Schedule of events
NO MEETINGS JUNE - AUGUST!
8 SEP 20 - Our next meeting is scheduled at the Military Heritage Alliance Building on Russell Street. Our speaker is the new Director at the VA. The meeting will start at noon. Come a little early to see the building and get to know your way around. The address is: 1600 W. Russell St., Sioux Falls, SD 57104. Visit their web site at http://www.southdakotaalliance.org
About Us
MOAA Great Plains Chapter
The MOAA, Great Plains Chapter is comprised of former and Active Duty Veteran Officers from all the services. Eligibility is open to all former and currently serving officers. We are part of the National MOAA organization which has a significant role in helping to keep benefits in place for Service Members and Veterans. We meet the 2nd Tuesday of the month for our regular meeting with stimulating and dynamic speakers and every 4th Tuesday for a 1630 Happy Hour.
MOAA, Great Plains Chapter Mission
Our mission has changed a bit over the years. We are mostly a social organization. We meet twice a month, once formally and once informally. We try to live by MOAAs catch phrase, "NEVER STOP SERVING". We are active in gifting scholarships to ROTC Cadets at SDSU and USD and with providing initial sets of Gold Bars for commissioning ceremonies. We are also active members of the Sioux Falls Veterans Counsel.
Great plains chapter OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS
CURRENT OFFICERS
PRESIDENT - SCOTT W. REDD, LTC, U.S. ARMY (RET) - (605) 212-0712
1ST VP PROGRAMS - DENISE ROTERT, U.S. ARMY (RET) - (605) 321-3764
1ST VP PROGRAMS (ASSISTANT) - DOUG HANIFY, U.S. ARMY (RET) (563) 370-6390
2ND VP MEMBERSHIP - DAVE NORDLAND, U.S. MARINES (RET) (605) 366-0797
SEC/TREAS - ROBERT BLACK , U.S. AIR FORCE (RET) (605) 759-8671
LEGISLATIVE LEASION - JAY MANNING, U.S. ARMY (RET) (605)
Board Member at Large - Randy Kirkvold - (605) 789-0389
Learn More
If you are an Active Duty Officer, National Guard or Reserve Officer or a Veteran who served as an officer in any of the services, we welcome you to our MOAA Chapter. Please contact Bob Black at (605) 759-8671 or blackroberte@sio.midco.net to discuss membership options. "Never Stop Serving"
Storming the hill
One of MOAAs greatest contributions to the Military is their Storming the Hill Lobbying Event. MOAA members and staffers will Storm the Hill on March 25, continuing the fight for issues at the heart of MOAA’s advocacy efforts while passing along a message of thanks for lawmakers who were part of historic efforts on behalf of the military community. This year's initiatives are:
Control Copays to Protect Military Health Care. Beneficiaries seeking mental health treatment, physical or occupational therapy, or other conditions that require regular provider visits face mounting bills – some to the point where they’ve discontinued care. Other beneficiaries are faced with rising TRICARE pharmacy copays that far outpace the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). In some cases, costs will more than double. Ensure Proper Pay and Benefits to Maintain the All-Volunteer Force. MOAA continues its push to ensure the annual military pay raise matches the Employment Cost Index (ECI), which this year calls for a 3% increase. But servicemembers’ needs go far beyond their paychecks: Congress must keep faith with the force by protecting earned benefits for servicemembers past and present, and their families – an often-overlooked part of the retention equation.
Meeting Minutes
GREAT PLAINS CHAPTER
MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA P. O. BOX 91703
SIOUX FALLS, SD 57109-1703
Minutes: 11 February 2020
The monthly meeting was called to order at 1200 hours at the VFW Post in Sioux Falls, SD by Pres. Scott Redd with 11 members present. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a prayer from GPC Pres. Scott Redd. The chapter has 51 paid members as of the end of the meeting on February 11th.
Financial Statement:16 January 2020
Beginning Balance: $10.131.88
Deposits: $105.86
Expenses: $0.00
15 January 2020 Ending Balance: 10,237.74
$10,237.74Pres. Scott stated that the VFW Post will be leaving the building some time this year. He talked about the problem of getting the date when the Great Plains Chapter will find a new location to hold the monthly meeting. Chapter member Randy Kirkvold is involved with the VFW selling its property and explained to the group some of the problems that the military groups are having before they will be moving to the military building. He also explained the process the VFW is having to sell its building and property. Member Jay Manning gave an update on the military news that he heard had leaked from Washington. The process to reduce the cost of the military medications that individuals are receiving was also discussed without any recommendations. Denise introduced the speaker and program for the day. Erik Gaikowski - State Director for AARP of South Dakota was the day’s speaker. He spoke about quality of life for all as we age. He spoke about many of the different opportunities that belonging to AARP could benefit the individual. AARP enhances the quality of life for all as we age. He spoke about many of the problems that the AARP addresses for the aging.
He gave some time to answer questions from the members that attended. He had many hand outs to give people that may help answer some of the questions that the members may have had. His presentation was very appropriate for the group that attended the meeting.
Robert Black will be the Great Plains Chapter secretary and treasurer for the next year.
Submitted: E-Mail: www.gpc.moaa@gmail.com Web Site: www.greatplainschapter.org
Glen Schoepf
Secretary/Treasurer - Great Plains Chapter – MOAA