70th Annual VA Voluntary Service

National Advisory Committee

Meeting and ConferenceMay 4-6, 2016

Albuquerque, New Mexico

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page

PresidentialProclamation-VietnamWar50thAnniversaryCommemoration 2 WelcomeLetters 3-6

VeteransHealthAdministration(VHA)HistoryFeature-AHistoricalPerspectiveof 7-17 VoluntaryServicetoVeteransforVAVS’70thAnniversary

LeadingthePack:DirectorsofVoluntaryServiceThroughtheYears 18-21

2016VAVoluntaryService(VAVS)NationalAdvisoryCommittee(NAC)Chairs, 22 ExecutiveCommittee(EC)Members,andVAVSECSubcommittees 2016MeetingandConferenceHostandPlanners 23 2016VAVSNationalRepresentativesandDeputyNationalRepresentatives 24-28

GoalsandObjectives70thVAVSNACAnnualMeetingandConference 29

2016NACRecommendations 30 HotelMap 30 RegistrationandGeneralInformation 31 70thVAVSNACAnnualMeetingandConferenceDailyAgenda 32-36 KeynoteSpeaker-TimothyEernisse,WGVUDirectorofDevelopmentandMarketing 37

VHAChiefofStaffBiography-ViviecaWrightSimpson 38 WorkshopDescriptions 39

AwardRecipients 40

JamesH.ParkeMemorialScholarshipAwardRecipients 41

70thAnniversaryCommendation 42

NACMaleVolunteeroftheYear 43

NACFemaleVolunteeroftheYear 44

VAVoluntaryServiceAwardforExcellence 45

VAVoluntaryServiceAmericanSpiritAwards 46-47 Notes 48

Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam Warby the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

As we observe the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, we reflect with solemn reverence upon the valor of a generation that served with honor. We pay tribute to the more than 3 million servicemen and women who left their families to serve bravely, a word away from everything they knew and everyone they loved. From Ia Drang to Khe Sanh, from Hue to Saigon and countless villages in between, they pushed through jungles and rice paddies, heat and monsoon, fighting heroically to protect the ideals we hold dear as Americans. Through more than a decade of combat, over air, land, and sea, these proud Americans upheld the highest traditions of our Armed Forces.

As a grateful Nation, we honor more than 58,000 patriots—their names etched in black granite—whosacrificed all they had and all they would ever know. We draw inspiration from the heroes who suffered unspeakably as prisoners of war, yet who returned home with their heads held high. We pledge to keep faith with those who were wounded and still carry the scars of war, seen and unseen, with more than 1,600 of our service members still among the missing, we pledge as a Nation to do everything in our power to bring these patriots home in the reflection of The Wall, we see the military family members and Veterans who carry a pain that may never fade. May they find peace in knowing their loved ones endure, not only in medals and memories, but in the hearts of all Americans, who are forever grateful for their service, valor, and sacrifice.

In recognition of a chapter in our Nation’s history that must never be forgotten, let us renew our sacred commitment to those who answered our country’s call in Vietnam and those who awaited their safe return. Beginning on Memorial Day 2012, the Federal Government will partner with local governments, private organizations, and communities across America to participate in the Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War—a 13-year program to honor and give thanks to a generation of proud Americans who saw our country through one of the most challenging missions we have ever faced. While no words will ever be fully worthy of their service, nor any honor truly befitting their sacrifice, let us remember that it is never too late to pay tribute to the men and women who answered the call of duty with courage and valor. Let us renew our commitment to the fullest possible accounting for those who have not returned.

Throughout this Commemoration, let us strive to live up to their example by showing our Vietnam Veterans, their families, and all who have served the fullest respect and support of a grateful Nation.

