n

NEW YORK CITY ATTRACTS MANY former and second-career servicemembers who want to live and work in one of the most exciting cities in the world. Connecting with each other isn’t easy, however. So a group of national MOAA members started the New York City Military Officers Club.

The affiliate’s initial mission was to provide members with camaraderie and career-networking opportunities. “Most of the people who come to our chapter meetings haven’t been in New York City for that long, and they’re looking to connect, whether it’s in terms of a job or just with other veterans who might be helpful to them in their professional lives,” says Navy reservist Lt. Cmdr. Nicholas Younker Jr., chapter networking liaison. As the chapter grew, however, its members wanted to do more. They began supporting two Junior ROTC and three ROTC programs and participating in veterans’ fun- draisers. They also began engag- ing in the legislative process at the national, state, and local levels. In April, members joined with other veterans’ organizations to rally on the steps of city hall and urge Mayor Bill de Blasio to increase the sup- port services provided to the city’s approximately 230,000 veterans. “The New York City Military Of- ficers Club stands united with our fellow veterans in New York City in encouraging the mayor and the rest of the city to continue to make vet- erans’ issues and initiatives a major priority and support those who have served and those who continue to serve,” says Navy reservist Lt. Cmdr. Joel Knippel, chapter president. The chapter’s mission continues

to expand. While the chapter ini- tially attracts new members who are looking for camaraderie and career- networking opportunities, members

70 MILITARY OFFICER OCTOBER 2015

soon discover the chapter’s volunteer activities and efforts to improve the lives of local veterans. “If you join our chapter ... you’re going to find a place where you can hear about employment and volunteer opportunities,” Younker says. “You’re going to meet other people who were in the military and learn how to shape the legislative process. You’ll be able to get involved quickly with the veter- ans’ scene in New York City.”

Statehouse advocacy Members of the Kansas Council of Chapters are making an impact on the lives of servicemembers and their families through their state advocacy efforts. Council and chapter members long have supported national MOAA’s legislative efforts. Three years ago, the council expanded its advocacy efforts to include state legislation. Council Legislative Chair Lt. Gen.

Richard Keller, USA (Ret), keeps members apprised of national legisla- tive initiatives, while Maj. Michelle Sweeney, ANG (Ret), vice president and legislative liaison for the Kaw Valley (Kan.) Chapter, enlists support for state issues. Sweeney acquired her legislative savvy working for the Asso- ciation of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas Inc. in Topeka. Since joining the Kaw Valley Chapter, she’s focused on increasing awareness for service-related mental health is- sues such as post-traumatic stress. She also marshals advocates’ support for state legislation that benefits service- members and their families.

Each November, MOAA council and chapter members and members of other state military and veterans’ organizations participate in a day- long legislative advocacy session sponsored by the National Guard Association of Kansas. During the session, participants establish com- mon legislative goals and learn how to advocate in the statehouse. Council and chapter members tes- tify on pending legislation and pres- ent a Legislator of the Year Award to a state legislator. The council also hosts MOAA Hill Day, which brings chapter members to the statehouse to meet with their legislators. “Every legislator in Kansas has

probably received a call from a ser- vicemember or a spouse who has a problem,” Sweeney says. “They know there are problems, but they need help to know how to fix them.” Kaw Valley Chapter President and Kansas Council of Chapters Vice President Lt. Col. Raymond Rhodd, USA (Ret), credits strong leadership at the council and chapter level for increasing members’ awareness and support for legislation that benefits military members and their families. “MOAA has a lot of credibility on Capitol Hill,” Rhodd says. “But down at the chapter level, it comes down to identifying individuals who are will- ing to participate and get involved legislatively, and that comes from good leadership throughout the state and local organizations of MOAA.” This year, working with other state military and veterans’ organizations,