CHAPTER 500 APRIL 2004 ELECTION RESULTS

     Chapter 500 elections were held at the Annual Meeting  on April 20, 2004.  Results of the Elections were as follows:
     President:  Gregory C. McNeill
     Vice-President:  Stan Bollinger
     Secretary:  Robert Jordan
     Treasurer:  Dennis "Doc" Kauffman
Board Members: 
     Gerard Fields
     Dino Gomez
     Bill Wagner
Also elected:
A Nominating Committee Chair:  Doc Kauffman
A California State Council Representative:  Open
An AVVA Representative:  Open
Two Representatives for the State Convention:
     Pat Boltinghouse and Dino Gomez

The following Committee Chairs and members were appointed:
Employment, Training and Business Opportunities:
             Jim Santianna
Constitution:  Pat Boltinghouse,  Dino Gomez
Helping Hands:  Doc Kauffman
Veterans Services:  Jesse Garcia
Scholarship Committee:  Dino Gomez, Gerard Fields

     As you can see, there are several committee positions that need to be filled.  As explained last month, the chapter does not have to have each committee filled, only the ones we wish to concentrate on.  However, per national rules, we do have to fill the Nominating Committee, so we need two more members.  We also need an AVVA representative, and a California State Council Representative.  There are four meetings per year. If you can attend at least one CSC meeting in Fresno during the next year, please sign up to be a CSC representative.  Everyone that has gone at least once find the committee meetings very informative.  At the meetings, you will also learn what other Chapters do to help veterans, raise funds and other activities.  Bringing back this information to the chapter is extremely helpful to your chapter.
     In regard to all the committees listed below, review them again.  If you feel one or all is important to the Chapter, then call and volunteer to be chair for that committee.  We will hold up the election reports that go to National VVA until the next meeting.  At that time,  we will drop any committees that do not have chairs.

     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.

            Continued next column..............

COMMITTEES, CONTINUED....
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.
4.  Veterans Affairs Committee - shall present programs related to a variety of subjects and special interests.  The Committee should coordinate its activities closely with the President, other Officers and committee chairpersons.
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.
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 the 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, develop strategies to address and resolve them, and serve as a resource or liaison to and between all other communities.  The Women Veterans Committee will maintain communication, advocacy, and outreach on behalf of women veterans at all levels of the organization.
11.  The POW/MIA Committee - shall act as liaison with the State Council and Chapter POW/MIA Committees.  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.
     Our own Chapter Committees are:
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.
2.  Veterans Services Committee - shall be knowledgeable in the area of government services available to veterans and shall assist veterans in obtaining those benefits.
3.  Scholarship Committee - shall determine the criteria for receiving Chapter 500 scholarships, review the scholarship entries, and choose the recipients of the scholarship awards.
4.  Community Service Committee - while this was a National Committee, Chapter 500 had this committee last year because of the work we do in our community.
     Members please review these committees and let the Chapter know what activities you think are important.

VETERANS AFFILIATED COUNCIL UPDATE

     At the April 14 meeting nominations were made for new officers and trustees.  The following were nominated:
     Commander:  Gregory C. McNeill (VVA)
     Senior Vice Commander:  Floyd Volker (VVA, VFW)
     Junior Vice Commander:  Dennis "Doc Kauffman (VVA)
     Trustee:  Mel Bisgay (VFW)
     Trustee:  John Canfield (VFW)
     Trustee:  Ted Narasaki
    Elections will be held at the May 12th VAC meeting. 

          Also coming up June 4,5,& 6th  will be the CSC State Convention in Ontario.  Pat Boltinghouse and Dino Gomez will be Chapter 500 Delegates.

   EVENT DETAILS FOR MAY

     Normally here, we would have our legislative profile of the month, but there are many events happening in May that you need details on, so we will describe them here.  Next month, we will feature Nicole Parra, the Assembly Chair of the Veterans Committee.

