Alabama AVVA Representative's
elcome to the Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America, Alabama web page . We are the newly formed adjunct organization affiliated with Vietnam Veterans of America. As we build these pages and input information we hope you send the web mistress your comments, including what you would hope to see us include on this web site. AVVA continues to grow in members, and our tax deductibility and tax exempt status was granted on November 22, 1999 from the IRS. We hope that you have patience with us while we work through our growing process.
Mission Statement
The mission of AVVA is to advance the work of VVA, Inc. through cooperative projects and/or programs; to facilitate, enhance and improve communication with our members and to the general public; and to continue legislative efforts to ensure the rights of and benefits for all veterans and their families.
Vision Statement
AVVA is dedicated to the aggressive advancement of realistic goals, with integrity and in the spirit of unity, that reflect our commitment to Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. all veterans, their families, and communities.
Application for membership in printable format
Membership Requirements
AVVA has two classes of membership: Regular members, are families, friends and other veterans not eligible for membership in VVA who wish to further the exempt purposes of both VVA and AVVA and Veterans who are eligible for membership in VVA. Regular members shall be entitled to vote or hold office and Veteran members are not eligible to vote or hold office.
Alabama Associates of Vietnam Veterans 2004
The AVVA also Selected State Officers
(Photo left to Right)
Linda Watson Treasurer (511)
Wynell Dement President (511)
Alice Carson Vice President (301)
Barbara Kelly Representative (637)
Ann Crane Secretary (416)
Jo-Ann Glass Representative (373)
For everyone not able to attend the AVVA meeting in Athens over the weekend, I am pleased to announce that the members of AVVA have voted to form AVVA at the State level ASAP. When I spoke to Mary Yeoman, regional AVVA director, last night, she informed me that the legal name for the group is " AVVA Alabama State Association"
slightly different from the Name preferred by the members present.(AVVA in Alabama).
The group met at 1 PM at the Chapter house of VVA 511 in Athens at the Alabama VVA Annual Convention.
Elaine Roberts, new AVVA non voting member, lead the meeting
The first order of business was to select a recorder for the meeting. Linda Watson of VVA 511 volunteered to take official minutes have for the group.
Elaine made a brief explanation of the history of AVVA members in Alabama and explained that the 50 signatures of AVVA members had been collected to petition National AVVA for right to form a State AVVA organization in Alabama.
The Group voted unanimously to proceed to with the forming of the state level of AVVA in Alabama.
Interim Officers and alternate State Representatives were elected They are:
President Wynell Dement VVA 511 Athens
Vice President Alice Carson VVA 301 Tuscaloosa
Treasurer Linda Watson VVA 511 Athens
Secretary Anne Crane VVA 416 Birmingham
The Representative chosen to attend the AVVA meeting in Nashville in August was Barbara Kelly of VVA 637 Gadsden
Alternate Representative was Jo-Ann Glass of VVA 373 Ozark.
13 AVVA members attended this meeting representing 6 of the chapters in Alabama.
A draft letter to National AVVA requesting Alabama Funds for the purpose of training and administrative support for the newly organized AVVA, Alabama State Association, was approved and signed by all chapters representatives signed in support of this action. Check will be sent to Linda Watson, Treasurer.
Information provide by Mary Yeoman regarding activities and projects at AVVA National was presented as requested/
Several chapters had brought items for the National AVVA battered Women's Shelter and 2 chapters made donations to the Gold Stars Mother's Home Repair project. Elaine Roberts will transport same to Nashville.
The last order of business was to decide if AVVA in Alabama wished to consider a state wide service project. Linda Watson, VVA 511, suggested we look into something related to Hospice. All present agreed to check with local groups to investigate what manner of support could be provided. When the site of 2005 VVA State meeting is selected, the AVVA may chose to support Hospice at that location.
The only gentleman AVVA person attending the meeting Tony Gooch was named to the first committee chair, Minority Affairs.
A small silent auction was held for AVVA at the State Banquet and $48.00 was collected. That money will be sent to the treasure, Linda Watson, who was asked to open a temporary bank account using 2 signature procedure (treasurer and President).
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I spoke to Mary Yeoman last night and gave her Wynell Dement President info for contact.
She included ; Barbara Kelly must complete an AVVA state representative registration form to represent Alabama in Nashville.
This form can found on the national AVVA Website. She must attach a letter from our new president designating her as alternate and a copy of the minutes of this meeting.
I will contact Mary Switzer, National AVVA President today, to request the paperwork needed to begin the process toward formalizing AVVA in Alabama. Most of this paperwork will require officers signatures, so they will be sent to Wynell.
I will finalize the letter requesting Alabama AVVA funds today and forward to Wynell for official signatures.
I hope to have the Alabama AVVA list from Mary soon, and will send that on as soon as possible.
This is the first time for the some of our AVVA e-mails, so lets home everyone gets this message.
forward. This is a work a-mail so limit jokes etc.
While in Athens, I did step down as VVA State Treasurer and requested our new State Council President Wayne Reynolds Appoint me as VVA Liaison to Alabama VVA State Council. This was to ensure AVVA has a strong voice in that format. A AVVA representative to VVA might also be a good idea in the future.
The next VVA State council in tentatively set for Saturday September 25th at Alabama power in Clanton, exit 205 off I-65.
The group can meet while VVA is in session starting at 11 AM. Lunch will be provided and a headcount is required. Discussed was having a program concerning VA benefits for spouses. I will see if that can be set up for 1 PM after lunch.
OK, I guess that is it for now. please feel free to pass this message along to other AVVA people in your chapter. send me their a-mail address and I will add then to the list.
Fell free to call, write or a-mail if you have any questions or suggestions.
Max and I were very excited to be involved in this historic event. Proud as punch when we called the AVVA officers and representatives up front to introduce them at the awards banquet. We had pictures taken. Someone might want to volunteer to be historian and keep a scrapbook.
Please reach out to other AVVA members in your chapter. Now is the time for those whose membership has lapsed to sign back up.'
That's all for now. Will keep you updated.
Respectful and proud
Elaine Roberts
In you have any questions please feel free to call me ay (334) 347-1426 or e-mail mroberts@snowhill.com or Mary Yeomans at (850) 727-3730 or yeomans51@hotmail.com