COUNCIL PRESIDENT REPRESENTS AFFILIATED CHAPTERS

The California State Commanders Veterans Council (CSCVC) is a membership organization of some 19 veterans and military-related organizations. Membership in the Council is open to the Department Commanders, or their equivalent, of all veterans organizations which are organized in the state as non-profit organizations and their membership consists of veterans who have served honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States.

The group’s first 2008 meeting was held Saturday, January 26th, 9:30am to 12:30pm, at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Fresno to set the 2008 legislative agenda and conduct Council business. About half of the members, most from Southern California, were not in attendance because of difficult driving conditions in the snow-covered I-5 mountain passes.

According to the CAL-MOAA bylaws, Standing Rule 1, the Council president “shall represent the Council of Chapters on the California State Commanders Veterans Council.” On that basis, COL Warren Enos, AUS (RET) was present and offered EXCOM and chapter member views to that body.

The purpose of the Council is to promote the rights and benefits of veterans in the State of California. The Council may conduct advocacy efforts in the State Legislature in support of, or opposition to, proposed legislation concerning veterans rights, entitlements, and benefits. The Council may conduct similar advocacy efforts with the California Department of Veterans Affairs, the California Veterans Board, and similar state agencies, boards and commissions, concerning veterans programs under the management of those agencies.

This will be the first of several short after-action reports on the meeting and outcomes.

The meeting was opened with an invocation and recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance followed by approval of the minutes of the last (October 27, 2007) meeting. The minutes have been posted to the CSCVC website here: http://www.califveterans.com/CouncilMeetings.htm.

The meeting continued with a special presentation by CAL-MOAA president Warren Enos, California Department of Veterans Affairs (CDVA) Secretary Thomas Johnson, and Mr. John King, Deputy. See the CAL-MOAA report under a separate finance post. Secretary Johnson provided an update of the department’s fiscal situation under the governor’s new budget (on balance severe but potentially cushioned by an offsetting grant) and progress being made with the veterans homes construction and updating efforts. Mr. King told of efforts to serve the more than 2.2 million veterans in California, providing a wide variety of services, and with a focus on the political dimension, namely that most funds are used for the 1% of veterans in the homes and thereby shorting the larger group asking for and needing special services.

Also present was Dr. Tom Splitgerber, Director, Veterans Service Officer of San Diego, who announced an upcoming February 6 annual professional training conference set for Sacramento and invited all to attend. It will focus on legislative issues and host a number of very influential speakers. A CAL-MOAA representative will be in attendance.

See separate post for the financial report.

See separate post for the legislative report.

The secretary indicated that certain organizations were seeking membership and yet did not meet the qualifications. One such group was the Hmong SGU Veterans; however, the bylaws would have to be changed to accomodate the group and the members would not approve such a move.

A New Business item was added to the next meeting agenda, namely that there would be a discussion about raising organization dues from $100 annually to $300 in order to fund the upcoming legislative effort.

Members participated in a roundtable discussion, offering an update on their organization’s activities and special events. One such event is the dedication in Sacramento of the new California Vietnam Veterans Memorial, December 10-14, 2008, including military and veterans reunions, reading of the names, and a parade to the memorial.

The meeting was closed with a benediction.

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