WINTER 2015 NATIONAL LINES SYLVIA W. ROWLAND NATIONAL PRESIDENT "EVERY DAY IS VETERANS DAY"
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WINTER 2015 NATIONAL LINES
SYLVIA W. ROWLAND
NATIONAL PRESIDENT
“EVERY DAY IS VETERANS DAY”
Sylvia W. Rowland
National President
Sylvia1042@gmail.com
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! The past four months
have whizzed by, leaving me shocked that 2014 is
over. As I reflect on the events of the past months for
me personally, it has been unbelievable. In September
I was just getting my feet wet, taking care of many little
things to get the year started.
Our Officers Meeting was held September 20th in Raleigh, North Carolina. The meeting was
very productive. The Officers returned home and continued preparing their letters and printed
material to their counterparts. Since that time they have communicated with their counterparts
and answered many questions by email and phone. NEC reports were due December 1 st.
They are now being compiled, reviewed for proper program reporting and statistics are being
checked. Shortly before NEC reports were due, I sent out an email asking all National Officers
to notify all NECs when their report was received. Your National Officers are here to help you!
From October 27th through November 14th, I was privileged to travel with National Commander
Via, his wife Karen and my daughter Rebecca to Taiwan, South Korea and Hawaii. It was
without a doubt the most wonderful trip imaginable; very educational and informative. I was
extremely honored to represent AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary at many events, dinners, receptions
and briefings by our military. My respect for our military has grown immensely. Thank you for
this opportunity to serve as your National President and experience this once in a lifetime trip.
At this stage of the year our concern is reporting membership renewals, new members and new
life members. MEMBERSHIP IS OUR MOST IMPORTANT PROGRAM. PLEASE send
membership to National Headquarters immediately. Do not postpone until all are collected but
mail as you process them. The Spring NEC Meeting will be early this year so let’s send
membership in to our Headquarters staff to help them meet their obligations for January,
February and March.
I’m hoping for a great turnout for our NEC meeting, March 5-8, 2015. We’re all working hard to
make this meeting informative and fun. The Silver Helmet Banquet will be on Friday night and
our Humanitarian Award winner will be present to receive their award. Our winners are from
Morristown, Tennessee and are the founders of The Daily Bread Community Kitchen, Hobe and
Sue Williams. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have been feeding the hungry in Morristown for 20 years.
They are dedicated to providing a clean and welcoming environment for anyone in the
community who needs a hot meal. The Williams have been fortunate over the years to have
people in the community as well as many, many others supporting them in feeding the hungry.
Their kitchen depends on donations and local volunteers to get the work done. They operate
on the slogan “If you are hungry, you are welcome”. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are very
deserving candidates for our Humanitarian Award and we are proud to recognize them.
Take time and remember…”EVERY DAY IS VETERANS DAY…”
AMVETS National Ladies Auxiliary
“We waited together…
Now let’s work together”
January 16, 2015
TO: National Officers, PNP’s, Department Presidents, Secretaries and NEC’s
FROM: Carol King, National Executive Administrator
SUBJECT: FIRST CALL - 2015 Spring NEC Meeting Information
The 2014 Spring NEC and Silver Helmet Banquet will be held on March 5 – 8, 2015 with the banquet being held
Friday, March 7, 2015. The hotel information is as follows:
Hotel: Hilton Alexandria Mark Center
Address: 5000 Seminary Road, Alexandria VA 22311
Pricing: $117.00 per night, plus tax/Parking - $8.00 per night
For reservations visit www.hiltonalexandriamc.com or call (800) 445-8997 or (703) 845-1010. Please check our
website – www.amvetsaux.org or the AMVETS website – www.amvets.org – for updates. If you plan on flying,
you want to use Ronald Reagan Airport – DCA.
NEC Reports are due to National Headquarters by February 1, 2015. If at all possible, please email them in
WORD format to cking@amvets.org.
There will be a Congressional Reception on Thursday, March 5 at 8:00am in Room 334 in the Cannon House
Office Building followed by National Commander Larry Via’s Congressional testimony at 10:00am in Cannon
Caucus Room 345. Following these events, a luncheon/Memorial Service is TENTATIVELY scheduled at AMVETS
National Headquarters.
As in the past, AMVETS will be providing buses for the events. IF you plan on attending these functions, I MUST
know by February 20, 2015 so I can give a total of attendees. Please let me know via email names/states of those
attending. Seats on the buses are on a first-come, first-serve basis so please get your request in as soon as
possible.