Now, Therefore, I, Barack Obama, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 28, 2012, through November 11, 2025, as the Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War. I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to honor our Vietnam Veterans, our fallen, our wounded, those unaccounted for, our former prisoners of war, their families, and all who served with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day oh May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare

System Los Angeles, CA

~VA Loma Linda

Healthcare System

Loma Linda, CA

~VA Long Beach

Healthcare System

Long Beach, CA

~VA New Mexico

Healthcare System

Albuquerque, NM

~VA Northern

Arizona Healthcare

SystemPrescott, AZ

~VA Phoenix Healthcare

SystemPhoenix, AZ

~VA San Diego

HealthcareSystem

San Diego, CA

~VA Southern

Arizona Healthcare System

Tucson, AZ________

Network Director 300 Oceangate,

Suite 700Long Beach, CA

90802

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRSVA Desert Pacific Healthcare Network

300 Oceangate, Suite 700Long Beach, CA 90802

May 3, 2016 Dear Conference Participants:

As you gather in Albuquerque to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of Voluntary Service, continue to take this opportunity to share great ideas and best practices all in an effort to better serve our Veterans. Voluntary Service is an integral part of the high-quality care that we provide for our Veterans. We are also very grateful for the time and talent provided by our volunteers and Veteran Service Organizations.

VA Desert Pacific Healthcare Network is one of 18 regional Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) operated nationwide by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Our Network is comprised of eight health care systems, and 64 community clinics serving 1.5 million Veterans who reside in Arizona, Southern California and New Mexico.

Our eight hospitals are located in Long Beach, Loma Linda, Los Angeles, and San Diego, California; Albuquerque, New Mexico and Phoenix, Prescott and Tucson, Arizona. VA Desert Pacific Healthcare Network provides a full continuum of health care services, including primary, acute, mental health, long term, and specialty care. We employ over 22,000 employees and train nearly 10,000 medical residents, nursing, and allied-health students each year.

Over the course of the past year, we have placed a special emphasis on expanding access to care, improving service quality, and increasing Veteran satisfaction – volunteers have made major contributions in each of these areas. We are committed to creating an innovative health care system and partnering with our Veterans to optimize their health outcomes. Staff throughout the Network will continue to utilize a personalized, proactive, patient-centered approach to improve our Veterans’ health and well-being of mind, body, and spirit.

We remain committed to delivering the excellent service that has been earned by our Veterans. This is only possible with your help, our volunteer partners. I hope that you have a productive meeting and that you enjoy your stay in Albuquerque.

Thank you for all that you do in support of Veterans!

Sincerely,

_______________________Marie L. Weldon, FACHEVISN 22 Network Director

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Veterans Health AdministrationVoluntary Service

Department of Veterans AffairsNew Mexico VA Healthcare System

1501 San Pedro Drive SEAlbuquerque NM 87108-5154

May 3, 2016

In Reply Refer To: Dear VAVS Volunteers, VSOs and VAVS Staff:

Once again, it is an honor to welcome you back to Albuquerque for the 70th Annual VAVS National Advisory Committee Meeting and Conference. I know you had a wonderful time last year, and I’m certain this year will be just as wonderful. The staff and volunteers of the New Mexico VA Health Care System (NMVAHCS) have worked hard to ensure your visit to the “Land of Enchantment” is a memorable one.

I know that you will spend invaluable time over the next few days setting priorities, collaborating and developing future plans toward the VAVS mission. Our staff is committed to accommodating you to ensure that you can focus on the work at hand and also have a little fun while you are here in beautiful New Mexico.

I must take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation for the volunteers of the New Mexico VA Health Care System. Whether they are transporting Veterans to and from medical appointments through the Volunteer Transportation Network, greeting Veterans and visitors at the Information Desk or making friendly visits to inpatients, I am always in awe of their unselfish acts of kindness. Last year, 1,293 volunteers accounted for more the 116,896 hours of service and $440,314 in monetary and in-kind donations in support of our mission to provide quality care to our Veterans. We are very appreciative of the support of our volunteers.

On behalf of the staff and volunteers of the NMVAHCS, I want to personally thank each of you for your outstanding dedication in service to our Veterans. It is our hope that Albuquerque will provide the perfect setting for you to have a wonderful and productive meeting.

Sincerely,

Andrew Welch, MHA, FACHEDirector

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May 4, 2016

I send greetings and congratulations for 70 years of dynamic leadership and commitment to Veterans. The VAVS Program and its participants continue to provide outstanding volunteer service and resources in support of veterans. Congratulations are extended to the following groups for their exemplary contributions to the success of the Voluntary Service Program.

The member organizations of the VAVS National Advisory Committee, many of which have been there from the beginning, are commended for their continued partnership, valued guidance and for their dedication and support of the VAVS Program. The VAVS staff for their outstanding leadership and management of volunteers and volunteer resources. I am proud to have been a small part of the growth and development of the VAVS Program in the past and I recognize and value greatly the special talents, skills, and abilities of the VAVS staff at the local level that help to maximize the effective volunteer participation of individuals and organizations.

