Military Officer - August 2006 - (Page 39)

chapteractivities Lt. Cmdr. John Snyder, USN-Ret. 1st Runner-Up Advisor Suncoast (Fla.) Chapter Maj. John Alderman, USA-Ret. 2nd Runner-Up The Sentinel Arizona Chapter Lt. Cmdr. Terry Tassin, USN-Ret. Electronic Newsletters Winner Mile High Ofﬁcers Call Mile High (Colo.) Chapter Maj. Jim Davies, USA-Ret. 1st Runner-Up WICMOAA Times Whidbey Island (Wash.) Chapter Maj. James Bruner, USAF-Ret. 2nd Runner-Up Ofﬁcers Call St. Petersburg (Fla.) Chapter Col. Roger Shields, USA-Ret. Election Facts 2006 is an election year. In November we’ll cast votes for every member of the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate. Chapter members often wonder what part our chapters can play in elections; should they, for example, endorse a particular political party or candidate? Let the record reflect that the answer is a resounding no! MOAA is an apolitical, nonprofit organization; by law, it functions exclusively for purposes beneficial to the interests of the nation and its uniformed services personnel and their dependents and survivors. Yes, MOAA is a lobbying organization, but we lobby exclusively on issues — not parties or candidates. On occasion, out of misplaced zeal or a lack of understanding about who we are and what we do, some chapters have attempted to endorse a particular candidate or party. Arguments among chapter members inevitably follow, all to the detriment of the chapter. Resist this temptation. Even a cursory examination of MOAA’s long history of legislative successes amply demonstrates that not only do we seek support from both sides of the “political aisle,” but also that in most cases we get that much-needed bipartisan support. If your chapter meets with an elected representative as an MOAA group, make sure you represent your chapter and national MOAA as being “issues-oriented,” seeking support for things MOAA thinks will benefit the nation and our uniformed services personnel and their dependents and survivors. If you’ve never visited your elected officials as an MOAA group, an election year may be the best time to do so. A visit lets them know military retirees reside in their district and enhances your chances of getting your message across. Politicians running for election or reelection have an unusually keen sense of hearing and comprehension. It’s an immutable law of politics. — Col. Chris Giaimo, USAF-Ret. Director, Council and Chapter Affairs 39 Category IV (Fewer than 75 members) Print Newsletters Winner The South Georgia Voice South Georgia Chapter Lt. Col. Bert Powell, USA-Ret. 1st Runner-Up Don Root-Tularosa Basin Chapter Newsletter Don Root-Tularosa Basin (N.M.) Chapter Capt. Ray Von Husen, USAF-Ret. Category III (75-199 members) Print Newsletters Winner The Sunﬂower Leaﬂet Sunﬂower (Kan.) Chapter CWO3 David Kennedy, USMC-Ret. 1st Runner-Up Soundings Silver Strand (Calif.) Chapter Col. James Strickland, USAF-Ret. 2nd Runner-Up The Totah News Totah (N.M.) Chapter Lt. Col. Steve White, USA-Ret. Electronic Newsletters No entries Web sites These councils and chapters maintain up-to-date Web sites, so existing members stay informed and potential members learn about their organizations and national MOAA. Mount Vernon (Va.) Chapter www.mvmoaa.com Capt. Pat Gallagher, USA-Ret. Virginia Peninsula Chapter http://members.cox.net/jam esdeagle/vipmoaa Lt. Col. James Eagle, USAF-Ret. Electronic Newsletters Winner Clarion Coastal Carolina (N.C.) Chapter Maj. Bill Culler, USMC-Ret., and Dee Culler PHOTO: RHODA BAER AUGUST 2006 MILITARY OFFICER http://www.mvmoaa.com http://members.cox.net/jamesdeagle/vipmoaa

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

Military Officer - August 2006 Contents From the Editor President’s Page Your Views MOAA Directory Rapid Fire Washington Scene Chapter Activities Financial Forum Ask the Doctor Changing of the Guard Four-Star Rating Long Term Care Kryptogram Pages of History Information Exchange MOAA Scholarship Donors Member Books Advertising Index MOAA Calendar Sounding Taps MOAA Member Services Encore

Military Officer - August 2006

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