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Credentials COMMITTEE REPORT
BY JIM BLOUNT, CHAIR
The Credentials Committee insures the proper credentialing
of delegates to the VVA National Convention and helps seat
the delegates, in accordance with the VVA Constitution.
The committee consists of a chair and the nine VVA Regional
Directors.
CREDENTIALING
The VVA member strength as of February 28 determines the
chapter and state council delegate count for the Convention.
No transfers of VVA members shall be authorized 90 days prior
to the start of the Convention until after the end of Convention.
New
delegates who are attending their first VVA Convention
must attach a copy of their DD Form 214 to their Convention
registration form. Delegates who attended VVA Conventions
in 1999, 2001, 2003, or 2005 or are life members or are state
council presidents do not need to attach a copy of their
DD214. All delegates are encouraged to have a copy of their
DD Form 214 with them at the Convention to assist in answering
potential credentialing questions.
When a chapter elects not
to send a delegate, it may transfer the delegate vote to
another eligible VVA member in good standing from any chapter
within the state or to its state council. If a state council
elects not to send a delegate, it may transfer the delegate
vote to another eligible VVA member in good standing from
any chapter within the state. Transfer authority must be
in writing and signed by two of the chapter officers or,
in the case of a state council, signed by two state council
officers.
All challenges at the Convention will be brought
to the attention of the Credentials Committee chair. The
chair will confer with the applicable regional director,
state council president, and VVA membership staff for clarification
of a delegate’s
credentials. If a challenge cannot be resolved at that level,
a meeting of the Credentials Committee will convene and arbitrate.
If
VVA national has not received a copy of a state council or
a chapter’s annual financial report, that state
council or chapter’s delegates will not be credentialed.
They will not be allowed on the Convention floor until the
annual financial report has been received. Annual financial
reports may be turned in at Convention. It is recommended
to bring a copy of the annual financial report to the Convention.
The Credentials chair will make an oral report each morning
to the assembled delegates notifying them of the total number
of delegates seated that day.
SEATING
The Credentials Committee is responsible for the setup of
delegate chairs on the Convention floor. The host region
is assigned the center front section, with the host state
seated in the front row or rows. The Credentials chair then
draws numbers for each region.
Adjustments may have to be
made in the order drawn depending on the size of the region
and the space available. Resolution of this issue is the
responsibility of the Credentials chair.
THE BUSINESS MEETING
The Credentials Committee is responsible for establishing
and certifying absences of delegates during the business
meeting. When the delegates are in session, the Committee
maintains an easily identifiable presence on the Convention
floor. In the event a delegate is unable to attend, or is
excused during the Convention, his or her chapter or state
council may register an alternate to be credentialed and
seated as a delegate, with full powers to act in the stead
of the delegate who has been excused.
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2008, Vietnam Veterans of America. All Rights Reserved. 8605 Cameron
Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910