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MOAA COUNCIL AND CHAPTER
AFFAIRS COMMITTEE In 2000 it was my honor and thrill to be elected to the TROA Board of Directors. When I went to my first board meeting I was excited to learn that I was to be a member of the committee that I had requested, Council and Chapter Affairs. I felt that in this committee my leadership experience in my chapter and in our council would be used best. I don't think that I knew the extent of the committee's activities but that has just made me feel even better. Virtually everything that has to do with chapters and councils in TROA/MOAA either emanates from the committee or is approved by the committee. This is not to say that we conduct the day-to-day business of the Chapter and Council Affairs Office. That is done by two of the most dedicated and outstanding officers it has been my pleasure to know: Col Chris Giaimo, Director, and Col Jim Pauls, Deputy Director, and their terrific staff: Carol, Vicki, and Christina. With new Board members having been elected last year, the committees were re-formed and it was my good fortune to again be named to the Council and Chapter Affairs Committee. Along with me is the chairman, MajGen Bob Butcher, USMC, past president of the Silver Strand chapter (San Diego) and chairman of the 2000 TROA Convention; Lt Col Chuck Latimer, USAF, President of the Spokane Chapter; CWO Don Hess, USA, board member of the Northern Virginia Chapter and a founder and first president of the Army Warrant Officer Association; and LtCol Fred Edwards, USMC, past president of the St. Petersburg Retired Officers Club, and past president of Florida Council. The five of us have a total of 52 years experience in chapter and council activities, including four chapter presidencies and two council presidencies. This is the most TROA leadership experience ever brought to the Council and Chapter Affairs committee. A very few years ago it was not uncommon to have only one member who had been a chapter or council president. I must hasten to add that the make-up of the MOAA Board of Directors now includes a larger number of chapter members--roughly two thirds of the thirty six members. At this point you may be saying, "So what will this do for me and my chapter?" The answer is plenty! We can help you with problems better than our predecessors. We can give you more ideas on recruiting that we have seen to be effective. We will support you better at the national level. We will insure that the views of chapter members are always in the forefront. The MOAA staff won't have to wonder if a plan or idea will be accepted by chapters. They can contact us and use us as a sounding board. In short--we will serve you better than ever! Indeed, my knowledge of chapter activities and views were invaluable when I served recently as a member of the TROA Name Evaluation Committee. Our committee will be busy this year. We just completed our winter meeting, held away from Alexandria (in Tampa) for the first time and we will hold three more meetings in 2003. One of our major activities, the annual Council Presidents meeting, will be held March 25-28 during which we will visit as many of the 535 members of Congress and their staffers as we can. In July we will use our new "Michelin" rating system" to select the best chapters. September 11-13 we will conduct our annual Chapter Leaders Symposium in Overland Park (Kansas City). November 5-8 we will hold our final committee meeting in Nashville at the MOAA Annual Meeting. The highlight of that meeting will be presentation of the chapter awards. Throughout the year the committee members individually will visit 40-50 chapters to make presentations or conduct installations. That's the MOAA Council and Chapter Affairs Committee. I want to serve you as best I can and welcome hearing from you.
