Read the July 2023 Newsletter from the Delaware Valley Veterans Consortium to stay informed about events and issues happening in the area. Do you have news to share or upcoming events for the August 2023 newsletter and beyond? Please share! This newsletter is published monthly as part of DVVC’s efforts to connect, collaborate, and communicate in service to Veterans throughout our region. Send your updates and questions to dvvcinfo@gmail.com. Member Organizations: To submit articles to the newsletter, please email Collie Turner at collie@heroicgardens.org by the 25th of the month with your news. To submit news to DVVC social media sites, please email Lynne Williams at director@greatcareersphl.org with “For DVVC Social Media” in the subject line.
News from the Executive Committee
Dear DVVC Community,
Sitting here in beautiful Orlando, Florida, I realize the importance of taking time for yourself, as Steven Covey would say, “Sharpen the Saw” (7 Habits of Highly Effective People).
Life has been non-stop for several years, even though we were at home with Covid 19. Those who could, could take care of parents, kids, grandkids, friends, neighbors, co-workers, spouse/significant others, and even animals. And who have we forgotten? Ourselves.
This year, my vacation has been all about learning who I am again. I resisted going to pick my mom up. With everything I could muster – I did not steal my grandchildren but packed up the car and said goodbye to NJ. I weaned off my work cell phone (that took a few days), and after writing this article, I will have completed all of my obligations.
There comes a point when we must stop to smell the cabbage. Look for signs of irritability or getting annoyed quickly. Usually, I like kids – a lot. Lately, kids that whine and scream constantly, with parents ignoring them, have gotten under my skin.
Very loud adults in restaurants, the generation that feels entitled because they were born, and even family members who feel that they are owed something have gotten my anxiety to a point where my health is at risk.
If you are experiencing any mental health issues, it’s time to take a break. It’s time to take a walk, breathe and reflect. Sometimes, we give so much of ourselves to everyone else that we forget who we are. We forget what we like. We let the world around us define who we should be and how we should think.
I will find Tammy again over the next seven days (I took two weeks’ vacation). I will put my toes in the water, butt in the sand, and listen to Jimmy Buffet in the Keys of Florida. I look forward to seeing you all when my Saw is Sharpened.
Tammy Cartagena, DVVC Member-at-Large, Health Benefits Consultant, US Family Health Plan
Upcoming Events
Announcing DVVC’s Summer Quarterly Program
Transitioning to End of Life Care: Benefits and Services for Veterans and their Families
July 21, 2023, from 9 am to 11 am online Zoom meeting. Register on Eventbrite to get the Zoom link.
Presenters:
- Deborah Way, MD, board-certified Internist, Geriatrician, and Palliative Care provider, retired Director of Palliative Care Services at the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
- Kaelynn R. Williams, Volunteer Coordinator, Penn Medicine Hospice
- Keith Donnell, the Personal Financial Counselor at Biddle Air National Guard Base
- Timothy A. Alexander, National Service Office, Assistant Supervisor, DAV National Service Office
- Jason Guenther, Assistant Director of Washington Crossing National Cemetery
July Events from Our Member Organizations
Call for Volunteers
The Red Cross needs your help.
As you undoubtedly know, hurricane season is back, which is the reality we face every year.
More so recently, these storms increase in frequency and severity.
Our volunteers do an amazing job responding to these disasters, often leaving behind their friends, families, and lives for weeks at a time to help. This creates a void among our local disaster responders, those that are available to help at house fires and similar events, which may be smaller in scale but are no less devastating for the affected families. This is where you can help. Contact www.redcross.org for more information.
Veterans can now call 1-800-MyVA411 to report sexual assault or sexual harassment at VA
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs announced that Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors can now report incidents of sexual assault or sexual harassment at VA facilities by calling 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411, option 9).
Whenever someone calls the hotline, they will be able to confidentially report incidents of sexual assault or harassment that occur at VA facilities. The call center will be ready to answer the phones 24/7, and follow-up health care and support will also be made available to those in need.
This new capability is part of the VA’s “no wrong door” reporting policy for sexual assault or sexual harassment. Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors are also encouraged to report incidents of sexual harassment or sexual assault as soon as they occur, including while they are still at the VA facility. These incidents can be reported directly to VA police, VA staff, or local law enforcement, and now also by calling 1-800-MyVA411.
“Maintaining a safe and welcoming environment at all VA facilities for Veterans, their caregivers, volunteers, visitors, and employees is a key priority for the Department,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough. “By creating multiple avenues for persons to report sexual harassment or sexual assault incidents, the VA removes barriers to reporting and creates a quicker path for VA to investigate and take appropriate action.”
