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The COUNCIL CRIER
Quarterly Newsletter of the
Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC)
of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)
Contents listed on Page 2
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| MINUTEMAN AWARD |
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| $15,770 GIVE ME TEN |
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| 30 STARS OF EXCELLENCE |
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Page 1
Photos are of a few events during VCOC's weekend on the Virginia Peninsula Oct 12 - 14th, which included the biennial meeting. Photos are loaded here as thumbnails, so you may click on a photo to see a larger image and more info about the picture. There are more photos on the paper newsletter (and in Word Documents at the end of this e-Crier. You may also view more photos from the weekend under the Quarterly Meeting and Give Me Ten sections of this website, and the 30 stars of excellence section of the VCOC Home Page.
The Crier is loaded for your use. At the end of this on-line version are separate Word Documents, in color, for each the 12 pages plus two inserts. You are welcome to download some or all and use as-is or add your local chapter info.
Paper Crier was mailed 11 Dec 2007. Mailing lables were supplied by VCOC Secretary (So please keep those chapter addresses up to date with VCOC Secretary). The paper Crier is mailed to Virginia chapter's President, VCOC Rep, Legislative Rep and Auxiliary Liaison. VCOC officers also receive a copy.
/ Melva Mallison Maj, USAF, Ret
VCOC PAO, Web Coordinator, Crier Editor and 3rd VP for 2008/9 |
Begin Page 2
CONTENTS
Page 1 Letterhead & Photos
Page 2 Contacts, Contents & Calendar
Page 3 President Farewell Message
Page 4 Auxiliary, Personal Affairs & President Elect Message
Page 5 & 6 Legislative Update - Joint Leadership Council
INSERT (1st): War Memorial Contributions, Treasurer Report, Scholarship Fund
INSERT (2nd): Officer Bios
Page 7 National Guard & Reserves. Ft Monroe Commander
Page 8 Richmond Dinner Invitation, Southside Chapter Net-working, New Heritage Chapter Chartered & MOAA Annual Meeting - Virginia Chapters attended.
Page 9 Membership - National MOAA Give Me Ten
Page 10 Membership - Chapter Recruiting
Page 11 Secretary, Treasurer, Public Affairs
Page 12 Five Star Military Family, Hampton Roads Chapter
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VCOC Elected Officers
This Year & Next
2006/2007:
PRESIDENT: Bill Flanagan, COL, USA, Ret.
(804) 526-2720 Bill4dst@msn.com
1st VICE PRESIDENT (VP) / PERSONAL AFFAIRS:
Pat Green, LTC, USA, Ret. (540) 345-8521
2nd VP/ LEGISLATIVE CHAIR: Sam Wilder, COL, USA, Ret. 23836 (804) 530-1682
3rd VP/ MEMBERSHIP CHAIR: Paul Mehler, LTC, USA, Ret. (703) 780-8494
TREASURER: Don Harris, CPT, USA, Ret.
(804) 282-3900 donmar1831@earthlink.net
SECRETARY: Jim Brown, COL, USA, Ret.
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT:
Wes Edwards, BG, USMC, Ret.
(804) 462-7556 finealee@crosslink.net
VCOC JLC Rep for 2008
2008/2009:
PRESIDENT: J. Pat Green, LTC, USA, Ret.
3161 Stoneridge Rd Roanoke VA 24014
(540) 345-8521 hokie69@aol.com
or office Integrityboxes@aol.com
1st VP/ LEGISLATIVE CHAIR:
Sam Wilder, COL, USA, Ret.
12908 Scrimshaw Circle Chester VA 23836
(804) 530-1682 sdwilder1@comcast.net
2nd VP/ MEMBERSHIP CHAIR:
Paul Mehler, LTC, USA, Ret. 2002 Old Stage Rd
Alexandria VA 22308-2236 (703) 780-8494
paulmehler@hotmail.com
3rd VP/ PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER & WEB COORDINATOR:
Melva Mallison, Maj, USAF, Ret
90 Huber Rd Newport News VA 23601
(757) 596-5536 melvamaj@cox.net
TREASURER: Don Harris, CPT, USA, Ret.
Box 70100 Richmond VA 23255-0100
(804) 282-3900 donmar1831@earthlink.net
SECRETARY: Jim Brown, COL, USA, Ret.
