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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM072208IN Jefferson County Service Officers Association MEETING MINUTES July 22, 2008 Service Officers present: Delmer Sayer, VFW 7498; Dick Wiltse, VFW 7014; Sol Wiener, American Legion 26; Bob Alexander; VFW 3213 Others Present: John Braasch, Voices for Veterans Chair Delmer Sayer called the meeting to order at 10:06 a.m. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of May 20, 2008 were approved by unanimous vote. Approval ofAmendment to Veteran's Service Officers Association By-laws: There was a discussion about the proposal to amend the JCVSOA Bylaws, Article I to include one Service Officer -At -Large to be appointed by the JCVSOA Officers to serve a one year term. Dick Wiltse moved to approve the Bylaws as recommended. Sol Wiener seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Appointment of Service Officer -At -Large: Chairman Sayer recommended that John Braasch, President of Voices for Veterans and a lifetime member of the DAV be appointed as the Service Officer -At -Large. The appointment of John Braasch was approved by unanimous vote. Millage Rate for 2009 Budget: Chairman Sayer read a letter from Bill Wheeler, who recently resigned as Service Officer for VFW 3213 to relocate to Colorado. The letter stressed the importance of having the County Commissioners reinstate the levy rate for the Veterans Assistance Fund to .01125 which is the minimum rate per the RCW. In 2008, the Commissioners chose not to levy for the Fund. Reasons for reinstating the levy include: Due to increased requests for assistance, in the first 6 months of 2008, expenditures from the fund have totaled $30,000. Usually the annual expenditures for the fund are $20,000 to $25,000. A majority of applications received continue to be funeral benefits. The fund is assisting more Veterans coming home from Iraq. A $10,000 contribution to a new DAV van is anticipated this fall. With the current decline in the economy, more Veterans on fixed incomes will need assistance with food, gas, utilities and medical services. Additional costs to increase public awareness of the fund — newspaper ads, Stand Downs. The need for affordable housing help for homeless Veterans. Within the past few months gas cards from Safeway have been added to the benefit. The Service Officers reviewed the draft millage letter to Assessor Jack Westerman. The Auditor and the County Commissioners will also receive a copy. They suggested a few minor changes and concurred that the Chair sign the letter. Service Officers Association - Minutes of July 22, 2008 Page: 2 Update on Press Release: The Clerk reviewed display ads showing the services that the Veteran's Assistance Fund provides. These ads were published in The Leader on July 9 and 16 and in the Peninsula Daily News on Sunday, July 20. There have been a few calls in response to the ads. Veteran's Service Center at Port Hadlock VFW: The computers have been installed and the Service Center is up and running. They are hoping to receive State VFW funding. Chairman Sayer has been able to help several people with their DVA questions. It is important that the resources offered at the Service Center are kept separate from the Veteran's Assistance Fund services. Stand Down on July 28: John Braasch updated the members on the Stand Down at the Elks scheduled on July 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hot breakfast and lunch will be provided. Seventeen service providers will have booths there including: the Jefferson County Service Officers Association; VA health care enrollment; a doctor, a dentist, an eye doctor; OlyCAP; the Jefferson County Food Bank; Social Security Administration; employment help; and mental health professionals. The participants at the Stand Down will also receive free outdoor equipment, clothes, and non-perishable food. Jefferson Transit will provide free rides to and from the Stand Down. All Veterans are welcome. Additional Business: None. MEEM6ADJIOURNED: The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 a.m. Jefferson County Veterans Service Officers Association By -Laws ARTICLE I NAME, MEMBERSHIP, AND PURPOSE Section 1- Name: This organization, shall be known as the JEFFERSON COUNTY VETERANS SERVICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION, hereinafter referred to as the JCVSOA. Section 2 - Membership: The membership shall consist of the duly appointed Service Officer from each nationally chartered veterans' organization in Jefferson County and one (1) Service Officer -at -Large. The Service Officer -at -Large will be appointed by the JCVSOA Officers and will serve a term of one (1) year. Section 3 - Purpose: The purpose of the JCVSOA is: 1) To assist the Veterans organizations of Jefferson County in carrying out their duties as prescribed by their respective organizations. 2) To be the organization to work with the County in the disbursement of funds from the Jefferson County Veterans Assistance Fund through a voucher system. ARTICLE II MEETINGS The JCVSOA shall meet at least once a year or more if needed to: 1) Conduct any necessary business. 2) To establish the schedule of Service Officers to review and approve the Assistance Fund Applications submitted to the County. ARTICLE III REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF ASSISTANCE FUND APPLICATIONS AND VOUCHERS The JCVSOA will have two Service Officers, appointed in accordance with Article II, Item 2, meet as required in the County Commissioners Office to provide the following services: JCVSOA By -Laws Page: 2 of 3 Article III - Review and Approval of Assistance Fund Applications and Vouchers - Continued 1) Review all Veterans Assistance Fund applications in accordance with any guidelines or agreements established by and between the JCVSOA, the County, and SH Bill 1189. 2) Approve and sign vouchers per established guidelines or agreements. ARTICLE IV OFFICERS, DUTIES AND POWERS Section 1: Immediately following the first meeting every year, the members present shall meet for the purpose of electing Officers for the ensuing year. Section 2 - Officers: The Officers shall consist of a Chairman, a Vice -Chairman, and a Secretary, all of whom shall hold office for the ensuing year or until their successors are duly elected. The full membership of the Association may fill any vacancy which may occur in any of the offices. Section 3 - CHAIRMAN: The Chairman shall: a) Preside over all meetings of the JCVSOA. b) Be the liaison between the JCVSOA and the County Commissioners. C) Establish, provide notice, and be the contact person for the Service Officers assigned to work at the Jefferson County Courthouse on a weekly basis. d) Settle disputes between Service Officers regarding any Veterans Assistance Fund application before it is submitted to the County for payment. Section 4 - VICE CHAIRMAN: In case of absence or disability of the Chairman, and provided he is authorized by the Chairman or membership so to act, the Vice Chairman shall perform the duties of the Chairman, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of that office, and shall have such other duties s from time to time may be assigned by the Chairman or the membership. Section 5 - SECRETARY/TREASURER: The Secretary/Treasurer shall: a) Be responsible for recording the activities of the JCVSOA and maintain appropriate files, mailing lists and necessary records. b) Keep the minutes of the meetings of the members and cause them to be recorded in a book kept for that purpose. C) Shall conduct all correspondence not other specifically delegated in connection with said meetings and shall be responsible for carrying out all orders, votes and resolution not otherwise committed. d) Notify members and Officers of their election. JCVSOA By -Laws Page: 3 of 3 ARTICLE V AMENDMENTS These By -Laws may be amended, repealed or altered in whole or in part by a majority vote at any duly organized meeting of the members, provided notice of the proposed change is included in the notice of such meeting. ARTICLE VI ADOPTION These By -Laws for the JEFFERSON COUNTY VETERANS SERVICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION repeal and replace any By -Laws adopted prior to this date. Accepted and adopted this day of , 2008. JEFFERSON COUNTY VETERANS SERVICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION Chairman Vice Chairman Secretary/Treasurer