GET INVOLVED FOR THE GOOD OF THE MILITARY COMMUNITY

Many of us start the new year with resolutions to lose weight, exercise more, eat healthier, give up smoking, etc.

MOAA suggests resolving to get more engaged on legislative issues that impact your family’s health and wallet, and those of your comrades in arms and their families. Several things are certain about 2008: there will be threats to the defense budget, proposals to shift more health costs to military beneficiaries, new proposals to cut so-called federal “entitlement” spending, and renewed competition for limited budget dollars.

How about making the following your resolutions? continue reading

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AIR FORCE NURSE CORPS OFFICER TO MANAGE FINANCES

We are delighted to introduce Col Rita Solander, USAFR-Ret, as the Council’s new treasurer effective January 1, 2008 or as soon as a transition can be completed.

A biography is included below.

A member of the Riverside March Field Chapter, she succeeds Col Arthur “IKE” Isensee, USMC-Ret who will be completing more than nine (9) years of distinguished service.

Please join us and welcome Rita to the Executive Committee (EXCOM). Thanks, Rita, for your willingness to accept this important post! continue reading

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MESSAGE TO THE MEMBERSHIP

It’s an honor and privilege, indeed a pleasure, to serve as CAL-MOAA president throughout the 2008-09 term of office. I invite your full participation and support.

The Council is a statewide structure, a platform if you will, whereby those members who choose to make a contribution beyond the local chapter can do so, over time perhaps making a significant difference.

The Council has a carefully crafted plan in place, some wonderful and committed people, and a responsible/realistic approved budget. I look forward to the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Some observations of the recent annual meeting are posted below. Next year’s annual meeting will be held in conjunction with an October 2008 MOAA National Western States Chapter President’s Symposium set for South Shore Lake Tahoe, NV. More detailed information about this event will be provided later.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

WARREN B. ENOS, COL, AUS (RET)
President, California Council of Chapters

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COUNCIL DELIVERS FULL RETURN ON DUES INVESTMENT

A common concern of affiliated chapters is that they get a reasonable return on the $0.75 per member dues paid the Council

It’s time for an assessment.

The Council Represents the Chapters
Every effort has been made to make periodic contact with MOAA’s Alexandria, VA Council and Chapter Affairs Department, get acquainted with the various managers and support personalities, and establish good working relationships. In recent months there has been at least a weekly contact primarily to keep the office fully informed of CAL-MOAA and significant chapter activities, events, and achievements.

The Council participates in MOAA’s “Storming the Hill” event in the spring, visiting with legislators, and delivering any special messages from chapters. This past year LtCol Larry Stumpf, USAF-Ret, president, attended and over a several day period had one-on-one meetings with key MOAA personalities about the issues and participated with others in large group development sessions. The overall objective was to talk about how the Council and chapters can and should support MOAA better. In addition, there were discussions about federal legislation and how best to rally chapters when legislative alerts are issued, thereby speeding passage of important legislation. continue reading

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SEARCH UNDERWAY FOR NEW COUNCIL TREASURER

Immediate opening exists for an interested and qualified member to assume the duties of Council treasurer.

We are asking the presidents and chapter members to recommend known individuals who might appreciate an opportunity to serve at the state level. Perhaps a chapter treasurer or past treasurer would express an interest if asked.

It would be highly advantageous to have a treasurer who lives within the San Francisco or Monterey Bay areas, although that is not a requirement. continue reading

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HOW TO KEEP THE FAITH IN TIMES OF DIFFICULTY

CDR Jerry Loeb, USN (RET) still signs off his e-mail messages with “Keep the Faith!”

But how do you do that when there are so many problems out there?

In Northern California recently there was a 5.3 earthquake on one of the Bay Area’s faults, shaking up a few people and breaking some glass. Earthquakes do come.

1 Realize Difficult Times Will Come
Things are not going smoothly for many of our chapters. Few members volunteer for leadership positions. It’s almost impossible to recruit new members, particularly younger generation active duty and Guard/Reserve drilling officers.

Tough times can come to all our chapters. Sometimes the fickly plank of fate intervenes and causes problems.

Right now in so many places there’s widespread apathy, little active participation, with so many content to go through life “bowling alone.”

It’s possible to keep the faith in MOAA National, the Council, our chapters, and ourselves, but it doesn’t mean there won’t be hard times. continue reading

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CAPT BILL STURMAN DEPARTS DECEMBER 1ST

In a recent e-mail message to Council leaders, CAPT Sturman announced, “I will be resigning my position as Director Area 7, Inland Empire, effective December 1, 2007.”

“After 30 years active duty and 33 years in leadership positions in TROA/MOAA, I feel it is time to make room for younger, more active leaders,” he said.

“I am recommending CWO 4 Robert Ramirez USN, President of Palm Springs Chapter, as my relief for the remainder of my term,” Sturman said. “He has shown strong leadership ability, and has indicated his willingness to serve.”

Bill indicated, “I have enjoyed working with the current CAL-MOAA Officers, Staff, and Area Directors, and am impressed with the new nominees.”

Bill had early plans to join with several other couples for an Amtrak train ride to San Luis Obispo. When planning Council events he was always quick to note the importance of working hard in business meetings, yet he always urged the Council to include a social component with a focus on travel and touring, outdoor adventures, parties, and just all kinds of fun events and activities.

MajGen Bobby Butcher was quick to respond with thanks for a long and very successful tenure, wishing Bill all the best in the future. Bill Sturman is an officer who really made a difference.

As the Council approaches its Annual Meeting, CAPT Bill Sturman says, “See you all in San Luis Obispo!”

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NEW TOTALS FOR COUNCIL AND CHAPTERS

1999*2000*2001*2002*2003*2004*2005*2006*2007

ALTA CALIFORNIA 92 120 128 128 124 163 149 148 116
REDWOOD EMPIRE 321 333 315 315 315 330 290 310 285
SACRAMENTO 826 809 714 615 540 569 373 496 371
SHASTA COUNTY 195 162 175 158 135 135 121 101 123
VALLEY RIDGE 59 84 91 100 100 100 108 95 103
SAN JAOQUIN VALLEY 68 71 7377 71 65 54 63 40
CONTRA COSTA 208 222 209 232 219 206 206 200 165
MARIN COUNTY 394 355 298 263 230 199 164 156 161
SOLANO COUNTY 313 302 283 300 237 238 235 221 217
MONTEREY COUNTY 270 254 221 214 200 185 169 167 157
SILICON VALLEY-PENNISULA 699 573 473 436 422 357 349 336 300
SAN FRANCISCO 298 293 149 128 128 129 112 70 57
SANTA CRUZ 53 52 53 69 102 108 98 53 59 continue reading

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