May 8 - VFW Post #1660,Commander Floyd Volker, also a member of VVA and his post is holding a Cinco De Mayo fundraiser.  Have some great Mexican Food.  Takes place at VFW Post #67, located at 2784 Stockton Blvd.  7PM.  Tickets are $10. per person.  For info.  call 427-6913
May 11 - Attend the VFW Legislative Conference held at the Capitol.  Day begins at 8:30AM with no-host breakfast, followed by a workshop and visits with your legislators to discuss Veteran issues. All Veterans are welcome.  Call Mel Bisgay, 454-3308
May 13 - East Lawn Memorial Park 100 Year Commemorative Ceremony - All are invited to attend the 100 year anniversary celebration at East Lawn, located at 43rd and Folsom Blvd. at 4PM.  East Lawn was the sponsor of the recent visit from "The Moving Wall".
May 22 - "A Salute to Veterans" - Rev. Bill McDonald hosting. 12-4. Veterans are invited to bring their artwork, books, poetry, etc. to show and/or sell. Poetry, etc. will be read from 2-4. A Veteran workshop will also take place with Service Officers, PTSD information, Job information, Blood Pressure testing, etc.  Bring your DD214 for claims filing.  All Veteran organizations are welcome to bring their information. Location is BJ's Place, a coffee shop and deli, 9090 Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove.  For more info, call Bill at 685-9091.
May 28 - Boy Scouts and VAC place flags on Veterans graves at the City Cemetery.  VVA500 members are encouraged to attend at 5:30PM Call Doc Kauffman for information,  359-5224
May 29 - Ceremony at the City Cemetery honoring Veterans, Riverside and Broadway, 10AM, call Doc Kauffman for information.
May 29 - Congressman Doug Ose is providing a live feed of the Dedication of the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C. for those Veterans who could not go to D.C.  Location is San Juan High School, 7551 Greenback Ln., Citrus Heights.  Doors open at 9AM, event will last until approximately 1PM.  Cong. Ose will attend.  The Post Office will be unveiling the first day issues of the new WWII stamp. Call Terri Brewster at 489-3684 for info and to RSVP for attendance.
May 29 - "A Tribute to CA Latino Veterans" - Takes place at the Mexican-American Memorial located on 10th St. across from the West side of the Capitol.  1PM, free food will be served.  Call Phil Rios for information 310-6586.
           Continued in the next column►►►►
 

AFTER ACTION REPORT

     Chapter 500's month started out April 1-7 with the culmination of all of the work that went into helping East Lawn Memorial Park bring "The Moving Wall" to Sacramento.  East Lawn did a wonderful job in presenting the Wall to Veterans, their families and the public.  Many of Chapter 500's members and other veteran organizations participated by being docents, readers and program participants.  We were pleased to have CSC President Dick Southern and his wife Carol visit the Wall on the Opening Day.  Special thanks goes out to the Folsom Joint Veterans Association for assisting in many areas and to the service men and women from Beale Air Force Base who provided docents and late night vigils.
     The California State Council Meeting was attended by Monty Montoya, who found the committee meetings very informative.
     Joseph Cavanagh, chair of the Roseville Veterans Hall Board attended the monthly meeting on April 5.
     The Chapter's regular Board Meeting was held on April 6th at the Roseville Hall.
     President McNeill and ED Mary Lou McNeill attended the annual American Ex-POW's 49er Chapter luncheon held in honor of all POW's on April 9.
     Several members attended the Veterans Affiliated Council meeting on April 14.  President McNeill was nominated to be Commander of the VAC.
     ED Mary Lou McNeill attended the monthly meeting of the Stand-Down Committee held at Mather Hospital on April 19. The Sacramento Stand-Down will take place this year October 1,2, and 3rd.  The Chapter will be actively involved.
     Chapter 500's Annual Meeting took place on April 20.  Elections were held.  We had a Vietnam Veteran John Madden and his wife visiting from Australia at the meeting.  Pizza, soft drinks and coffee were served. 
     Two Memorial Day Parade Committee meetings were held on April 22nd and April 29 and were attended by ED McNeill.
     Preparations continue for "The Reading of the Names" and the Memorial Day Parade as well on starting preparations for assisting Rev. Bill McDonald for his "Salute to Veterans" event to be held May 22.

