Recent news from The MOAA Newsletter. View previous editions of Council and Chapter News here. Send updates about your affiliate’s activities to blaird@moaa.org for possible inclusion in future editions.

Join Us for MOAA’s Annual Meeting

Find details about the association’s fall event.

MOAA’s 2022 annual meeting will take place Oct. 28 at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo. Associated events include the Annual Meeting of the Membership, the Surviving Spouse Summit, the chapter leaders roundtable, and the Levels of Excellence Awards dinner recognizing MOAA councils and chapters for their outstanding work and contributions with the presentation of Levels of Excellence Awards for calendar year 2021. Bookmark MOAA.org/annualmeeting2022 for the latest event details and upcoming registration information.

Surviving Spouse Corner: Join Us for MOAA’s Surviving Spouse/Spouse Summit

By Gail Joyce, MOAA board member and Surviving Spouse Advisory Council chair

A couple worked together diligently to gather all their important papers, lists of contacts, and telephone numbers and placed them in a safety deposit box at their bank. However, one important detail was missing: The husband never had his wife sign the card allowing her access to the safety deposit box. After his death, it took months of correspondence and legal action before she was able to obtain the papers that she needed to continue the life she had envisioned as a surviving spouse who was prepared. 

Being a military surviving spouse is never easy, and even though we might think we are prepared for the future, unexpected circumstances and questions arise that we must be prepared to answer. 

Spouses, military members, and surviving spouses who will be attending MOAA’s 2022 annual meeting in Kansas City, Mo., are invited to participate in this special summit Oct. 28 at 9 a.m. for answers to key questions, including: 

• How do we access VA benefits? What is the survivor assistance program?
• Are you aware of the recent legislative issues that impact families and survivors? How can we encourage our elected representatives to take action?
• What are the important steps to take to be prepared for life after a spouse dies?
• How do we begin the difficult process of getting rid of possessions accumulated over a lifetime in order to downsize?
• What are the many benefits MOAA provides for surviving spouses?

The summit will begin with an informative panel presentation, followed by round table discussions. The following topics will be presented:

• Downsizing Made Easy — Renée Brunelle, Surviving Spouse Advisory Council (SSAC)
• Preparing for the Future — Gail Joyce, MOAA board member, chair of SSAC
• Second Marriages and Other Important Issues — Capt. Paul Frost, AFC®, USN (Ret), MOAA Program Director, Financial & Benefits Education/Counseling/Veterans Services
• Current Surviving Spouse/Family Advocacy Actions — MOAA Government Relations Staff
• Assistance for Surviving Spouses — VA representative

Presenters, assisted by SSAC members and MOAA staff, will lead the roundtable discussions. This will provide everyone an chance to ask questions and interact with other participants. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn ways to be better prepared for the future to guarantee that as a surviving spouse you will be the one who has access to the important papers. Learn more about MOAA’s annual meeting.

Read past Surviving Spouse Corners.

From the Field

MOAA chapters give back to their communities through fundraising efforts, community-service projects, scholarship programs, and other initiatives. Here are some recent activities.

Earlier this year, the Susquehanna (Md.) Chapter presented a check for over $700 to the Harford County Squadron Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Cadet Program. The chapter adopted the CAP cadets three years ago as one of its community outreach projects since there is no Junior ROTC or ROTC in the area. Since then, the chapter has donated over $1,500 to the squadron to purchase new training equipment and award scholarships to cadets to further their competencies in pilot training and cybersecurity skills.

The Florida Council of Chapters held its 45th Annual Convention June 9-12 in West Palm Beach. The theme of the convention was “Fun in the Sun.” In addition to conducting business for the council and the state’s 40 chapters, the event included electing new officers to council leadership positions and raising $5,000 for The MOAA Foundation to support its charitable efforts for veterans and military families across the nation.

In May, the Tucson (Ariz.) Chapter presented the 2021 Freedom Award to Golder Ranch Fire District in recognition of the district’s support of its National Guard and Reserve employees. Cmdr. Ross Orvik, USN (Ret), a member of Tucson Chapter and the southern area employer outreach director for the Arizona Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, presented the award to six Golder Ranch Fire District representatives.

Upcoming Events

Council Presidents and Independent Chapter Presidents: Save the date for our next quarterly virtual meeting with MOAA national staff to be held on Teams from 2-4 p.m. Aug. 24.

Monthly Chapter Leader Virtual Roundtable: Join us Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. Eastern for a discussion on community outreach. Click here at the time of the meeting.

Find a complete list of Council and Chapter Affairs events online.

Central Region Leaders Workshop, Omaha, Neb., Sept. 30-Oct. 1: Council and chapter presidents, membership chairs, legislative chairs/liaisons, and surviving spouse liaisons from Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Wyoming have been invited to register by Sept. 6 for this two-day forum to receive updates and ask questions of MOAA leadership; participate in breakout sessions on recruiting and retention, legislative training, or surviving spouse liaison training; and afford networking opportunities with fellow volunteer-leaders. For more information, contact chapters@moaa.org.