Here is the link for purchasing Silver Helmet Awards Banquet tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/amvets-2015-silver-helmet-banquet-tickets-10082375657
The NEC Registration Form and Agenda can be found in the back of this newsletter. Please feel free to share this
information! It will also be posted on the website by week’s end. If you have any questions, please contact
Auxiliary National Headquarters.
National Headquarters • 4647 Forbes Boulevard • Lanham, Maryland 20706-4380
(301) 459-6255 Fax: (301) 459-5403 www.amvetsaux.org
“BUILD YOUR MEMBERSHIP”
Kathy Berning – National 1st Vice President
berninkm@cfu.net
As you BUILD YOUR MEMBERSHIP WITH NEW VOLUNTEERS, keep in mind that all of our
renewals have been received into Headquarters so now is the time to start working on those
bring back members to our organization along with new members. We continue to run our
membership year from January through December so that any member signed up is considered
new.
Please take the time to make contact with those that haven’t yet renewed. Encourage them to
come to your meetings. Let them know what is going on in you Auxiliary. Call them to
participate in activities, sometimes they just need an invitation to help, and to join. We have so
much going for us that sharing is sometimes all that is needed.
Membership continues to be processed at Headquarters and I hope all of our Membership
Chairmen continue to encourage their Locals in building their membership. Please remember
that our Veterans could not receive the services that they deserve without our local members.
Our programs of the National, Department and Locals benefit from the works of all of our
members.
So continue to support, to build for the future of our organization as you BUILD YOUR
MEMBERSHIP WITH NEW VOLUNTEERS.
“GET ON BOARD!!
Step up and make a difference in the life of a child”
Evelyn McElvin – National 2nd Vice President
Bleve123@aol.com
Happy New Year to all! Wow! Thanks to all the NEC women who sent in their Mid-Year reports.
I was overwhelmed by all the projects being done to benefit our children. You are also doing
such a good job raising money for our hearing impaired children helped by the John Tracy
Clinic (JTC). That’s the way to “Get on Board! Step up and make a difference in a child’s life.
On Monday, November 24, 2014, I had the honor of a special tour at JTC. I was picked up from
my hotel by Marilee Potthoff an associate director at JTC. Then I was greeted by President
Linda Enciso of Auxiliary #113 Irwindale, CA and 7 other Auxiliary members along with an
AMVET member. Jill Muhs, VP of programs and Joey Perlmutter introduced us to the staff and
we were given a tour of the entire property.
Hearing loss in newborn babies can be detected before a newborn leaves the hospital. In many
cases JTC is the first stop after a baby fails a newborn hearing test. Within a few weeks of birth
a child’s brainwaves can be watched at UFC’s Childhood Center within a couple of weeks of
birth, they can watch the child brain waves to tell if they can hear and with special tools they are
able to access speech in older children.
We were able to see rooms that were decorated like your rooms at home, a living room, kitchen
and bedroom. The parents and child come in once a week for an hour for this home teaching
for children. I was very excited when we entered a classroom of children and we were able to
sit with them; Linda and I sang a song together. We introduced ourselves to each other in the
classroom and one of the students presented me with 2 handmade American Flags. What an
honor it was to receive those. I will forever treasure them and remember where they came
from. Watching these students learn to listen, sing, speak and communicate with others was
truly amazing. We had a lovely lunch and CEO Gaston Kent told many of his interesting
stories. I really enjoyed everything and their hospitality was great.
JTC is also out in the community providing 20,000 screenings to preschoolers every year at no
charge. The earlier a child is diagnosed with a hearing impairment, the quicker that child can
begin treatment. They also help military families as well, some serving in the US and others in
foreign countries. These families are especially helped by the correspondence course offered
by JTC. This course is funded by organizations like AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary. We have been
donating funds to JTC since 1977. Each of you has truly made a tremendous difference to JTC
and the children they serve all over the world.
April is John Tracy Clinic Month! Plan your fundraiser now to benefit the children at JTC and
children all over the world. As you work on projects that benefit children think about the year-
end awards given at National Convention in August:
PNP Cathy Fishero Award to the Department doing the most outstanding work in
Child Welfare. NO ENTRY FORM REQUIRED: based on NEC Child Welfare
Service Report;
PNP Rita I. Cornell Award to the Local doing the most outstanding work in their
community benefiting children. Monetary donations will not be considered;
Annual Child Welfare Report and Convention Digest form REQUIRED;
PNP Delia Kreiling-Riley Award to the Local doing the most outstanding work for
John Tracy Clinic. Amount of funds donation is to be included; entry form
REQUIRED from Convention Digest;
John Tracy Clinic Certificates presented to individuals, Local Auxiliaries, or
Departments for Donations of $100.00 or more and $500.00 or more.