        Events continued.....
May 31st - The Special Events Committee of The Jazz Festival will be having a ceremony at 10AM at the Convention Center just before the Parade.  The theme for this year will be "A Salute to WWII Veterans".  The keynote speaker will be Lt. Col. Edwin Price Ramsey who led the final US Calvary Charge in the Philippines.  WWII era patriotic and jazz music will be played.  Mike Boyd, formerly of KCRA will be the Master of Ceremonies and retired Military Chaplain Major General James Ward from VFW Post 6604 will provide the Memorial Prayer and comments.

THE VVA500 CHAPTER CALENDAR
►►GET ONE FOR YOURSELF◄◄

Help VVA500 raise funds for scholarships and other important Chapter activities.  You can purchase this 8 1/2 x 11inch laminated wall calendar for $5.00.  If you are coming to a meeting, order ahead and it will be ready for you.  Orders by mail, send check or money order for $5. plus 50 cents for postage and mail to address.  The calendar contains all important holiday dates, military birthdays and important VVA event dates, and chapter information.

"THE MOVING WALL"
APRIL 1-7, 2004
WE THANK EAST LAWN MEMORIAL PARK FOR BRINGING THE WALL TO SACRAMENTO

 

Chapter 500 Provides the Color Guard for the Opening Ceremony for the "Reading of the Names" for the Wall.

BG Ezell Ware, Jr., Chapter 500 Member is the Keynote Speaker at the "Reading Ceremony"

It was a Beautiful Site to see at Night

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

      Continuing our series on Disaster Preparedness, this month we will continue with another category for your disaster kit.                   SANITATION
Toilet Paper, towelettes
Soap, liquid detergent
Feminine supplies
Personal Hygiene items
Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
Plastic bucket with tight lid
Disinfectant
Household chlorine bleach

THE GOLDEN WEST EAA REGIONAL FLY-IN

     All of you airplane buffs pay attention to this........ submitted by VVA member Jerry Quint ►►►►►
     The Golden West EAA Regional Fly-In will be presented June 18, 19, & 20, 2004 at the Yuba County Airport in Marysville, CA.  This will be the third year for this event to be a Marysville, and it gets bigger and better every year.
     There will be FREE airplane rides for children ages 8-17, pancake breakfasts each morning, early bird BBQ dinner Friday evening, AIRSHOW on Saturday, Saturday evening BANQUET and entertainment, WAR BIRDS for viewing, Sunday, WAR BIRD fly bys.  Cont. ►►►

GOLDEN WEST REGIONAL FLY-IN, CONT.

     Other aircraft attending are homebuilts, antiques, classics, and factory built aircraft.  There will be food vendors, trams for moving people, forums workshops vendors, and exhibitors.  This event is completely presented by volunteers, and that's where we need your help.
     Some volunteers work year around, meeting monthly to plan for the next event, some assist to set up during the week prior to the event, many more work during the three days of the event, and others help pick up and clean up after the event.
     Volunteers are provided with FREE LUNCH, DRINKS, ADMISSION, PARKING AND CAMPING.  There are numerous positions to be filled, and those may be viewed at www.goldenwestflyin.org. (Click on Volunteers).  I am the coordinator for trams, which are tractor drawn trailers with benches, and the trash pickup detail.  Other areas are:  gate security, admission sales, and automobile parking.  My suggestion is that people sign up in pairs or groups.  That way you are working with people you know.  If you would like some help with your decision, please call Jerry Quint at 916-332-7752, or e-mail jerellie@juno.com.  I will help you sign up, and will be there to greet you with your wrist bands, lunch ticket, and a smile.