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April 24, 2009 Committee Minutes
The National Minority Affairs
Committee Meeting was held on Friday April 24, 2009 in the Blair
Room at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Silver Spring, MD, starting at
11:30 AM.
Download
The Meeting Minutes
Diversity Award
The Vietnam Veterans of America Minority Affairs Committee
Diversity Award recognizes outstanding achievement by an individual,
business or organization in the promotion of diversity within
the veteran’s community.
All nominees must have made a significant contribution to the
advancement of diversity and to the mission statement of the
VVA. Considered contributions may include, but not limited to
initiative and programs that advance harmony and respect, improve
social justice, human rights and cultural awareness.
The award represents specific efforts and achievements that develop
a culture and environment in which diversity is valued.
Download The Award Criteria Here
Download The Nominations Procedures Here
VVA Minority Affairs 2009 Business Plan:
The Minority Affairs Committee is established as a standing
committee at the national level of Vietnam Veterans of America
in accordance with the Constitution of the Vietnam Veterans of
America, Article 1, Section 7, Paragraph B, and further defined
in Appendix II. “The Minority Affairs Committee shall
identify and develop programs of awareness of, and programs of
interest to, minority veterans of the Vietnam Veterans of America,
and shall seek to expand the membership of minorities in the
Vietnam Veterans of America. The Committee shall coordinate its
activities closely with the President, other Officers, and committee
chairpersons.”
The mission of the Minority Affairs
Committee is twofold. First, it is to ensure that the unique
circumstances, needs and concerns of our diverse ethnic minority
veterans are valued, respected and addressed. The second is to ensure that the
inclusive organizational mission respects and values the unique circumstances
of our diverse ethnic veterans. Our vision is a committee and veterans’ organization
that promotes and values diversity within its organizational structure.
The Minority
Affairs Committee will be working to ensure that the health care
needs of our minority veterans and their dependents are identified,
addressed and responsibly serviced by the Veterans Administration,
its staff, facilities and programs. As a part of the national
organization we are dedicated to ensuring that the VA is adequately,
consistently and sufficiently funded in order to meet the needs
of our veterans. The Committee Chair serves as a member of the
Government Affairs Committee.
Recent Accomplishments in 2007:
- Committee members worked in VVA Membership Booth during Memorial
Day Weekend;
- Presented Second National Diversity Award, in absentia, at
the Springfield National Convention to Alfonso R. Batres, Ph.D.
- Requested mailing of letter from National President to HBO
Executive Director, regarding the documentary “The War”,
letter requesting VA plans for funding and construction of
new San Juan, Puerto Rico VA Hospital; letter to Commandant
USMC and SecNav for award of Medal of Honor for Marine sergeant’s
actions during Vietnam War;
- Attended Public Forum and Brown Bag Lunch hosted in Los Angeles
by California Congressmembers Jane Harman and Rob Filner and
conferred with them;
- Attended 39th Annual Native American POW WOW in Los Angeles;
- Attended National Native American POW WOW in DC;
- Participated in Americans of Japanese Ancestry All Wars Reunion
in Los Angeles;
- Attended Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Conference
in Washington, DC;
- Attended Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Initiative
in Washington, DC;
- Visited VA Center For Minority Veterans to meet with Asian
Pacific Islander Coordinator.
Deliverables:
- Identified three goals critical to the Minority Affairs Committee’s
success in the next two years:
- Outreach to Veterans;
- Working Closely with the VA Center For Minority Veterans;
- Development of our political agenda.
- Prepare bimonthly articles for the Minority Affairs Committee
column in the VVA Veteran.
- Coordinate with National and regional minority veteran organizations
and individuals to recruit minority members and create new
VVA chapters.
Measurements:
- Participate in VVA membership recruitment booths at national
or regional conventions of minority organizations such as NAACP,
National Hispanic Veterans Association, Native American POWWOWS
or attend conferences of the Congressional Ethnic and Veterans
Caucuses.
- Represent minority veterans concerns at public hearings of
VA, CARES Commission and other similar federal panels as well
as local, regional, state and national governmental bodies.
Budget:
- Minority Affairs Committee: $ for FY2009 (detailed report
available on request).
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