chaptersinaction
Grassroots Support
Each year, MOAA council presidents gather in Washington, D.C.,
to participate in Storming the Hill — a one-day lobbying blitz. Now
council leaders are launching similar efforts at the state level.
M
OAA brings state coun- Each state council or chapter ought to be done to improve MOAA’s
cil and chapter presidents leader teams with an MOAA board chapter system. We also will update
from all 50 states and or staff member and visits his or her them on issues we’re working dur-
Puerto Rico to Washington, D.C., congressional legislators to educate ing the second year of the Year of
every April for Storming the Hill — them about MOAA’s top issues for the Chapter initiative, which will
the grassroots legislative support of 2009. Throughout Storming week, strengthen the chapter system and
national MOAA’s legislative agenda council and chapter leaders have a se- send them back to their states better
and a major reason why MOAA’s ries of briefi ngs and prepare handouts armed for the year ahead.
chapter system is so important. This for the legislators they meet with. — Col. Lee Lange II, USMC-Ret.
signature event, set for April 19-23, Storming the Hill kicks off the year’s Director, Council and Chapter Affairs
includes MOAA’s annual award cer- push and gets momentum going on
emony, which recognizes citizens or the top issues that most affect MOAA
legislators who do their part to help members and all servicemembers. Lobbying the
the military community, and the an- This year, we’ll be fi ghting to sustain
nual Council Presidents’ Seminar. defense funding levels, limit health Legislature
care fee increases, and move toward
ending fi nancial penalties for service-
E
very year, the Virginia Coun-
caused disabilities and deaths. cil of Chapters (VCOC) partici-
The Storming the Hill event al- pates in a state-level Storming
most always generates a spike in co- the Hill event in Richmond, Va. For 11
sponsorship of important legislation. years, members have helped pass leg-
It’s a great way for our council and islation including obtaining in-state
chapter leaders to play a major part tuition rates for servicemembers and
in our legislative successes. their families in the commonwealth
Following the Storming the Hill and starting the Virginia Wounded
event, leaders are recognized at a Warrior Program that assists veterans
council presidents’ dinner before and their families dealing with PTSD
spending a day with MOAA leader- and traumatic brain injuries.
ship and Council and Chapter Affairs Thanks to the VCOC’s efforts, a
Many council and chapter leaders staff. Included are discussions on Department of Veterans Services was
have set the stage for this event by the latest developments in MOAA established, along with a Veterans
visiting and communicating with and chapter management and — Services Foundation, a Board of Vet-
representatives and senators in their more important — a chance to tell erans Services, and a Joint Leadership
home districts and state offi ces. us what’s on their minds and what Council (JLC) that’s composed of 23
state veterans’ organizations. VCOC
*
ON THE ROAD: This month, Col. Lee Lange II, USMC-Ret., director
members coordinate their lobbying
of MOAA’s Council and Chapter Affairs, will visit chapter members in
efforts with the JLC, which picks leg-
Virginia. Turn to MOAA Calendar, page 75, for dates.
islative priorities each year that every
member-organization works to pass.
3 8 M I L I T A R Y O F F I C E R A P R I L 2 0 0 9 PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT
AApr_chapters.indd
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