9 Wallace Farms Lane Fredericksburg VA 22406
(540) 368-7231 jimengr@earthlink.net
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT: Bill Flanagan,
COL, USA, Ret. 5049 Nantucket Court
Colonial Heights VA 23834 (804) 526-2720 Bill4dst@msn.com
| VCOC Appointed Officers 2008/2009
A few changes will be announced at 11 Jan meeting.
Latest contact info is included in VCOC Directory, maintained by Secretary.
VCOC CALENDAR*
31 Dec 2007 – Give Me Ten 2007 Ends.
1 Jan 2008 – Begin Give Me Ten 2008 & MOAA Year of The Chapter.
4 Jan 2008 - Chapter Quarterly Reports Due to Secretary
11 Jan 2008 – Quarterly VCOC Meeting at Fort Lee. Quartermaster Museum. 10 AM.
28 Jan 2008 – Virginia MOAA DAY AT GENERAL ASSEMBLY (Monday). Also known as “Storming Richmond.”
Wear MOAA badge, red tie, white shirt, blue suit jacket, if possible.
Optional tour of capital.
RACMOAA dinner that (Monday) night. Reserve in advance.
10 Feb 2008 – Input for Council Crier, March edition, due to Crier Editor
1 March 2008 – Chapters VCOC Dues to VCOC Treasurer.
14 March 2008 – “April” VCOC Meeting Rescheduled – Tentative. Location to be Announced
16 April 2008 – Virginia Congressional Luncheon - Washington DC.
*This info is as of 30 Nov 2007. Additional schedule info will be supplied at Jan 11th VCOC meeting and on VCOC website, Under VCOC Home Page.
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President's Farewell Message - Thanks, You Set the Standard!
The last two years as VCOC President have flown by as we worked together to set the standard for state councils nationwide. We worked as a team to make a difference achieving many firsts and moving the objectives of national MOAA and the VCOC forward. I am deeply grateful for our strong VCOC Leadership Team. You set new standards in your areas of responsibility to include membership, legislative, communications, National Guard/Reserves, and auxiliary support to name a few. Full participation by chapter VCOC-Representatives and Legislative-Representatives at all our council meetings this year certainly was a key element that made MOAA stronger and more effective in Virginia. We have also been blessed with exceptionally strong leadership at the chapter level, led by our six 5-Star chapters that have fully supported our mutually established goals and objectives. Each member of the VCOC Team made a difference and should feel a personal sense of pride in our remarkable achievements. The Virginia Council of Chapters is very fortunate that the leadership team that accomplished so much over the last two years is essentially the team that will lead us forward for the next two years.
October 12, 2007, marked the beginning of the transfer of responsibilities from the 2006-2007 VCOC Leadership Team to the 2008 – 2009 VCOC Leadership Team. We had the best Biennial Meeting and Installation of VCOC Officers Dinner I have attended since joining a Virginia MOAA chapter in 1992. We are indebted to COL Ernie Hinojosa, President of the VIPMOAA chapter for stepping foreword to host our Biennial Meeting and Dinner. His hosting committee, led by MAJ Melva Mallison, did a superb job from selecting a splendid site with a waterfront view to outstanding billeting accommodations at Ft. Eustis. Our day meeting had some 50 in attendance while our dinner featured a superb program, great food, and a record paid attendance of 116 that might have been as high as 150 had we had the space.
The next evening we had a super Give Me 10 Recognition Dinner at the Williamsburg Inn. VCOC is the only council in the nation to receive this recognition. We recruited 1,008 members, more than the next top 5 state councils combined, with 100 percent of Virginia chapters meeting or exceeding the Give Me 10 goal. MOAA president, RADM Norb Ryan, and his wife Judy hosted the evening that included a before dinner photo with leaders from our six 5-Star chapters. We are grateful for the great job LTC Paul Mehler did setting-up and coordinating this splendid affair. Let me also take this opportunity to thank our spouses for helping to make this weekend extra special.
We were very pleased to see so many in attendances at both dinner functions. A particular thanks to the VCOC spouses that helped on this weekend to include Bob Mallison, Mary Ellen Mehler and Diane Flanagan. We all owe June Brown special thanks for her support of all our VCOC meetings and planning sessions. June and Jim are a special team.