During my JTC visit I brought up the possibility of certificates being presented for individual,
Local Auxiliary and Department donations of at least $100.00 as well $500.00. JTC staff and
CEO Kent confirmed this would not be a problem. Please note the change in the award criteria
above.
On a personal note my family and I would like to thank each of you for your overwhelming
prayers, cards, e-mails, phone calls, flowers and your AMVET family love, during the loss of my
dear Mother.
If I can be of any assistance, please contact me and together let’s “Get on Board! Step up
and make a difference in a child’s life”.
Evelyn McElvin, National 2nd Vice President’s visit to John Tracy Clinic
Linda Enciso Auxiliary President CA #113, Auxiliary members and AMVET member
in front of the huge 150 year old Morton Bay Fig tree near the main building.
“Pair Up to Build Strong Communities”
Marvell Ruppel –National 3rd Vice President
meruppel@yahoo.com
Greetings Auxiliary Sisters and Happy New Year!
As we enter the new year I would like you to take a step back and evaluate the Community
Service work that you do, the projects that you report, and the activities that you probably are
not reporting.
As mentioned previously, this year PAWS® has asked that we focus on promoting education
regarding how to know the difference between a legitimate assistance dog training program and
others that pass themselves off as assistance dog programs, but really provide little if any
training for the dogs or support to the clientele that purchase these dogs. A second mailing will
be sent to all Department Community Service Chairmen with the pertinent information regarding
this program. It will also be posted on our National AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary website.
Reports for the mid-year have been received. It seems there is still much confusion as to how
to categorize activities for the various programs. On a quick note – anything dealing with
communities (e.g. Habitat for Humanity, blood drives, food pantry donations, serving meals,
helping families, non- service related homeless shelters, etc.) - should be recorded under
Community Service. Errors are slipping past Department officers, including National Executive
Committeewomen. I’m sure there will be more discussion about reports at the National
Executive Committee meeting. I hope there will be good representation from our membership
at this meeting and that information will be passed to those unable to attend.
In my last National Lines article, I stated that I wanted to create an “idea list” of activities that
can be shared with other Departments, Districts, and Local Auxiliaries that could be passed
down from year to year to help build a foundation of project activities. As an incentive, I
indicated that there would be special recognition at our National Convention in Alabama for
those members who contributed to the list of project ideas. To date, I have not received any
response to this request. I guess this means that there is nothing that people want to share or,
maybe, people are just not interested in sharing their ideas. This is unfortunate; every Auxiliary
member has a unique idea and/or talent to build our Auxiliary. This said I’d like to end with a
short story about “Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody”. Perhaps you’ve heard it.
Let’s “Pair Up to Build Strong Communities”! God Bless America, our troops, and our Veterans.
“FAN THE FLAMES OF EDUCATION…
SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIP”
Leslie Nell – National Scholarship Officer
Lnell_1955@yahoo.com
It’s that time of year when we begin winding down our Scholarship activities to focus on the
applicants for the Scholarships to be awarded at our National Convention in Birmingham,
Alabama. Remember that the deadline for all applications is July 1 st. They must be postmarked
by this date and sent to Auxiliary National Headquarters.
All of the scholarship applications have been updated and are on the National Auxiliary website:
www.amvetsaux.org. Please make sure to stress that all questions MUST be addressed and
answered for the application to be eligible for judging. The applicant must also include all the
other required documentation i.e. transcript of grades (no copies), a copy of the current
Auxiliary member’s card and relationship, etc. I cannot impress upon you enough that if any
one of these required items is missing the application is no longer eligible.
Remember, there are 3 different scholarships available. They are the College Support, Career
Start and the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Scholarship, with multiple awards depending on
donations. So, in other words the number of scholarships awarded is based on your donations.
Please continue to support our National Scholarship Program.
I look forward to reviewing all of the scholarship applications and have a great group of
committee members to help with the judging. We could always use more help so if you’re
coming to Convention and would like to help with judging please email me and I’ll add you to
the committee.
If at any time you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me. It is a
pleasure to be able to serve as your National Scholarship Officer and I look forward to hearing
from you.