VA has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual assault and sexual harassment, which means VA expects and actively works to create a culture free of such incidents. VA believes that reacting to sexual harassment and assault is not enough; instead, VA must achieve and sustain a proactively inclusive culture — supported by Veteran and employee-centered policy, operations, engagement, training, and technology — such that VA prevents sexual harassment and sexual assault and ensures an excellent experience for each person VA serves and employs.
In addition to implementing this hotline, VA has taken many steps in recent years to prevent and address sexual harassment and sexual assault at VA facilities and to support survivors. These steps include designating points of contact at VA facilities to accept reports of harassment from Veterans and visitors; implementing Veteran safety surveys; providing bystander intervention training for staff and Veterans; encouraging employees and Veterans to take the White Ribbon VA Pledge never to commit, excuse, or stay silent about sexual harassment, sexual assault, or domestic violence; and requiring facility remediation plans for those that obtain five or more founded sexual assault or sexual harassment incidents during a fiscal year.
MyVA411 was launched in 2019 and served more than 1.5 million Veterans in fiscal year 2022. Customer Service Representatives answer inquiries, provide directory assistance, documented concerns about VA care, benefits, and services, and expedite the referral and resolution of those concerns in addition to processing sexual harassment and sexual assault reports.
To learn more about reporting incidents of sexual harassment or sexual assault, visit VHA’s Assault and Harassment Prevention Office Website. For more information about the MyVA411 contact line, visit 1-800-MyVA411: One phone number to reach VA.
DVVC Executive Committee Update – Proposed Amendment to Bylaws
The bylaw changes described below (in bold) will be voted upon at the July 21 meeting. Anyone wishing to vote by email earlier, please send in your vote to dvvcinfo@gmail.com by July 20.
The DVVC Executive Committee has reviewed the bylaws in conjunction with an issue facing the organization. The question concerns restrictions around who can be chair of the executive committee.
Specifically, the question is, should the Chair role be limited to representatives of member organizations only? Currently, support organizations (SOs) and attendees do not have voting rights on any votes that come before the general membership (section 3). The executive committee is recommending that the qualifier word “member” organization be eliminated so that both member organizations and supporter organizations representatives can serve on DVVC’s executive committee. In the new version, the word organization is not restricted to members and just reads, “if an EC member’s organization withdraws membership from DVVC, the EC member must resign their position. This would allow supporter organization representatives to serve on the executive committee.
In summary, the proposed additions in yellow:
Section 3: Supporter organizations (SO) are for-profit organizations that proactively or retroactively demonstrate a positive impact on the veteran or military community and/or their families. SO do not have voting rights on any votes that come before the general membership.
Attendees are individuals that wish to have a positive impact on the veteran or military community and/or their families but does not fall into either the Member or Supporter category. Attendees can be individual veterans. Attendees do not have voting rights on any votes that come before the general membership.
Section 6: If an Executive Committee’s organization (can be either member organization or support organization) withdraws its membership from the DVVC, then the officer must resign from his or her position on the EC. (See Section Twelve)
If you have any questions, please contact a member of the DVVC executive committee or email dvvcinfo@gmail.com.
These changes will be voted upon at the July 21 meeting.
STAY UP TO DATE
Monthly Newsletters from Dept of Military and Veterans Affairs for News, Veteran Events, and Opportunities in NJ and PA
Join the adult career online education topics and networking in July 2023 at the Great Careers Groups (GCG). Visit the EVENTS page to register for our Zoom and in-person events. Connect on social media and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Topics include:
- Resilience Building Call-In
- Interview Clinic Check-in
- 2023 Tips to Build Your LinkedIn Brand LinkedIn Live
- LGBTQ+ OUTstanding Career Group
- 50 “Must Dos” to be the Lead Candidate
- Virtual Jobseeker Support Meeting
- Interview Techniques
- Build Greater Mindset, Confidence, & Accountability for Your Business & Life
- Career Success Group Job Seeker Accountability & Networking
- LinkedIn Part 2 of 3
- Value Proposition Letters – A Think Tank
- Business Executives Networking Group (BENG) meeting
- No More Boring Conversations!
- Meet the Author – The Career Toolkit
- 2023 Tips to Build Your LinkedIn Brand
- How to Create Snazzy Graphics for LinkedIn & Social Media
- Using Positive Intelligence for Mental Fitness & True Potential
- Nonprofit Seminar: Leverage LinkedIn for Nonprofit Success
Any GCG meeting with a $5 fee is free for unemployed veterans by arranging in advance that you want to attend – director@greatcareersphl.org.
VA health care travels with you. Are you traveling?
VA has resources across the states to provide you with easily accessible information about telehealth options, the closest VA location, and the Veterans Crisis Line.
How to Get Your Free Veteran ID Card
Your service can get you free event tickets and entry to national parks, discounts from retailers, restaurants, hotels, recreational activities, and many other perks.
Learn how you can get your free official Veteran ID card and easily show your Veteran status.