In closing, let me leave you with three challenges to close out 2007. Do your part to bring us to our year end goal – 1,200 Give Me 10s; before the close of the year, make a contribution to the Virginia War Memorial Education Center and ensure your chapter appoints an Auxiliary Liaison – 9 chapters have – lets make it 15 chapters! “A great pleasure in life is to do what people say you cannot do.”
Thank you for your support and friendship!
COL Bill FLANAGAN, USA, Ret.
VCOC President
2006 - 2007
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| FLANAGAN THANKS LEADERSHIP TEAM |
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Photo shows 9 VCOC officers who served in 2006-7. All serve again in 2008-9.
Pictured from Left:
Maj Melva Mallison, USAF, Ret; CPT Don Harris, USA, Ret; LTC Paul Mehler, USA, Ret; LTC J. Pat Green, USA, Ret; COL Bill Flanagan, USA, Ret; COL Sam Wilder, USA, Ret; COL Jim Brown, USA, Ret; BG Wes Edwards, USMC, Ret.
Leaders are holding personalized prints of the Virginia Capital, signed by Speaker of the House Bill Howell and Lt Gov Bill Bolling. Prints were presented by COL Flanagan to VCOC leadership for 2006-2007 at the 12 Oct biennial VCOC meeting.
Photo by J. Vermillion
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Auxiliary Power
How Did You Meet Your Military Officer Spouse?
Hello out there auxiliary members! This message, forwarded from Violet Smith, co-chair, MOAA Auxiliary Member Advisory Committee, is to all MOAA members who are surviving spouses. The members of MOAA’s Auxiliary Member Advisory Committee have a favor to ask of you, and for a change, it does not involve contacting your legislators, sending your legislators postcards, or making telephone calls this time. They are asking you to take a walk down memory lane – certainly a nostalgic time, but sometimes good for all of us to do – to remember the path you took to become a military spouse.
There are most likely many memories to tell about how and when you became a military spouse. The Auxiliary Member Advisory Committee members hope you will share some of your memories. Surely, there were plenty of serious and humorous moments that led to you saying “I do” to that special service member in your life. Whether your story is serious, funny, or somewhere in the middle, take a minute to reminisce.
To share your moments on why you decided to marry that someone special and become a military spouse, email a short story to the auxiliarycommittee@moaa.org. Members of the Auxiliary Member Advisory Committee look forward to reading your stories and taking a walk down memory lane with you.
/Jackie Peters, VCOC Alternate Auxiliary Liaison 2007, Primary in 2008 & 9
Email petejac3@verizon.net
From President Elect / Personal Affairs
Thank you again for electing the VCOC Officers for 2008-09. This is an excellent group of men and women that are excited to serve the VCOC. There are many events in the coming year that will start with Executive Board planning meeting at Ft Lee November 30th. The Executive Board is made up of all of the Officers and appointed committee chairs. There will be a Storming of the Hill in Richmond on the 28th of January 2008. Also in March we all will again lunch with the US Congress. The details will be available at the January 2008 VCOC meeting.
In 2007 the MOAA’s Newsletters had a lot of changes that took place for Personal Affairs that affected us all. I hope you read all of them.
At the Oct 12th Memorial Service we read the names of many of our friends. In this day and age it is very important that we keep our wills and other important papers in order.
The Board of Veterans Services of Virginia has set up a committee to look into the future needs of Veterans in the way of Cemeteries, Care Centers and Services.
Jackie Peters has agreed to help with Personal Affairs starting Jan 1st, 2008.
/J. Pat Green, COL, USA, Ret President 2008-09
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| SWEARING IN |
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Pictured above, from left to right:
LTC Pat Green, USA, Ret, President, COL Sam Wilder, USA, Ret, Vice President;
LTC Paul Mehler, USA, Ret 2nd VP; Col Mike Jordan, USAF, Ret, National MOAA Staff, Installation Officer;
Maj Melva Mallison, USAF, Ret, 3rd VP; COL Jim Brown, USA, Ret, Secretary;
CPT Don Harris, USA, Ret, Treasurer.
Short bios are included in an insert. Note the variety of localities and branches of service of officers. Contact info is on page 2 of this newsletter.
