The
Kansas Council of Chapters held a quarterly meeting at the Holiday
Holidome Inn in Topeka on 15 February 03 with 21 officers of the Council
and chapters in attendance. Appreciation is extended to Lt. Col Eliot
Potter, President of the KAW Valley Chapter and its members for hosting
the meeting. By all standards, it was an outstanding meeting with a high
sense of purpose and good spirit reflected by the attendees. I forecast
another good year for the now titled MOAA in Kansas and encourage your
greatest possible involvement to assure success with high standards in
each chapter.
Major Frank Sisson was recognized by kind
words from the attendees for his two years as Council president. Under
Council President Sisson's leadership, immense strides were witnessed in
promoting the cause of the Council and chapters which includes support of
veterans and their families, a strong national defense, diversified
interests of the chapters in state and community affairs, and of course
special attention to the comfort and enjoyment of members thru their
active relationship with MOAA.
It is my pleasure to announce a
Council-sponsored awards program to recognize the leadership and efforts
of individuals and chapters. Some of the areas for recognition include:
Regular attendance of Council and chapter officers to the quarterly
Council meetings.
- * Recognition of chapters for being represented at all the four
quarterly Council meetings.
- Recognition of individuals for success in recruiting new chapter
members.
- * Recognition of chapters for membership improvement for each
quarter and the year.
- Recognition of chapter newsletters for exceptional quality and
appearance.
- * Involvement of chapters in worthy community projects.
Some other items of interest from the Council meeting included:
A committee consisting of Colonel John Halladay, Captain Jim Henry,
Major Frank Sisson, and Colonel Bill Wunder will review the Council ByLaws
and recommend changes for approval at the next Council meeting.
2. Under CWO Dave Kennedy, assistance will be rendered to chapters in
initiating/upgrading websites.
3. A major topic of discussion for the next Council meeting will be to
review/update the role and purposes of the MOAA Council as a step to
upgrade the entire MOAA program in Kansas. |
4. Chapters will review the concept of all
chapters annually installing new officers during the same quarter of the
calendar year.
5. There was discussion concerning the recognition of past-presidents
and special program activities for spouses at a quarterly meeting. .
6. The value of holding frequent business meetings of the chapter
executive committee was discussed and emphasized as vital for promoting
the overall success of chapters.
The importance of nominating and electing officers who are committed
and involved in chapter affairs was discussed as vital to the ongoing
success of each chapter.
8. Dates for the annual "Storming The Hill" at Washington, D.
C. were announced as 26-28 March 03 with Council President Jack Strukel to
attend.
There was discussion of the forthcoming Regional Chapters' Seminar
sponsored by MOAA National to be held at the Doubletree in Overland Park,
Kansas, on 11-13 September 03. The Sunflower Chapter of Overland Park will
be the host chapter with assistance provided by other chapters as
requested/volunteered.
10. There was discussion about new lapel pins, certificates, etc., with
MOAA logo.
As usual, the highlight of the Council meeting were the chapter reports
where the attending chapter officers shared in their recent chapter
activities, membership trends, future plans, and best practices.
Compliments to all chapters for getting in their annual dues to the
Council on time. This could be a first in many years.
A personal word: I encourage each officer and auxiliary to be more
active in the affairs of MOAA in Kansas. One area with which each member
can assist is that of "asking eligible other persons to join their
chapter and serve initially as their sponsor." It is believed by the
Council and chapter officers that through a dedicated effort, the overall
MOAA membership count in Kansas chapters could be increased by at least 20
percent. Please get involved by asking and inviting new members to join
and prior active members who have dropped their chapter membership to
again be part of an important program. Ideas/thoughts on any aspect of
MOAA in Kansas can be forwarded to me at 5125 SE 10th, Tecumseh, Kansas
66542, (785-379-5616), or email at jstrukel@cox.net.
Jack
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