The Blue Ridge Mountains Chapter supports the agenda of National MOAA and encourages members to take advantage of the services and benefits available to them. We provide a forum for fellowship and camaraderie commensurate with any military organization. We promote community awareness of the chapter through local service projects. The chapter is nonpartisan and is not a fund-raising organization.

Membership is open to all Active Duty, Retired, Reserve, National Guard, and Former Officers and Warrant Officers of all uniformed services including NOAA and USPHS, and their surviving spouses. Our annual dues are $15.00 and membership applications are available from the President or Membership Chairman listed above or by POC in Georgia, Michael Annast at 706-896-6461, or in North Carolina Terry Payne at (843)- 475-1100.

We meet monthly on Wednesdays. May is Military Spouse Appreciation Month and in June we have an annual picnic. October 2019 we celebrated our 30th anniversary as a chapter, and in December we have a special Christmas Party. Sometimes several of our members get together and travel to a nearby city for cultural events. Our Community Service Projects in 2019 supported three local veterans’ groups: “Warrior Vets Outreach, “K-9’s for Warriors” and “North Georgia Honor Guard.” Chapter members approved distributions of $500 to the "Warrior Veteran Outreach Program” and $250 each to “K-9’s for Warriors” and “North Georgia Honor Guard” for a total giving in 2019 of $1000.00. Occasionally we have guest speakers on topics of interest to our members.

We include legislative news in our monthly newsletter and send alerts electronically when appropriate. One of our members is a state officer in the VFW. In addition, we belong to and support the Georgia Federal and Military Retired Coalition (GFMRC) located on web site http://www.georgiamoaa.org/GFMRC. We subscribe to the North Carolina MOAA Council web site and email notification link. The chapter recruited two retired US Army members who serve as co-chairs on the North Carolina Army Retired Soldiers Council. Additionally, two members participate in reunions and meetings of the North Carolina Special Forces Association Chapter 17 (i.e., Colonel Jerry Sage group) located near Maggie Valley, North Carolina. Colonel Jerry Sage was an original member of William Donovan’s World War II OSS and the former commander of the 10th Special Forces Group (A) in Bad Tolz/Lenggries Germany. William Joseph ("Wild Bill") Donovan was an American soldier, lawyer, intelligence officer and diplomat, best known for serving as the head of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the precursor to the Central Intelligence Agency, during World War II.

At the September 2017 and October 2008 Georgia State Convention the Blue Ridge Mountains Chapter was awarded flag streamers for the highest percentage increase in membership. Our Personal Affairs Coordinator provides us with timely information about services and benefits available to us from National MOAA, as well as providing a link to members and their families who are ill or hospitalized. Our Surviving Spouse Member Liaison keeps our surviving spouses aware of the services provided them by MOAA national and encourages participation in chapter activities. Our secretary submits TAPS Reports as applicable and publishes a biannual Membership Directory. Monthly newsletters are published with updates on monthly meeting information and links to chapter items of interest. We meet on the third Wednesday of every month, usually for a Dutch treat lunch or dinner at a local restaurant. We normally have about 30-40 members at these meetings. Meetings are an opportunity to acquaint yourself with your fellow military officers who reside in this area. Programs vary, covering such topics as federal and state legislation relative to the services, military and organizational history and topics of local interest. At some meetings there is no formal program, just a business meeting/informal visit.

The Blue Ridge Mountains Chapter was chartered in October 1989. Although we are chartered in Georgia, we serve North Georgia (i.e., Fannin, Towns and Union Counties) and Western North Carolina (i.e., Clay and Cherokee Counties). Currently we have about 39 members consisting of retired officers, warrant officers, Surviving Spouse Members and uniformed services from USPHS and NOAA. Wednesday meetings are held for lunch or dinner at various locations. Lunches begin at 11:30 and dinners begin at 5:30 with social time before the meal. Spouses are included in our meetings and are important to the success of our chapter. The Blue Ridge Mountains Chapter was awarded the MOAA Five Star Level of Excellence Award in 2018 and the Four Star Level of Excellence Award in both 2010 and in 2017.