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MOAA Florida Council of Chapters Holds Annual Convention

06/23/2022

MOAACC Past President, Steve Bond is new Florida Council Vice President

Delegates and Representatives from MOAA’s 40 Florida Chapters--including Cape Canaveral-- participated in the Florida Council of Chapters (FCoC) 45th Annual Convention 9-12 June, in West Palm Beach, Florida. The theme of the convention was Fun in the Sun.”  While there were no PowerPoint presentations, business for the Council was conducted. Of note, delegates elected new officers to the state council leadership positions and raised $5,000 for the MOAA Foundation to support its charitable efforts for veterans and military families across the nation.

The work at the convention included the usual Council Board of Directors Meetings and the General Membership Business Meeting to elect new Council Officers. A memorial service to remember those members who died in 2021 was held. MOAA President and CEO, Lt Gen Dana Atkins, USAF Ret, took part and presented Harris Communications Awards to the Council and 24 of the Florida Chapters, including Cape Canaveral. He also installed the new council officers into their positions on Saturday night prior to the mystery dinner theater.  The convention’s fun activities included a dining around West Palm Beach, a Casino Night Fundraiser where participants played to raise money for MOAA Foundation and prizes. There was also a wine tasting and the murder-mystery dinner theater.

Convention Highlights:

  • Chapter President Ken Lowe received MOAA’s Five Star Harris Communications awards for our outstanding Newsmagazine and Website, recognizing last year’s Intercom editor, Jeanne Weaver and our webmaster, Colonel Mike Schroeder.  Our Chapter has received the Harris awards every year from MOAA since they started recognizing chapters for excellence in communicating with members.
  • Newly elected and installed Florida Council Officers included our very own Chapter Past President, COL Steve Bond (USA Ret) as the senior Vice President of the Florida Council.  CDR Pat Kluever (USN Ret), the former Council Vice President was installed as President.  COL Mike Borders (USA Ret), moved from the President of the Council to the Immediate Past President position.  MAJ Lorraine Holland (USA Ret) was re-installed to continue as the East Central Florida Area Vice President, the area that includes Cape Canaveral Chapter.  A full listing of council officers and directors can be found at https://www.moaafl.org/Council.aspx
  •  The Convention Program has the memorial program and list of names, including the 50 from Cape Canaveral who died in 2021.   The link to download the Convention Program is on the FCoC website at https://www.moaafl.org/Convention.aspx (Note:  Enter “2022” and go to the bottom of the page to download the program.)   

The Casino Night fundraiser offered convention participants the fun and excitement of playing games of chance and winning prizes, while directly raising money for the MOAA Foundation, MOAA’s charitable organization.  At the conclusion of the convention, Lt Gen Atkins received a $5,000 check, the net proceeds of the fundraiser for the MOAA Foundation. In 2021, the MOAA Foundation awarded grants of over $44,000 to 12 Florida Chapters, including Cape Canaveral, for community-based programs directly aiding veterans, their families, and those currently serving our nation.

Pictures and the program for the convention are available on the Florida Council Website-- www.MOAAFL.org.  In addition to the memorial list of names, the program includes welcome letters from MOAA and Elected Leaders, advertisements from businesses and chapters.  Next year’s convention will be 19-21 May in St. Augustine, FL at the World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort.  Mark your calendars, all chapter members and guests are invited.

Accompanying Photos:

Caption 1:  Lt Gen Atkins (L) presents CDR Ken Lowe (USNR Ret) (R) President of the Cape Canaveral Chapter with Five-Star Harris Awards for communications excellence in the newsletter and website categories.

 

Caption 2:  Chapter Past President, Colonel Steve Bond (L) receives an FCoC leadership plaque from Council President Colonel Mike Borders (R) for his work on the FCoC Council.

 

Caption 3:  Casino Night activities at Left, Chapter Past President Tim Pishdad looks on.

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Caption 4: Lt Gen Atkins, (Foreground), swears in the newly elected Florida Council Officers. (L-R) Commander Pat Kluever-Council President, Colonel Steve Bond-Council Vice President, Major Lorraine Holland-East Central Area Vice President, Colonel Gary Nolan-Southwest Area Vice President, Colonel Paul Loschiavo-Southeast AVP, and Colonel Mike Borders, Immediate Past President.

Caption 5:  LTC Cynthia Watkins-Pishdad (USA Ret) (center with basket) and the Mystery Dinner Theater Cast.  Cynthia used her detective skills to solve the murder mystery at the dinner theater.

 

 

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