The Official Voice of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. ®
An organization chartered by the U.S. Congress
May/June 2006
MEMBERSHIP AFFAIRS COMMITTEE REPORT
Resolution UpdateBY BILL MEEKS, JR., CHAIR
What follows is a list of the committee’s Convention Resolutions and the actions that the committee has taken on each of them.VERIFICATION AND SECURITY OF DD FORM 214
(M-1-03): requires that all applicants for individual membership in VVA must provide a copy of their DD Form 214 or other acceptable documentation establishing eligibility for membership. These documents are to be kept at the local level in a confidential and secure manner in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. Verification to the national organization shall be done by the local chapter secretary or, in the absence of the secretary, a designated chapter official.Every new membership application received in the national office is checked to be sure that a DD Form 214 is submitted and that the nature and dates of service conform to the membership-eligibility criteria. The same is done for all new life membership applications, even those from current individual members.
In cases of missing DD Form 214s or those that do not meet the eligibility criteria, the member is contacted. If the issue can’t be resolved, the applicant is offered membership in AVVA. The members’ DD Form 214s are entered into the database. The chapter roster will show whether there is a DD Form 214 on file with VVA National. This process allows VVA to view each DD Form 214 entered by a click of the mouse.
COMMUNICATION BETWEEN VVA’S ORGANIZATIONAL LEVELS
(M-2-03): recognizes that the national office must reply to all communications from state councils and chapters within five working days, and state councils and chapters must reply to all communications from the national office within ten working days. The Membership Director and staff and the Membership Chair and committee respond on a daily basis to all communications pertaining to membership. The Membership Affairs Committee continues to provide a direct avenue for the membership to express their concerns, problems, and ideas to the committee. The Membership Affairs Committee sponsors the “Membership Chairs” talk list and the Membership Affairs Committee Chair is a member of the VVA talk list.MEMBERSHIP GROWTH AND RETENTION
(M-3-03): requires, at all levels in VVA, the development of a master plan to recruit and retain members, using all available resources on a priority basis. The 2003 VVA Membership Survey was conducted to provide statistically valid information pertaining to attitudes, opinions, and demographics of VVA members. The survey data was used to anatomize and facilitate VVA’s strategic planning to develop the Membership Development Plan.The 2003 National Membership Retention and Recruitment Plan includes short and longer term goals (one to three years), incorporating maximum effort coupled with minimum costs to VVA. Since membership development should be viewed as the core process of VVA, the State Council Membership Development Plan is being presented to all state councils to enhance recruitment and retention of members at all levels of VVA.
SUPPORT CREATION OF SOUTHWEST ASIA VETERANS ORGANIZATION
(M-5-05): requires VVA to work with the National Gulf War Resource Center to establish a new veterans’ organization for Southwest Asia veterans; that VVA provide monetary assistance for this new organization; and, further, that all VVA chapters and state councils be encouraged to assist the formation of local chapters and state councils of the new organization in their areas, thereby creating an adjunct organization that would take our reins when we move on.VVA National President John Rowan is conducting discussions with the new NGWRC Executive Director, and a follow-up will be done in June with its full board of directors.
|
Visit The VVA Veteran
archives |
E-mail us at TheVeteran@vva.org