(This article originally appeared in MOAA's Council and Chapter News update, which is delivered monthly in The MOAA Newsletter. Read the latest Council and Chapter News here.)

By Micki Costello, Surviving Spouse Advisory Council

MOAA’s Surviving Spouse Virtual Chapter is an affinity group whose members can share information and ideas in a virtual environment with others seeking to work together adjusting to a new “normal.” 

The Surviving Spouse Virtual Chapter meets quarterly through a teleconference.  Eventually, we hope to have all 50 states represented in our membership. There are no dues, and this chapter is intended to be an enhancement to, not take the place of, geographic chapters. Several weeks in advance of each meeting, an email is sent to members alerting them to the date and time of the gathering; a follow-on email with instructions for joining the free telephone conference is sent several days prior to each meeting. The call is kept to about one hour, and topics for discussion have included SBP-DIC offset updates, financial discussions, and information from MOAA national as well as other items of interest. Plans currently are underway for a cruise in fall 2020.

We recognize everyone has busy lives; therefore, members participate to the extent they are able. While the chapter is geared toward surviving spouses and surviving spouse liaisons, any MOAA spouse is welcome for membership. MOAA’s mantra “Never Stop Serving” is espoused to make a difference locally, statewide, and nationally.

For additional information or to join MOAA’s Surviving Spouse Virtual Chapter, email mssvc02@gmail.com. An online application also is available.