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MOAA President Visits SandhillsMOAA President Vice Adm. Norbert R. Ryan Jr., USN-Ret., recently traveled to Pinehurst, N.C., where he met with more than 120 members of the Sandhills (N.C.) Chapter. After installing the chapter's new officers, Ryan delivered a hard-hitting speech in which he detailed many of the challenges faced by active duty and retired military members. Ryan told chapter members that U.S. military forces have been cut by 30 percent since Operation Desert Storm. Fortunately, federal legislation precludes any force reductions in 2003, despite the current downswing in the economy. During the past several decades, however, funding for military forces has shrunk to 3.2 percent of the gross national product (gnp). Military leaders, Ryan said, believe funding must be increased to 4 percent of the gnp in order to maintain and modernize our forces. Pointing out that only 27 percent of members of the U.S. House of Representatives and 35 percent of legislators in the Senate have served in the armed forces, Ryan encouraged chapter members to do their part to educate their elected representatives. Ryan also noted that congressional action is expected this year on an active duty pay raise, deletion of the 20 percent penalty imposed on Survivor Benefit Plan (sbp) benefits, and creation of a 30-year, paid-up provision in the sbp program. Other legislative problems that will be addressed, he said, include health care for veterans under 65 and the elimination of reductions in Medicare and TRICARE payments that have resulted in some doctors declining to accept patients. The president concluded by praising the chapter's scholarship program, which provides four $1,500 scholarships to college-bound Junior rotc students each year. Ryan also acknowledged chapter members' outstanding volunteer efforts on the Empty Stocking Fund, which provides aid to needy families in Moore County, N.C., during the holidays. "The fund was on the verge of folding in 1999, and then we took it over," says Col. David Young, usa-Ret., immediate past president. "It's a huge undertaking, but we enjoy doing it. It's all about neighbors looking after neighbors." Young estimates the Empty Stocking Fund helped 775 families last year, and Sandhills Chapter members collected donations from more than 598 individuals, businesses, local churches, and area schools. In addition, the Empty Stocking Fund has received extensive press coverage in a local newspaper, which has helped increase the chapter's visibility. Currently, the chapter is preparing to start its own transition assistance program to help separating servicemembers who are trying to launch second careers in the Pinehurst area. Chapter President Col. Frank Salimbene, usa-Ret., is spearheading the effort and says he believes the transition assistance program will help the Sandhills Chapter attract more active duty servicemembers who are stationed at nearby Fort Bragg, N.C. Hawaii Chapter Adds Satellite ChapterThe Hawaii Chapter is working with a group of retired officers in American Samoa to set up a satellite chapter in Pago Pago. Maj. Sonny Thompson, USAF-Ret., is leading the effort and estimates the new satellite chapter will have 16 to 18 members. Col. John Harms, usmc-Ret., 1st vice president of the Hawaii Chapter, is assisting, and he plans to make several trips to American Samoa via Space-A travel. "This will be a unique relationship, for they will provide insights into their great culture and how this blends in with our chapter activities as well as bring their concerns to our national headquarters," says Harms. "In turn," Harms adds, "we will be able to assist them in such programs as TRICARE, TRICARE For Life, and TRICARE Senior Pharmacy." The Hawaii Chapter's ambitious members already are contemplating starting another satellite chapter in Guam. As they assist with these latest expansion efforts, these members are building on a strong foundation. In the past, the chapter has been instrumental in establishing satellite chapters in Hilo and Kailua Kona on the island of Hawaii. Jersey Cape Chapter Honors Coast Guard MemberMembers of the Jersey Cape (N.J.) Chapter recently presented Lt. Matthew Rymer, uscg, with the 2002 "Outstanding Junior Officer Award." The 156-member chapter established the award in 2000 to recognize and encourage selfless service among junior officers who are stationed at the nearby U.S. Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, N.J. Chapter president Col. Raymond E. Batz, USAF-Ret., presented Rymer with the award along with a $100 U.S. Savings Bond. State assembly members Jeff Van Drew and Nicholas Asselta also presented Rymer with a commendation from the New Jersey legislature. The Jersey Cape Chapter has strong ties to the state legislature. Late last year, the state senate and general assembly passed a joint resolution that honored the chapter on its 20th anniversary. The resolution commended members for their "record of service and commitment in benefit of veterans" and for setting "a standard toward which others might strive." Gov. James E. McGreevey also signed a proclamation that paid tribute to the chapter. Virginia Council of Chapters Storms State LegislatureThey live throughout Virginia and hail from every branch of the uniformed services. However, when it comes time to lobby in the state legislature or on Capitol Hill, members of the Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC) know it's to their advantage to unite and speak with one voice. On Jan. 16 more than 60 VCOC members and their spouses did just that when they participated in the council's third annual "Storming the Hill" session in Richmond, Va., which is patterned after national MOAA's one-day lobbying blitz that bears the same name. The VCOC is composed of 16 chapters and represents more than 43,000 national MOAA members who live in the commonwealth. While in Richmond, VCOC members met with elected officials from their districts as well as Gov. Mark Warner. Members also met with several key state officials, such as Speaker of the House William J. Howell and delegates Kirk Cox and William Janis. Staff members for congressional representatives Sen. George Allen and Rep. J. Randy Forbes traveled to Richmond and met with VCOC members as well. The VCOC's lobbying effort was timed to coincide with the state legislature's 60-day short session, which is when funds are allocated for the year. Members also coordinated their efforts with the Virginia Veterans' Coalition, which coordinates with its member organizations as they band together to accomplish five to six legislative goals each year. "The American Legion had its 'Day on the Hill' one day before us," says Col. Melville A. Drisko Jr., usa-Ret., VCOC secretary and newsletter editor and president of the Richmond Chapter. "We have basically the same agenda, so together we executed a double whammy for Virginia's veterans." Earlier this year, Warner proposed a reform package that seeks to improve services to Virginia's 780,000 veterans. Five of the VCOC's six legislative goals for 2003 reflect such a need. These legislative goals include:
