VA PROVIDING CARE FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VETERANS
Washington, D.C., October 23, 2007

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) continues to offer medical care and other important services to veterans even as wildfires burn across parts of Southern California.

“We are grateful no VA facilities have been damaged or directly threatened,” said Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gordon H. Mansfield. “Our first priority is the safety of our patients and staff.”

The San Diego VA Medical Center and clinics remain open for all urgent care, hemodialysis and chemotherapy. However, routine care including clinic appointments has been cancelled. Veterans who need prescription refills are being advised to call in their request, rather than travel to the medical center.

“I am impressed with the outstanding work our VA staff has been doing to provide excellent service to veterans during this disaster,” Mansfield added. “Many VA employees have been evacuated from their own homes, but continue to come to work to serve our veterans.”

Current information on this situation is available at the San Diego VAMC website at: http://www.san-diego.med.va.gov/wild_fire_info.htm continue reading

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SPAM FILTERS BLOCKING SOME E-MAIL MESSAGES

On two separate occasions a major Internet Service Provider (ISP) blocked the Council’s weblog alerts to certain members.

Many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) as part of their anti-spam protocols routinely block e-mail messages originating from “.org” sources.

If members want to be sure they receive communications from cal-moaa.org they should check with their ISP about their policies.

A simple request to the ISP, such as Earthlink, Comcast, etc., to clear cal-moaa.org should help insure that Council messages get through.

If it doesn’t work, it might be necessary to change ISPs or provide an alternative e-mail address that will allow messages through.

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CHAPTER RESCUE PROCESS AN OPTION FOR CHAPTER IN DIFFICULTY

San Gabriel Valley Chapter members have been demonstrating two major problems faced by local chapters today, (1) recruitment and retention, and (2) inability to acquire interested and qualified leaders.

Over the past few months, these issues brought the chapter through a delicate process of assessing the current situation, identifying courses of action, conducting a membership vote, and now trying to determine the chapter’s future.

COL George J. Gliaudys, Jr., COL, AUS (RET), the chapter’s interim president, West Covina, CA, recently provided this update: continue reading

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GIVE ME 10! SUCCESS DEPENDS ON CHAPTER’S MARKETING PLAN

The 2007 Give Me 10! program has been underway since March and current totals show 120 new members recruited in California, 28 chapters having recruited none, 12 chapters 1-5, 3 chapters 6-10, 2 chapters 11-15, and 1 chapter 15 or more.

Is that a great record or what?

Recruiting will be successful only if chapter leaders take time to create a comprehensive marketing plan. continue reading

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KNOTTS BERRY FARM SPECIAL INVITATION

Knott’s Berry Farm has again invited all Veterans, Retirees, and Present Active Duty Military Personnel to be their guest at The Park starting 1 Nov through Thanksgiving Day 2007.

They will admit the Veteran and his/her guest at no charge - and the veteran may bring up to 6 more people for only $12.95 each.

The Veteran must be present to obtain tickets - Proof of service is required - Dependent ID cards are not accepted.

They are also offering special rates for their Resort Hotel - $75 Sun thru Thurs - and $85 Fri and Sat. (714) 752-2444.

For more information: http://www.knotts.com/special_events/07vet.htm

Submitted By: LTC Tom Lasser, USA (RET)

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SHARE YOUR NEWSLETTER WITH OTHERS IN CALIFORNIA AND BEYOND

There are all kinds of interesting events and activities going on with chapters all over the state.

Others would like to know what is going on with your chapter.

It’s easy to have your newsletter posted to the Council’s website and we urge you to do it. By posting your newsletter you help expand the news, information, opinions and views of members everywhere.

Take a look at the newsletters currently posted here: http://www.cal-moaa.org/. Currently there are about a dozen and a half posted. You can see them at the right side of the page.

To have your newsletter posted, simply e-mail a copy in pdf format to gloria@cal-moaa.org and she will post it without delay.

By the way, if your chapter regularly posts the newsletter make sure it’s the current issue. We try hard to keep the site right up to date.

If you would like more information about the advantages of posting a newsletter, contact CDR Bob Burke, Council Communications Chair, at e-mail cdrbob@cal-moaa.org.

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CREATING THE CHAPTER’S MARKETING PLAN

Recently Scott Adams, creator of the cartoon strip Dilbert, has the middle-aged public relations manager in front of the marketing manager’s desk.

“As head of public relations,” she says, it will be my job to explain your marketing claims.”

She continues, “You claim yuor product can turn tap water into unleaded gasoline and reanimate the dead.”

Dogbert, the marketing manager, responds, “Are you asking me to do a lousy job of marketing just so your job is easier?”

As the end of the year draws closer the “Give Me 10!” competition will be moving to the finish line. It will be time to add up the score. And it will be time to consider how the recruitment process can be improved for the new competition beginning in 2008. continue reading

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DETAILED INFORMATION ON WEBSITE CONSTRUCTION NOW AVAILABLE

Earlier posts have given good reasons for local chapters to have a website.

The website, a basic component of the chapter’s public and community relations program, provides basic information about the chapter and its activities, and is important to the new member recruitment effort.

It was suggested that CAL-MOAA, specifically CDR Bob Burke using the Council’s current technology, can and will assist chapters needing a new or upgraded website. For assistance, simply send an e-mail to cdrbob@cal-moaa.org.

In addition, Kris Ann Hegle, Contributing Editor, Military Officer Magazine, has developed a wide range of resources available to chapters interested in starting a website.

This link will take you to a list of website development resources.

Web Site & E-Newsletter Resources.

The following link will take you to a tutorial on everything you should consider before building a Web site or a Web presence, which contains mostly timeless information and doesn’t have to be updated very often:

Build A Council/Chapter Web Page

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