BEVERLY STUDEBAKER
NATIONAL CHAPLAIN
studebakercr@comcast.net
I thank you again for the honor of serving as your National Chaplain. I pray everyone will have
a healthy and Happy New Year.
The Department Chaplains are doing a good job sending in their reports most are coming in
complete and legible. I have had a few that were very light copies. Remember in order to
process them I have to be able to read them. Please verify the addresses of the next of kin as
a few have been returned. Call me or send an e-mail if you have any questions on filling out
the reports.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank PNP’s Leslie Wunderle, Linda McGriff and Heidi
Dineen-Serpis for helping me recreate the book of prayers that was originally collated by Leslie
and Linda. Continue to pray for one another, our families, our military and our Veterans.
Remember with prayers all things are possible.
“REMEMBER THEIR SACRIFICES”
Dee Baggett – National Americanism Officer
doe123dee@aol.com
I want to thank everyone for the all hard work that was reflected in your mid-year reports!! I
enjoyed reading about the outstanding projects done the first half of the reporting year in
support of our Veterans as well as other Americanism projects.
Please keep in mind that our National Project is Freedom’s Foundation. My project this year is
the refurbishing of the Martha Washington Building Lobby. The lobby is looking very well used
and could use a face lift. The brochure for this project can be found on our National Website. I
challenge every Local Auxiliary to hold a fundraiser in May which is Freedom’s Foundation
month to support the refurbishing of the Martha Washington Building.
The seminar held annually at Freedom’s Foundation is always held the second weekend in
October and all the final plans should be available soon. We are looking for innovative ways to
increase attendance and would appreciate any and all input you might have. The property is
beautiful with every Medal of Honor winner recognized in their Honor Grove and a copy of each
citation can be found in the Knox building. As soon as these brochures are ready they also will
be available on our website.
Don’t forget to fill out those service reports for all your hard work, so you will be ready to apply
for awards. PNP Heidi Dineen-Serpis sponsors an award for the Department doing the most
outstanding work in Americanism. PNP Patty Piening sponsors an award for the Local Auxiliary
doing the most outstanding work in Americanism. There is even an award for the individual
doing the most outstanding work!
If I can help you in any way please feel free to contact me. Also please let me know if you have
a fundraiser or project that you can share with your Auxiliary sisters as I would like to compile a
list for the National Convention to be shared at the Americanism meeting.
SHEILA JACKSON
National Sergeant-at-Arms
She2042457@maricopa.edu
Greetings to all as we welcome in the New Year of 2015! I hope everyone had a wonderful
holiday season, and is now excitedly waiting for spring to arrive.As we enter the New Year we continue to face what may at times appear to be overwhelming challenges in the world around us. There are many people who do not readily recognize the freedoms that we share as Americans. We have an amazing heritage and need to continue to focus on not only supporting our Veterans but also educating our youth about the history of our American heritage and the magnitude of this history upon the creation and symbolism behind our American Flag. In researching the American flag and the importance of Americanism, I found that our very own AMVETS have an wonderful Americanism program that has an abundance of resources which can be used to educate our youth and our communities about the history, care and display of our American flag. The AMVETS Americanism program is a patriotic program, which offers schools and youth organizations as a resource for teaching children in kindergarten through 12th grade about their American heritage, civics and citizenship. The program also includes flag drawing, poster and essay contests that are grade specific and age appropriate. AMVETS and AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary sponsor a series of contests at the local and state level wherein children design flags or posters and write essays. To access this information please use the following link: http://www.amvets.org/programs/americanism/. And the National Flag Foundation also has information regarding the history of the American Flag titled “America’s Flag Authority” that I found very useful and it can be accessed via the following link: http://www.americanflags.org/index.flash.html It’s a very exciting time, our membership year has ended and a new membership year has begun. As we begin to recruit new members and renew our memberships I find it to be a perfect time to refresh us all on our uniforms. Our Auxiliary has a distinct uniform which distinguishes us from other organizations. Therefore it is important that we wear the uniform with pride and respect. I’ve been able to gather a few different resources that can be useful in locating our uniform items in the correct colors such as www.blair.com, which offers pants, jackets, and my personal favorite place for jackets is All Heart, which is a website for nurses, but their white lab coats are perfect for our purposes, http://www.allheart.com/womens-lab- coats/c/1325/. If you know of other resources, please share them with us. The Spring NEC is quickly approaching us. The 2015 Spring NEC and Silver Helmet Banquet will be held on March 5th – 8th, 2015, for reservations visit www.hiltonalexandriamc.com. Please check our website – www.amvetsaux.org or the AMVETS website – www.amvets.org – for updates. I would like to say thank you in advance to all who have signed up to page for the NEC meeting on Saturday, March 7th. If you are planning on attending we would love to have you volunteer to Page, please contact me directly to sign up. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated. It is a wonderful way to serve your Auxiliary and also meet new people from other states. More information will be sent out to those that have already volunteered prior to NEC. Please feel free to call, write or email with any questions you might have regarding the American Flag, protocol, our uniform, or other questions about being a Sgt.-At-Arms. I look forward to hearing from you. God Bless You and your family and Happy New Year!!
