chaptersinaction
question or concern, and I can be Capt. Bob Rymal, USN-Ret., chapter member or his or her spouse,
a resource for them.” cochairs the chapter’s 15-member Thomas sends a letter of condolence
personal affairs committee with along with a copy of the chapter’s
Planning for the future chaplain Maj. Wally Williamson, “Checklist for Survivors,” which was
The Arizona Chapter is one of many USA-Ret. To split up the workload, created by committee member Capt.
MOAA chapters that has its own each committee member tracks Bill Mayer, USN-Ret.
personal affairs committee to assist changes in one benefi t or entitle- If more help is requested, com-
members during times of crisis or ment program. For example, if a mittee members will visit the mem-
when they need help navigating the member has a question about TRI- ber or spouse at home and provide
military’s complex system of benefi ts CARE For Life (TFL), Rymal will whatever assistance is needed, from
and entitlements. Earlier this year, direct them to the committee mem- applying for Social Security benefi ts
the Arizona and Luke (Ariz.) chapters ber who keeps a list of current TFL to fi ling insurance claims. Com-
each held personal affairs seminars to information resources. mittee members also have assisted
encourage members to address end- “We do not profess to be subject- adult children of chapter members
of-life issues now. Attendees received matter experts, but we do hope we following the death of one or both
booklets and checklists that have can help steer members in the right of their parents.
been developed by national MOAA to direction,” Rymal says. According to Chapter President
help members organize their affairs. Capt. Jim Frazier, USN-Ret., the
(Members can order these materials Tailor-made assistance program has been so successful it
online from MOAA’s Info Exchange® Capt. Richard Thomas, USN-Ret., now is being used as a prototype for
at
www.moaa.org/infoexchange.) heads up the Pensacola (Fla.) Chap- new personal affairs programs being
Participants also listened to presen- ter’s personal affairs committee, started in two Florida chapters.
tations from local subject-matter which is composed of members “I’m very proud of our chapter’s
experts who covered issues ranging from various service branches, a program,” says Frazier. “It’s well or-
from deeds, wills, and trusts to the military spouse, and an auxiliary ganized and provides an invaluable
different types of power of attorney. member. Following the death of a service to our members.”
Lt. Col. Tony Saputo, AUS-Ret.,
led the Luke Chapter’s seminar and
chairs the chapter’s personal af-
Give Me 10!
fairs committee. Saputo often learns
about chapter members or spouses
Quarterly Awards
who need help through the chapter’s
phone tree communication network. DURING THE 2009 GIVE ME 10! CAMPAIGN, awards will be present-
Although Saputo is quick to contact ed each quarter to the top-recruiting council in each of the four regions as
members and offer his assistance, he well as the top-recruiting independent chapter (a chapter that is not yet
doesn’t get involved unless he’s asked. served by a state council). Each top-recruiting council in four regions will
“It’s not hard to do this job,” says receive an incentive check for $500, and the top-recruiting independent
Saputo. “You just have to be compas- chapter will receive $250.
sionate and listen.” The winners of the second set of quarterly awards are
Southeast: Florida Council of Chapters, 134 new members recruited;
A resource for information Midwest: Kansas Council of Chapters, 72 new members recruited;
Not all chapter-run personal affairs West: Washington Council of Chapters, 64 new members recruited;
groups focus strictly on end-of-life Northeast: Maryland Council of Chapters, 22 new mem-
issues. The Greater Dallas Chapter’s bers recruited; and
personal affairs committee also helps independent chapter: Sierra Nevada (Nev.) Chapter,
members with issues ranging from three new members recruited.
renewing military ID cards to fi nding To learn more, visit
www.moaa.org/givemeten.
a local doctor who accepts Medicare.
SEPTEMBER 2009 MILITARY OFFICER 47
SSept_chapters.indd
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