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Legislative Update
VCOC LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES 2008 |
NATIONAL
PRIORITY:
STRENGTHEN THE
ALL VOLUNTEER FORCE!
(Increase Defense Dollars
To At Least 4% GDP)
OBJECTIVES:
1. Increase ground forces.
2. Finally fix SBP & Concurrent Receipt.
3. Stop erosion of TRICARE.
For more info see VCOC website – National Legislative Section
Or contact your Virginia Chapter’s Legislative Rep.
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STATE
PRIORITY OBJECTIVES:
Developed In concert with the JLC (VCOC is a Member).
1. Fully fund Department of Veterans Services Budget & Plan.
2. Support Virginia National Guard – biennial budget, legislative
initiatives and rights of mobilized members.
3. Wounded Warrior Mental Health – establish state-wide program.
4. Virginia War Memorial Education Wing – release funding.
5. Tax Relief for 100% Disabled Veterans.
6. Tax Relief for Citizen Soldiers called to Active Duty.
7. Service Members place Freeze on their own Credit Files.
For more info, see VCOC Website, State Legislative Section
Or JLC Website at:.
JLC http://www.dvs.virginia.gov/jlc_2008_legislative_obj.htm
Or contact your Virginia Chapter’s VCOC Legislative Rep.
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THE VOICE of VIRGINIA VETERANS
Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations - JLC
Throughout history, America has sought to fight its wars with allies. In the “legislative wars”, the VCOC/MOAA also needs to fight with “allies”. MOAA’s current recruiting campaign, Give Me Ten, is designed to increase our numbers to make our voice stronger. We often say, “Numbers Count!” They do.
Another way to increase our numbers and make our voice stronger is to enlist “allies” – i.e. veterans organizations with similar goals. If we can do that, we immediately increase our numbers and, thereby, make our voice much stronger. MOAA National Headquarters does this by being a part of the National Military Coalition (NMC). VCOC does this with the JLC. The trick of course is to get all of our “allies” to work together and “SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE”. We all need to pursue the same objectives. Here’s where the JLC comes in.
As Chairman of the JLC, I wrote this year’s “Chairman’s Message” [excerpt on next page] to educate and inform Virginia Legislators about the very important work being done by the JLC. The message and an annual report will be sent to all 140 legislators, delegates and senators, in the General Assembly. The 2008 Legislative Objectives and position papers have all been sent to VCOC chapter legislative representatives and are available on the VCOC website, state legislative section and the JLC website. I might add that VCOC/MOAA was the principal leader within the JLC, developing legislative objectives.
/ Sam Wilder, COL, USA, Ret, VCOC VP & Legislative Chair
| Unfortunately, many still do not know or understand the JLC. It is important that Virginia General Assembly and Virginia MOAA members know what the JLC is, what it does, and why it is important. |
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| VCOC JLC Rep for 2008 is BG Wes Edwards, USMC, Ret, pictured at far left. |
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JLC MISSION
To provide advice and assistance to the Governor and the Department of Veterans Services on matters of concern to the veterans community and provide a conduit of information to and from the Veterans Service Organizations on policy and legislation, pending and enacted, as well as information on existing services.
/from JLC Website |
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JLC CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE [Excerpt]
VETERAN’S ISSUES:
The Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations (JLC) has become the voice of Virginia veterans. Representing a combined membership of over 250,000 members, the 23 veterans service organizations (VSOs) joined together to let lawmakers know what issues are of most concern to the veteran and military communities of the commonwealth. The JLC is organized by Virginia statute to represent the concerns of 728,000 Virginia veterans.
LEGISLATIVE OBJECTIVES PRIORITIZED:
Working in a manner similar to all legislative bodies, the JLC receives grass-roots inputs from its member organizations. Then JLC members carefully research the issues, debate them, and after much discussion, vote on whether or not to adopt them as “priority” legislative objectives. The JLC is very mindful that requests of the Governor and General Assembly must be reasonable, justified, well articulated and they must be prioritized! The JLC has done that! We are also very aware that we are dealing with limited resources, and so we carefully distinguish between those items that are “must haves” and those that are “nice to have”. The list of JLC legislative objectives is published in priority order.
