61st National Convention
In keeping with this mission, the ACED has created a mentor/mentee program, enabling less seasoned Chapters to utilize the expertise of those that have shown proficiencies in a myriad of areas. Some examples of this have been teleconferences between Chapter Executive Directors and visits with Government Relations Directors and Office Managers. The idea is to cultivate and encourage better lines of communication amid the Chapters, inspiring growth and education. Currently, there are 23 paid Chapters in the association. The ACED encourages participation from all of the Executive Directors as we find the collaborative labors facilitate the bond between the Chapters. The association’s goal is to share best practices, strengthening the Chapters in an attempt to further carry out PVA’s mission. By linking PVA Chapters across the nation, we are forming a more unified structure, spreading the word about who PVA is and for what it stands. As Chapter leaders, each of us has been charged with creating and managing programs, ensuring any necessary augmentation that would produce positive results.
The first two days, the Executive Directors covered grant writing and 990 tax exempt form training. We were also given a presentation on how to invest by Navy Federal Investments staff. This particular training came in handy as the Convention attendees were given Financial Training from an Ernst & Young financial advisor. More than 100 representatives from across the country came to conduct business, network and share ideas about how to support PVA in its future endeavors. This week long venue provided an opportunity to discuss issues of concern regarding our members, Chapters, health matters, and more. According to the Gateway Gazette other issues were, “securing ample funding for veterans healthcare, delivering a barrier-free America everywhere for everyone, making wheelchair sports mainstream, and promoting a scientific community that’s striving for new treatments and cures.” Gateway Gazette, (Monday, 13 Aug, 2007). Just months prior to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Jim Nicholson, last days with the VA, he spoke to the Convention Delegates, praising them on their work. “Nicholson commended Paralyzed Veterans [of America] for its “nonindulgent attitude…on the programs on which it is working” and praised its work on the innovative development of the Vocational Rehabilitation Center at the Richmond VA Medical Center. The pilot program represents an innovative public-private partnership between Paralyzed Veterans, Health Net Federal Services, LLC and VA. He described the unique structure as a new way to approach long-standing problems. Of the partnership between Paralyzed Veterans and VA co-presenting the National Veterans Wheelchair Games since 1980 he noted, “I am lifted by the spirit and determination of the athletes.” (“http://www.pva.org” www.pva.org) The Membership Department made an announcement. A company by the name of Harris Directory should have sent you a questionnaire, asking you if you wanted to be a part of the PVA Membership Directory. If you do, please fill out the form with the amount of information you wish to have disseminated. If you wish to opt out, call the 800# provided on the mailer. Otherwise, your information will be listed as last name, first name, city, and state. The information will only be sold to PVA members. The price is as follows:
• Softbound: $79.99
• Hardbound: $89.99
• CD Rom: $89.99
The Sports and Recreation Department released the dates for future games:
• 28th Wheelchair Games in Omaha, NB, 25-29
July 2008
• 29th Wheelchair Games in Spokane, WA, 14-18
July 2009
• 30th Wheelchair Games TBD in either Richmond, VA or Denver, CO
• San Diego will host the 12th Circuit Trapshoot 11-13 April 2008.
The Benefits office has created an office in Landstuhl, Germany to aid newly wounded and disabled servicemen and women. By providing this service prior to arriving stateside, active duty members have a better chance of understanding their benefits as they make the transition, if they do not remain in active duty status. PVA is the only Veteran Service Organization to strike up this international deal. Cal-Diego PVA would like to the Benefits office to look into joining forces with Naval Medical Center San Diego, as it is the “Walter Reed” of the West. This is another way we can take care of our soldiers and sailors while they are still serving. Congratulations to Cal-Diego PVA’s Newsletter and Graphics Editor, Lindsey Gallaway, for receiving the 2007 Bob Webb for Newsletter Excellence Award. The May 2007 Beachcomber was a special edition as it covered a plethora of Cal-Diego PVA’s Community Outreach activities. Lindsey has been with us since February of this year, bringing a myriad of creative talents with her. We are very fortunate to have her aboard. On a very sad note. On 15 August, PVA lost a wonderful friend, mentor and advocate, Cliff Crase. Many new him as the Editor of the PN and Sports ‘N Spokes and as an advisor to PVA presidents and colleagues. This writer new him only a short time, but his affect on me was tremendous and everlasting. His words were always kind and filled with advice and praise. Whenever he came to San Diego, he made it a point to drop by the office, see what we were doing never failing to leave us with smiles. Cal-Diego PVA wishes to send its thoughts and prayers to Cliff’s wife, Nancy and his daughter, Tori. Cliff, you will be sorely missed.