The mission of the South Shore Chapter is to support the members of the uniformed services, currently serving and retired, and the veteran community. We provide support for service families and survivors, as well as supporting local veterans initiatives. We devote time at our meetings to stay informed about military and veterans organizations and activities so that we can support at both the state and federal levels. We also support the ROTC program at Northeastern University and the JrROTC programs at Taunton, Brockton and North Quincy high schools. Because Massachusetts is not the home of many active military organizations, our chapter is important for keeping awareness of the contribution of uniformed service members and veterans in front of the public.

Our chapter welcomes new members to our activities. Any person who has served as a commissioned or warrant officer in any of the uniformed components - Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, Public Health Service or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is eligible for membership as well as any surviving spouse of an eligible member. The modest $20 dues for a calendar year cover the costs for mailings, email services and administrative costs. The membership director is Peter Rapelye. He can be reached via email at pyrapelye@gmail.com. Auxiliary members (surviving spouses of members or officers eligible for membership) pay an even more modest $10 a year. Our auxiliary members are valued participants and we strongly encourage their continuance as part of their service. Wives of members are also valued participants and have often served as board members and officers. Come and join us at one of our monthly meetings!

Our meetings rotate between in-person and virtual meetings that focus on camraderie and a relevant speaker. They last about an hour. Our focus is current military affairs, benefits for retirees and veterans, programs to support those communities, and history of military operations and people. Entertainment is usually the focus of our December holiday party. Four ROTC programs are supported with awards and monetary gifts. They are Jr ROTC programs at Taunton, Brockton and North Quincy High Schools and one senior ROTC program based at Northeastern University that serves NU, Boston College, Wentworth Institute, Suffolk University and other area colleges. We meet monthly on the 2d Wednesday at 5:00 PM. Eligible members are welcome to join us

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has perhaps the most robust set of laws in the nation in support of the military and veterans. That is due, in a large part, to the work of the Military Coalition in MA of which MOAA chapters and the State Council of Chapters plays an active role. We participate in having an active voice on Beacon Hill in all matters, although none are pending at this time. We generally work to preserve the benefits available to military families and veterans.

MEETINGS SHIFT TO VIRTUAL South Shore Chapter meetings are dinner meetings held the second Wednesday of every month. With the COVID 19 pandemic we have switched to virtual meetings. All members are invited by email meeting scheduler and email message with connecting information. One can log in from anywhere with Internet access and there is no charge. We will resume our in-person dinner meetings in the South Shore area when it is practical to do so. Site to be determined as the Hearth & Kettle has been sold. Please join us at a meeting to try us out! We welcome new members and reach out to make it an enjoyable time for all. There is plenty of opportunity to speak out regarding matters of importance to you and we attempt to bring speakers that are meaningful to all our members. And sometimes we just have a good time!

The South Shore Chapter was founded over 45 years ago and has met in the Weymouth area since its formation. Since the COVID 19 pandemic we have met virtually and will continue until rules change. We enjoy a social period as we log in (BYOB), and a speaker . The chapter has about 50 members including currently serving officers, mostly from reserve components, retired officers and surviving spouses. At a typical meeting we will have 20+/- people attending. The chapter publishes a monthly email newsletter that announces the next meeting and provides for reservations, summarizes the past meeting and makes announcements. This is the primary means members are notified about meetings and receive other news of chapter importance.