In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

VAVS 101

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In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

Welcome

Nicole Clapp, VA&R National Chairman 2017-2018

Chrystal Daulton, National VA&R Program Coordinator

Pat Kranzow, National VA&R Vice Chairman 2017-2018, National VAVS Representative

Sharon Neville, National VA&R Committee Member 2017-2018, National VAVS

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In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

ABCʼs of Representative and Deputy Service

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In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

Volunteer Pledge

“As a hospital volunteer of the American Legion Auxiliary, I pledge loyal service to the hospital and veterans I serve. I will keep confidential the activities in and around the hospital, and under all circumstances conduct myself to bring honor and prestige to the organization.”

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In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

Certification

o Difference between Reps/Deps and Associate Reps/Associate Deps

o Role of Department Presidento Role of the Department Secretaryo Role of the National Program Managero Role of the Certifying Officialo Role of the VAVS National Representative

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In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

Certification Process

o Department President appoints a Regularly Scheduled (RS) Volunteer (or a member willing to become a RS) who will complete the orientation at the earliest opportunity, to include placement into the Voluntary Service System

o Regularly attend local VAVS Committee meetingso Initiate and conduct an Annual Joint Review (AJR)o Department Secretary will fill out certification form

online and submit to National Program Coordinator (Chrystal)

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In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

Certification Form

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In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

Certification Process Contʼd

• Program Coordinator will present form to Certifying Official (Current National President) for approval.

• If approved, Program Coordinator will send signed certification form to VA and a copy to National VAVS Representative Pat)

• If Local VAVS Chief accepts certificationo Contacts newly appointed local Reps & Deps o Provides general orientation and trainingo Provides calendar of VAVS Committee meetingso Maintains communication regarding activities of the local VAVS program

including a “Needs List”o Provides the “Volunteers By Organization” report to local Representatives on a

monthly basis and to appropriate National Representatives on a quarterly basis

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In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

Certification Process Contʼd

• National VAVS Representative contacts new Reps and Deps– Provides Welcome Letter– ALA VA&R Guide– VA Handbook– Preconvention VA&R Meeting PowerPoint

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In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

Communicate with Chrystal

• Send all VAVS certifications to Chrystal• fax – 317-569-4502• cdaulton@alaforveterans.org

• The department secretary will be ccʼed on email to facility containing the signed certification form. Please keep this form for your records.

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In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

Rep and Dep Responsibilities

• Veteran Health Care

• ALA Brand and Behaviorv Confidentiality

v Professional Behavior

v Dress and Attitude

v Compassion, Dignity, Respect

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In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

ALA BRANDING

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In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

Rep and Dep Responsibilities

• Complete orientation & training to become an RS volunteer

• Assist with improving the VAVS program

• Provide input/feedback to VA staff & VAVS Committee

• Recruit volunteers• Promote donations of

financial & material goods• Advise & inform organization

of VAVS and VA issues and concerns

• Attend and participate in VAVS Committee meetings

• Assist in the removal of organizationʼs volunteers when necessary

• Serve on subcommittees and task groups

• Maintain organizationʼs records (hours, donations)

• Coordinate facility activities and projects

• Conduct Annual Joint Reviews

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In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

ANNUAL JOINT REVIEW (AJR)

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In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

ANNUAL JOINT REVIEW (AJR) CONTʼD

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In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

COMMUNICATE WITH PAT

• See that she receives minutes and attendance• See that she receives AJR• She and Chrystal will troubleshoot

• pkranzow@att.net• 708-246-432

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In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

WHAT IS DEFINED AS INADEQUATE PERFORMANCE OF A

REP OR DEP BEING CONSIDERED FOR RE-CERTIFICATION?

• Poor attendance at VAVS Committee meetings

• No task group involvement and/or no involvement in another VAVS assignment

• Lack of communication with local units in facilityʼs coverage area

• Not scheduling or completing the Annual Joint Review

• Unable to resolve or deal with local program or personality problems

• No established goals

• No attempt arranging visits to the facility by organizationʼs officers/members

• No attempt to involve VAVS at organizationʼs state or local meetings

• Displays no initiative or evidence of leadership

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In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

REWARDS

• Perfect attendance card

• 10,000 and 20,000 hour Award

• Volunteer Recruitment and Service Award

• Volunteer of the Year

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In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

• NAC: National Advisory Committee– Makes recommendations to VA

Recognizes Male and Female Volunteer of the Year• Nominees for this award must participate in established VAVS

assignments, serve as Regularly Scheduled volunteer and meet one of the following criteria:

Ø Volunteer with hospitalized Veterans;Ø Volunteer with Veterans at Outpatient Clinics;Ø Volunteer with Veterans in Community Living

Centers;Ø Volunteer with homeless Veterans;.

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In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Ø Volunteer with Veterans and Veterans groups in the community;

Ø Host Veteransʼ functions in the Lodge, Post, Chapter, i.e. Memorial Day, 4th of July and Veterans Day observances, etc. that qualify as a VAVS assignment;

Ø Host Veteransʼ functions outside the Lodge, Post, Chapter i.e. fishing trips, day at the races, sporting events, etc. that qualify as a VAVS assignment;

Ø Visit Veterans confined to their homes as a VAVS assignment;Ø Adopt-A-Veteran.

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In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

• NOMINATIONS: – MUST BE SUBMITTED IN NARRATIVE FORMAT. – NAC Volunteer of the Year Award Nomination Support Form

should be included.– narrative is not to exceed 500 words. – Letters of recommendation may be submitted with the narrative.– VA Staff making recommendations for this award must send the

nomination to the American Legion Auxiliary National Deputy Representative for preliminary judging.

• November 1, 2018 is the date by which nominations must be received.

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In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

• ALAʼs selected nominee will be forwarded to the NAC for further consideration. – She will also be recognized at the next ALA National Convention.

• The NAC Selection Committee determines the grand winner. – She will be presented with an inscribed plaque at the annual

meeting of the NAC.

• The 2019 meeting will be held in San Antonio, Texas .– April 29 -May 4

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In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

COMMUNICATE WITH SHARON

• snevillebelieve@gmail.com

• 919-550-6366

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In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

Communicate - We Can Help!

• If there are any changes to your rosters

• If there are issues or concerns

• If there are any questions

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In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

JOY OF SERVICE

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In the Spirit of Service Not Self for Veterans, God and Country

Q and A

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