Did You Know?

The MOAA Store Is Adding New Items Every Day: Customizable chapter flags are now in stock at https://moaa.estore.shop/. You also can find many other items to elevate your chapter activities, such as quality branded apparel for community outreach events, gifts for guest speakers, and medals and certificates for ceremonies.

Ideas for Non-Dues Income: Chapters can find helpful ideas for generating funds in the online appendices of the Council and Chapter Policies and Procedures Guide. View the list of fundraising best practices here.

Military Service Seals: Military service seals and logos are trademarks belonging to the individual services and not permitted for use in affiliate communications. Learn more at this link, or download this DoD document (PDF).

Get Newsletter Content From National MOAA

Need some content to supplement your chapter’s newsletter? The White Label Newsletter Template includes information, articles, and helpful tips from national MOAA that already are formatted for inclusion in your newsletter. The content is updated every month to ensure you are receiving timely, relevant information.   

National MOAA Travel Schedule

Here are the councils and chapters MOAA leaders will be visiting over the next few months.

Contact the associated chapter if you would like to attend any of the following scheduled visits:

• Aug. 4, General Andrew Jackson (Tenn.) Chapter, Nashville, Capt. Erin E. Stone, JAGC, USN (Ret), CCA
• Aug. 6, New Hampshire Chapter, Kittery, Maine, Lt. Gen. Dana T. Akins, USAF (Ret), MOAA president and CEO, Col. Jim O’Brien, USAF (Ret), MOAA COO, and Capt. Erin E. Stone, JAGC, USN, (Ret), CCA
• Aug. 9, George C. Marshall (Va.) Chapter, Lexington, Capt. Erin E. Stone, JAGC, USN (Ret), CCA
• Aug. 12, Mid-Atlantic Leadership Workshop, Raleigh, N.C., Capt. Jim Carman, USN (Ret), Council/Chapter and Member Support, and Capt. Frank J. Michael, USN (Ret), CCA, and staff
• Aug. 17, Greater Rome-Utica (N.Y.) Chapter, Verona, CWO4 Lelia Jackson, USMC (Ret), BoD
• Aug. 21, Mid-Hudson (N.Y.) Chapter, Milton, Capt. Erin E. Stone, JAGC, USN (Ret), CCA
• Aug. 26, Colorado Council of Chapters, Grand Junction, Capt. Frank J. Michael, USN (Ret), CCA
• Aug. 26, Southeastern Michigan Chapter, virtual, Capt. Erin E. Stone, JAGC, USN (Ret), CCA
• Aug. 27, Western North Carolina Chapter, Flat Rock, Col. Jeri Graham, USA (Ret), BoD
• Sept. 12-15, New York Council of Chapters Conference, Alexandria Bay, Capt. Jim Carman, USN (Ret), Council/Chapter and Member Support, and Capt. Frank J. Michael, USN (Ret), CCA
• Sept. 15, Coronado (Ariz.) Chapter, Sierra Vista, Capt. Frank J. Michael, USN (Ret), CCA
• Sept. 15, Don Root-Tularosa Basin (N.M.) Chapter, Alamogordo, speaker TBD
• Sept. 16, George Marshall (Va.) Chapter, Lexington, Lt. Gen. Dana T. Atkins, USAF (Ret), MOAA president and CEO; Col. Jim O’Brien, USAF (Ret), MOAA COO; and Alan English, Communications
• Sept. 17, Illinois Council of Chapters, virtual, Capt. Frank J. Michael, USN (Ret), CCA
• Sept. 18, Central Oregon Chapter, Redmond, Capt. Marvin Heinze, USN (Ret), BoD
• Sept. 20, Kings Bay (Ga.) Chapter, St. Marys, Rear Adm. Richard Buchanan, USN (Ret), BoD
• Sept. 21, Northern New Jersey Chapter, Picatinny Arsenal, Capt. Frank J. Michael, USN (Ret), CCA
• Sept. 22, General Green (Pa.) Chapter, Latrobe, Capt. Frank J. Michael, USN (Ret), CCA
• Sept. 22, Halifax Area (Fla.) Chapter, Daytona Beach, Col. Jeri Graham, USA (Ret), BoD
• Sept. 28, Mojave Desert (Calif.) Chapter, Victorville, Sept. 28, Capt. Marvin Heinze, USN (Ret), BoD
• Sept. 30­-Oct. 1, Mid-U.S. Chapter Leader Workshop, Omaha, Neb., Capt. Jim Carman, USN (Ret), Council/Chapter and Member Support, Capt. Erin E. Stone, JAGC, USN (Ret), CCA and staff