HomeMy WebLinkAboutM071409Jefferson County
Service Officers Association
MEETING MINUTES
July 14, 2009
Service Officers present: Delmer Sayer, VFW 7498; Dick Wiltse, VFW 7498; Alex Alexander, VFW 3213; Sol
Wiener, American Legion 26; John Braasch, Service Officer at Large. Others present: Julie Matthes, Clerk for the
SOA and Erin Lundgren, Executive Secretary II in the Commissioner's Office.
Chair Delmer Sayer called the meeting to order at 10:35 a.m.
Introduction of New Administrative Clerk.- Julie introduced Erin who will be the new Service Officers' contact
person in the Commissioner's Office.
Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the March 10, 2009 meeting were approved by unanimous vote.
Appointment of Service Officer -at -Large, July 2009-2010: Dick moved to appoint John Braasch as Service
Officer -at -Large. Sol seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
Jefferson County Stand Down 2009: John handed out flyers for the Voices for Veterans' Stand Down on Monday,
July 27 at the Elks Club from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. They have received a large shipment of new surplus clothing from
the VA and have also purchased items from Swains in Port Angeles. A newspaper advertisement will run on the
15"`. John listed the service providers who will be in attendance. This year, the Lyons Club will provide
refurbished hearing aids. They will serve a hot breakfast and lunch. They will require that Veterans visit at least
three service providers before they can take free clothing and camping supplies. They welcome suggestions and
comments because they feel it is important to improve with each Stand Down.
Discussion re: Revisions to Application: After a lengthy discussion regarding the need to make the application
easier to understand, John said he will work on revising it and come back to the SOA with his suggestions. Sol
volunteered to help with the revisions also.
Additional Business:
Pack Parachute: Delmer discussed the flyer that the County received on this organization that helps Veterans with
military sexual trauma.
Request for Contact Information on Service Officers: The Clerk reported that the Clallam County Veteran's
Assistance Fund Coordinator requested contact information for all the Service Officers in Jefferson County.
Delmer had said that they could have his phone number. The other Service Officers agreed that Delmer can be the
only contact person.
Updated Service Officer List: The listing was sent around and changes made. The Clerk will update the listing and
distribute it to the Service Officers.
Incarcerated Veterans: Alex mentioned that he recently had an experience with a Veteran who was an inmate at the
jail. He said that there is no one there for them and the VA doesn't want anything to do with them until they finish
their sentence. Delmer noted that unfortunately this is a VA policy.
Overview of New SOA Agreement: John suggested that the Service Officers review the new agreement and the
minutes from the March 10 meeting where the changes were discussed. Delmer pointed out some of the changes.
MEETINGADTOURNED. The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 a.m.