Vietnam
Veterans of AmericaVietnam
Veterans of America
SACRAMENTO VALLEY’S Chapter 500
2008-2009 NON-ELECTED MEMBER COMMITTEES AVAILABLE AND CURRENT MEMBERS
NOTE: In the past, all of the committees have been standing committees per national VVA requirements. At a past National Convention, it was decided that Chapters are to have a choice in what committees they would like to have with the exception of the Nominating Committee, which is elected.
1. MEMBERSHIP AFFAIRS – Shall receive and approve applications from individuals and others wishing to become members of the Corporation, and shall be alert to build the membership of the Corporation by pointing out the advantages and services available to members. The Membership Affairs Committee shall also establish procedures by which an individual member’s status as a veteran may be authenticated. Such procedures shall be in accordance with guidelines established by the Corporation.
2. PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE – Shall act as a liaison between the various committees of the Chapter and the news media, and it shall publicize in the community the purposes, goals, role, activities, and projects of the Corporation, its State Council and the Chapter.
CHAIR: Chip Fong
3. GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
COMMITTEE – Shall seek, through a program of education, to improve the social,
economic, and educational well-being and physical welfare of the Vietnam-era
veterans and other persons through the legislative process at the local, state,
and federal level. The committee shall monitor legislative activities and
represent the opinion of the membership at public hearings and with public
officials.
CHAIR: Don Harper
4. VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE – Shall present programs related to a variety of subjects and special interest. The committee should coordinate its activities closely with the President, other Officers and committee chairpersons. Member: Hank Davis
5. EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES COMMITTEE – Shall develop programs of the awareness on the part of the economic and employment sector of the needs of veterans in employment and business, and shall seek to improve the economic well being of veterans through such programs. Member: Jim Santianna
6. MINORITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE – Shall identify and develop programs of awareness of, and programs of interest to, minority veterans of the Vietnam Veterans of America, and shall seek to expand the membership of minorities in the Vietnam Veterans of America. The Committee shall coordinate its activities closely with the President, other Officers and committee chairpersons.
7. CONSTITUTION COMMITTEE – Shall serve to advise the Board of Directors as to matters of interpretation of the provisions of this Constitution, in accordance with guidelines and determinations of the Corporation.
8. VETERANS BENEFITS COMMITTEE – Shall provide oversight, as directed by the Board of Directors of th4e Corporation, for the Corporation’s Veterans Benefits Program and shall recommend to the Board, policies to govern that program.
9. FINANCE COMMITTEE – Shall provide oversight of the financial activities of the Corporation, the State Council, or Chapter, and shall recommend policies on financial matters, to include, but not limited to assisting and consulting with the Treasurer on all financial planning, budgeting, reporting and other related matters.
10. WOMEN VETERANS COMMITTEE – Shall identify issues and needs relevant to women veterans, develo0 strategies to address and revolve them, and serve as a resource or liaison to and between all other committees,. The Women Veterans Committee will maintain communication, advocacy, and outreach on behalf of women veterans at all levels of the organization.
CHAIR: Karen Anne Winnett
11. THE POW/MIA COMMITTEE – The committee shall also promote awareness of the plight of American POW/MIA’s in Southeast Asia and other areas of the world regardless of the conflict that initiated their disappearance. Member: Ted Adams
12. THE AGENT ORANGE/DIOXIN COMMITTEE – Shall accumulate and disseminate information regarding Agent Orange and Dioxin and actively pursue the recognition of presumptive disabilities from exposure to Agent Orange and Dioxin by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Agent Orange/Dioxin Committee shall provide assistance to State Councils, Chapters and service programs in the handling of Agent Orange related problems. The committee shall encourage and foster the sponsorship of legislation to help the victims of Agent Orange and Dioxin, and encourage scientific and medical research in the field of dioxin-related ailments.
13. THE VETERANS INCARCERATED COMMITTEE – Shall develop advocacy programs of awareness with regard to the special needs of veterans who are presently or formerly incarcerated. The committee shall work with various state and federal agencies to develop programs to assist in the rehabilitation of veterans incarcerated.
14. THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE - shall identify essential social needs related to Vietnam-era veterans, their families, and others, projects in the community related thereto, and shall stimulate appropriate Chapter involvement of resources to meet the needs or assist the projects.
15. THE HEALTH CARE COMMITTEE – shall identify issues and needs relevant to the social, psychological and physical well being of veterans and their families: monitor programs and services at the Federal, State and Local levels to assess quality of health care and develop strategies and policies to assure adequate access for veterans and their families to appropriate, timely and quality health care. The committee will serve as a liaison to health care providers and agencies. MEMBER: Hank Davis
16. PTSD COMMITTEE – Identify the issues, treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
17. NOMINATING COMMITTEE -(MEMBERS ARE ELECTED) - Solicits nominations for all required positions. Verifies that nominees will accept the nominations. Verifies that all nominees are eligible to hold the offices, prepares the ballots and officiates at the elections. The Nominating Committee must have three members and they are elected.
MEMBERS: Joe Cavanagh, Dale Kehoe, Jim Santianna
CHAPTER COMMITTEES
1. HELPING HANDS COMMITTEE – Shall determine veterans and their families in need and present solutions to the Board for determination of how best to assist the veterans and their families.
CHAIR: Jim Santianna
2. VETERANS SERVICES COMMITTEE – Shall be knowledgeable in the area of government services available to veterans and shall assist veterans in obtaining those benefits.
CHAIR: Jesse Garcia MEMBERS: Hank Davis
3. SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE – Shall determine the criteria for receiving Chapter 500 scholarships, review the scholarship entries, and choose the recipients of the scholarship awards.
MEMBERS: Ted Adams, Lorna Perrigo
4. FOOD COMMITTEE - Shall determine food and supplies for each General Meeting. MEMBER: Charlie Peterson
AVVA REPRESENTATIVE: (An elected office) This office is filled by an AVVA member and position is to be a liaison between the Chapter and AVVA membership.
REPRESENTATIVE: Kris Hollinger