VADM Ryan was the 52nd Chief of Naval Personnel before retiring in September 2002 and assuming his current position. A native of Mountainhome, Pennsylvania, he graduated from the United States Naval Academy in June 1967. He is also a graduate of George Washington University, with a Master of Science Degree in Personnel Administration, and the Senior Officials in National Security Program at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. Admiral Ryan was designated a Naval Aviator in 1968, and his operational and sea duty assignments include Flight Officer, Patrol Squadron Eight; Flag Secretary/Aide, Carrier Group Six; Administrative Officer/Assistant Training Officer, Patrol Squadron Thirty; NATOPS Instructor Pilot/Maintenance Officer, Patrol Squadron Fifty-Six; Executive Officer and Commanding Officer, Patrol Squadron Five; Operations Officer, Patrol Wing Eleven; Force Operations Officer, Patrol Wings Atlantic; Commander, Patrol Wing Two; and Commander, Patrol Wings, U.S. Pacific Fleet/Commander, Task Force Twelve (CTF-12). He has also served as Company Officer/Midshipman Personnel Officer, U.S. Naval Academy; Deputy Executive Assistant/Aide to the Chief of Naval Operations; Executive Assistant to the Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel for Total Force Programming and Manpower (Pers-5); Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel for Distribution (Pers-4); and Chief of Legislative Affairs. In November 1999, Admiral Ryan assumed the duties of Chief of Naval Personnel/Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower & Personnel). He was responsible for the planning and programming of manpower and personnel resources, budgeting for Navy personnel, developing systems to manage total force manpower and personnel resources, and assignment of Navy personnel. He also planned and directed the procurement, distribution, administration, and career motivation of personnel in the active and reserve Navy, coordinated and controls professional standards criteria, directed manpower and personnel research and development to improve individual and organizational performance, and lead the development and implementation of service-wide programs for improved human relations and Quality of Life. Admiral Ryan is authorized to wear the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (w/3 Gold Stars), Meritorious Service Medal (w/2 Gold Stars), Navy Commendation Medal (w/1 Gold Star), Navy Achievement Medal (w/1 Gold Star), the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, and a number of service and campaign awards. His wife, Judy, has her PhD in Education and works as the cluster coordinator for Fairfax County Public Schools. Together they have two grown children, Christine who is married to David Bryson and a son Norb III. Admiral Ryan�s twin brother, John, retired as a VADM and Commandant of the Naval Academy and currently is President of the Merchant Marine Academy in New York. On Tuesday, we will continue with the Presidents� Meeting in the morning with Colonel Ron Buchert, Past Council President and member of the MOAA National board of directors as our principal speaker. There will be briefings by various council staff and open discussion with chapter/club presidents. Included in the Presidents� Meeting will be the called special meeting of the Council to consider the bylaws changes necessitated by our organization�s name change. Also, there will be a spouse�s tour of a local artist village and shopping and lunch. After lunch, we will continue with the Winter Board Meeting. Details of all the meeting events and schedule are available from your chapter president. Due to the importance of the name change meeting, maximum participation is encouraged and, of course, any of the chapter members are welcome to attend the board meeting.
We have a great deal to do in getting the formality of the necessary name change work done and then move forward to exploit the benefits this will offer. We have known for a long time that our membership was open to more than �retired� officers, but some people still think of us as police officers or border patrol, etc. Think about your sphere of influence � neighbors, business associates, service and social clubs, active duty/Reserve/National Guard units � and let them know how important their membership is to our organization. Their annual membership dues in MOAA and a local chapter will cost them less than a round of golf and the benefits may last a lifetime � camaraderie, newsletter, TFL and much more. As you know, our legislative focus last year was on correcting the concurrent receipt inequity. In a last-ditch move, Congress approved a limited version, which Senator Warner called a �beachhead�. Even though we will continue to fight for full concurrent receipt, because Congress is still writing the rules on implementing last year�s change, this year�s primary focus will be on correcting the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) offset. We will be asking for your grassroots support of this and other issues on health care and active duty pay comparability. I look forward to seeing as many as possible in Sarasota at our Presidents�/Winter Board Meeting on February 24-25. We will be honored to have VADM Ryan as our guest speaker at the dinner on February 24 and then continue our meeting on February 25. Of course, as we have announced, this will also be a special meeting to consider changing the name of the council to MOAA. So we are asking for maximum participation from our chapters. If you need details on this event, just let me know by e-mail at <hwince@cfl.rr.com> or by telephone at 352-873-1001. This will be a good opportunity to visit the facilities where we will be having our Convention 2003 on May 13-17. Watch for complete information in the March issue of the Council Communiqu�. Also, I will be going with our Florida MOAA Board Members and other council presidents to MOAA Headquarters for �Storming the Hill� on March 26-28. This is when we will be visiting with all the Florida legislators to give them MOAA�s position of our priorities. More details on how you may contribute to this later.