“Our Family Caring for Yours”
Barbara Valley
National Hospital Officer
Valleybarb1948@gmail.com
The holidays are over and some would say, “Time to get back to a normal life.” For our
servicemen and women that are in VA Medical Centers, going for treatment there, being seen
at the VA clinics or those in the nursing homes that statement doesn’t ring true for them.
So many of our Veterans don’t have a normal life and some will never have that again.
However, with your help we can bring a little joy to them each day, not just at holiday time.
Your reports show you care, but there is still more we must do. Our volunteers are down so we
need to recruit more of our members to take the time to visit these wonderful men and women.
A smile with a thank you goes a long way. So does an ear to listen to them, or a shoulder to
lean on. Try sitting and having a cup of coffee with them if this is permissible in your area.
Remember you may be the only family they have.
As we go into the last half of our year, I’m requesting each of you to partner up with a friend or a
young adult as you visit our military heroes. Remember February 8 th thru February 14th is the
“National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans”. The purpose of this program is to pay tribute and
express appreciation to Veterans; increase community awareness of the role of the VA medical
center; to encourage citizens to visit hospitalized Veterans and to become involved as
volunteers. Events throughout this week will be held at most VA Medical Centers to let our
veterans know they are not forgotten. AMVETS “Because We Care Day” in April each year is
another way to honor our Veterans.
I know many of you have a special Hospital project you participate in. Please take the time to
send me a brief description of what the project is all about. I’d like to compile a list to pass on to
other Auxiliaries. You may be doing something that others never thought about.
My theme this year is “Our Family Caring for Yours” so let us all show just how much we care.
Our National project is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Check out their web page
www.stjude.org for more information.
Please contact me at valleybarb1948@gmail.com . Keep in mind that by sharing we work as a
team and as a team we can get the job done. Thank you for what you do and have done for
those that served and those that are serving. Thank you for serving the American Veteran in the
name of AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary.
God Bless each of you and God Bless America,
He’s waiting for you. Visitors are
so important to recovery.SACKETTES
Honor and Fun Organization of AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary
Cindy Rice
National Snappiest
Efda89@yahoo.com
Welcome to winter! Hope everyone is staying healthy and warm. Here in Ohio we have an
epidemic with cold /flu virus and the shots are not for the type of strain it is. Today we have our
first bit of snow with more on the way. Happy New Year to all of you and may it be a
prosperous, productive and healthy one!
There isn’t much action happening with National Sackettes at this time. We are in the midst of
getting the Units to renew membership and send in their revals. Sackettes we have in our
Constitution and Bylaws that we follow National Auxiliary rules as far as membership and when
the year begins which is in January 1st. I am looking forward to seeing some of the Sackettes at
the NEC in March in Alexandria, Virginia at 10:31am; the room is to be determined. Bring your
noise makers and thinking caps so we can have some fun yet figure out ways to keep our
Organization going.
I have sent information to Kansas, Arizona, Florida and Missouri to hopefully someday begin
Sackette Units. We have to follow the rules of the IRS just like our parent organization so if you
start a Unit be sure to apply for your EIN.
Thank You for the opportunity to not serve as the Snappiest and I do not hope you have a great
year!!!
NEC is right around the corner and National Convention not far behind. The raffle tickets books
for convention will be available for pick up. I’m looking for some “Princesses” to work their
magic. If interested please let me know by e-mail Limcg22@yahoo.com. I look forward to a
good sale and to seeing your smiling faces once again!!
