THE MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

QUARTERLY MEETING

MAY 15, 2010

FT JACKSON, SOUTH CAROLINA

Meeting called to order at 1030.

We said the prayer and pledge of allegiance.

Dale welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Michael Gonzalez, Shannon Hallaway, and Jim Young were absent.

Sign in roster completed.

MOAASC’s webpage has temporarily added to Greenville’s webpage. Eventually this would replace the current webpage. Dale explained how this would be more user friendly. Vince made a point of caution that public sites can be dangerous and also many people are computer illiterate. If we want to make updates on the new system then we would have to pay for that service. [ACTION] We will discuss this at the next meeting.

Vince McNeese asked the chapters to keep him apprised of any changes in their legislative reps. He reviewed the names that he currently has. There were some changes. He sends out some MOAA updates and everyone agreed for him to keep this up. He reported on the Rally for Veterans in Columbia. He also asked that when someone from the council sends out an e-mail, please respond if applicable. He brought up the CAROLINA CELEBRATION OF LIBERTY at the First Baptist Church on Sunday, June 27, 2010. It is supposed to be a great show. Also he asked if we wanted to do a state brochure for MOAA. South Carolina is #9 in the nation for numbers of military retirees.

CHAPTER NOTES:

Greenville [Jim Keller] They had poor response for their registrations. Had a tri-chapter meeting to kick off the New Year. Approached the age old problem of participation.

Hilton Head [David Pustilnik] They have started sending their newsletters and bulletins by e-mail

mail. This has saved them from raising dues. Members have responded very well to this. They are having the same participation problems. They got a list of names from the marine retiree office and will be contacting these people to increase their membership.

Low Country [Bob Pearson] He went down and had lunch one day with the H.H. chapter. They are having same problems with participation. At the quarterly meeting the Commander of the Marine Corps Air Station will brief them on the new F-35. For membership, they have developed packets and mailed them. At their fund raiser, they lost money. On Wednesday evenings they cover the USO at the Savannah airport. They recently gave 5 JROTC awards and 9 Young American Awards. On Memorial Day they will take place in their town’s parade.

Columbia [Warren Benson] Their chapter participated in the retiree day at Ft. Jackson. He asked if other chapters were having problems with their venues. Cliff Abbey [Charleston] told him they do a different place for each function and that they strictly do lunches and not dinners.

Piedmont [John Allen] To attract people chapters need to have programs of interest to all. Go out and get some good speakers. They have now started trying to combine meetings with other chapters, and now are looking at forming a foundation to give scholarships.

Santee-Wateree [Dave LePage] They hold their functions at Shaw AFB, but are also having participation problems. They have a good scholarship program.

Daniel Morgan [David Dempsey] They get good speakers and then give them a membership application. There is going to be a re-enactment of the Lindbergh flight across the Atlantic and their chapter is trying to be part of the celebration.

Star Fort [Carol Scales] As for membership, everyone should be recruiting. A gimmick is to come up with something like a business card with information for meetings. They are active with deployments and welcome homes for national guard troops. Fund raising is done with Calcutta raffles. For Memorial Day we are planning a BBQ and picnic. The speaker will be an Abraham Lincoln impersonator.

Grand Strand [Bob Hawkins] Struggling but were able to give out some JROTC awards and scholarships. Military Appreciation Days, May 28-31. This year is the 50^th anniversary of the chapter. Adm. Ryan is coming on Sep 14^th.

Charleston [Cliff Abbey] Recruiting committee has been active in getting new members and board members. Key positions are being changed to get some new blood. We gave 26 JROTC medals this year.

Dale gave out some chapter awards.

45 year to Low Country

40 year to Greenville

45 year to Columbia

35 year to the Council

Cliff accepted the CAT 1 award for Charleston for newsletter and for membership.

We received our national charter from Congress.

OLD BUSINESS:

Storming the Hill issues

Act quickly regarding the proposed 21% increase in TRICARE fees and drop in Medicare.

Military pay increase 1.9% vice 1.4% to bring into parity with civilian force (now 2.4% low)

Reserve retirement (reducing from age 60)

Fix widows DIC/SBP issue

Dues structure

Charleston had the proposal that instead of a dues increase impose an “assessment fee” of

$.50 per member +$50 per chapter

It was decided to table this issue until we see a written proposal and will discuss at the next meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 1330.