EFFECTIVE ADVOCATE:
Armed with our prioritized legislative agenda and accompanying position papers, members of JLC’s organizations began in September to contact their own delegates and senators to begin to advocate for the JLC agenda. All members of the different VSOs (e.g. American Legion, VFW, VCOC/MOAA, etc.) have been meeting with their legislators and all have been advocating for the same priority objectives. ALL JLC VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS ARE SPEAKING WITH ONE VOICE! While the JLC “supports” all legislation beneficial to veterans and the military community, it advocates most strongly for the prioritized legislative agenda that has been agreed to by all of its members.
ADVICE TO GOVERNOR:
In addition to advocating with the General Assembly, the JLC has coordinated and worked with other governmental boards to advise on veteran/military issues. In fact, the JLC has been the leader in promoting a legislative agenda with agencies such as: The Board of Veterans Services (BVS), The Citizen Soldier Support Council (CSSC), The Virginia Military Advisory Council (VMAC), the Veteran Services Foundation (VSF). The JLC also provides vital input to the “Key Military/Veterans Groups meeting” which combines recommendations and provides direct input to the Governor.
Respectfully,
Sam Wilder, COL, USA, Ret, Chairman, JLC
COL Wilder is also the VCOC’s 1st VP & Legislative Chair
A photo of the COL Wilder with VCOC Legislator of the year is included in the paper/mailed Council Crier as well as the Word Document Below. Also on page 6 is a list of the VSOs which make up the JLC.
Read more about JLC in the “boards” section of Department of Veteran Services Website: http://www.dvs.virginia.gov/boards.htm |
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Virginia War Memorial Education Fund
Contribute and help Virginia MOAA name a room.
VCOC and Virginia chapters of MOAA originally led in contributions to the Virginia War Memorial Education Fund (VWMEF) drive supporting the Education Center. But the American Legion( #1 in Commonwealth membership) and VFW (#3, VCOC is #2) are both in a race to beat MOAA out of our leadership position.
It is critical we continue our contribution efforts with both chapter and individual contri-butions to this vital project. If Virginia hopes to reach the $2Million private contribution needed to release the $3.5Million state funds approved last year by the General Assembly, all Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) and their membership (some 250,000 members) MUST continue fund raising efforts. VCOC President, Bill Flanagan, e-mailed Virginia chapter presidents with ideas and tax incentives to consider in making contributions. Please make sure contributions indicate the amount be credited to naming a room for VCOC/MOAA. Identify your local chapter also. I am working with our MOAA HQ on getting National MOAA Board approval to make a contribution.
KEEP UP THE FIRE!!!!!
//COL Don Kaiserman, USA, Ret, RACMOAA President
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www.vawarmemorial.org
(804) 786-2060
VWMEF is a 501c3 tax-exempt foundation, so gifts may be tax deductible.
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State funding was a 2006 State Legisla-tive priority of both VCOC and JLC.
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Private funding is also required.
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If enough funds are raised by MOAA we can name a room for VCOC MOAA.
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VCOC Contributed $1,000
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Virginia Chapters have contributed or pledged over 11,000 as of mid-Nov 2007.
Virginia Peninsula chapter (VIPMOAA) Legislative Committee, pictured at left, at 15 Nov 2007 meeting, where VIPMOAA voted to approve an $800 chapter donation ($2 per member). VWMEF forms were also distributed for individual donations (with MOAA and chapter info filled in) at November & December VIPMOAA meetings.
From Left, Charley Burch, LTC, USAF, Ret; Frank Duckett, Maj, USAF, Ret; Blair Smith, LTC, USA, Ret.
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| Peninsula Chapter Makes GIving Easy |
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VCOC Treasurer’$ Report
FINANCIAL REPORT
Presented at 12 OCT 2007 VCOC Meeting. Rounded to nearest dollar.
BEGINNING BANK BALANCE 30 JUNE 2007: $10,580.
INCOME: $958.
EXPENDITURES: $3,400.
ENDING BANK BALANCE 30 SEP 2007: $8,138. | VCOC DESIGNATED SCHOLARSHIPS
The VCOC has 4 Designated Scholarships ... more than any other MOAA state council. |
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National Guard & Reserve
Tell Them How MOAA Applies To Their Lives.
