Veterans Employment Committee of San Mateo County Inc.

Business Meeting Minutes: 11/16/09, Monday

Held at the Next Step Center (VA Hospital), 795 Willow Road, Menlo Park

 

 Recorder:  Rose Sutton and Sheryl Shaffer

 

Meeting called to order:  Sheryl Shaffer led Pledge of Allegiance and welcome.  Roll called.

 

Roll call of officers:

Chairperson,                                   Sheryl Shaffer                Present             AMVETS Post 34

1st Vice Chair/Treasurer,                      Helen Wong          Present             AMVETS Post 34

2nd Vice Chair/Correspondence,          Nick Itensis  - Excused  - Veteran

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

Recorder                                              Rose Sutton   -   Present  -  Next Step Center

 

Others:

            Jim Blank                   Present                         AMVETS Post 53

                                                                                                               

 

Minutes of last meeting:  Sheryl reminded everyone that all the minutes are posted on the web site.  www.vecsamnt.org. Just click on the Minutes link on the home page to view the minutes.  There were no official minutes taken for the September 09 meeting, not enough members were present for a quorum. 

 

We have enough members present for a quorum for this meeting.  Jim Blank gave us on update on his career with the E.D.D. Tax Division and may be working as a substitute school teacher soon. He continues his work with the Boy Scouts. Jim celebrates 50 years of being an Eagle Scout.  His son joined the Air Force and plans on making it a career. Jim showed us pictures of family.  Jim said that he was with the Boy Scouts when they put flags on for the Veterans Day Remembrance at the Golden Gate National Cemetery and this was a collaborative efort with the BSA and the VVA 464 Chapter and AMVETS Post 53.

 

One of our former Vet Reps, Frank Sherr is relocating to Santa Rosa.

Correspondence:  We received the minutes from the SCVEC.  Helen presented us with an article from the Daily Record dated 11/16/09 about "A Craigslist for veterans in need."  It mentions a Web site dedicated to connecting veterans in need of assistance with individuals looking to provide.  It is like a Craigslist for wounded warriors.  Check it out at www.USAtogether.org.

Secretary/Treasurer Report:  Helen Wong reported account balances and submitted transaction reports.             

 Next Step Center: The grant for Next Step ends March 2010. They have applied and then was denied.  Concurrent grant. Not sure of status. They are being reconsidered. They may be approved because of recent news of expanding funding for homeless veterans.  Rose stated that on Veteran's Day, in Washington, D.C. President Obama about Federal funding and hoping to ending homeless for veterans in 5 years. 

Rose mentioned that she had had some technical difficulties with her last TV show. Rose stated that on Veteran's Day, in Washington, D.C. President Obama introduced an Executive Order "Veteran Employment Services" to increase hiring of veterans through out the Federal government.

Rose has a veteran client who is in need of a few hundred dollars to get to a new jobs out of the Bay Area. This was discussed in much detail and all present agreed to support this veteran.  Arrangements will be made with Helen to follow through with Rose for the specified amount on a gift card.  The veteran has a job offer with Boeing in Seattle, WA and is expected to start work in December.  Arrangements were made through the Disabled American Veterans to pay for and give this gift card to the veteran.

Jim said he had lots of old 85 cent bus tokens that he would mail to Rose at the Next Step Center.

World of Vets Report:  Excused.

 

County Veterans Service Officers Report:  Not present.

 

E.E.D. Staff:  Not present.

 

TV Show:  Sheryl Shaffer said she has everything set for the "Wounded Veterans Speak" TV Show for Tuesday, November 17, 2009, evening at the Media Center.  Helen will not be able to make it to the studio.  Rose and Sheryl worked out the calendar for the 2010 TV dates.

 

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER:  Helen Wong showed us the "Daily Record newspaper article 11/16/09 about "Craig's List for Veterans in Need." Check out USA Together, a web site connecting veterans in need of assistance with individuals looking to provide. 

 

Please note that we meet once a quarter and that the next meeting date is March 15, 2010.  We encourage you to join us and participate as we would like to keep our VECSM going but we need you to help us. Please mark your calendar. The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m

 

Next Meeting: Monday – March 15, 2010 at 3:30 P.M. at the Next Step Center, 795 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA.

 

BUGLE CALL:  Volume 16,                            Issue 10, 11 & 12.

                                                                      

                                  

                 P.O. Box 25540