The mission of this MOAA Chapter is to benefit the members of the uniformed services, their families and survivors and to advocate for a strong national defense, while providing needed support to the community and its members.

Membership in this MOAA Chapter is open to anyone who holds or has ever held a commission or warrant in any component of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Public Health Service, or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and their surviving spouses. We serve the 535xx, 537xx, 538xx and 539xx (and other nearby) Postal Zip Code areas. Interested individuals desiring to join this Chapter may contact either the President or Membership Chairman listed above. Annual Chapter dues are $15 payable at the beginning of each calendar year. There is a Chapter Lifetime Membership option that ranges for $250 for age 35 and under to $60 for those 85 or older.

Chapter meetings feature speakers from the active military, National Guard units, University of Wisconsin-Madison faculty members, State of Wisconsin Officials, local county and municipal officials, and other speakers of interest to members. This chapter also supports two college ROTC programs and one Junior ROTC program.

The Southern Wisconsin Chapter supports the MOAA national legislative agenda, as we continually write, e-mail, or call our Congressional Representative and Senators about national issues to encourage support for veterans and active military members. We also support the state council in various state veterans issues.

The chapter meetings are governed by daylight hours, in that during the winter months, we meet the third Sunday at about 1200 hours for a buffet brunch. In the spring and fall months we dine about 1800 hours on either a Thursday or Friday for a buffet dinner. Our speakers usually make their presentations from 30 to 45 minutes after which we hold a business meeting. Generally members gather about an hour before the meal for a social time. After the Saturday picnic there is usually a rigorous game of Bingo. White elephant gifts become the prizes at Bingo.

The Southern Wisconsin Chapter was charted January 3, 1970, and serves mainly Southern, Southwest and parts of Central Wisconsin. Meetings are held quarterly at various locations throughout the area. The Chapter has 206 members made up of currently serving, former, and retired commissioned and warrant officers and their survivors.