army and Navy Club members-Other military association members-Overseas military/expatriate-Dentists-Financial professionals Interested in starting one of these virtual chapters, or in championing another group? Contact LTC Joe Gollasch, USA (Ret) at Virtual Council of Chapters
By creating these groups, MOAA can attract potential chapter members who are not otherwise able or inclined to attend physical meetings. For example, younger military professionals with family obligations may find it difficult to attend a physical meeting even periodically, but they are more likely to find time to call in for a one-hour virtual meeting from home in the evening while keeping an eye on the children. Likewise, highly dispersed members, such as those living in remote overseas locations, may not otherwise have the ability to connect with peers on a regular basis and may enjoy the camaraderie provided by a monthly call.
A virtual chapter should be bound together by a shared affinity (e.g., warfare specialty) and/or mission (e.g., health care advocacy). While the possibilities are endless, some interest groups that may lend themselves to virtual chapters include:
-Currently serving officers-Guard and reserve officers-Member spouses-Networking/mentoring specialists-State advocacy champions-Army and Navy Club members-Other military association members-Overseas military/expatriate-Dentists-Financial professionals Interested in starting one of these virtual chapters, or in championing another group? Contact LTC Joe Gollasch, USA (Ret) at Virtual Council of Chapters
New Virtual Chapter to Help Tell MOAA’s Story
By: Blair DrakeOCTOBER 28, 2024
MOAA’s seventh virtual chapter — approved by the board of directors last week — will assist councils and chapters with their public affairs and communication efforts while supporting the association’s overall mission. “A lot of untold, amazing stories are out there that members and chapters are involved with,” said Cmdr. Linc Smith, USNR (Ret), president of the MOAA Public Affairs and Communication Professional Virtual Chapter. “Our chapter’s mission is to enhance the effectiveness of communications among MOAA affiliates.” It joins MOAA’s six other virtual chapters: the Advocacy for Servicewomen and Military Families Virtual Chapter, the MOAA Uniformed Services Nurse Advocates Virtual Chapter, the Surviving Spouse Virtual Chapter, the Public Health Service Virtual Chapter, the Chaplains Virtual Chapter, and the Judge Advocate Virtual Chapter. The chapter formed with more than 20 members from across the nation, including several advisory members from national MOAA. Membership is open to designated public affairs professionals as well as MOAA council and chapter members in communication-related roles, such as newsletter editors, webmasters, and community relations liaisons. “It’s a beautiful merge of people doing public affairs work for councils and chapters and the ones who are designated public affairs officers,” Smith said. The chapter’s first initiatives are underway: awareness campaigns for the North Carolina Council of Chapters’ mental health seminar, “The Unspoken Trauma All Veterans Face,” and the Catalina Mountains (Ariz.) Chapter’s efforts to support Esperanza En Escalante, a nonprofit that provides housing, social services, and other programs to veterans in need. The MOAA Public Affairs and Communication Professional Virtual Chapter’s website is in the works and will include an area where MOAA councils and chapters can request communications support. “We have a storied list of people with length and breadth of experience,” said Smith. “They’re all very enthusiastic to support the public affairs and communications needs of MOAA chapters that have a story of an effort that needs to be further told.” The chapter plans to meet virtually once a month.
MOAA Managing Editor of Military Officer Magazine Speaks at MOAA's Public Affairs and Communication Professional Virtual Chapter Meeting
MOAA Managing Editor of Military Officer Magazine Blair Drake spoke at MOAA's Public Affairs and Communication Professional Virtual Chapter Meeting 15 May 2025.
During her presentation, Blair reviewed the MOAA Harris Communication Award and Copyright Law, with Question and Answer session following.
MOAA renamed the award in 2011 in honor of Colonel Marvin J. Harris, USAF (Ret), MOAA Director of Public Relations from 1996 until 2011. National MOAA presents the Harris Communications award each year to those MOAA councils and chapters excelling in communicating with their members and community.
MOAA's Vice President, Council/Chapter and Member Support Speaks at MOAA's Public Affairs and Communication Professional Virtual Chapter Meeting
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MOAA's Vice President, Council/Chapter and Member Support spoke at the MOAA's Public Affairs and Communication Professional Virtual Chapter Meeting (MPACOMVC) on 20 March 2025.
During his presentation, CAPT Carman spotlighted current MOAA Priorities:
- Long Term Financial Stability
- Maintenance of Key Advocacy Position
- Membership
- Council and Chapter System
- MOAA Foundation
- Strengthening the MOAA Brand
- Total Force Plus Conference 2025
CAPT Carman closed with a relay of deep appreciation from MOAA President and CEO Lt. Gen. B.T. Kelly, USAF (Ret) for the hard work and support of our MOAA Member Volunteers.
MOAA Virtual Council of Chapters
We Need Your Leadership
From CAPT Frank Michael, USN (Ret)
I am thrilled to have the opportunity to thank all of you for your volunteer leadership to our association.As virtual chapter leaders and members, you represent the one truly growing area of our affiliate system.
Collectively, virtual chapters boast a membership of more than 1, 200 members. Just this past month we chartered our seventh chapter, the Public Affairs and Communication Professional Virtual Chapter.
With success always comes increased opportunity and responsibility. As we continue to expand our virtual chapters, the role of our council becomes increasingly important. I ask all of you to consider giving us even more of your time and expertise at the council level. The council is critically important in coordinating advocacy efforts across our chapters to raise a powerful voice in support of our communities of interest and the communities in which we live. Council-level coordination is also important in our obligation to grow and retain membership – at the chapter and the national level.
Our association has a clear goal to continue increasing the depth and breadth of our virtual affiliates. As leaders, you play an integral and irreplaceable role in our mission to advocate in the best interest of our active-duty force, our veterans, and their families.
Thank you again for your service and for considering an even larger role in the strength and effectiveness of the Military Officers Association of America.
Sincerely,
CAPT Frank Michael, USN (Ret)
Senior Director
MOAA Affiliated Councils and Chapters
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Virtual Council of Chapters Newsletter
Click below links to view each issue:
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Pictured above: COL Jeri Graham, USA (Ret), Executive Consultant for Virtual Council and Virtual Chapters, MPACOMVC Morale and Care Officer