"Our goals this year didn't require any new funding or tax increases," says Col. Frank Wickersham III, USMC-Ret., president of the VCOC. "Everything we asked for had been previously funded or appropriated in the 2002-2004 biennial budget." As they met with state officials, VCOC members also expressed concern that Virginia's Board of Veterans Affairs hasn't met since January 2002. The board normally meets three times a year. In addition to their lobbying efforts in the state legislature, VCOC members maintain close ties with their federal representatives. Last year, eight congressional representatives and both senators from Virginia attended the VCOC's annual luncheon on Capitol Hill, which gave members an opportunity to voice their views on pending legislation that affects military members, veterans, and their families. What Chapters DoI received an e-mail recently that, quite honestly, caught me off guard. The writer had attended his very first chapter meeting and was disappointed. He expected more from the experience and noted that all "they" (referring to the leadership) talked about was what they should do. He asked, "What does a chapter really do? Is it merely a social gathering, or do members ever do anything meaningful? How do they interface with national headquarters?" My first inclination was simply to tell him that he may have caught them on a bad night. But I didn't, because if he was in fact a first-time visitor, maybe he really didn't know what chapters do. Then I realized that if he didn't know what they did, perhaps other newer members also aren't aware of the role of chapters - and that, clearly, is a problem. MOAA headquarters views chapters as its "action arm" with respect to legislative activism. With 535 legislators in Congress and only six lobbyists on the national staff, it is impossible to see and talk to every congressional representative. Our chapters represent that other part of MOAA's legislative team, the part we rely on when we need to present our views to a particular legislator, up close and personal, in his or her hometown. You really can't put a price on this type of assistance. We know it's effective because of the successes we've had over the years - our combined record of legislative victories stands for itself. Many chapters and councils also have won victories at the state level that have provided for full or partial tax exemption on military retired pay and other benefits and entitlements. The true hallmark of our chapters is the volunteer work they do - the countless hours they devote in local Department of Veterans Affairs facilities, blood banks, fund-raising telethons, and the like. I encouraged the writer to try his local chapter again, find out what they are involved in, and see how he - like you - can help the cause of military retirees in the community. Col. Chris Giaimo, USAF-Ret.
IN FOCUS
A closer look at council and chapter achievements
Finding the FundsIt happens all too often at a chapter meeting. Someone will come up with an idea for a community project such as sponsoring a scholarship program or contributing money to a local veterans' hospice. Suddenly, there's a lot of buzz in the room, and the floor is opened for discussion. The more members talk, the more excited they get. Then the treasurer says the words nobody wants to hear: "We don't have enough money." Finances play an important role when it comes to achieving chapter missions. Indeed, it's almost impossible to launch a recruiting campaign, distribute a newsletter, or initiate a community service project if the chapter lacks the resources to support the effort. Membership dues usually don't cover all chapter expenses, let alone provide the funding needed for a special initiative. Yet, some MOAA chapters finance a multitude of projects. Here's how they do it. The Golden Triangle Chapter in Columbus, Miss., tackled the problem by looking for ways to cut costs. In the early 1990s, the chapter began e-mailing its monthly newsletter to members with e-mail access, resulting in substantial savings. Members also began self-publishing the print version of their newsletter. With preparation, printing, and mailing list costs, "we were paying $2 per newsletter," says Lt. Col. Johnny Thompson, USAF-Ret., the newsletter editor. Now he maintains the mailing list and does all the layout. Fellow member Maj. Robert Boland, USAF-Ret., who had a second career as a printer, arranged for the newsletter to be printed for free, and Lt. Col. Sam Shoemake Jr., USAF-Ret., makes sure it gets folded and mailed each month. Other chapters tackle the finance issue by raising funds. Members of these chapters effectively answer the question, "What will people in this area buy?" In New England, it's clams. Last year, the New Hampshire Chapter's annual clambake netted $3,671 for the chapter's scholarship program. Down South, members of the Greenville (S.C.) Chapter raise money by holding a biannual White Elephant Auction. Proceeds support several activities, including the chapter's newsletter and handbook. In sunny Arizona, the Luke Chapter hosts an annual golf tournament. In addition to tournament fees, members solicit area businesses to sponsor each hole. Last year's tournament raised approximately $6,000 for the chapter's scholarship fund. Some chapters focus on increasing donations. When the Wichita (Kan.) Chapter started its Junior rotc Scholarship Fund, it only had enough money to award two or three scholarships a year. Once the chapter began funneling contributions through the Wichita Community Foundation so the gifts would be tax-exempt, contributions increased dramatically. Members of the Northwest Florida Retired Officers Club Inc. in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., hold a 50-50 raffle each meeting, with half of the money going to the winner and half to the chapter. It also has a "100 Club" for members and a "100-Plus Club" for local business owners. Those who join these clubs must donate $100 to the chapter's scholarship fund each year for five years. The chapter's fund-raising efforts are really paying dividends. During the past year, the scholarship program's coffers increased from $21,000 to $43,000, according to Maj. William Ryan, USAF-Ret., chapter treasurer. These efforts prove if there's a will, there's a way. Indeed, finances should never affect a chapter's ability to fulfill its missions or prevent it from initiating a project that will benefit members of the surrounding community. "You have to sell the worth to members," says Lt. Col. George Finck, USAF-Ret., president of the Ark-La-Tex (La.) Chapter, which is known MOAA-wide for its outstanding scholarship program. It goes back to what Finck says: "If people believe in what you do, they'll support it." |
