Update your résumé - it's time to get a job through MOAA's 2003 Career Fair.

Following two consecutive successful job fairs, MOAA will host its annual tops 2003 Career Fair, May 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the new Washington, D.C., Convention Center.

As in previous years, the career fair is open to active duty, National Guard, Reserve, former, and retired servicemembers of all grades and their spouses. Last year's career fair attracted more than 100 employers. This year, recruiters from a wide range of industries including, but not limited to, defense contracting, retail, educational institutions and schools at all levels, federal government, financial management, and logistics will be seeking candidates with the leadership and work ethic that come from having served in the U.S. armed forces.

"Servicemembers in all grades and their spouses who will be seeking employment within the next one to two years are strongly encouraged to attend this dynamic career fair," says Col. Buzz Buse, usmc-Ret., director of The Officer Placement Service (tops). "At the 2002 event, employers identified, on average, more than 60 candidates whom they wished to pursue further. Not only will job seekers have a chance to discuss a wide variety of employment possibilities, but the career fair also will serve as a unique and fruitful networking opportunity. It is a superb vehicle to assist with and refine communications skills with all types of civilian employers. This is a must-attend event for job seekers."

To learn more, visit MOAA's Web Base, www.moaa.org/tops.

Keeping Veterans Safe

Safety in retirement homes, including those serving veterans, is a serious concern. That's why two national foundations are partnering to improve the security of 25,000 residents of such facilities in 47 states and Puerto Rico.

The Armed Forces Veterans Homes Foundation and The Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation are seeking to bring the Senior Crimestoppers program to 123 veterans' housing facilities to help ensure that each resident enjoys a safe, crime-free living environment.

Senior Crimestoppers, funded by the American banking industry, operates by the anonymous reporting of incidents on a toll-free hot line, with rewards of up to $1,000 to callers who offer information leading to favorable resolutions. Participating veteran residents also receive free lockboxes to reduce the loss of personal property.

For more information, visit the program's Web site, available via MOAA's links page, www.moaa.org/magazine/links.asp.

Resources for Reservists

Since Sept. 11, 2001, more than 100,000 Reserve and National Guard members have been deployed. With more missions on the horizon, small-business owners may feel the pinch as employees are called to duty. To help handle such disruptions, the U.S. Small Business Administration (sba) has created a new Web site (available via MOAA's links page, www.moaa.org/magazine/links.asp).

Through the site, employers and reservists can find managerial, technical, and financial assistance, as well as counseling and training. The site also features a list of nationwide veterans' business development officers and other sba resources.

"A call to duty ... can be disruptive for a small business that is not prepared," says sba administrator Hector Barreto. "It is essential that we at the sba provide small-business owners and employees involved in defending our country with the information they need to prepare for time away from the workplace."

What to Do With Fido

With tens of thousands of servicemembers deploying for upcoming military missions, many family members are being left behind - including those with four legs. A call to duty, however, doesn't mean you must give up your pet. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is offering military families the following tips to help keep family pets happy and well-cared for in their owners' absence.

• Make advance arrangements with a family member or friend to care for your pet.
• Have a written agreement outlining the arrangement. Include a contingency plan and veterinarian contact information.
• Complete a pet personality profile to help temporary caregivers anticipate your pet's needs.
• Update vaccinations and provide veterinary records.
• Outfit your pet with a tag with the temporary caregiver's information.
• Provide funds to cover food, grooming, and emergency care.
• Have your pet spayed or neutered.

"Because shelters already stretch resources to the absolute limit to care for current populations of homeless animals, we hope that military personnel will consider relinquishment to a shelter only as a last resort," says Betsy McFarland, program manager for animal sheltering issues at HSUS.

For more information, visit HSUS' Web site, available via MOAA's links page, www.moaa.org/magazine/links.asp.