It’s never too early to establish key/vital relationships with your local National Guard/Reserve units as a source of potential new chapter and national MOAA members. The same goes for ROTC and JROTC staff officers. During 2007 the above played a role in all 15 Virginia chapters gaining the 1,000+ new MOAA Give Me Ten membership goal that Bill Flanagan set for the Virginia Council of Chapters. All-too-often the officers in the above organizations are not aware of what MOAA means to them and the benefits they derive from both MOAA National and Chapter membership. Many confuse us with our past TROA involvements as a group of retired officers with benefits which do not apply to young officers with many years to go before retirement. They view our function as supporting the retired military community which we know is not the case today. It becomes our role to educate these officers that MOAA supports the TOTAL MILITARY COMMUNITY (including Active Duty, Guard, Reserves, families, and widows/widowers), not just retired military personnel. So work into your chapter plans to visit military organizations and request an opportunity to address them at one of their “Officer Calls”. I’m confident you will be surprised by the results, reflected in new, young blood in MOAA and your chapter. GIVE IT A TRY.
/COL Don Kaiserman, USA, Ret, VCOC National Guard Liaison
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Emphasize VCOC legislative priorities, which include National Guard, Reserve, Wounded Warrior and other issues of importance to Guard, Reserve and active duty.
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| COL ROBERT SIMPSON, VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD SPOKE AT VCOC 12 OCT 2007 MEETING |
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85 Give Me Tens were gained by Richmond Area Chapter per contact with the National Guard. Other Virginia Chapters who accepted Col Kaiserman’s request for support added 38, for a total of 123 in Virginia.. |
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Join Richmond Chapter for Dinner after Storming The Hill, Jan 28th
******** A VCOC CAMARADERIE EVENT********
The Richmond Area Chapter of MOAA extends a cordial invitation to Virginia chapter members to attend our 28 January 2008 Chapter Dinner Meeting following the VCOC “STORMING THE HILL” event. The chapter meeting will be held at the Bellwood Club located at the Defense Supply Center-Richmond, only a short drive from the State Capitol. A Social Hour starts at 1800 hours (an excellent opportunity to meet some new MOAA friends from the Richmond Chapter). Full details will be listed on both the VCOC and RAC/MOAA web sites later in December 2007. Plan to join fellow MOAA members and celebrate ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL “STORMING THE HILL” event. (Check the web for info on lodging at the Supply Center and Fort Lee.)
COL Don Kaiserman RAC/MOAA President
Chapter Networks with Veterans
The Southside Virginia Chapter in the Petersburg area, embarked upon a new strategy to unite with other Veterans organizations. At left, the chapter joined with the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion veterans in a “Petersburg Salute to Veterans.” A Joint Veterans Council was formed to bring together the other 9 veteran organizations into a coalition. The chapter also participated in a wreath-laying at the Doughboy Monument in Petersburg along with Junior ROTC cadets.
MOAA Chartered New VA Chapter
MOAA approved the charter. of the new Heritage chapter, making 16 MOAA
chapters in Virginia. VADM Ryan, MOAA President, will present the approved charter
at a chapter meeting 20 February 2008. The Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC)
welcomes the Heritage Chapter in the Stafford, Quantico & Prince William county area.
Virginia participates
in MOAA Annual Meeting
National MOAA leaders recognize Virginia Give Me Ten leadership at annual meeting in Tampa Florida, Nov 15 - 18 2007. Pictured From Left to Right:
VCOC President, COL Bill Flanagan, USA, Ret;
MOAA Chairman, Board of Directors, Gen Michael Carns, USAF, Ret;
Southside Chapter President, COL Victoria Revilla, USA, Ret;
VCOC Membership Chair & 3rd VP, LTC Paul Mehler, USA, Ret;
MOAA President, VADM Norb Ryan, USN, Ret
Photos on this page provided by Southside Virginia Chapter
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| SVC-MOAA SALUTE TO VETERANS |
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| WREATH AT DOUGHBOY MONUMENT |
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| VIRGINIA HONORED AT MOAA MEETING |
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Membership - National MOAA
2007
Give Me Ten
CONGRATULATIONS VIRGINIA!
VIRGINIA AGAIN LEADS THE NATION.
