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Southwest Oklahoma MOAA


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Southwest Oklahoma MOAA
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Chapter Members Birthday, December 2024

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2025 U.S. Army Retired Soldier Handbook

DFAS Retired and Annuitant Pay Survivor Benefit Plan

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2024 Adopt A Soldier for Christmas

Chapter Recognized by AUSA Fires Chapter

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President’s Message, November 2024

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Chapter Members Birthday, November 2024

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November 6, Fort Sill National Cemetery Flag Emplacement

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Chapter Members Birthday, October 2024

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Comparing Our Chapter

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Medicare & You 2025 Handbook

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Pay Raise, Housing Help, and More: MOAA’s Priorities as Congress Returns From Recess

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The 4th Annual SWOK Chapter of MOAA Fundraiser is coming soon!!

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Chapter Members Birthday, September 2024

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SWOK Chapter of MOAA Fundraiser

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Advocacy in Action Key MOAA Priorities

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Chapter Members Birthday, August 2024

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Presidents Update, June 2024

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Chapter Members Birthdays, July 2024

Five Reasons Surviving Spouses Should Be Members of MOAA

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MacAuthur JROTC Recognized at the Oklahoma State Capitol

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Chapter Members Birthdays, June 2024

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General Membership Meeting Highlights May 14, 2024

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Exciting News from LATS!

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Chapter Members Birthdays, May 2024

Council Receives 5 Star Level of Excellence Award for 2023

2023 Col. Marvin D. Harris Communication Award

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National Cemetery Project 22 May 2024

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Happy National Volunteer Week!

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Advocacy in Action: MOAA Members Rally on Capitol Hill

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MOAA JROTC Award Presentation

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TRICARE For Life Under Threat: How MOAA Works to Protect Your Benefit

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Surviving Spouse Corner: We Need Your Voice on Legislative Issues

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Chapter Members Birthdays, April 2024

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MHS GENESIS Patient Portal Now Allows Prescription Refills

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TRICARE Pharmacy Program in 2024

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Cameron University SROTC 2024 Spring Awards Ceremony

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Chapter Members Birthdays, March 2024

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MOAA’s Spring 2024 Advocacy In Action

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COLA News: Be Ready for an Even Smaller Boost in 2025

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January 2024 General Memberhip Meeting Highlights

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Chapter Members Birthdays, February 2024

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On line ID Card Renewal

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Wreath Recovery Fort Sill National Cemetery, 20 January 2024

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President’s Message January 2024

Chapter Scholarship Donors Recognized

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Chapter Members Birthdays, January 2024

Date Posted:12/19/23
From MOAA’s President: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

2024 U.S. Army Retired Soldier Handbook

MOAA National Endowed Scholarships

Buffalo Soldiers Presentation

Here Are Your 2024 Medicare Part B Rates

Hundreds of Veterans Day discounts and freebies

From MOAA’s President: Help Shape Our Advocacy Agenda

Social Security Announces 3.2 Percent Benefit Increase for 2024

Act Fast to Meet a New Deadline for Survivor Benefit Plan Enrollment

Have Your Say: This Military Family Survey Will Help Inform Advocacy Work

Presidents Message October 2023

TRICARE Handbooks (Updated January 2024)

Veterans Guide to Government Shutdown

MOAA National Chapter Visit

2022 Col. Marvin D. Harris Communication Award

Council Receives 5 Star Level of Excellence Award for 2022

2024 Changes to Medicare

Letter of Appreciation Mount Scott Cemetery Support

Spaghetti Fundraiser Volunteer Signup

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Southwest Oklahoma MOAA
Thought for the Week...

Each and every day you may unknowingly be an inspiration to someone.  You are probably not the most successful person you know or the most productive.  You are not likely the highest achiever either but that doesn't change the fact that can make a positive impact on those around you as well as those you come into contact with.  While you may not view it this way, you may be underestimating your inspirational value to others.  

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Comparing Our Chapter
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Many, if not most, of you receive the monthly MOAA Magazine. While it routinely contains informative articles, the current October issue (Pgs 42-53) has an interesting article on Councils and Chapters. What we found especially informative were some of the statistics in the “callouts” on norms for Chapters. It made us pause and compare some of those with our own Chapter efforts. We thought it would be worth your time to read how we see ourselves as fitting (or not) into some of these numbers.  

The first callout was on “dedicated scholarship programs”. We are clearly part of the quoted 63% and have been for years. Our Chapter initiated fundraising for four MOAA endowed scholarships in 2007 which required raising $100,000. Our area scholarships are a long-term core Chapter program, run by the Chapter that selects some truly outstanding young men and women from our area high schools who are university bound. This year we increased our number of area scholarships to six, $1000 scholarships. This is only possible due to your generosity. As a reminder, our funding campaign is year-round so please consider giving every year.  

Next was the callout on “fundraising for causes”. According to the statistics only half of MOAA Chapters do this. We just completed our fourth annual fundraiser and raised over $1000. As noted in the Lawton Constitution, we use the funds to support a variety of needs in our area that vary from year to year. While most are veteran related, other community needs like the Lawton Food Bank are part of our efforts. We have kept our Chapter dues low and look to donations and fundraising events to let us continue to serve our community.  

The statistic went up to 70% for participation in community service. Your Executive Board has struggled with this one. The recent survey many of you completed is being evaluated to help us better focus our efforts for next year in accordance with your feedback. Some of the more prominent ones we have routinely supported are the Fort Sill National Cemetery, the Veterans Center and the Military Welcome Center.  

We believe we have solid partnerships with the local JROTC and SROTC programs as well as the Comanche County Veterans Council (CCVC). The participation of the MacArthur JROTC Color Guard and Cameron cadets in our Annual Recognition Dinner is a notable example. Conversely, we awarded the Mac JROTC program $500 in recognition of their winning the state level drill team competition for multiple years. Our participation in the CCVC hosted Legislative Breakfast to put your issues before your elected representatives is another example.  

The article highlighted that 85% of Chapters host regular membership meetings with 81% having speakers. We clearly meet this metric with our bi-monthly meetings. The recent presentation on the Fort Sill National Cemetery and national burial policy changes by Matt Priest is our most recent example. While firsthand is always better, we do record our speakers and make their presentations available on our YouTube connection from our website for those who are unable to attend but would like to get the information at their convenience.  

We are clearly outside the norm where 70% of the membership numbers are stable or growing. We were once a Chapter of well over 250 members. Currently, we are struggling just to maintain our numbers of the last few years. Every month your Executive Board discusses possible efforts to tackle this issue.  

Another challenge where we are in the majority is open leadership positions. As we write this, we are trying hard to find candidates for the positions of Vice President and Membership Director for next year. Compounding this is the number of folks who have served continuously in multiple positions for many years. While continuity is great, fresh energy and ideas are healthy.  

As always, please pass us any feedback you may have on any of this.

Source: Military Officer MAgazine, October 2024



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