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Virginia Council of Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC)Chapters (VCOC)

MOAA’s Finest CouncilMOAA’s Finest Council

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TopicsTopics

• Background of VCOC• Major Accomplishments• Key Activities

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Background of VCOCBackground 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

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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

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Other Accomplishments 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

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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

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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

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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/

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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

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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.com