From the pages of the Spring 2022 Issue of the National SAR Magazine.
I am Posting this in hopes of a member stepping forward to be the Veterans Outreach Coordinator for Alexander Hodge. The Role for the Chapter is for Local outreach opportunities. Contact out President, Carl Hill, if you are interested.
"The Veterans Committee of the NSSAR announces its program to increase SAR representation at various Veterans Administration Medical Centers (VAMCs) across the nation.
The VA Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) committees, formerly known as VA Voluntary Services (VAVS), are volunteers representing various organizations who support our veterans.
The groups represented in these committees are the DAR, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Salvation Army, Vietnam Veterans of America and Disabled American Veterans.
Each organization on the CDCE committee is allowed one representative and multiple deputy representatives.
Historically, SAR representation on CDCE committees has occurred only within a few state societies, while the rest of the organizations have no representation in the VAMCs.
As of January 2022, the SAR has representation at only 37 of the 210 VAMCs and Outpatient Clinics across the United States.
The Veterans Committee recognizes this as a growth opportunity for the SAR to increase our engagement with and support of our veterans in a meaningful manner.
This Veterans Committee program aims to increase the SAR’s participation in the CDCEs at VAMCs where the SAR is currently not represented.
Initial investigations by the Veterans Committee have revealed that many state societies and chapters are not aware of this opportunity to support our veterans. The Veterans Committee formed a subcommittee to develop an information and recruitment program to remedy this. Compatriot Andrew Akers (NH) is the chairman of this subcommittee.
He will be reaching out to the various societies with information on where the VAMCs are located within their respective states and how they can recruit and support volunteers from their membership.
Each state society and chapter is requested to support our outreach efforts when Compatriot Akers contacts them".
"The needs and requests vary, but two that occur regularly are food collections for low-income veterans and their families for Thanksgiving and Angel Tree requests for Christmas. Other proposals to support veterans may arise from natural disasters or specific local needs".
"Any compatriot who wishes to become either a representative or deputy representative should contact the chairman of the Veterans Committee, Scott Giltner (KY), at stgilt@ earthlink.net to express his interest in serving".