1. 1 Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC) MOAA’s Finest Council

2. 2Topics Background of VCOC Major Accomplishments Key Activities

3. 3 Background of VCOC 18 Chapters. Formed in November 1975 at Ft Lee Richmond (1959), Hampton Roads (1959), Central VA (1971), and Southside (1971) were early chapters Held 3 Day Biennial Conventions in 1980’s and 1990’s First VCOC Congressional Luncheon - 1986 Establishment of VCOC Legislative Committee - 1988 Recommended establishment of Coalition of Military Veterans Organizations -1989 Recommended funding of a Veterans Home and Cemetery - 1989

4. 4 Major Accomplishments Repeal of state taxation of military retirement vs non - taxation of state/local employee retirement. VCOC fought this all the way to the US Supreme Court Leftover funds of $68,000 from Legal Fund were given to MOAA Scholarship Fund to provide 3 scholarships of $5000 each to VA students each year Aside from the rebates, these actions made a lasting impression on the General Assembly and the Administration - that the retired military is a force to be reckoned with

5. 5 Other Accomplishments VCOC first Storming of General Assembly - 1996 Funding and construction of the Richmond and Salem Veterans Care Centers Funding for VA National Guard Family Support Centers Funding and construction of 2 military cemeteries (Suffolk and Amelia) + 1 new cemetery in SW VA Initial funding of Wounded Warrior Mental Health Program Interstate Compact on Education for Military Children In-state tuition for non-resident military children Funding for the VA War Memorial Education Center

6. 6 Other Accomplishments One of key VA veterans organizations to advocate formation of VA Dept of Veterans Services - 2002 Recommended the creation of a Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations within Dept of Vet Svcs – 2002

7. 7 2012 Legislative Initiatives- State Various options for Veterans designation on VA drivers licenses or a separate Veterans ID Unclaimed cremated remains of veterans Sales and use tax exemption for VSO’s Homeless veterans

8. 8 2012 Legislative Initiatives- National Maintain an adequate level of national security in a dangerous world Retain a level of active duty pay and benefits to secure the future of the all volunteer force Continue to recognize the sacrifices made by wounded, retired and survivors Note: each of the above initiatives will entail numerous sub-initiatives as deficit reduction plans become clearer Stay informed! http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/8

9. 9 Recent Accomplishments VCOC accounts for 13% of MOAA national Give Me Ten membership total in 2011 Virginia winner of consecutive MOAA Give Me Ten Dinners 2007-2011 Ten Chapters were awarded 5 star Levels of Excellence Awards in 2011! Plus two 4-star Chapters Virginia selected for Direct Membership Pilot Program

10. 10 Key 2012 Activities Key 2012 Activities “Storming the Hill” of the General Assembly (Richmond) - 23 Jan Congressional Luncheon in (Wash, D.C.) - 9 May MOAA Annual Meeting (Arlington VA) - 29-30 Oct VCOC quarterly meetings at various locations in such as Fort Lee, Charlottesville, Richmond, Lexington, Williamsburg, Petersburg Visit the VCOC website at www.virginiamoaa.comwww.virginiamoaa.com