LAKE TAHOE SITE FOR JOINT MOAA/CAL-MOAA MEETING

MOAA National will conduct a Western States Chapter Presidents Symposium at South Shore Lake Tahoe Thursday, October 16th to Saturday, October 18th, 2008 to give presidents and others a chance to share a wide range of information. MOAA held such a symposium at the same site in late 2004.

The California Council of Chapters (CAL-MOAA) will hold an Executive Committee (EXCOM) meeting and the Council of Chapter Presidents Annual Meeting on Thursday, October 16th. The EXCOM meeting is scheduled for 10:00am to 11:30am with the presidents and interested others invited to attend. The Annual Meeting will get underway at 1:30pm and conclude at about 4:30pm, in time for a MOAA evening reception and dinner.

MOAA will be inviting chapter presidents, first vice presidents, and the personal affairs representative from chapters and state councils all over the Western United States including Hawaii. In the past MOAA paid hotel and meal expenses; members will be responsible for their own transportation. continue reading

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INTENSE PLANNING UNDERWAY FOR APRIL 2ND EVENT

Council presidents or representatives plus MOAA National board members and staff personnel will go to Capitol Hill April 2nd to visit lawmakers and advocate for specific pieces of legislation.

It is an important component part of MOAA’s annual Council Presidents’ seminar to be held this year March 31st through April 3rd, 2008 at the Crown Plaza Old Town Hotel in Alexandria, Virginia, not far from the MOAA headquarters building.

CAL-MOAA leaders will represent every California MOAA chapter at this event.

On Monday, March 31st, participants will have an opportunity to view certain vendor displays including the MOAA Exchange, MOAA Travel, Garrett Financial Planning, Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), Marsh Affinity/Genworth, and the Pentagon Federal Credit Union. Information about offerings by these groups will be provided California MOAA members later and via the weblog.

On Tuesday morning most of these organizations will provide formal briefings and detailed information, but in the afternoon MOAA will prepare participants for the all-day Wednesday “Storming” effort. In the evening MOAA will host a reception on Capitol Hill during which MOAA’s Marix Awards and Distinguished Service and Meritorious Award will be presented to individuals who have championed the cause of active, reserve, and retired members of the Uniformed Services community. California’s senators and local representatives have been invited to this event.

“Storming the Hill” gets underway at the crack of dawn Wednesday, April 2nd, with a bus ride to the Capitol, a quick cup of coffee, and then a day-long period of meeting with and briefing California senators and representatives, particularly those who serve on important committees and who are likely to support the MOAA legislative agenda. continue reading

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ON-LINE EXCOM MEETING SET FOR SATURDAY, MAY 24TH

The California Council of Chapters (CAL-MOAA) will conduct its upcoming Executive Committee (EXCOM) meeting on-line with a May 24th date of record. This is the first time a virtual approach to the conduct of the Council’s business will be tried.

Any chapter president who would like to be included in the meeting, both for active participation or simply observation, should contact the Council’s president and make both interests and needs known. Simply send an e-mail to warren@cal-moaa.org.

Two options were suggested early-on. First, an EXCOM meeting could be scheduled for the afternoon of April 12th in Fresno following a morning California State Commanders Veterans Council (CSCVC) meeting. The second would be to try the on-line approach.

An on-line meeting seems feasible and realistic in terms of achievement. In part, avoiding an in-person gathering would save significant amounts of travel and time and avoid what could be significant costs, important in a fiscally difficult environment.

Should an on-line meeting not prove successful there will still be time to schedule and conduct a mid-summer meeting at Vandenberg AFB or other suitable location.

A survey of both voting and non-voting EXCOM members determined that most overwhelmingly favored an on-line meeting. A second by-laws mandated EXCOM meeting will be held in person/on site October 16, 2008. continue reading

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CALIFORNIA STATE COMMANDERS VETERANS COUNCIL MEETING

This is an executive summary of the California State Commanders Veterans Council (CSCVC) meeting held January 26, 2008, 9:30-12:30pm, Fresno. COL Warren Enos, President, represented CAL-MOAA affiliated chapters.

The Agenda
Call to order 0930. Roll call 10 of 19 members present; half a dozen guests. October 27, 2007 meeting minutes approved. Presentations by CAL-MOAA, CDVA. Financial report. Legislative report. Secretary’s report. New business. Roundtable discussion.

Special Presentations
The CAL-MOAA presentation was a strong message about supporting Pete Conaty & Associates, the legislative advocate. CDVA Secretary Tom Johnson explained how the Governor’s budget would impact his department. John King, a CDVA Deputy, explained how services are being provided to the state’s 2.2 million veterans. The CSCVC secretary said some groups interested in membership have been denied because they did not meet the bylaws mandated requirements. Most veterans organizations are losing membership; funds are short everywhere. continue reading

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FINANCIAL SHORTFALL THREATENS CSCVC LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM

A major part of the California State Commanders Veterans Council (CSCVC) mission is to promote an annual agenda and over the years it has been employing the Sacramento lobbying organization Pete Conaty & Associates as its advocate.

And for a number of years a wealthy benefactor has been donating most of the funds needed to meet Conaty’s $6,000 annual retainer requirement. That individual has now passed on and the payments are no longer being made. For a significant period of time the dues and donation totals have not met current needs.

The outcome of this issue will have a significant impact on CAL-MOAA’s legislative efforts in California. continue reading

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COUNCIL PRESIDENT REPRESENTS AFFILIATED CHAPTERS

The California State Commanders Veterans Council (CSCVC) is a membership organization of some 19 veterans and military-related organizations. Membership in the Council is open to the Department Commanders, or their equivalent, of all veterans organizations which are organized in the state as non-profit organizations and their membership consists of veterans who have served honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States.

The group’s first 2008 meeting was held Saturday, January 26th, 9:30am to 12:30pm, at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Fresno to set the 2008 legislative agenda and conduct Council business. About half of the members, most from Southern California, were not in attendance because of difficult driving conditions in the snow-covered I-5 mountain passes.

According to the CAL-MOAA bylaws, Standing Rule 1, the Council president “shall represent the Council of Chapters on the California State Commanders Veterans Council.” On that basis, COL Warren Enos, AUS (RET) was present and offered EXCOM and chapter member views to that body. continue reading

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As it was previously reported, our Council’s Website Webmaster passed away last month. Before her untimely death, Gloria had been alerted to the award granted to the CalMOAA website and was delighted with the recognition given to her. Unfortunately she did not live long enough to be presented with the Award Plaque.

Last night, it was my pleasure to present the plaque to her daughter, Dava Maples at our MOAA dinner. Ms. Maples thanked the group and said that she was honored to accept the award for her mother.

As you can imagine, this was a bitter-sweet moment for all of us who knew and loved Gloria and are still mourning our loss. I am so glad to have had this opportunity to honor Gloria and to hand her award to a loving daughter.

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CHAPTER PRESIDENT’S SYMPOSIUM COMING TO WESTERN REGION

Council and chapter leaders who live in MOAA’s Western Region should mark their calendars now! The 2008 Western Region Chapter Presidents’ Symposium will be held Oct. 16-18 in Lake Tahoe, Nev., at Harvey’s Resort.

Council and chapter presidents, first vice presidents, and personal affairs officers are invited to attend. States in the Western Region include Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, California, Alaska, and Hawaii.

Col Lee Lange II, USMC-Ret
Director, MOAA Council and Chapter Affairs

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