Mar 1 Chapter dues to Treasurer. Mar 17 Proposed resolutions and/or bylaws changes sent to Chapters/Clubs. Apr 6 Nominees for AVP report to Vice President who will forward them to the Secretary. May 13-17 Convention 2003 hosted by Retired Officers Club of Sarasota, Bayside Hyatt Hotel. Jun 1 Chapter/Club submission of Chapter of the Year recommendation and documentation to MOAA National Headquarters in accordance with Chapter Handbook, Appendix K. Jul 15 Convention After-Action Report to President and Vice President. Oct 2-4 TGMOA Convention, Columbus, GA. TBA Fall Council Board Meeting, Ocala Nov 8 MOAA National Annual Business Meeting, Portland, OR Jan 1, 2004 Chapter/Club Roster Information Form and membership (as of 12/31/2003) report to Secretary Jan 17 Area VP nominating committees (SE,SW, EC) formed according to By-Laws Art. V, Sec. C. Name(s) of nominee(s) for vice-president from AVPs to Vice President. Feb 1 List of deceased members and spouses who died in 2002 to Secretary. Proposed resolutions/bylaws changes to Committee Chairman. Chapter/Club submission of Outstanding Newsletter recommendation and documentation to MOAA National Headquarters in accordance with Chapter Handbook, Appendix K.
Legislative
Activity
As the new Congress began the 108th session in January, both House and Senate chambers immediately initiated an ambitious agenda to take care of leftover business and reintroduce bills that were stranded in a quagmire last year. Since most of last year's MOAA issues never got out of committee, we can expect these will appear as MOAA initiatives again this year, and we will be called on to contact our members of Congress to voice our support. One issue left over from last year needs our immediate attention. The agency that administers Medicare has announced that payments for reimbursement costs to Medicare providers will be cut 4.4 % if action is not taken prior to March 1, 2003. This year's cut follows a 5.4% decrease last year. If Congress does not take action to prevent these rate cuts, the planned decreases will total 18% over four years, and will obviously cause more doctors to refuse taking Medicare or military TRICARE patients. Not only Medicare patients, but all military beneficiaries will be affected, because TRICARE rates are directly tied to Medicare's. Col Ron Buchert, member of MOAA board of directors and former Florida council president, said, " AMA is calling this a crisis that is so bad that a survey in Pinellas County (St. Petersburg area) of 100 physicians showed that 61% of them said they would stop seeing Medicare patients if the fees aren't raised." If this happens, many of us can kiss TRICARE-for-Life goodbye if physicians drop us. Fortunately, we may have some breathing room. At the time of this writing, MOAA reports that the president has indicated that he would not implement the scheduled March 1 decrease in the Medicare physicians' fees. This is great news for the near term but Congress must act now to pass a law that computes Medicare fees that better reflect the actual costs that physicians incur when treating patients. This is still a serious issue and needs our immediate grassroots support. Out of the 25 Florida representatives, only Mark Foley (FL-16), Ric Keller (FL-08), and Clay Shaw (FL-22) are cosponsors of H.J. Res 3, to freeze Medicare reimbursement rates. It is urgent that you contact your senators and representative now and urge them to fix this problem. Use MOAA's toll free line to Capitol Hill (1-877-762-8762). Ask the Capitol Hill operator to connect you with your legislator's office. For e-mail, log on to MOAA's web page at https://capwiz.com/moaa/home/ and follow the prompts to select a prepared letter or to compose your own letter. Chapter/club legislative affairs chairs or e-mail operators are encouraged to download prepared letters and provide copies for non computer owners for mailing to their lawmakers.
