President’s Report
September 3, 2022
We had a very successful Chapter Fair and meeting at the National Convention in Lincoln, Nebraska.
I distributed Veteran ribbons to the Veterans in attendance and thanked each veteran for their service.
FMCA made arrangements for a seminar by a Veteran Outreach Specialist (VOS) which was attended by between 40 and 50 vets. The VOS staffed a mobile office for two and a half days meeting with veterans who had specific questions about their benefits and helping them to resolve benefit issues. This is the second time that FMCA with assistance from MVC has brought a VOS to our convention. The first was in Tucson earlier this year. The need for continuing the involvement of a VOS was obvious from the number attending the seminars and the fact that almost all the office time available was booked. We will be sending a thank you letter to FMCA and offer assistance in continuing this benefit to our members.
The MVC table at the Chapter Fair was staffed by Bob and Pat Weithofer and Phyllis Trottier. They were kept busy talking with potential members, signing up new members and selling our signature caps. In all, between the Chapter Fair, the meeting and online, we signed up 23 new members, sold 10 hats and had 3 renewals. See the attached list of new members.
We had 29 memberships represented at the annual meeting. I want to thank our National Director, Marty McMahon and Susan McMahon who staffed the check in table and Pat Weithofer and Judy Heiges who staffed the membership table. Judy Heiges served as our temporary secretary. Her minutes are attached. The Officers present were Bob Weithofer, President, and Marty McMahon, National Director.
There are a couple of items from that meeting that I’d like to highlight.
Rocky Lippold, one of our new members, was elected as the Alternate National Director.
The Nominating Committee of Sam Libby as Chair, Pat Weithofer and Jerry Young was elected. I announced that I will not be running for a third term as President. I feel that four years as President is sufficient and new leadership with new ideas will benefit MVC.
MVC is the host for the Tri-Chapter rally in spring. Pyllis Reid and Tom Trottier assisted by Pat Weithofer are the hosts. They would welcome participation in planning and executing this rally from other members.
Terry Leeming discussed the need for area chapters of MVC. Either totally independent or as a subchapter. This would greatly assist in providing a presence at the Area rallies as well as at the National Conventions. Terry is focusing on Oklahoma. I would appreciate any thoughts on this initiative and volunteers to implement it in other Areas.
I want to thank all those who have stepped up to help with the various tasks. Any chapter is only as strong as the member participation. MVC needs members in the various areas to step up and organize and participate in representation at all the Area Rallies. Your officers cannot do this alone. We need some assistance with the Tri-Chapter rally. We need you to nominate veterans organizations that MVC will support with a donation. We need you to suggest and help implement new activities. We need you to step up and be an officer. Think about how you can participate. It doesn’t have to be a major commitment if everyone participates. Just paying dues is not sufficient to make this a great chapter.
Bob Weithofer
President
Bob2w@hotmail.com
