OPTOMISM REIGNS AS OFFICERS TAKE OATH

It might have been overcast with a cold intermittent rain outside, but it was warm and cheery inside as more than 50 Silicon Valley Chapter members, spouses, and guests gathered for the Thursday, January 24th luncheon and new officer installation ceremony.

Looked upon by some as “our officer’s club,” the Sunnyvale Ramada Inn dining room tables were decorated with the U.S. Flag in a beautiful seasonal flower arrangement.

And getting acquainted for the first time was U.S. Army CPT Jonathan Klein looking like a deer in the headlights, a new chapter member recently released from active duty as an artillery officer and looking for a career position in something related to his university study major, communications. “I’m interested in something like marketing or public and community relations,” he said. He was quickly surrounded by chapter members who made him feel welcome and comfortable in a room full of strangers.

Right on time members moved to a very attractive buffet luncheon consisting of several different salads, fresh fruit, two skillfully prepared entrees of London broil and chicken marsala, and a number of tasty fresh vegatables, topped off with high calorie light and fluffy desserts. The table conversations ran the gauntlet from one member’s summer cottage and visits to Perth, Ontario, Canada to local current business conditions, and of course rumors about the next shoe to fall at Moffett Field following the upcoming close of the Navy Exchange February 2nd. continue reading

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A SPECTACULAR DAY FOR NEW OFFICER INSTALLATION

“This is not about MOAA, although I’m proud of its remarkable legislative record of success,” said General Michael P.C. Carns, USAF-Ret, Chairman, MOAA Board of Directors, as he began his formal presentation to Monterey County Chapter members, spouses and guests. “It’s no recitation of MOAA, but a look at what’s ahead for our country.”

The view from the Rancho Canada Golf and Country Club in Carmel Valley was absolutely stunning with the huge picture windows framing the greens of a gorgeous golf course and surrounding foothills sprinkled with coastal oak trees. The sun was bright and it was a lovely warm day, a perfect time for fine fellowship, a delightful gourmet luncheon, the chapter’s installation of officers, and a very interesting and informative presentation on world affairs.

Early arrivals included BG Gerald Griffin, USA (RET), currently a local physician and surgeon but in the reasonably recent past commander of a military hospital complex in Iraq; CAPT Gordon Nakagawa, USN (RET) and his lovely wife, Jean, who introduced special guest CDR Fred McGuffin, a chaplain at the U.S. Navy Postgraduate School who has just been reassigned to the Navy’s Personnel Command in Tennessee; and, COL Warren Enos, AUS (RET), President, California Council of Chapters (CAL-MOAA).

LTC Richard Barratt, USA (RET), at the moment 1st Vice President but soon to be installed as the chapter’s president for 2008, extended his welcome and announced that as the meeting was taking place CDR Herbert Hansen, USN (RET), the chapter’s president, was in surgery for a heart bypass procedure, and he offered the prayers and best wishes of the membership. continue reading

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GALA AFFAIR MARKS START OF NEW YEAR

As the dusk settled over the Holiday Inn Santa Ana, not far from the John Wayne Orange County Airport, efficient staff members put the final touches on beautifully decorated grand ballroom tables, setting the stage for an elegant business/social meeting. The attractive, well-lighted, room decorated in pastel colors was perfect for a very special occasion.

Members of the Orange County Chapter gathered for the first meeting of 2008 and the installation of officers, and to hear the Council’s new president COL Warren Enos speak on “Serving the Wider Military Community,” a 25 minute briefing on CAL-MOAA and its statewide activities.

The room was full of new or continuing officers and board members as well as some of the most delightful and interesting chapter members you’d ever want to meet. continue reading

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GOLDEN WEST CHAPTER HOLIDAY LUNCHEON COMING IN DECEMBER

The Golden West chapter of MOAA will be hosting its annual Holidays Luncheon on
Sunday December 9th, at the Costa Mesa Golf and Country Club.

The menu will be light and festive: Chicken mornay, Spinach salad, Fruit salad, Caesar salad, Chicken Oriental salad, with fresh seasonal vegetables, a potato dish, and chocolate cake.
Champagne will be served.

The entertainment will be a seasonal musical treat by the Long Beach Saxophone Quartet.

The cost is $25 for adults, $12.50 for children 10 and under. continue reading

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INDOOR CEREMONY AND A PARADE

I just returned home from a wonderful day in sunny CA. The weather was cloudless and about 72F at noon.

I attended COL Jack Potter’s Marin County Veterans ceremony at the the Civic Auditorium this morning; I was on stage to represent the Marin County Chapter of Military Officers Association as its President.

Afterwards, Colonel Vince Clarke, USAF (Ret.) and Director of our MOAA chapter, and I drove to Petaluma, having been invited by the President of the MOAA Redwood Empire Chapter, COL Pete Peterak, USA (Ret.) to ride on their float in the Petaluma Veterans Day parade. continue reading

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MOAA NATIONAL DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR MAKES STATE SWEEP

Col Lee Lange II, USMC-Ret, Director, MOAA Councils and Chapters Affairs, recently completed a swing through California visiting and speaking at Orange County, Contra Costa County and Valley Ridge Chapters as well as conducting specific association business.

His formal chapter presentations were often preceeded by a special breakfast or dinner meeting with chapter directors and officers making possible important two-way communication, counsel and guidance, and the offer of certain resources.

The Contra Costa County Chapter luncheon meeting at Walnut Creek attracted more than 45 members and guests to the very beautiful Blake’s Restaurant on the grounds of an up-scale golf club

Col Lange began his presentation by announcing that MOAA has recruited more than 6,000 new members in 2007 and suggested that retention will be a significant new challenge. continue reading

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MARIN COUNTY CHAPTER FLOAT TAKES 2ND PLACE IN JULY 4TH PARADE

John Sammons wrote:

Our Float won second place in the floats division of the parade. Washington crossing the Deleware edged us out by one stroke of a paddle. Hope to get pictures ready soon.

John,

I was going to send a seprate message but I will take this opportunity to thank you on behalf of the Board of Directors, officers, and members of MOAA Marin County Chapter for your loyalty to our MOAA chapter and to national, demonstrated by your plan to have a float for the 4th of July parade and for carrying out your plan.

It is gratifying to learn that we took one of the top awards for our entry in the parade.

I was proud to be one of the many who wore their uniforms and rode on the float. We all appreciate your good effort and good result. The MOAA float was appreciated, not only by the judges; along the way, it is my estimate, that at least 50% of the side-liners either waved, applauded or stood up and saluted.

I know that we did the right thing representing MOAA to honor our partners on active duty and those who fought for our independence many years ago.

Thanks again.

Mark

MARK L. SHAFER, CAPT, USNR (RET)
President
Marin County Chapter

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RIVERSIDE MARCH FIELD CHAPTER CONDUCTS EXERCISE

Last Saturday, 23 June, a general membership Strategic Planning Session conducted at AFVW resulted in the identification of Four Key Initiatives for the RMF Chapter of the MOAA. A report of the session is attached and those key Initiatives are:

1. Membership and Retention
2. Communications - Internal and External
3. Programs - including a full range of concerns, not just lunch and dinner
4. Fundraising - If we are to implement the other three initiatives while continuing to support the events and organizations that we’ve historically supported under our Outreach Program, we’ll need to raise more money. continue reading

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