MOAA Military Spouse Symposium, Thurs 6/19/08 VA Beach Convention Center

[USNIwife]

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. Open to spouses of all Services.

Day Care is available through the ASYMCA. Please call (757) 363-1884 for more information and to pre-register.

Details available at www.jointwarfighting.org

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

Thursday, June 19, 2008 • Virginia Beach Convention Center
MOAA Military Spouse Symposium

REGISTER NOW!
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
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.
10:45 a.m.–11:45 a.m.
MOAA Address: Military Benefits Update for Yourself and the Families You Serve
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.)
• 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.
• 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.
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.