THANK YOU - Linda McGriff aka “The Raffle Queen”At this time of year VA Medical Centers Marie Rorrio are preparing for their National Salute to National VAVS Representative Hospitalized Veterans, which is held at all VAMC the week of February 14th. The mcrorrio@yahoo.com first Wednesday in April is “Because We Care Day” where AMVETS and Auxiliary members distribute “Care Kits” and visit with those hospitalized Veterans. The Volunteer Recognition Banquet is a special time to recognize volunteers for their years of service. Volunteers are treated to a luncheon or dinner and presented pins and certificates for hours served. My congratulations to all AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Volunteers who are receiving awards! Thank you for your dedicated service to the hospitalized Veteran. April -- NATIONAL VAVS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING The 69th VAVS National Advisory Committee Meeting will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, April 22-24, 2015. If you plan to go and have not made your reservations, please contact your Chief of Voluntary Service at your VAMC and she/he will be glad to supply the necessary information. I also have the itinerary and hotel information; you may also contact me by email mcrorrio@yahoo.com and I will be happy to forward. At the Parke Luncheon I will be presenting the contributions to the Parke Youth Scholarship on your behalf for last year’s contributions. James H. Parke Memorial Youth Memorial Scholarship General Information James H. Parke was the first Director of Voluntary Service and the founding father of the Department of Veteran Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) National Advisory Committee (NAC). The James H. Parke Memorial Fund, comprised of VAVS NAC member organizations, was established in 1976 to serve as the non-profit source of funds for a VAVS Youth Scholarship. Organizations, volunteers, VA staff and others continue to contribute to the Fund. The scholarships may be used for tuitions and fees, books and supplies and/or room and board or other educational needs purchased through the school of the students’ choice. Scholarship winners must use their awards by their 24th birthday. All winners receive detailed guidance concerning scholarship utilization from the Treasurer of the Fund. Nominations -- Each Medical Center may nominate one VAVS student volunteer for receipt of the award. Recommendations may be made by any VA staff member who acts as a supervisor of the student volunteer or member of the local VAVS Committee. This recommendation should be discussed with the Chief, Voluntary Service, before submission to the Medical Center Director. To be eligible, candidates must have completed 100 hours of regularly scheduled VAVS volunteer service during the calendar year prior to September 1; be a student in the 10 th grade or above; and have not reached their 19th birthday.
The Medical Center Director nominates a candidate for the award by submission of the
nomination form to the President of the Fund by November 1. Nominations received after that
date will not be considered.
The nomination from should be completed to reflect the volunteer service and background of
the candidate and include: Age, years of volunteering, number of volunteer hours, areas of
service, and affiliated/supporting organizations, if any.
Criteria on which candidates are evaluated for consideration of awards include:
Scholastic Activity
Dependability
Fulfillment and acceptance of responsibility
Personality and pleasantness to patients and staff
Leadership capability
Inspiration to patients through service performed
Appearance
The National Winner receives a plaque and a letter commitment. This presentation is made at
the Annual Meeting of the VAVS National Advisory Committee.
Cindy Rice
Honors and Awards Chairman
Efda89@yahoo.com
Madam President, thank you for the honor of working with you and your team of Officers as
your Honors and Awards Chair. This year’s theme is coming along spectacularly and with the
team we have, it will be a lot of fun.
Member’s, don’t forget to read your Convention Digest which has all the current applications for
National Awards. You should be proud to show all your hard work and dedication put forth for
our Veterans, our communities and for the AMVET family as a whole. Your year of volunteering
is greatly appreciated and when the AMVETS address the Hill in Washington DC they use the
volunteer hours to prove we are doing the great work we say. This is how we get funding for
our VA facilities throughout the Nation so every little bit helps!
Looking forward to another fun filled Honors and awards Program, see you soon!Sue Dick
History/Scrapbook Chairman
Suesjoy2000@yahoo.com
It has come to our attention that there is a misprint in the Manual as to the criteria for History
and Scrap book submission. The printed “Mandatory Order” criteria in the Convention Digest is
correct however for this year only, the Judging Committee will accept books submitted using
either format for this year only. I am so sorry for the error and it will be corrected at National
Convention.
My mailing address has changed to 639 Old Folkstone Road, Sneads Ferry, North Carolina
28460. The phone numbers as well as my email remain the same.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Denise Speigle
National Junior AMVETS Coordinator
Queenbee.speigle@gmail.com
It’s hard to believe that the holidays have come and gone, summer is around the corner and
National Convention is quickly coming upon us. With that being said, I would like to give a few
reminders.
