Past Presidents Parley

Now Hear This...

ZION-HOUSE is a transitional home for Homeless Women Veterans of the United States Military. This is the first of its kind in the United States, and only one in New York State.  The time has come and now our Women Veterans are able to move ahead from homelessness to productiveness.

For additional information:  www.ZION-HOUSE-AVON.org

Please visit this site today, it only takes a moment and make a pledge to make a difference in the life of a homeless women veteran.

You may report any donation under the Past President Parley Committee or the VA&R committee section Homeless Veterans.  Open your hearts and wallets to this innovative program to meet the needs of our women veterans today.  The pledge card is available on the web site ZION-HOUSE.  Every dollar helps.  Let your Unit and County know to report all that they contribute.  Please share this information.  They need responses by April 1st, 2008.

Congratulations to all the newly elected Unit Past Presidents Parley Chairman. We have begun another year of service to our Veterans, Children and Youth and all Americans.

Our Past Presidents have a wealth of knowledge and information they are more than happy to share with you.

ALL Past Presidents should be, or become, a member of the Parley. Dues for the year is $2.00. It would be a wonderful gesture for a Unit to honor their Past Presidents by paying their Parley dues. All dues should be sent to your County Treasurer and in turn she will forward them to the Department Office. The more dues we collect the more we offer to our Veterans and our Children.

During the Past Presidents Parley Breakfast at the Department Convention this past July, it was recommended to increase the number of scholarships offered from two (2) to three (3). By Convention action, I am happy to inform you, the Past Presidents Parley will now sponsor three (3) $1,000.00 scholarships to those pursuing an education in the Medical Field. The need for well-trained medical and nursing personnel is ever increasing. Donations are always welcomed! The Past President Parley Scholarship instruction sheet and application can be found on the  Scholarship page of this Web site.

Funding, in the amount of $150.00, is available through the Past Presidents Parley for each Field Service Representative to use for our Women Veterans. Find out how many Women Veterans are in the VA Medical Centers nearest you. Check out nursing homes, assisted living centers, outreach centers as well as your local community. This current conflict is producing more and more women veterans. It is extremely important now, more than ever, to have funds necessary to ensure their needs are and will be met. Needs are, but not limited to, taking them to medical appointments, shopping, writing letters, answering mail, reading to them or just a friendly face on a visit. We need to be there to help these very special women who served our Country with pride, dedication and love.

The hours you spend helping our women veterans are reportable. You should work closely with your VA&R / Field Service Chairman. Hospital hours are reported under VAVS. Volunteer hours in local communities and NYS Veterans Homes are reported under Field Service. Assistance in the home is to be reported under Home Service.

Is there a member of your Unit who has unselfishly given of her time and talents to the betterment of her Unit? Does she always go the extra mile? Are the words “I don’t have the time” NOT in her vocabulary? If so, you should seriously consider nominating her for "Member Of The Year."

RULES FOR MEMBER OF THE YEAR:

1. Must be a Senior Member in good standing.

2. Nominee should not have held elected office higher than that of Unit President.

3. Selection should be based upon contributions of nominee to Unit projects and programs during the CURRENT Auxiliary year.

4. Only one entry allowed per Unit.

ENTRY MUST INCLUDE:

1. Name and address of the nominee.

2. Signatures of Unit President, Unit Secretary and Unit Parley Chairman.

3. A narrative report, not to exceed 1,000 words, describing the nominee’s work and achievements during the current year is to be submitted.

All entries MUST be submitted to the Department Chairman NO LATER THAN MAY 10, 2008.

The Unit Member of the Year nominees will be invited to attend the Past Presidents Parley Breakfast at the 2008 Department Convention in Albany, New York. The sponsoring Unit is asked to purchase the breakfast ticket for their Unit Member Of The Year. All nominees will be introduced at the breakfast and receive a citation. The Department winner will be announced on the Convention floor following the breakfast.

The Department Unit Member Of The Year will be a guest at the Past Presidents Luncheon at the National Convention in Phoenix, AZ in August 2008. She will receive a stipend from the Department of New York to defer expenses. Units are asked to provide any monetary assistance possible to their Unit Member Of The Year, so she may be able to attend the National Convention.

Please make sure that your Unit presents a nominee for this wonderful award. We should have an entry from EVERY Unit in our great State. We have amazing members doing unbelievable work and it is about time that we stand up and demonstrate how proud we are of them!

THE BETTY JANE LIGHT AWARD – To the Unit Past President Parley Chairman who initiates and completes the most outstanding program for assistance and caring of women veterans. A Narrative report, not to exceed 1,000 words, and must include a cover sheet. Cover sheet to include: Name and number of Unit, Parley Chairman, total membership and number of Past Presidents in the Unit.

WAR ON TERRORISM – SALUTE TO AN ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE WOMAN – A special award, chosen by the National President, will be presented to five (5) service women each representing a different branch of the military: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy. A servicewoman can nominate herself, but must be sponsored by a Unit, or a Unit can sponsor a servicewoman. Entries will include the following from the servicewoman: a brief resume of military service and a typewritten essay, not to exceed 750 words entitled “Why it is Important to me that I Serve My Country.” The Unit President must submit all entries.

Deadline for entries is May 10, 2008 to the Department Chairman.

Joan E. Caccamo, Chairman
E-Mail: jec226@juno.com

For chairman's physical address, contact Department Office

Note: Form is in (PDF Format ) and can be filled out using your computer keyboard. You can-not save data typed into any  forms. Please print at least 2 copies of your completed form, save one for your  your records.