With the deadline for qualifying Florida veterans to apply for a newly enacted tax exemption, state agencies are working with Florida veterans� associations and property tax administrators to implement the new state law that will increase the exemption from property taxes for veterans with service-connected disabilities from $500 to $5,000. The Florida Department of Revenue and the FDVA are seeking assistance from veterans� organizations in urging disabled veterans to make sure that they take advantage of the additional tax savings. The increased exemption applies only to homestead property (the home that the veteran lives in). The exemption is available to any veteran who lives in Florida, who owns homestead property, and who has a service-connected disability of from10 to 90 percent. State law already provides a full homestead property tax exemption to veterans who are 100 percent permanently and totally disabled. The additional tax savings was made possible by House Bill 165, adopted in the 2002 Legislature. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Jerry Paul, R-Port Charlotte, Rep. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, Rep. Irving Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, and Sen. Locke Burt, R-Ormond Beach. Many county appraisers' offices have indicated this increase in the exemption will automatically be granted. However, those veterans currently receiving the $500 exemption should contact their county appraiser's office between January and March 2003 if they have not received notification from their appraiser's office by then. Also, veterans who are not currently receiving an exemption for their service-connected disabilities should contact their county property appraiser's office. Veterans applying for the exemption for the first time will need a letter of certification of their service-connected disability rating from the VA, or the U.S. Government. The legislation takes effect January 1, 2003. Applications for property tax exemptions are due by March 1 of every year. Disabled veterans may apply for the additional exemption at their county property appraiser�s office. For more information about homestead exemptions and how to contact Florida�s 67 property appraisers, point your web browser to http:www.myflorida .com /dor/property or call the local property appraiser�s office listed in the Blue Pages (Government Listings) of your local telephone directory. To contact your county�s veteran service office, please look in your county government listings in the blue pages (Government listings) of your local telephone directory.
The Indian River Colony Club was the site of a memorial service for Colonel John J.�Mac� McAleer, Jr., U. S. Army (Retired) on 15 January 2003. John, a member of the Cape Canaveral Chapter, passed away on 10 January 2003 after a lengthy illness. He joined the Florida Council of Chapters in1998 as the first Personal Affairs Chairman and in that position was the architect of a personal affairs program that was the model for many Council chapters� programs. John will certainly be missed by his many friends in the Military Officers Association of America. Rest in Peace, Colonel.
There are a significant amount of benefits available for senior citizens, but often they go unused because seniors or their families don�t know about them. An excellent Web site www.benefitscheckup.org by the National Council on the Aging (NCOA) may help. The site is a national Web service designed to help senior and their families and care givers find the right benefits to meet their needs. The site uses a confidential questionnaire to determine eligibility for a variety of federal or state-administered programs and benefits. Seniors or family members fill out an online survey, then receive a printable report detailing what programs they may qualify for and instructions on how to enroll. Filling out the questionnaire takes about 10 minutes, and requires such information as age, income, ZIP code and health status. Several questions refer to a senior�s veteran status. The questionnaire does not ask for a name, Social Security number, address, phone number or any other information that could be used to identify the user. There are an estimated 5 million seniors that are currently missing out on benefits for which they are eligible. These include: Veterans Benefits, Health-Insurance Counseling, Home Weatherization, Nutrition Services, and Property-Tax Relief. Plus, at a time when many seniors are struggling to pay for prescription drugs, research by the council showed that more than half the states have underused pharmacy-assistance programs. Younger members should inform their parents and grandparents of this resource.
The Kingdom of the Sun Chapter presented an American flag to Dr. Charles Dassance, President of Central Florida Community College at its January Board of Directors meeting. The presentation was made to recognize use of the college�s facilities by the Board for its monthly meetings. Kingdom of the Sun Chapter was represented by COL Henry W. Ince, USAR (Ret), President, Florida Council of Chapters and COL H. Lamar Hunt, USA (Ret), Chapter President .
