Military Spouse Symposium

Military Officers Association of America Military Spouse Symposium

Thursday, June 19

** Separate Registration Required. Click here to register.

Questions about the Spouse Symposium? E-mail moaaspouse@moaa.org or call (888) 834-MOAA (6622).

Open to spouses of all Services.

Day Care is available through the ASYMCA.*
* Please email christina.williams@asymca.org for day care information and to pre-register.

 

Join us at the second annual Spouse Symposium sponsored by the Military Officers Association of America. In conjunction with the larger Joint Warfighting conference and exposition co-sponsored by AFCEA International and the U.S. Naval Institute, we are proud to bring together subject matter experts in the field of military spouse and family issues.

 

Thanks to our media sponsor:

 

Agenda

(Subject to change)

Thursday, June 19
All sessions will take place in the Virginia Beach Convention Center

8:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
MOAA Kickoff Address

CAPT W.G. "Bud" Schneeweis, USCG (Ret.) Director, Benefits Information Military Officers Association of America

9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
MOAA Panel: Building a Strong Military Marriage

Military marriages are often marked by prolonged separation, unreliable communication, and the demand to put the military even before one's self. Experts will discuss how to feel close when separated by distance, make the most of available communication, and how to cope with separation and reunion.

Moderator:

Sue Hoppin Deputy Director for Spouse Outreach Benefit Information Department Military Officers Association of America

Panelists:

	MAJ Art Finch, USA, Ph.D. Psychologist, U.S. Army
	Nicole Alcorn Co-Founder and COO The Military Spouse and Family Legacy Association Inc.
	Tanya Biank Author, Army Wives: The Unwritten Code of Military Marriage
	Karen Reynes Senior Mentor for the ACC Squadron Spouses Course
	Krista Wells, Ph.D. The Military Spouse Coach® for The Military Spouse Magazine

 

10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
MOAA Address: Military Benefits Update for Yourself and the Families You Serve

Phillip A. Dyer, CFP®, RLP® Deputy Director, Financial Education Military Officers Association of America

Keeping track of military financial benefits and using them to the greatest advantage can be a full-time job! Join us for an informative 60 minute session covering (1) current military family financial benefits, (2) special deployment financial programs and (3) pending legislation affective Active Duty, Guard and Reserve families.

 

Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Luncheon and Heroes at Home Military Spouse of the Year Recognition

 

1:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Choice of 3 Breakout sessions

• Spouse Employment
  Military spouses are probably one of the most over-educated, under-employed workforces around. Many employers are reluctant to hire military spouses…but they are missing the boat!
  
  It's no secret that moving every few years can make finding and keeping a job a challenge. Experts will introduce you to key networking tips and cover topics such as how to find and keep a portable job, the ins and outs of applying for federal positions, tips for re-entering the workforce, and what constitutes a "military spouse friendly employer".
  
  This session will talk you through turning perceived "weaknesses" into employment strengths and will also feature a 5 Minute Résumé review. Everyone participating in this breakout session is encouraged to bring their résumé to be critiqued. (Depending on the number of résumés, we may not be able to review all the résumés on site.)
  
  Moderator:
  

  Julie Waters, PHR Director, Human Resources Military Officers Association of America

  
  Panelists:
  

  	Carol Fishman Cohen Co-Author Back on the Career Track: A Guide for Stay-at-Home Moms Who Want to Return to Work
  	Babette Maxwell Co-Founder and Editor in Chief Military Spouse Magazine
  	Krista Wells, Ph.D. The Military Spouse Coach® for The Military Spouse Magazine

  
  
• Providing Family Support
  In this follow-on to the morning panel, you will learn from experienced spouses and community leaders how to maximize your FRG experience.
  
  Learn what activities will draw people in. Experts will share tips on how to increase attendance, ideas for activities and how to weather a deployment as a group. Additionally, you're so busy taking care of everyone else, do you know all the resources out there to support you through the military lifestyle? How do you even find out about them? Our experts will help you crack the code.
  
  Moderator:
  

  Sue Hoppin Deputy Director for Spouse Outreach Benefit Information Department Military Officers Association of America

  
  Panelists:
  

  	Raymond Beauge Deployment Specialist and Senior Spouse Program Manager, Hampton Roads Area Fleet and Family Support Center, Norfolk, VA
  	Samantha Hand Family Readiness Specialist Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center
  	Debbie Turlip Founder, 203rd Red Horse Squadron Family Readiness Group (Charlie’s Club) Recipient, Virginia National Guard Commendation Medal

  
  
  
• Legislative Awareness
  Right now, Congress is considering transferring GI Bill educational benefits to spouses, giving employers tax incentives to hire military spouses, mandating the continuation of in-state tuition benefits, prohibiting skyrocketing TRICARE costs, building a military family monument, and extending federal employment preferences to spouses. In addition, states are considering spousal unemployment compensation due to PCS moves, and building an interstate compact to smooth school transitions.
  
  Come hear how you can convince state and federal legislators to take action on these and other issues. You'll walk away with new knowledge on how you can influence change to improve the quality of life for your family and the military families of the future.
  
  Moderator:
  

  Joy Dunlap Deputy Director for Military Family Issues, Government Relations Department Military Officers Association of America

  
  Panelists:
  

  	Nicole Alcorn Co-Founder and COO The Military Spouse and Family Legacy Association Inc.
  	CDR René Campos, USN (Ret.) Deputy Director, Health Care Issues, Government Relations Department Military Officers Association of America
  	Thomas Hinton Senior State Liaison Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Military Community & Family Policy)
  	Stacie Oliver Legislative Assistant for Military and Foreign Affairs Office of U.S. Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee

3:15 p.m.
Reception
Join our panelists, your fellow spouses, representatives of MOAA's own President's Currently Serving Spouse Advisory Council and staff as well as others working in the military spouse and family community for some food and fun.

 

 2007 Military Spouse Symposium Buzz

 

From the spouses:

“Thanks for all your hard work.”

                 “Great job in hosting a spouse symposium.” 

“Our membership was reinforced by “One Powerful Voice”.”

                              

                                 “Thank you for picking up spouse topics!”

 

From the speakers/panelists:

 “Can’t believe that the long-awaited Military Spouse Symposium is over. I had such a good time and, as always, being around military spouses reinvigorated me. You can rest assured that the first annual event will not be the last, thanks to your mighty efforts.”

 

“Kudos on a great symposium! I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed myself yesterday.  The participants and attendees were such a pleasure. Also, I have to say, that's the best "loot" bag that I've ever received for such participation.”

 

“Thanks for inviting me...it was a great symposium and I got lots of good story ideas from it!”