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Constitution COMMITTEE REPORT
Convention Prep

BY LESLIE DeLONG, CHAIR

The Constitution Committee reviewed the proposed amendments and issued its report, “2009 Constitution Committee Preliminary Report to the Delegates,” which is available through a link at www.vva.org There are eleven proposed amendments, seven of which are being reported out by the Constitution Committee while four are not. Please read the amendments and discuss them with other members during your chapter, state, and regional meetings.

At the Convention in Louisville the Constitution Committee will conduct an open hearing on the proposed amendments before they are presented to the delegates for action. We encourage everyone interested to attend the meeting to voice questions, concerns, and opinions.

Following the hearing, each proposed amendment reported out of the Committee will be read at a General Session of the Convention, moved by the Chair of the Constitution Committee, and deemed seconded by a member of the committee. At this time the motion will be open for debate by the delegates. After a motion to close debate on the proposed amendment, the delegates will vote. Constitutional amendments require an affirmative two-thirds vote. If an amendment is referred back to the committee, the committee will review the proposed amendment and take appropriate action. The proposed amendment then will be brought before a General Session of the Convention a second time and the same process of debate, amendment, and vote by the delegates will take place.

Thank you for your part in making Vietnam Veterans of America a dynamic service organization that is responsive to the needs of its members and dedicated to its founding principles.

Committee Members: Leslie DeLong, Chair, Bill Messer, Ben Humphries, Bob Johnson, Craig Tonjes, and Ken Holybee. Special Advisors: Barry Hagge, Bruce Whitaker, and Mary Miller. Staff Liaison: Tracie Houston.