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Membership Affairs COMMITTEE REPORT
BY BILL MEEKS, JR., CHAIR
VVA is nearing another milestone
with our membership totals. In 2005, VVA went over the 50,000
figure. With our total at 57,836 as of September of this
year, VVA has a chance to reach 60,000 members before the
next Convention. Our success has come because the troops
in the field are doing an outstanding job of recruiting new
members and each chapter is working hard to retain members.
While
recruiting new members, can you remember how many times this
question has come up during your conversations with veterans: “What
are the benefits for joining VVA?” Most
members will respond that they get The VVA Veteran, they
get advocacy in the U.S. Congress on veterans’ benefits
and healthcare, plus they enjoy camaraderie with fellow veterans
from across the country. That’s a good start, but we
should further explain the VVA we all know and care deeply
about.
VVA is much more than just a VSO; we’re a close-knit
family. We work together very effectively no matter the task
or mission. Our meetings are open to the public; our children
and grandchildren have grown up within VVA; and we work in
our communities on many projects that benefit all veterans
and our neighborhoods. We assist younger veterans with their
benefits, insure they are getting proper healthcare, and
pass on our knowledge of advocacy in dealing with legislative
bodies.
Fundraising is a big concern throughout our organization,
but our VVA family never fails to respond when our members
are hit by natural disasters. Plus AVVA is always there supporting
our endeavors. VVA National has sent more than $50,000 to
VVA members or their communities in the aftermath of recent
hurricanes in Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.
An additional $24,000 has been donated by VVA state councils,
members, and associates to the Texas State Council to help
with the aftermath of Hurricane Ike.
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2008, Vietnam Veterans of America. All Rights Reserved. 8605 Cameron
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