Personal Affairs

Prep Phase

Lt Jeff Gutting, USAF, Chapter Personal Affairs Officer

Phase One – The Preparation Phase: This phase encompasses all the actions required to be taken the member to insure the member’s personal affairs are in order. Members are encouraged to make an inventory of crucial information in one compact document, so it can be readily accessible to their spouse right at home. A MOAA publication “PERSONAL AFFAIRS ACTION GUIDE – A PERSONAL INVENTORY FOR PEACE OF MIND” provides an outline for such a document. The detail requirements/check-list for this phase is provided in the “PERSONAL AFFAIRS PROGRAM – THE PREPARATION PHASE.”

The Personal Affairs Officer will remind members of their responsibility to help their survivors now keeping this inventory current. He will accomplish this via the monthly newsletter, periodic briefings, chapter dinners, and the chapter meeting in November.

Action Phase

Phase Two – The Action Phase: This phase begins with the reported death of a member and ends at burial. Any person who knows of the death or serious illness of a member or spouse is requested to inform the Personal Affairs Officer who will notify the chapter members via e-mail in cases of death; however, in cases of serious illness, he will contact the spouse to determine if he/she wishes the membership to be notified before sending out the notification via e-mail. The Personal Affairs Officer will send a condolence card from the chapter to the bereaved family and will offer his assistance if needed. He will also insure that the chapter is represented at the funeral, if at all possible.

During this stressful period, the survivors must execute a variety of tasks within a limited time frame – from planning the funeral to executing a multitude of administrative tasks that can affect their immediate financial situation. They should refer to the check- list provided in “PERSONAL AFFAIRS PROGRAM – THE ACTION PHASE.