VCOC chapters recruited a total of 1008 new MOAA members as of Oct 16. This was almost half of the entire MOAA Give Me Ten total of 2200. All 15 Virginia chapters recruited at least 10 with three chapters recruiting 25 or more, and three chapters recruiting 50 or more. As a reward, all chapters were invited and represented at the fabulous dinner held at the Williamsburg Inn on Oct 13. VCOC chapters were successful by using a number of methods for recruiting. Including:
Southside developed a special relationship with Fort Lee Quartermaster School
Use of MOAA Prospect Lists
Bulk Mailing
JROTC Officers at local high schools
Gold Bar Program (Colleges & National Guard Officers Candidate School
Reserve Units
National Guard
One on One Approach
Telephone Calls
Chapter Presence at Military Events - With Signs to catch attention.
A NEW GOAL & A NEW CHALLENGE.
20 % Increase by End of 2007.
VCOC President, COL Bill Flanagan, set a new goal for the VCOC Give Me Ten Program until the end of the year when the 2007 MOAA Program closes. This incentive is in addition to the other rewards.
1. First and foremost, VCOC must attain a 20% increase in Give Me Ten members. This means that the VCOC total by the end of the year, Dec 31, must be 1200 or more. This must happen before any chapter becomes eligible.
2. Any chapter that reaches 20% or more will be placed in a drawing pool of VCOC chapters that have reached the 20% increase. (Again, this drawing will take place only if the Virginia-wide 20% is also reached).
3. The winning chapter would be able to send one couple to Washington, D.C. for 3 days and nights in a hotel including all meals. Attendance at a major MOAA luncheon and dinner during the Storming of the Capital Hill will be included. Spouse will be able to attend any tours. All of this is complimentary by MOAA. The
Many chapters need only to recruit 2 or 3 Give Me Ten members to reach the 20% mark. Colonel Bill Flanagan challenges us to bring on a few extra per chapter, to assist VCOC with reaching the total 20% increase.
GIVE ME TEN 2008
MOAA is continuing Give Me Ten, with increased incentives. Chapters should receive MOAA "kits" this month.
/LTC Paul Mehler, USA, Ret, VCOC Membership Chair
In 2008-2009 LTC Mehler is VCOC 2nd VP | Begin Page 10
Virginia Chapter Members:
4,179
as of 31 Sep 2007.
Net Gain of 80 this year
Chapter Membership - Recruiting
Membership and membership drives are sometimes unpleasant and undesirable subjects for organizations, particularly those with many aging members. It is not an easy task to seek new members. This is particularly true when an organization is located in an area where there are few prospects eligible for membership. VCOC has several chapters in this category – aging members and few prospects in their area.
How does a small chapter with an aging membership overcome the problem of negative growth in an area of limited prospects? When it becomes impossible to seek new members because there are none available, there is only one answer – the chapter ceases to exist or merges with another nearby chapter. This is not the situation with VCOC. There is not a single VCOC chapter that has reached the point of collapse. In fact, during this year, most VCOC chapters have experienced overall membership gains although some may be small. This may have been due to the emphasis on the VCOC Give Me Ten program conducted for MOAA. Some chapters have recruited new MOAA members and simultaneously made them chapter members. This makes absolute sense. I believe All MOAA members should be chapter members. That is our ultimate goal consistent with MOAA plans to designate 2008 the year of the Chapter. MOAA will place increased emphasis on encouraging MOAA members to join chapters.
Many MOAA members living in Virginia chapter areas are not chapter members. In fact, at last count, there are about 50,000 MOAA members living in Virginia. It is true most of these are living in the areas of the larger cities and larger chapters. But there are many living near smaller chapters. As an example, our smallest chapter (Piedmont), based in the Farmville area has approximately 55 MOAA members living in their area who are not members of the chapter. Most are retired military. Piedmont conducted a membership drive recently and picked up 3 new chapter members just by calling them.
How does a chapter pick up new chapter members?
Here are a few suggestions:
1. Obtain the list of MOAA members in your area who are not chapter members. This can be requested directly from MOAA or from the VCOC membership chair.
