DAV Magazine — September/October 2016
Packing a PUNCH
Convention seminars loaded with valuable information
DAV’s National Convention provides members a multitude of opportunities for enrichment and growth. One vital benefit is the chance to engage in educational seminars hosted by DAV’s elected officers and staff. This year was no different.
The Service and Legislative Seminar featured Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Johnny Isakson, who presented their visions for the future of VA health care and benefits systems. National Service Director Jim Marszalek and National Legislative Director Joy Ilem moderated the seminar. The Benefits Protection Team Seminar, led by Ilem, included remarks by Department of Veterans Affairs Undersecretary for Health Dr. David Shulkin about the current state of VA health care and reforms that are underway. Ilem touched on how DAV plans to protect and improve benefits and health care services for injured and ill veterans. And the Benefits Protection Team Leader Seminar, also led by Ilem and former National Legislative Director Joseph Violante, introduced members to DAV’s revitalized grassroots advocacy efforts.
The Women Veterans Seminar, hosted by Assistant National Legislative Director Shurhonda Love, featured a presentation by Kayla Williams, an Army veteran and newly appointed director of the Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Women Veterans, to discuss the center’s priorities and new initiatives essential to women veterans. Dr. Nancy Glowacki, an Army veteran and women veterans program manager for the Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, spoke about employment trends of women veterans and the need to support the employment and economic security of women veterans.
At the Membership Seminar, National Membership Director Douglas K. Wells Jr. And appointed members to the Interim Membership Committee discussed successful recruiting techniques, recruiting incentives, and provided instruction and orientation on both the DAV membership system and membership portals. National Voluntary Services Director John Kleindienst gave a basic overview of resources at the Voluntary Services Seminar and hosted a Q&A period from members regarding the Local Veterans Assistance Program, the Jesse Brown Youth Memorial Scholarship and more.
The POW/MIA Seminar, hosted by DAV POW/ MIA Committee Chairman Vincent Darcangelo, reinforced DAV’s promise to never forget those taken prisoner, missing or unaccounted for, or the brothers and sisters left behind and their survivors. Darcangelo led a discussion on efforts to ensure that all who serve receive a homecoming and are treated with honor and dignity.
The Communications, Social Networking and Outreach 101 seminars, presented by members of DAV’s National Communications team, discussed DAV’s upcoming efforts in the Communications Department, magazine contributions, media relations support and more to spread the word about DAV in the community. Members learned how Chapters and Departments can best use social media to most effectively engage existing and potential members, local media, officials and other valuable stakeholders in their communities. Additionally, the seminars illustrated how Chapters can expand and further develop their community-outreach efforts through a variety of vehicles, including public service announcements, print, TV, radio and social media. They also covered interview techniques while engaging media outlets, basics of press releases, media relations skills and community engagement. At the end of these sessions, seminar participants gained skills to effectively communicate DAV’s efforts.
National Employment Director Jeff Hall provided an overview of DAV’s employment program and the road ahead during the Employment Seminar. He was joined by Assistant National Employment Director Rob Lougee to provide up-to-date information on DAV’s employment program, including job fair activities, website tools and the road ahead. Participants gained a greater understanding of the many career paths and developmental programs available through the department’s mission, structure, reach and work.
Dr. Ricky Thrasher, a state missionary with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board currently serving as the state director of chaplaincy, discussed life’s hardships and their effects and implications on beliefs about life, death and human purpose during the Chaplains Seminar with National Chaplain Michael Dover.
The Inspector General Seminar provided current and practical information on matters related to the dayto- day activities and operations of Departments and Chapters.
Learn More Online
Education and training seminars can be found online at youtube.com/user/disabledveterans/featured
DAV’s National Convention provides members a multitude of opportunities for enrichment and growth. One vital benefit is the chance to engage in educational seminars hosted by DAV’s elected officers and staff. This year was no different.
The Service and Legislative Seminar featured Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Johnny Isakson, who presented their visions for the future of VA health care and benefits systems. National Service Director Jim Marszalek and National Legislative Director Joy Ilem moderated the seminar. The Benefits Protection Team Seminar, led by Ilem, included remarks by Department of Veterans Affairs Undersecretary for Health Dr. David Shulkin about the current state of VA health care and reforms that are underway. Ilem touched on how DAV plans to protect and improve benefits and health care services for injured and ill veterans. And the Benefits Protection Team Leader Seminar, also led by Ilem and former National Legislative Director Joseph Violante, introduced members to DAV’s revitalized grassroots advocacy efforts.
The Women Veterans Seminar, hosted by Assistant National Legislative Director Shurhonda Love, featured a presentation by Kayla Williams, an Army veteran and newly appointed director of the Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Women Veterans, to discuss the center’s priorities and new initiatives essential to women veterans. Dr. Nancy Glowacki, an Army veteran and women veterans program manager for the Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, spoke about employment trends of women veterans and the need to support the employment and economic security of women veterans.
At the Membership Seminar, National Membership Director Douglas K. Wells Jr. And appointed members to the Interim Membership Committee discussed successful recruiting techniques, recruiting incentives, and provided instruction and orientation on both the DAV membership system and membership portals. National Voluntary Services Director John Kleindienst gave a basic overview of resources at the Voluntary Services Seminar and hosted a Q&A period from members regarding the Local Veterans Assistance Program, the Jesse Brown Youth Memorial Scholarship and more.
The POW/MIA Seminar, hosted by DAV POW/ MIA Committee Chairman Vincent Darcangelo, reinforced DAV’s promise to never forget those taken prisoner, missing or unaccounted for, or the brothers and sisters left behind and their survivors. Darcangelo led a discussion on efforts to ensure that all who serve receive a homecoming and are treated with honor and dignity.
The Communications, Social Networking and Outreach 101 seminars, presented by members of DAV’s National Communications team, discussed DAV’s upcoming efforts in the Communications Department, magazine contributions, media relations support and more to spread the word about DAV in the community. Members learned how Chapters and Departments can best use social media to most effectively engage existing and potential members, local media, officials and other valuable stakeholders in their communities. Additionally, the seminars illustrated how Chapters can expand and further develop their community-outreach efforts through a variety of vehicles, including public service announcements, print, TV, radio and social media. They also covered interview techniques while engaging media outlets, basics of press releases, media relations skills and community engagement. At the end of these sessions, seminar participants gained skills to effectively communicate DAV’s efforts.
National Employment Director Jeff Hall provided an overview of DAV’s employment program and the road ahead during the Employment Seminar. He was joined by Assistant National Employment Director Rob Lougee to provide up-to-date information on DAV’s employment program, including job fair activities, website tools and the road ahead. Participants gained a greater understanding of the many career paths and developmental programs available through the department’s mission, structure, reach and work.
Dr. Ricky Thrasher, a state missionary with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board currently serving as the state director of chaplaincy, discussed life’s hardships and their effects and implications on beliefs about life, death and human purpose during the Chaplains Seminar with National Chaplain Michael Dover.
The Inspector General Seminar provided current and practical information on matters related to the dayto- day activities and operations of Departments and Chapters.
Learn More Online
Education and training seminars can be found online at youtube.com/user/disabledveterans/featured
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