Military Officer - April 2006 - (Page 40)

chapteractivities Teamwork M OAA chapters and councils are the association’s action arm for legislative activism. With 535 legislators in Congress and fewer than 10 lobbyists on the national staff, it’s impossible to reach every legislator. Our staff lobbyists form half of our legislative team. Our councils and chapters represent the other half, which we rely on when we need to present our views to legislators in their hometowns or their Washington ofﬁces. It’s hard to quantify this assistance. Often, the only way to know if grassroots intervention is effective is seeing the successes that immediately follow an effort such as visiting legislators or after a call to arms. Legislative activism at the national level is only one facet of chapter and council activities. They’re involved at the state and local legislative levels. Several councils have won state-level victories providing for full or partial tax exemption on military retired pay and other beneﬁts and entitlements. Another hallmark of our afﬁliates is volunteerism. They devote count40 MILITARY OFFICER APRIL 2006 P ordinates some 23 veterans’ organizations within the state as they work together to achieve common legislative goals. Former VCOC President Col. Frank Wickersham, USMC-Ret., chairs the Joint Leadership Council, less hours to local VA facilities, blood and two other MOAA members who banks, fund-raising telethons, and represent other veterans’ organizamore — a remarkable performance. If you aren’t familiar with MOAA tions sit on the board of directors. For this year’s effort, the 40 particichapters, do yourself a favor: Go to pating VCOC members MOAA’s Web Base divided into small (www.moaa.org) and groups and lobbied by click “Community,” See how their then select “Chapyou can join district. Toppingpriorilist of legislative ters and Councils.” their ranks ties were several issues From there you can that would help Naselect “Chapter Loto make a tional Guard and Recator” and enter your difference serve families, including ZIP code to ﬁnd the in your providing the seed nearest chapter. Go community. money needed to start ahead — call and pay a Military Family Relief the chapter a visit. Fund; funding three Find out what its “Team Virginia” support centers to members are involved in, and see how you can join their ranks to make help deployed servicemembers’ families; expanding in-state college tuition a difference in your community. — Col. Chris Giaimo, USAF-Ret. eligibility to help the dependents of Director, Council and Chapter Affairs active, Guard, and Reserve members stationed in Virginia; and giving tax breaks to employers who make up pay differentials or who continue to provide health care coverage when Virginia Council Members their Guard or Reserve employees are deployed. Storm the State Capital Other items included hiring more assing state-level legislation claims personnel for the Department of Veterans Services; obtaining conto help active duty, National struction funding for a Fisher House Guard, and Reserve servicenear the Hunter Holmes McGuire members and their families was top VA Medical Center in Richmond; priority when the Virginia Council of and getting needed funding to conChapters (VCOC) conducted its sixth struct a 240-bed veterans’ care cenannual Storming the Hill. Council ter in Hampton Roads. members traveled to Richmond Jan. The VCOC members met with Ma23 to lobby for the 38,000 MOAA jority Whip Delegate Kirk Cox (R); members living in Virginia. Council members lobbied for many Speaker of the House of Delegates Bill Howell (R); Senate Majority Leader of the issues addressed by the state’s Walter Stosch (R); Sen. John S. EdJoint Leadership Council, which co- Field Reports PHOTO: RHODA BAER http://www.moaa.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Military Officer - April 2006

Military Officer - April 2006 Contents From the Editor President’s Page Your Views MOAA Directory Rapid Fire Washington Scene Financial Forum Ask the Doctor Chapter Activities Lap of Luxury Magic Carpet of the Rails Blue Ridge Wonderland Salud, Santé, Cin Cin! Cover Story: Wounded Warriors On Duty MOAA Scholarship Donors MOAA Member Services Pages of History Information Exchange Member Books MOAA Calendar Advertising Index Sounding Taps Encore

Military Officer - April 2006

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