Unlike most other Treasury securities, like Treasury bills and notes, Savings Bonds have been given unusually long interest-bearing lives � 20 years for Series HH Bonds, 30 years for the current Series EE and I Bonds, and either 30 or 40 years for Series E Bonds. That�s been good for buyers, who have been able to defer paying federal income tax on their earnings for as long as the interest-bearing life of the bonds, but has also created a bit of a problem. Many people don�t think about their bonds on a daily basis and have stuffed them in a safe deposit box or a drawer, essentially forgetting about them � sometimes until the bonds have stopped earning interest and beyond. Today, in fact, more than $8 billion worth of bonds remain outstanding that are not earning interest � bonds that should be redeemed or otherwise disposed of at the earliest possible moment. It�s easy to figure out if you have any bonds that have ceased earning interest. Pull out your bonds and look at the issue date � it is the month and year listed in the upper right-hand corner of each bond. Then check the table below, showing each Series� interest-bearing life. If you have bonds that have been held longer than they have earned interest, you have two choices � cash them in at any redemption agent (most financial institutions are agents) or, if they are not yet one year past their final maturity � the date when interest ends � exchange Series E Bonds for Series HH Bonds. Such an exchange will not only allow earning to resume, but also allows tax deferral of interest earning on the bonds exchanged to continue for the 20-year life of the HH Bonds. Are you in your 20's or 30's and think that you do not have any bonds this old? Check with your parents. It has always been popular to purchase bonds for children when they are born. Interest-Bearing Life of U.S. Savings Bonds
Series Dates Issued Interest-Bearing Life E May 1941 -Nov 1965 40 years E Dec 1965 - Jun 1980 30 years H Jun 1952 - Feb 1957 29 years, eight months H Mar 1957 -Dec 1979 30 years Savings Notes May 1967-Jun 1970 30 years EE Jan 1980 - present 20 years I Sep 1998 - present 30 years This and much more information about Savings Bonds is just a mouse click away at www.savingsbonds.gov.
Register Now for Convention 2003
If you have not registered for the Florida Council of Chapters State Convention now is the time to do so. The Convention is being hosted by the Military Officers Association of Sarasota from May 13th to May 16th at the beautiful, newly redecorated Hyatt Hotel located on Sarasota Bay. Sarasota, with its multitude of attractions, is ready to welcome you. Visit the world renowned Ringling Museum of Art and Ca�d Zan, Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, enjoy Sarasota Bay�s white sandy beaches and visit St. Armands Circle for great shopping. Among the highlights of the Convention will be a special speaker at the All Hands Breakfast, Golf, Tennis, interesting Seminars, the Presidents Reception, a Caribbean Party--Salsa Calypso and Metal Steel Drum ensemble, a traditional Military Ball with entertainment by the Booker High School Visual and Performing Arts Department Cabaret Troupe. Previous years convention attendees have been sent a registration form and chapter presidents have been provided a supply of the forms. If you need additional registration forms or have questions please e-mail BAH2762@aol.com. Hotel reservations can be made by calling Hyatt Hotel reservations at (800) 233-1234 and be sure to ask for the Florida Council of Chapters TROA/MOAA Special Rate. For additional information please see www.moaafl.org . Tampa � A check for $1000 was awarded to Warmheart Program which helps dependents of junior enlisteds at McDill Air Force Base.! Halifax Area � Presented a scholarship check and certificate to Embry-Riddle AFROTC cadet at Pass-in-Review Ceremony. ! Palm Beach-Martin Counties � Chapter members, in uniform, participated in the West Palm Beach Veterans Day parade. ! Mayport � Chapter member, assisted by other Sons of the American Revolution, presented a history of the American Flag at the November brunch. ! Clearwater � Participated in multi-organizational �tribute� to fallen heros of Pearl Harbor on 7 December 2002. ! Central Florida� Honorary chapter member organized �Salute to Veterans� program at Chapel Hill Cemetery on November 11th. ! Palm Beach Area � Contributed $100 as a sponsor of holiday events at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center of West Palm Beach. ! Flagler County � Members contributed more than 50 toys and $591 at the annual Toys for Tots luncheon. Northwest Florida � Placed a memorial wreath in remembrance of departed members during Veteran�s Day ceremonies at Beal Memorial Cemetery. |
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