Officer Spouses Club: President leads the way

Published May 7, 2013
By Senior Airman Taylor Curry
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Motivation, passion, and selflessness are characteristics that have been used to describe great leaders.

Melissa Dierdorf, the Officer Spouses Club President, has been a military spouse for the last six years, married to Capt. Jeff Dierdorf, 92nd Operations Group executive officer.

"It's been amazing having Melissa as president," said Tera Hart, OSC secretary. "She has a lot of energy and is an easy person to work with. She makes it a fun place to be!"

Some of Dierdorf's responsibilities include being in charge of the Officer Spouses Club, helping run the thrift shop and helping run a scholarship board.

"I've always been really involved with helping my husband's squadron where they needed it," said Dierdorf. "I was excited that I was picked to be president. Everyone in the group is amazing to work with."

Last year, Melissa received the Joan-Orr Spouse of the Year award for her outstanding efforts and volunteer work she provided to the base. The Joan-Orr Spouse of the Year award recognizes significant contributions made by nonmilitary spouses of Airmen and is named after the wife of former Secretary of the Air Force Verne Orr.

Some of her accomplishments that earned her the award include:

-Led executive board overseeing 46 members.

-Organized the clubs Charitable Giving Program, donating over four-thousand dollars to 11 agencies.

-Acted as person of contact for Treats to Troops program, ensuring all deployed service-members from East Washington received a care package.

-Acted as OSC Scholarship Board member, awarding eight-thousand dollars to 12 college students.

"The most telling piece of her success with the OSC is that there was never any question of her reelection," said Capt. Dierdorf. "The entire board seemed to recognize that she fit the bill perfectly and would only get better as time went on."

Dierdorf was elected president in June, 2011, and since then has boosted club membership. Getting the word out to let people know the OSC is here to help, is a big priority, added Dierdorf.

"Being president of the Officers Spouses Club means I have to show spouses there is a benefit to being a spouse," Melissa said. "It's really a great way to get all the spouses involved with the base. It's not just about white gloves and tea parties anymore."

Some activities the club does include meeting once a month for a social activity such as bingo and having holiday get togethers. They even hold a book club and a bowling day every week at the Funspot.

"If there's anything the group likes to do, we do it," said Dierdorf.

Not only is she the president of the OSC, but she is also a member of the parks and recreation department for the city of Spokane, Wash.

"I'm geared up for another great year, said Dierdorf. "This is a great opportunity and I hope more people get involved because it's a great way to give back to the base."