This month, I have some important changes to share regarding the Levels of Excellence Award (LOE) ceremony. As many of you know, our annual LOE ceremony has been a popular event with our nationwide council and chapter community for a number of years. Regrettably, the fiscal realities under which MOAA now operates required us to reduce the frequency of the annual LOE ceremony to once every two years, with the next event scheduled for the fall of 2018. We’re in the process of evaluating a number of potential locations for this event, and I hope to have more details to share with you later this year.

For our 2016 LOE winners, it’s our intent to work with our council presidents to present our award-winning councils and chapters with their streamers and recognition pins at an appropriate venue in your home region later this year. We see this as a great opportunity for more chapter members to participate in this well-deserved recognition. Other options include award presentations at one of our regional leadership seminars, during a national MOAA officer chapter visit, or at a time and place to be determined by the council or chapter president. I know this change might not be welcomed by all of you, but it in no way diminishes the importance of the contributions made by our councils and chapters in their local communities. I will be in touch with you in the coming months to announce our 2016 LOE winners and discuss our plans for presentation of the individual council and chapter awards.

In closing, over the past few months, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting both councils and chapters — the highlight of my position as senior director. My first observation is our chapters are actively engaged. The myriad of community programs, Junior ROTC activities, and legislative actions you support are impressive. There are scores of great ideas and best practices that can and will be shared with other affiliates. My second observation is that an engaged leadership fosters an engaged membership. And, it goes without saying, the hospitality extended to me has been first class. I can’t thank you enough. I look forward to visiting many more of you throughout the year.

— Col. Terri Coles, USA (Ret)