Any membership to be considered for the 2014-2015 service year awards must be submitted by
June 30, 2015. Copies of D&R’s are also to be sent to the National Junior President, National
Senior Vice President and National Auxiliary Coordinator.
At this time, everyone should be getting their year-end service reports ready to be mailed.
These reports will include the complete service year (June 1, 2014 thru May 31, 2015) and will
be submitted with a postmark no later than June 30th. If there is no report, please submit a
report stating such. Please send a copy to the National President, National Junior Vice
President and the National Auxiliary Coordinator. Those with questions or needing help with
their reporting, please contact me by phone or email.
Over the last of couple years, we have chartered six (6) Junior posts with hopes of continuing
the trend. However, it does take the willingness and open arms of your AMVETS Family to help
them along the way and prosper. I promise you, give these young people the opportunity to be
part of your organization and it will be rewarding to both you and them. A kind word and a little
help goes a long way.
Interested in starting a Junior AMVETS at your local post or need a little information to explain
the purpose of Junior AMVETS? Please give me a ring or send an e-mail I would love to talk to
you. Being involved with these young people is very rewarding!Junior AMVETS President Hunter Hawk chose Homes for Our Troops, “Building Homes, Building Happiness, Building Hope” as her pet project. President Hunter and her fellow Juniors have been working hard throughout this year to make her project a success. For more information on her project please visit www.hfotusa.org. I am looking forward to seeing many of you at National Convention in Birmingham, Alabama.
AMVETS National Ladies Auxiliary
69th Annual Convention
August 15 – 22, 2015
Birmingham, Alabama
“The Magic City”
Sheraton Birmingham Hotel
2101 Richard Arrington, Jr. Boulevard N. ALABAMA NIGHT – TBA
Birmingham, Alabama 35203 More information at
Sheratonbirmingham.com
the Spring NEC
Reservations: (205) 324-5000
Room Rate: $119.00 (plus tax)
Cut-off Date: Tuesday, July 20, 2015
Parking: $6.00 per night
The Sheraton Birmingham Hotel offers a free airport shuttle service from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 pm.
I will be sharing more information at the Spring NEC Meeting.
Volunteers are needed in all areas. If you are interested,
Ppease submit your name, address, telephone number and e-mail address to:
Charlene D. Kee, National Convention Chair
P. O. Box 457
Eustis, FL 32727
(352) 357-0866
CHRLNKEE@AOL.COM
Areas:
Bag Stuffers (Tentative Sunday, August 16, 2015)
Registration (Tentative Monday, August 17 – August 22, 2015)
Meeting Room Helpers (Tentative Wednesday, August 19 – August 22, 2015)
Alabama Night Helpers (Tentative Wednesday, August 19, 2015)
Door Prizes and Candy (Help)SPONSORED BY THE TRAINING
COMMITTEE FOR
OUR PROGRAM DONATIONS
“A QUARTER-LESS AUCTION”
LOTS OF FUN, PRIZES AND ALL FOR
A GOOD CAUSE!
MARCH 7TH, 2015 – 7:00pm
LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO ON SATURDAY NIGHT AT NEC?
COME JOIN US AND LEARN A NEW FUNDRAISER FOR YOUR LOCAL AUXILIARY. You say
“What’s a quarter-less auction?” Be the first in line at 7:00pm and find out.
The auction will begin at 7:30pm and it only cost a quarter to play. Paddles will cost
$3.00 each or 2/$5.00. You bring your dollars and we’ll have the quarter-less tokens.
There will be plenty of chances to win fabulous prizes.
