Mid-Atlantic Regional Group
Blinded Veterans Association
Roanoke - Salem Chapter
Chapter Officers:
President: Mike Doyle Mike Doyle is President Elect for 2012
E-mail: doylems@cox.net
Phone: 540-871-6164.
Vice President: Rick Rhett Richard Rhett is Vice President Elect for 2012
Phone: 540-343-3308.
Secretary/Treasurer: Ernest Bradly Ernest Bradley is Secretary/Treasurer Elect 2012
EMail:
ebradleyiii@ntelos.net
Phone: 540-966-6181.
Chaplin: Bill Hadden Butch Lawerence is Chaplin Elect for 2012
Vist Coordinator: Stephanie Sackett
Phone Number: (540) 982-2643 Ext. 3356
E-Mail: Stephanie.Sackett@va.gov
Link To VIST Coordinator Information Page VIST Coordinator Meeting Notice is included in this Link!
Roanoke/Salem BVA volunteer Office.
Hours of Operation: 09:00 to 1:00 Monday through Friday
Phone number: (540) 982-2463 Ext. 1758
Office Manager: Mike Doyle
Assistant Manager: Rick Rhett
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Group
Blinded Veterans Association
Roanoke/Salem chapter, MARG, BVA
Roanoke/Salem BVA chapter meetings are on the first Wednesday of every other month. The meeting is held in bldg 76 first floor conference room. All meetings are conference call and that number is 1-800-767-1750 Code number 89213.
Meetings 2011
Chapter 1200 – 1300 bldg 76 1st floor conference room
Jan.28, Mar.25, May.20, July29, Sept.30, Nov.118
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Group
Blinded Veterans Association
Salem BVA Chapter Spring Luncheon
Hey yall
I have scheduled the spring luncheon
for TUESDAY, MAY 1, 2012 from 1:30 -- 3:30 pm at the Roanoker Restaurant.
Michael Doyle, BVA VNSO
Salem VAMC
BVA Office Bldg 12, Room 10 B
1970 Roanoke Blvd
Salem, Va. 24153
540-982-2463 x 1758
Roanoke/Salem Chapter Meeting Notice
ROANOKE/SALEM CHAPTER
Mid-Atlantic Regional Group, BVA
Veterans Affairs Medical Center
(540) 982-2463 ext. 1758
Dear members
I want to extend a welcome aboard to our newest member’s. Come and meet them, or call in and say hi to them.
The Roanoke/Salem chapter will hold its next meeting on Friday, January 27, 2012 from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM in building 76, on the first floor, in the conference room, after the VIST meeting. We will provide lunch at 11:30 AM. We need to know if you are coming so we can order enough food so please call the office and let me know if you are coming. The topics for discussion at this meeting will be; 1) what we want to do this year, 2) an update on the Blind Children Project from Eddie Walker, 3) the spring RGM update, and 4) other business as may be brought up.
If you cannot attend the meeting in person you can always participate by calling 1 -- 800 -- 767 -- 1750 and then dialing in the access code 89213. If you want to participate in the VIST meeting but cannot attend, you can always call in to the same number.
Parking is available in front of building 76, or you can park anywhere and catch the bus that circles the complex every 6 to 7 minutes.
If you have any questions call the office at 540 -- 982 -- 2463 extension 1758.
Michael Doyle, BVA VNS0
President Roanoke/Salem chapter, MARG., BVA
Roanoke/Salem Meeting Notice Archive
Roanoke/ Salem Chapter BVA Meeting Minutes
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Group
Blinded Veterans Association
Roanoke/ Salem Chapter BVA Meeting Minutes
27 January 2012
Those in attendance were:
Butch Lawrence (Betty)
Howard Craft
Richard Rhett (Linda)
Austin Riggs
Mike Doyle
Joe Rayburn, (Jean)
Ernie Bradley (Lola)
Bill Light (Fran)
Richard Amarode (wife Sue and daughter Shelby)
Conference callers:
Clyde Compton
Roy Jenkins
Roger Lewis
Mike Doyle, president, led the group in the pledge of allegiance after which Butch Lawrence gave the invocation.
TREASURER’s REPORT
The Treasurer’s report is attached. The balance 12/31/12 in Savings was $222.23. The balance 12/31/12 in Checking was $352.08 for a total amount of money in both accounts of $574.31.
The balance 1/27/12 in Savings was $560.70. The balance 1/27/12 in Checking was $452.08 for a total amount of money in both accounts $1,012.78. The motion was made to accept the Treasurer’s report then seconded by Butch; all voted in favor, and the motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
The Blind Child Project update by Eddie Walker and his report on the 2011 Convention update was delayed since Eddie was not present .
