COUNCIL OF CHAPTER PRESIDENTS MEETING AN UNQUALIFIED SUCCESS

The annual meeting was a success. The Council has a carefully designed plan for 2008, some wonderful and committed people, and an approved budget. More than 85 members and guests attended the Saturday evening banquet.

The secretary will distribute updated EXCOM member and chapter presidents rosters as well as minutes of the EXCOM meeting and the Council of Chapter Presidents Annual Meeting.

Legislation
The most important federal issue discussed was the Medicare reimbursement rate coming in January 2008. Following a comprehensive briefing by Palm Springs Chapter representatives, plans were made to implement a legislative alert . Members were asked to join in a unified action to cause change by contacting and influencing legislators prior to a scheduled late December 2007 decision.

We could be headed for a crisis at the state level. There’s danger ahead—a lack of funding threatens a lobbying system that has been in place for some years. There are signs that the nineteen (19) veterans organizations making up the California State Commanders Veterans Council, a client of the Sacramento lobbying firm of Pete Conaty & Associates, either cannot or will not provide funds to cover a required $6K retainer. CAL-MOAA, a CSCVC member, will provide up to $1500; the other organizations will be expected to contribute the additional $4,500. What happens if the funding is not provided is yet to be determined.

Special Issues
Col Lee Lange, USMC-Ret, Director, MOAA Council and Chapter Affairs, indicated that MOAA National is growing in membership to near 367,000 (up 7K in 2007), is serving the chapters effectively, and will host an October 2008 Western States Chapter Presidents Symposium at South Lake Tahoe, NV.

Shelley Marshall of MOAA National briefed members on the MOAA Scholarship Fund—scholarships/non interest college loans are available to children of members.

Anne Patton, Member, MOAA Auxiliary Advisory Committee, briefed members on the interests and needs of auxiliaries and urged chapter presidents to take advantage of auxiliary talents and capabilities, involving them fully in chapter affairs.

MAJ Judith Tilt, USA (RET), Palm Springs Chapter, briefed members on the Medicare/Tricare potential January 1, 2008 reimbursement rate cut, an act which would have a very negative impact on the health care benefit. An immediate legislative alert was posted and actions taken to influence legislators to delete the proposed cut.

CDR Jerry Loeb, USN (RET), Palm Springs Chapter, via memorandum reminded members that there might be survivors in chapters who are due a significant Defense Finance and Accounting System (DFAS) Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) refund and not even be aware of it. This issue will be pursued throughout 2008.

There are 40,000 MOAA National members in California; 6,800 chapter members/average age 69; 64,000 auxiliaries/average age 80. An analysis of chapter membership in general shows a broad decline; creativity and innovation will be required to reverse these trends. Younger officers on balance tend not to join organizations, a cultural phenomenon, presenting a special challenge. The analysis is available from the secretary. There will be discussions throughout 2008 on this issue.

CDR Steve Barber, USN (RET), president, San Francisco Chapter, asked for assistance supporting the JROTC in San Francisco. The Council approved a resolution expressing support for the JROTC programs in California, providing a means for the Council to support the San Francisco JROTC. A copy of the resolution is available from the secretary.

CDR John Sammons, USPHS (RET), Council Secretary, briefed members on chapter support, with emphasis on efforts to restart the East Bay Chapter in Oakland/Alameda and opportunities for chapters in difficulty to choose the satellite or subchapter structure in order to continue operations.

Management Issues
As a result of the election of officers, COL Warren Enos, AUS (RET) was elected president for 2008-09, succeeding Lt.Col Larry Stumpf, USAF-Ret; BG Wayne Hoffman, AUS (RET) was elected vice president for 2008-09, Succeeding COL Enos who served as interim vice president. The new officers were installed during the Saturday evening banquet.

The Council approved a budget for 2008, reducing a proposed $12,600 total to $9,000 primarily because of declining membership and resulting projected drop in dues income. A copy of the approved budget will be distributed by the secretary.

The Council will continue to implement specific strategic plan goals only as resources become available with emphasis on members to do the work and funds required. A strategic plan with ten (10) strategic goals named was approved at the 2006 annual meeting.

The Council will retain the current organization structure for at least the coming year. It is believed the area directors are key to the Council’s success, specifically because the area directors are best positioned to provide the chapters needed assistance, services, and other support.

Based on a recent communications survey with about half the members responding, the Council will communicate in the future primarily by e-mail with a website/web log supplement. E-mail messages will be sent on an “as needed” basis; web log alerts will be sent about every two (2) weeks and highlight only those posts of immediate importance and/or those requiring a response/action. U.S. Postage will be used infrequently; the telephone will be used only under the most unusual circumstances.

Area directors reported on the status of chapters and for the most part mentioned the continuing problems of membership and leadership succession. Most chapters seem to be getting along just fine, accomplishing those goals and objectives set earlier.

The Banquet

The Saturday evening banquet was a gala affair highlighted by awards presentations, installation of officers, and a reported outstanding speaker, COL Kevin Riedler, USA, Commanding Officer, U.S. Army Combat Training Center, Fort Hunter Liggett, CA. He received a standing ovation.

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