THE CONSTANT THREAT TO EARNED ENTITLEMENTS

A frightening e-mail has been circulating on the internet for more than a year, the one about proposals outlined in the Congressional Budget Office optons book suggesting that TRICARE is threatened, that there is a pending loss of health care benefits.

Apparently there’s no basis to the story. Let’s hope so!

In the October 10, 2009 issue of the Wall Street Journal, former Democratic senator from Nebraska and president of The New School, John Kerrey, wrote, “In a wonderfully stunning decision, the Nobel Committee in Oslo awarded our president its Peace Prize. They said the award was as much for the hope that he will contribute to a more peaceful world as it was for any specific accomplishment during his first nine months in office.”

We live in a society that really needs hope, and when it comes to MOAA and a need to safeguard earned entitlements the level of hope is impacted by the member’s world view. It’s a matter of perspective. continue reading

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CHAPTERS SUCCEED FINDING LEADERS FOR 2010 AND BEYOND

For quite some time San Francisco Chapter, Santa Cruz Chapter, and San Pedro Chapter were struggling with leadership succession issues and unable to find willing volunteers to lead the chapter forward.

There was a lack of hope; there were broad-based feelings of despair.

But things have changed. All three chapters have now identified new leaders and will soon swear in interested and qualified presidents, other officers, and directors.

These chapters are now overflowing with hope, with members enthusiastic about the future, motivated, and ready to make 2010 an interesting, exciting, and very good year for the organizations and members alike.

With hope, there is a solid recognition that the best is yet to come! continue reading

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VISION, DIRECTION, PURPOSE CRITICAL TO CHAPTER SUCCESS

On June 18th, 2009 an Atlas 5 rocket thundered to life and launched into space, hurling two NASA spacecraft toward the moon for a $583 million mission to scout out landing sites for future manned missions. It was in preparation for future missions to Mars and beyond.

The upcoming annual meetings in San Diego will provide key information and support needed for a chapter’s bold launch into a successful future.

But it’s not clear whether the nation is really committed to space exploration; it’s possible there will be no return trips to the moon.

Some affiliated chapters are experiencing real difficulties and it’s not clear how many will continue into the future, how many will succeed over time.

Several years ago the Council created and approved a strategic plan outlining its vision, mission, purposes, and goals and objectives. There was fundamental agreement on the Council’s future directions.

Yet, many affiliated chapters have no such plan. In some cases there is an Articles of Incorporation document which designates the chapter’s purposes; in others, the bylaws do pretty much the same thing. But it’s all very general; there are few specifics. As a result, some chapters seem to be running in circles.

What does it take for a successful launch into the future? It’s important to answer certain basic questions. continue reading

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FALL 2009 IS A GOOD TIME TO MOVE CHAPTERS TO NEW LEVEL

A media headline September 12th proclaimed “President Obama Launches Push For Health Care Reform.”

It’s time for MOAA members everywhere to launch into autumn 2009 with specifc plans to protect earned entitlements. It’s still unknown if TRICARE will be changed by Federal government initiatives, impacting negatively on members and families, and yet time is certainly going to tell.

It might be a catalyst to move affiliated chapters to a new level, bringing greater interest, excitement, personal motivation, and action planning into play.

But what does it take to launch successfully and move chapters to a higher level of effectiveness and efficiency, greater success than in the past? continue reading

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SAN DIEGO ANNUAL MEETING ATTENDANCE WILL STIR THE SPIRIT

National MOAA deploys to San Diego October 23-25 for its annual meeting and CAL-MOAA will hold its EXCOM and Council of Chapter Presidents Annual Meeting concurrently. It’s going to be a time to meet others, learn more about the association, network, and generally have a very good time.

Attendance will give members something to do, and specifically a chance to make a difference.

In his 2008 book, “The Way We’ll Be–The Zogby Report On Transformation of the American Dream”, super pollster John Zogby asked a very large number of Americans this question: To what extent does the following phrase describe you?

To live a life that is comfortable and materially successful, even if it means that you are sometimes not spiritually or emotionally fulfilled. Here are the responses by age groupings and Zogby’s commentary: 18-29 3%; 30-45 5; 46-65 5; 65+ 7; traditional materialists 10; secular spiritualists 1. continue reading

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RETHINKING PURPOSES AND BEHAVIOR

There are signs everywhere that military professional associations are moving into a new and complex world, one with both opportunities and challenges. And CAL-MOAA and its affiliated chapters are no exception.

Chapters everywhere have members who delight in attending a luncheon or dinner general membership meeting featuring an interesting, informative, and entertaining speaker.

At the same time, chapters face the significant problems of leadership succession and new member recruitment, sometimes leading to the comment, “The chapter is on life support.”

The twin purposes of protecting earned entitlements through federal and California legislation and chapter mutual assistance and support are sound. One needs only to look at potential health care changes and the possible need to work with a federal bureaucracy for care, as well as chapter needs for “best practices” information, to see the seriousness of current trends.

So how should members behave in these times? continue reading

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HEROES - NOW AND FOREVER

Will Rogers once said, “Being a hero is about the shortest-lived profession in life.” Every generation needs its heroes to inspire the young and to give strength and confidence to the old.

Everyone of us has images in our minds of, if not personal experiences with, someone we consider a hero. As young children, we had their pictures hanging on our walls. Perhaps we wore clothing similar to theirs and even walked and talked like them. Many of our readers are heroes in the very real sense of the word because they fought for America’s freedoms.

Our heroes come from all walks of life and professions. Certainly, those aircrews who have and are flying into war zones to rescue military and civilian personnel have to be heroic. Others are heroic when they rush up multiple flights of stairs in bombed and burning buildings. We all remember Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. And who would deny heroism to those teachers who stood between their students and crazed gunmen who were threatening to gun down those children in recent school shootings?

Such heroe are what make America great. Such heroes wil continue to keep Americans inspired. Such heroes will continue to keep America’s enemies away from its shores. continue reading

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RESPONSIBILITY AND PRIVILEGE

One Northern California chapter president wrote the following in the September 2009 issue of the chapter’s newsletter:

“Our chapter is on life support.

“We must complete a full slate of chapter officers, including president, or national MOAA will revoke our charter and we will have to terminate/dissolve the chapter.

“Experience is not required to fill any of the officer positions. I have stated before that I will assist my replacement as he/she adjusts to the position. Our immediate past president has also offered to assist during this transition. It is by no means a full time job! With basic computer and organizational skills, a few hours a week should be all that is required. I expect most of our officers/directors to remain next year to ease the transition.

“Many of our members have enjoyed the chapter activities for years without serving–it is now time to step up and contribute to keeping this great chapter going! My contact information is listed to your left. Let me hear from you and should I contact you on this matter, please consider a ‘yes’ response!” continue reading

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