Committee Updates
MEMBERSHIP
Submitted by Ed Baisden
September 2020
COL (Ret) Ed Baisden
Our Virtual Chapter remains healthy and growing. As of 15 June 2020, we have 260 members in 45 states (and Puerto Rico) representing 139 congressional districts. We are looking for members to join from DE-MS-ND-SD-WV. I would like to set a goal for recruiting in 2020…how cool would it be to find members from those last five states? You now have a targeted audience from which to recruit! We continue to try to recruit new members and encourage every current member to act as a recruiter.
DOES THAT SOUND FAMILIAR? That was the opening paragraph for my “Membership Committee” report from 15 June. This is written as-of 11 September and I have some incredibly good news to report. As of today, we have MEMBERS IN ALL FIFTY STATES! We also have added an additional twenty-seven members and eight Congressional Districts. Thanks for all your help. Now, I just need a new recruiting goal for 2020. I had thought to shoot for additional territories beyond Puerto Rico, but have learned that National MOAA doesn’t have a presence in any territory other than Puerto Rico. Any suggestions?
If you think our advocacy efforts are worthwhile, help us expand that influence by suggesting that your friends, who have served as a Uniformed Service Nurse, join us. All they need to do to start the process is to email me at musnavc@gmail.com with the subject line of “I Want to Join the VC”. This is particularly easy with your friends on Facebook. We have had good results in recruiting FB referrals, but there many members of our FB Group who have not yet joined the VC. It is NOT necessary for an applicant to already be a member of MOAA; I can make that happen very easily as part of the application process. When I have an email address and expression of interest I’ll follow up from there on.
We have also created an OUTREACH LETTER with information about the chapter, along with an application form, which includes an easy way to join MOAA for those who are not yet members. I’d like to suggest that you print off a few of these, put them in envelopes and be ready to pass them along to eligible folks you might run into at your Nurse Organization meetings and conferences or at promotion/retirement ceremonies. It’s both easy and cheap and these gatherings probably present “target-rich environments”.
Thanks very much for your continued support and willingness to “Never Stop Serving”. Cheers…Ed Baisden, Membership Chair
LEGISLATION
Submitted by webmaster
June 2020
COL (Ret) Lorna Griess
Thousands of supporters have used MOAA’s Legislative Action Center to ask their lawmakers to preserve the military health care benefit. This Virtual Storm sends a clear message to our leaders, but MOAA members and others can emphasize the importance of this issue by reaching out in other ways.
“COVID-19 limits our in-office time with these legislators, but that doesn’t mean we should avoid direct communication,” said Col. Dan Merry, USAF (Ret), MOAA’s vice president for government relations. “Lawmakers know their constituents have a vested interest in issues when they take the time to engage with their offices personally. Your lawmaker needs to know how important this care is to you and your family. That can start with a simple phone call.”
SURVIVING SPOUSE LIAISON
June 2020
Submitted by webmaster
Visit MOAA Surviving Spouse Website for more information and resources HERE
LTC (Ret) Susan McKennon
Surviving Spouse Corner: 3 Ways Surviving Spouses Can Contribute to our Chapter
MAY 01, 2019
By Patricia Farnsworth, Surviving Spouse Advisory Committee member
Surviving spouses of deceased military officers can serve MOAA chapters in many ways. Chapters should welcome these members and encourage them to become active in not only the chapter but also national MOAA. Here are four ways surviving spouses can contribute to MOAA chapters:
1. Recruiting. Having participated in activities on many military bases and within the community, surviving spouses might know others — both surviving spouses and couples — who have retired and are living in the chapter area and can help recruit them as new members. Welcoming these potential members and encouraging them to become active members serves national MOAA and local chapters as well as the new members themselves.
2. Leadership roles. Surviving spouses, formerly referred to as auxiliary members, are eligible to serve as chapter officers. Many chapters now have a surviving spouse in an office, sometimes even serving as president.
3. Social and personal affairs support. When a death occurs within the chapter membership, surviving spouses can assist the widow or widower with the sometimes complicated task of changing names on accounts, notifying insurance companies, stopping military retired pay, and applying for Social Security benefits as well as military survivor entitlements. Help with planning a funeral and burial arrangements also can be very useful. A surviving spouse who already has dealt with these tasks can offer support during a time when the recently bereaved member might be feeling overwhelmed and confused. The ability to provide the social support needed to accomplish the necessary adjustments can make the newly bereaved spouse feel more confident and comfortable.
Surviving spouses also can help a new widow or widower regain a social life through friendships and organized social events. MOAA meetings and other occasions can provide this for those spouses. Becoming active in a local chapter is a good way to take advantage of this benefit. National membership is a wonderful source of help when questions arise about anything related to the military career of the deceased.
TRANSITION and PERSONAL AFFAIRS
Submitted by webmaster
Visit our Transition and Job Search page HERE
COL Tonya Dickerson
May 2020
MOAA offers a range of resources for servicemembers seeking to take the next step in their professional life. Whether you plan to enter the workforce or maximize your GI Bill benefits, don't skip this must-read guidance.
Get the details from the MOAA 2020 Transition Guide HERE
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