Clyde Compton suggested that anyone who had a computer to donate to the Blind Child Project could contact George Brummell, VP, MARG, on the MARG.org web site. This project was started by George. Clyde explained that when veterans get new computer and/or accessories, they could donate their old equipment to this project. The computers need to have JAWS or Zoom-Text installed.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mike asked the group what type activities do we want to host or consider? Remember when you offer something, you are going to be the chairman of that committee. Mike said that we have not had a picnic in years.
Rick suggested having fund raisers.
Mike explained that we could have two luncheons a year. As of April we are eligible to get $500 reimbursed.
Shelby (Richard Amarode’ s daughter) made several fund raiser ideas for a cell phone tournament or a softball tournament. She said that the BVA would only have to purchase the trophies. Mike said that some of the things to be checked out first would be getting written permission to utilize the field, paying for the field or possibly getting it as a tax deduction for the Blinded Vets. He also explained that the first step in a fund raiser was to get the regional group approval. Depending on the idea, possibly after getting Regional approval, the plan would have to be forwarded to the National Board of Directors for approval. Timing is very important as the Regional group meets in April and the National Office could vote on the idea in May or June. Because the idea was new to most of the members present, Shelby offered to possibly bring her brother to the next meeting to explain in more detail what all would be involved in sponsoring a softball tournament and we would go from there.
Mike mentioned possibly having a Spring luncheon but he got no volunteers to take it on. He said he would make the arrangements for one in May but this was the last one for him.
Mike mentioned a picnic as a possibility but that was tabled until later on because of the poor turnout at the last one when all the food was furnished.
The next NEW BUSINESS was the Spring Regional Group meeting in Hampton April 20/21 tentatively. Mike explained that for regional group meetings we get reimbursed $25 from the Regional Office for each BVA member attending up to $200. That money will come back to the chapter and the chapter will decide what to do with it, i.e., put it in the Treasury possibly.
Shelby Amorode suggested getting some local car dealer to donate a van for that activity. She would volunteer to drive since the driver does not get paid. Mike explained that it would cost each person around $300 for gas, food, vehicle and lodging.
Mike asked which BVA members would seriously plan to go at their own expense. Those interested are Mike, Clyde, Richard, Butch, Roger and Richard Amarode. There is no reimbursement for wives going – only vets. If the donated vehicle cannot be donated, we will rent a vehicle in someone’s name or go our own ways.
BVA members only get reimbursed by the MARG IF WE CAR POOL (up to 8 members). DAV is a possibility for transportation however, they would only drive us to the hotel conference center and back to the VA and you would have to arrange transportation home. Mike explained there is a lot of coordination on this. If you say yes, be serious about going. We will soon be getting an announcement from the Regional Group re registration which will be $10 and is for lunch Saturday. Mike added that for a 15-person van the renter must pay extra insurance so possibly the expense could be rent plus $200 + insurance plus gas.
Next NEW BUSINESS item is do we want to put the flag donated by the White House to our BVA in a Shadow Box with a plaque and, if so, how much do we want to spend. Butch made the motion to do so and Richard Almarode seconded. No more than $100 was suggested for a quality shadow box. Shelby said she knew of someone who could build it and $100 was authorized to Shelby for the shadow box. Mike will get her the dimensions and information for the plaque.
New item: At the Fall luncheon the group collected $85 and gave it to the musicians going to play at the Carnegia Hall. Mike said he would talk to the Events Coordinator who arranged for the musicians about having something special for the next luncheon in the Spring,
Mike announced that he had given the 4 VIP tickets to the concert in Salem 2-9-12 to Clyde Compton and Butch Lawrence since they had donated the most money towards the concert honoring vets. Tickets are still available in the nosebleed section for anyone who might be interested.
OTHER BUSINESS
New changes at VAMC: For those entitled to receive travel pay, instead of going to the window and getting travel pay (cash), the change will be in the form of direct deposit or of a government check (mailed to you). Start thinking about it. They will send out forms asking you to select either of the choices listed.
VAMC Library has free books on cassett. Many are on the table in the center of this room along with pens, and other goodies. You can also go to the VAMC Library and see what else free they have.
Mike announced the next BVA meeting will be same time, same place March 30, 2012.
Mike asked if there was any other business. Since there was none, Richard Rhett made the motion that the meeting be adjourned and Ernie seconded it. All were in favor.
Ernest E. Bradley
Secretary
End of Document