Ozark Empire Chapter Newsletter

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This months words from the Chapter President - September 2022

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As is often the case in many of our lives, circumstances change, and we have to re-order our priorities. Such is the case with John Hathcock, who has served admirably as our Legislative Chair for some time. He is asking to be able to step away from this responsibility. Thus, the chapter is in need of someone new to step forward and take this on. This means keeping up with legislative issues as published by MOAA in their weekly updates, as well as keeping tabs on issues before the Missouri Legislature. Their legislative session actually ends during the month of May, though the issues of importance often do not lie dormant until the next year. Thus we need someone who can track these things, and help keep the rest of us informed on matters that make a difference to Veterans and their families. This can be easily handled, as we have been doing, through a column in the monthly OEMOAA Newsletter. Anyone with experience and/or interest in this area is encouraged to contact John Hathcock for more details and let me know. I’ll be happy to consider designating you then as the Chapter Legislative Affairs Liaison.

We recently conducted an on-line survey of our membership, in an effort to discern feelings about our foray into holding daytime meetings this past Winter. According to the responses received, the idea of daytime meetings during the Winter months was well received. There is also interest in considering an additional daytime meeting in September. The overall preference was for Thursday noon meetings, as we held this year. Responses showed strong interest (2/3) in considering other venues for our meetings vs staying with our present meeting host. While this idea has been discussed in the past, options are always changing. We recently met with Bambino’s, to see what possibilities might exist there. The venue would be far different than what we have become accustomed to with Twin Oaks. The food would be Italian. No outside liquor would be allowed. All in all, your Board did not feel that this presented a viable option. We are still open to suggestions in this matter. If anyone has ideas about another venue that can serve our needs, either daytime or evening, catering a quality meal at a reasonable cost, while avoiding excessive setup or other hosting fees, please share that with your Board. While we have held our meetings at Twin Oaks Country Club for several years, we are under no long-term obligation with them. There was also strong interest (74%) in developing, as a chapter, some type of coordinated community outreach, where members can serve as volunteers, on behalf of OEMOAA.

On July 26, in the midst of one of the worst heat waves in modern memory, a few brave souls ventured out to the Redbird Roost at Hammons Field, to have some fellowship and watch a baseball game. None of our members in attendance that day stayed for the whole game, but bailed early, as the heat was just too much. We ill try again next year, and hopefully the weatherman will cooperate better.

As always, our newsletter is freely available on the chapter website, www.OEMOAA.org as well as via email to all members. If anyone wishes to receive this newsletter via US Mail, please make that known to a Board Member or the Newsletter Editor, and we will make that happen.

Ron McCall, President