ROOM TO BE ANNOUNCED AT THE MEETINGAMVETS NATIONAL LADIES AUXILARY
2015 NEC REGISTRATION FORM
Return form to:
AMVETS National Ladies Auxiliary
4647 Forbes Blvd – Lanham, MD 20706
Deadline – Postmarked by FEBRUARY 20, 2015
Name: Date:
Department: Local Auxiliary #:
Phone Number: Email Address:
Please
check PNP NEC Alt. NEC Dept. President Guest
Office Held:
Registration Deadline
Postmarked by FEBRUARY 20, 2015
Registration Fee - $20.00
Total Amount Enclosed
Payment Check or
Method Money Cash Visa Master Discover
(Check One) Order Card
Card Number: Expiration Month Year (3)Digit number on back of
Date card:
Name as it appears on Card:
Address of Cardholder:
City: State: Zip Code:
Signature of Card Holder:
ALL ATTENDEES MUST PAY REGISTRATION FEE – NO EXCEPTIONSAMVETS NATIONAL LADIES AUXILIARY
2015 SPRING NEC MEETING
March 5 – 8, 2015
Hilton Alexandria Mark Center
Alexandria, Virginia
***Agenda Subject to Change without Prior Notice***
Thursday, March 5, 2015
6:15am – 6:30am Buses load for Hill Breakfast/National Center porte-cochere off parking
Commander’s Testimony lot
6:30am Buses depart for Capitol Hill Follow bus captains
8:00am Hill Breakfast Reception Cannon Office Building 334
10:00am Commander’s VAC Testimony Cannon Office Building 345
11:15am – 11:30am Bus loads from Hill & Departs to HQ Follow bus captains
12:30pm Luncheon National Headquarters
1:30pm Memorial Service National Headquarters
2:30pm Buses depart HQ for hotel
6:00pm National Officers Meeting TBD
Friday, March 6, 2015
9:00am – NOON Registration TBD
1:30pm – 3:30pm
9:00am – 10:30am Finance Committee Meeting TBD
11:00am – NOON Board of Trustees Meeting TBD
10:31am – NOON Sackette Fracas TBD
2:00pm – 3:30pm Council of NEC TBD
5:00pm - 6:15pm Banquet Ticket Pick-up TBD
5:30pm - 6:30pm General Reception TBD
6:30pm Silver Helmet Awards Banquet TBD
Saturday, March 7, 2015
8:30am – 9:30am Registration TBD
9:00am – 3:00pm Spring NEC Meeting TBD
7:00 pm Fundraiser Training TBDCALLING YOU... CALLING ALL
BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR….
The AMVETS National Ladies Auxiliary
Sergeant-at-Arms
“WHAT” In-Service Interactive Program
at the National Convention in Birmingham, Alabama.
“Working Hard At Taking
“Working Hard At Taking
CareCare
of of
Our Responsibilities”
Our Responsibilities”
AGENDA*(subject to change)
What Now? I Just Volunteered.
What Are Your Duties?
What is Effective Communication?
What is the Proper Uniform? “Fashion Show”
What is Proper Flag Etiquette? “Flag Folding Demo
What Would You Do? “Interactive Skits”
Q/A Session - “Sergeant-at-Arms” Bingo
We hope to see you there! Volunteers Wanted
Hosted by Sheila Jackson, National Sergeant-at-Arms
Sponsored by National Auxiliary Training CommitteeFrom the AMVETS Communications Department - NOTE: You may receive multiple copies of the winter issue of our magazine, American Veteran. The magazine is an ideal recruiting tool for AMVETS, highlighting the work that we do for Veterans, their families, and the communities where they live. We ask that you share any extra copies with fellow Veterans and/or local businesses, to help promote our organization as much as possible. If you are unable to distribute copies and/or would no longer like to receive multiple issues, please send your cancellation notice to AMVETS National Headquarters, ATTENTION: Subscriptions, 4647 Forbes Boulevard, Lanham, Maryland 20706. The AMVETS family now has a new store. Most merchandise can now be customized with ALL AMVETS brand logo's (Auxiliary, Son's, Riders, etc). Additionally, you can select the color of your custom item. And we have a variety of LADIES sizes and cuts in these items. We have also created a couple of limited time offer graphic shirts and sweatshirts. Our inventory will continue to expand as we grow! Visit us today at:http://www.amvetsstore.org/ “Storm the Hill” - This annual event, co-sponsored by the Sons of AMVETS and AMVETS HQ, is an opportunity for our members to personally get involved in the legislative process and will take place on Wednesday, March 4, 2015. The goals of “Storm the Hill” are: to make our presence felt in every Congressional office; to let legislators know that we are watching and that we are concerned about military/Veteran issues; and to share our legislative priorities while focusing on a couple of our most critical concerns. Participants attend a pre-Storm the Hill briefing (March 3) where they receive: their assignments; hand out materials; and information so they can discuss a couple of our most critical issues. Participants will be serving as official representative of AMVETS and must only share the organizations official position. The Sons of AMVETS provide 2 buses to transport participants to the Hill, with priority seating going to Sons and AMVETS members. Currently there is no cost to participate. Interested participants unable to obtain a seat on the bus can take advantage of the Hilton’s free shuttle service to the nearby Metro station, for the short trip to Capitol South. For further information, please contact Diane Zumatto, AMVETS National Legislative Director at dzumatto@amvets.org.
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