Suncoast Chapter
Military Officers Association of America
ABOUT US
PURPOSE-MEMBERSHIP-HISTORY
PURPOSE: As specified in the organization's Constitution and By Laws.
The purpose of this organization shall be:
(a) To promote the aims of The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)
(b) To further the legislative and other objectives of MOAA. It shall function as an affiliate of MOAA. See MOAA national web site for legislative accomplishments by a click here
(c) To encourage and facilitate camaraderie among retired, active, and former officers of the uniformed services and their spouses. As such, our chapter has a monthly (except during the summer months) dinner/general membership meeting.
(d) To provide useful services for, and to protect the interests of, members and their dependent survivors.
This chapter shall operate as a non-profit organization exclusively for the purposes specified above. It shall cooperate with MOAA in furtherance of the purpose and objectives of the parent organization. As organizations exempt from federal taxation under Sec. 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code, MOAA and its affiliates must take care to avoid engaging in partisan political activities. Under IRS rules, we are prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.
MEMBERSHIP and VOTING RIGHTS:
The membership of this organization shall be composed of:
(a) Men and women who are or have been commissioned and warrant officers of the seven U.S. Uniformed Services (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Public Health Services) and the Reserve and other components of those services.
(b) Spouses of men and women who are or who have been commissioned and warrant officers of the seven US uniformed services are eligible to be Auxiliary Members of this chapter .
(c) The Board of Directors meets at 2 pm the 1st Tuesday of each month. Location varies. All members are welcome to attend and make any presentation. Call us (727-375-6376) for membership and general meeting information.
HISTORY: Our chapter had it’s beginning in March 1982 when eight members of the Mid-Florida Chapter, living in the Port Richey and New Port Richey area, under the leadership of Joe Grezaffi and Bob Cornell, met to consider starting a new chapter on the Upper Suncoast. They wanted to have evening meetings and to have their wives participate. These officers became known as the Organizational Committee and were referred to as the “gang of eight’:
LTC Robert W. Cornell, USA LTC Michael F. Killian, USAF
LTC Jack F. Ford, USAF COL William H. Loomis, USAF
LTC Joseph Grezaffi, USA LTC Richard B. Sherwood, USA
CPT Clinton E. Keidel, USA LTC Robert M. Wiggins,USA
The Chapter’s first meeting was held on October 12, 1982 at the Pasco Times Community Meeting Room. The Constitution and By Laws were approved and adopted by a large assembly of members. Joe Grezaffi, Chairman of the Organization Committee, was elected President, Bill Loomis to lst VP, Bob Frankel to 2nd VP, Bob Cornell to Secretary and Bob Wiggins to Treasurer.
