Seven members of your chapter were a part of the January 28th VCOC group “Storming of the Hill” visit to members of the Virginia Commonwealth General Assembly in Richmond.  We met with our respective Senators and Delegates to discuss the VCOC objectives list of legislative priorities.  Most were in agreement of the need for support of Virginia’s 250,000 veterans and indicated they share our concerns and would do all in their power to help meet our requests.
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The final report on the 2007 Give Me Ten recruitment campaign shows that 6 of the 15 VCOC chapters participating met or surpassed their established goals.  VIPMOAA was one of the six. VCOC has asked chapter Presidents to nominate the member who recruited the most new members between 1 September and 31 December 2007.  I have nominated our Immediate Past President Major Melva Mallison.  Her name will be thrown into the “Hat” with those of the other top 5 chapters and the winner, drawn by Immediate VCOC Past President Col. Bill Flanigan, will get to attend the 3-day MOAA National “Storming the Hill” and Seminar in April. We wish Melva “Good Luck” on the “draw”.

On the subject of Give Me Ten Recruitment, the 2008 campaign is on going  The emphasis this year includes recruitment of chapter members as well as National members. Let’s repeat our award winning ways again this year.

Don’t forget our 2008 VIPMOAA Team Relay for Life effort.  Please contact Tony Sievers at 247-5768 or e-mail seivers7@earthlink.net

AND YES MY PLEA RETURNS - WE STILL NEED A  NEWSLETTER  EDITOR.

Ernest Hinojosa , Jr., COL, USA, Ret, President

Ernie Hinojosa, COL USA Ret., President
Melva Mallison, MAJ. USAF, Recruiter
Blair Smith, LTC, USA, Ret, Leg Comm Ch
Charley Burch, LtCol, USAF, Ret, Leg Comm
Frank Duckett, Maj.,USAF, Ret., Leg Comm
Jim Pauls, COL, USAF, Ret., VCOC Rep
Jackie Peters, Alt Auxiliary Liaison

Status of the Virginia War Memorial (House Bill 474)

 HB 474 requires the State Comptroller to advance a loan of $5.97 million for the state share of the construction of the educational wing for the Virginia War Memorial and the expansion of the Shrine of Memory for War on Terror Virginians killed in action. The loan is in the form of a short-term treasury loan, with no interest. This bill recently passed both the House and Senate unanimously (with some Senate amendments). There are some requirements that the Museum Foundation must certify to the Governor that they have raised or have pledges for $2 million in private funds and that the specified funds will be used to support the projects. The State Treasurer shall advance $500,000 of the $5.97 million upon certification that $1 million in private funds have been raised. Legislative comment: This means that the advance planning can continue and architectural and engineering drawings completed for the job.

Other bills are still working through the Senate or House since each had to forward their approved bills to the other Legislative Body by 12 Feb.

President Ernie Hinojosa presented two 2006 Communications Awards at the

                                                 2007 Actual                             2008 Budget

Member dues                               $  3,819                                $  4,500
Member Income                             12,019                                     9,000
            Expense                           (12,318)                                   (9,000)
            50-50 Drawing                       697                                        700
            Interest Income                       504                                        400
Other Income                                     250                                        250
Newsletter Printing                         (3,256)                                   (3,500)
            Cost of Mailing                   (1,063)                                   (1,400)
            Advertising                           1,791                                    1,800
Va Council Dues                               (274)                                     (500)
Specific Awards                                (900)                                     (300)
Legislative Affairs                              (587)                                     (600)
Other Expense                                   (496)                                  (1,350)                   

            Cash Flow                       $     186                                $          0

 Assets January 1, 2008 Checking and Savings    $ 4,014
                          Post Office Trust                             136
                          Certificates of Deposit                10,000

                          Total                                        $14,150

 Respectfully Submitted: Frederick B. Malvin, CPA, CDR, USN (Ret.)

Treasurer, VIPMOAA

CHAPTER LUNCHEON MEETING
MARCH 27, 2008
LANGLEY AFB ENLISTED CLUB
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM

PROGRAM:  RENOVATION OF CHAMBERLIN HOTEL-WHICH WILL REOPEN AS A RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Drucker & Falk, LLC has agreed to furnish us a program on the renovation of The Chamberlin Hotel, which will soon reopen as a retirement community.  Our program will feature The Chamberlin’s Executive Director, Susan Moniak and its Marketing Director, Joan Woodson.  The Chamberlin, located on Fort Monroe, was erected in 1928, and was once the premiere hotel in all of Tidewater.    Drucker & Falk, LLC, the real estate firm that put together the investors to purchase the building in 2004, is overseeing its redevelopment and will manage the community.  The Chamberlin is being converted into a senior independent living facility of 133 luxury apartments. Construction began in June of 2006 and will be completed later this year. The complex will be home to a "for rent" retirement community, open to residents age 62 and over, with apartments ranging in size from 536 to 1,487 square feet.  Rental fees will include all utilities and a variety of amenities such as fine dining, linen service and public transportation.   The Chamberlin will feature unsurpassed views of the Hampton Bay and Atlantic Ocean from as high up as nine stories. The total project cost of The Chamberlin is over $50 million, and it was the largest historic tax credit project ever undertaken in Virginia when the renovation began.  Sentara Healthcare, the dominant healthcare system in Tidewater, will collaborate with The Chamberlin, providing expertise in fitness and home healthcare services to enable residents to “age in place” in their apartment homes, and will also provide facilitated access to its nearby assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. 

Sue Moniak, Executive Director of The Chamberlin, is a veteran senior housing property manager.  Prior to joining The Chamberlin, Ms. Moniak was employed by the Chambrel at Williamsburg, where she began as Director of Health Services in 1988 and was promoted to Executive Director of the Chambrel, a post she held for 10 years.  A registered nurse and graduate of Ohio State University, Sue has received numerous awards and recognition for her work, including 2003-2005 Executive Director of the Year for Brookdale Senior Living, the nation’s largest operator of senior living communities, as well as the 2001-2003 award for the Highest Resident Satisfaction from the same organization.

Joan Woodson, Marketing Director of The Chamberlin, is an experienced realtor and sales professional whose responsibilities will include working with potential residents to find ideal living options, managing new resident orientation and implementing onsite events and receptions for residents and visitors.  Ms. Woodson previously served for nine years as Director of Sales and Marketing Specialist for the Chambrel at Williamsburg, Prior to that, she practiced real estate for Long & Foster in Williamsburg.

This timely program should be of interest to all.  There will be a cash bar open from 11:30 am to 12:15 pm., followed by lunch and the program.   To attend, send your check and reservation coupon to arrive at VIPMOAA Hospitality no later than Friday, March 21st. Get a reservation coupon. Get a menu and schedule.  Directions to the Langley enlisted club .