2. Convert newly recruited MOAA Give Me Ten members to chapter members.
3. Call and invite any MOAA member prospect to your luncheon or dinner meeting.
4. Offer 1st year free membership (this is especially effective).
5. Reach out to widows and widowers in your area (they are interested in socializing).
/LTC Paul Mehler, USA, Ret, VCOC Membership Chair & 2nd VP 2008-2009
SEND YOUR
SUCCESSFUL
CHAPTER RECUITING STORY
for the VCOC Council Crier and/or website
and help other Virginia Chapters
expand membership.
Please include numbers recruited and
cost of the initiative.
Submit through VCOC Membership Chair
to VCOC PAO.
Deadline for next Council Crier is 10 Feb.
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PAY VCOC DUE$ BY March 1st
Be sure to show 3 numbers for each of the three chapter membership categories:
#1. Chapter membership in the category as of 31 DEC 2007.
#2. The number of free chapter memberships given along with Give Me Ten in the category on 31 Dec 2007.
#3. An adjusted total for VCOC dues (#1 minus #2 equals #3) for the category.
This third number will be multiplied by the VCOC dues assessment for the category.
This way VCOC can track total chapter members in Virginia, yet still not charge chapters for ONE free year of chapter membership, if they provided a free chapter membership along with MOAA’s Give Me Ten membership campaign.
/Don Harris, CAPT, USA, Ret, VCOC Treasurer
| MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES:
REGULAR (officers)
AUXILIARY (widows/widowers of officers)
HONORARY (bestowed by chapter) |
WHAT DO YOU PAY?
Dues assessment will be presented
At the 11 Jan 2008 VCOC meeting.
(Different amounts for Regular & Auxiliary.)
Less than $1 per member. |
WHAT DO YOU RECEIVE?
Extensive legislative efforts for and with Virginia chapters,
Collaboration with other Virginia chapters, Help with recruiting & Give Me Ten (if desired), VCOC Website, Council Crier and News Releases. VCOC participation helps for MOAA excellence awards too. |
Secretary’s Musings:
Wow, I have been the VCOC Secretary for two years and it has been a real learning experience. We re-established the VCOC Directory, revised the filing with the Virginia State Corporation Commission and then put in place BYLAWS. Loads-of-paper were distributed to assure communications with all. The VCOC has fully transformed from a “snail” mail organization to an effective e-mail system and a support WEB page. It has been a lot of work, but very satisfying. The 12 Oct minutes were mailed to chapter VCOC Representatives along with a draft of the agenda for the 11 January VCOC meeting. I thank all chapters and ask that we continue the style and trend that has been established. The: 4th Quarter Chapter Report with data as of 31 December 2007 is due soon. I request these via electronic means if possible on or before 4 January 2008. I also need the 2008 chapter officers of VCOC Member Chapters such that a new and accurate directory can be ready for distribution on 11 January. Chapters are reminded to send their newsletters to me for VCOC Historical Files.
/Jim Brown, COL, USA, Ret, VCOC Secretary
| Public Affairs:
WEB: Please use and promote the websites of your chapter AND your VCOC. Print the website in large-enough letters so that people can see it at a glance. Note the separate sections on VCOC website for Legislative State, Legislative National, Meetings (check out the photos and info from past meetings and agenda for the next), chapters, Give Me Ten and more. I used Network Solutions software to develop the site, with no prior experience developing websites. If there is a web master out there who would like to take over the VCOC web job, please volunteer to do so. Help or back-up would also be appreciated.
NEWS RELEASES: Chapters have had limited success using VCOC press releases for publication in local neighborhood papers, particularly with publicizing legislative awards. I recommend that all Virginia MOAA (chapter or VCOC) press releases include an invitation to join a local chapter and reference to a website (VCOC or chapter website). Please send articles to your local papers about your chapter’s scholarship and ROTC awards, donations to War Memorial and other veteran causes, MOAA chapter awards and the 2008 Give Me Ten opportunities and successes. Submit a picture of your new officers to your local military and civilian papers. Let me know how it goes.
NEWSLETTERS: There is an e-Crier on the VCOC website (this one and previous editions). Individual pages of the Crier may be printed from the website (all pages in color if you want). Each individual page is posted as a Word Document, so you can add chapter-specific contact info and use in your chapter newsletters or as handouts at chapter meetings. </ | |
