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MEMBERSHIP AFFAIRS COMMITTEE REPORT
BY 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.
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2011, Vietnam Veterans of America. All Rights Reserved. 8719 Colesville Road, Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD 20910