VETERANS EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE OF SAN MATEO COUNTY, INC.

BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES: March 13, 2006

Held at the PeninsulaWorks San Carlos Facility, Winter Conference Room

Recorder: Helen Wong                       

Meeting called to order:  Helen Wong led the Pledge of Allegiance and welcome.  Roll called.

Roll Call of Officers:

Chairperson                                          Sheryl Shaffer               Excused                       AMVETS Post 34

1^st Vice Chair/Treasurer                       Helen Wong                 Present                         AMVETS District 4

2^nd Vice Chair/Correspondence           Phil Kurokawa             Present                         Amer. Legion 409

3^rd Vice Chair/Special Projects            Joseph Cody                 Excused                       World of Veterans

Recorder                                              Rose Sutton                  Excused                      Next Step Center

Others:

                                                            Frank Sherr                Excused                      AMVETS Post 53

                                                            Jim Kenney                Present                         SMC Vet Serv Officer

                                                            Col. Nick Itsines        Present                         AMVETS Post 53

                                                            Lucio Vera                 Present                         EDD San Carlos

                                                            Michael Taylor           Present                         EDD San Carlos

                                                            Ted Gomez                Absent                         VFW SM

Minutes of Last Meeting:  The minutes were approved as written. 

Correspondence:  Minutes of other VEC meetings were received along with some advertisements.

Treasurer’s Report:  Helen Wong reported account balances and submitted transaction reports.  There were several bills to pay: the website upkeep, and post office box fee which are ongoing costs.  There are also tv show bills which will be reimbursed to Rose. 

EDD: Lucio Vera, EDD Office Manager of the San Carlos EDD introduced Michael Taylor as the new Veterans Workforce Specialist.  He will be working 4 days at the San Carlos office and 1 day in Daly City.  He will be orientating to the job for the upcoming months.  Lucio will still be looking for another vet staff member but it would have to be an inter-agency transfer. Lucio talked about the upcoming plans for Veterans Appreciation Month of May.  On May 2^nd, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors will be presenting a proclamation designating May 2006 as Veterans Appreciation Month.  On May 20^th, several veterans of different eras will be honored at the San Carlos Hometown Days Parade and ceremony.  Rep. Jackie Speier is expected to make a guest appearance.  Michael Taylor will be the point of contact: 802-5064.  VEC will provide the refreshments for the event, and EAC will help with providing gift certificates. 

Lucio asked about a golf equipment donation that was made to the Palo Alto VA.  He was directed to talk to Frank Schleiffer, assistant chief of voluntary services. 

County Veterans Service Officers Report:  Jim Kenney talked about funding which is affecting benefits to veterans.  In California, 11% of veterans are receiving benefits which is below the 11.75% national level.  There is an upcoming bill  for a $50,000 grant to support DAV funding.  The state is moving to spend more on veterans. 

Next Step Center:  Rose Sutton was excused.  She made arrangements for a tv show taping on March 21^st with Ann Thrailkill on Women Veteran issues.  The April taping will feature Lucio Vera as part of the veterans appreciation month recognition. 

World of Veterans Report:  Excused absence. 

New Business Discussion:  No new business was brought up. 

For the Good of the Order:  Phil Kurokawa brought up that there is a meeting on Mar. 14, 7:30PM at A.L. for planning Memorial Day ceremony at Golden Gate National Cemetery.  Phil is the president of the Avenue of the Flags Committee. 

Next Meeting:  **** Friday, June 9, 2006 at 3:30PM, EDD Peninsula Works, 550 Quarry Rd.

Meeting adjourned at 4:50PM.

BUGLE CALL:  Volume 14, Issue 1, 2 & 3.                                                              

                 P.O. Box 25540

           San Mateo, CA 94402                        www.vecsamnet.org