The army of volunteers, the heart and soul of the VAVS Program, are recognized for their generous gifts of time and service beyond measure and for their commitment to America’s Veterans. These volunteers and the organizations that they represent are what make VA Voluntary Service the unique program that it is.

Sabrina Clark and the VAVS Central Office staff are commended for their leadership and stewardship of the program and for maintaining the mission of the VAVS Program and for setting a vision for a successful future.

Congratulations to all of the VAVS Program participants for 70 years of dedicated service to Veterans and best wishes for much success in the years ahead.

Jim W. DelgadoDirector, Voluntary Service Office1992-2005

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May 4, 2016

The members of the National Advisory Committee, VAVS Staff and attendees of 70th VAVS NAC:

I congratulate you for 70 years of spectacular, unselfish service to Veterans. Those who came before you answered the call of Omar Bradley to welcome the service members back from World War II. They were pioneers that established the framework of what we know now as VAVS. You have carried on that mission with confidence, pride and compassion. You all have much to be proud of; your countless hours of planning events, your service to Veterans and their families, your very generous non-monetary and cash donations and your unselfishness. So hold your heads high, be proud and carry on with what you believe in… service to Veterans.

For many, many years, I have been in awe of your actions, your commitment and your dedication. As a recreation therapist, I relied on your service, dedication and commitment. And then moved on to manage local volunteers at 2 different VAs and then to working in VACO with Mr. Delgado and then in Sabrina’s role as National Director of VAVS.

Now, since retirement, I have become one of you. Walking in your shoes, experiencing the same struggles with managerial decisions, but experiencing the excitement from my volunteer assignment. I currently serve as a volunteer massage therapist in Integrative Health and Wellness Program. I LOVE my assignment! I get it. I know why you do what you do... why those who occupied your positions before you, did what they did.

I applaud you and those who went before you. I ask you to do what I asked you to do for years, ASK others to join you, for the Power Is In The Ask. Give them the opportunity to LOVE their assignment, like you do, and like I do!

Have a great 70th VAVS National Advisory Committee Meeting!

My sincerest love and admiration,

Laura BalunVAVS Volunteer and Local VAVS Representative for United Veterans ServiceDirector, Voluntary Service Office2005 - 2013

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A Historical Perspective of Voluntary Service to Veterans for VAVS’ 70th Anniversary

By Darlene Richardson

Inthelatespringof1945,whiletheU.S.anditsallieswereturningthefateofWorldWarIItowarditsinevitableconclusionagainstHitler,PresidentHarryS.TrumanplacedfellowMissourianGeneralOmarF.BradleyincommandoftheVeteransAdministrationtohelpbringtheagencyintothemodernera.TheU.S.presidencyhadbeenforceduponTruman,whojustafewmonthsearlierwasvicepresidentunderFranklinD.Roosevelt.WhenRooseveltdiedonApril12,1945,whileinWarmSprings,Georgia,theno-nonsenseMissourianwasthrustintocommandofanationatwarandhewastednotimeinmakingchangeshedeemednecessary.

TrumanhadbeenpresidentforlessthantwomonthswhenhesethissightsonreplacingtheVA’slong-timeleader,BrigadierGeneralFrankT.Hines.Hines,whohadservedintheSpanishAmericanWarandWorldWarI,wasappointedbyPresidentHardingandhadbeeninchargeoffederalVeteransprogramssince1923.Truman,himselfaWorldWarIVeteran,believedthattheVAhadbeensetupforWorldWarIVeteransandthattoensurethemedicalbestcarepossibleforthenewestgenerationofVeterans-who,atthetime,weresavingtheworldfromHitler-bigchangeswereneeded.Hisappointee,GeneralBradley,madeunprecedentedchangestoVAandthecreationofVAVoluntaryServicewasoneofthem.Today’sVAVoluntary

ServiceprogramandNationalAdvisoryCommitteewereformallyauthorizedinVACircularNo.117onMay15,1946aspartofVASpecialServices.

TherolethatvolunteershaveplayedinVA’seffortstoprovidethisnation’sVeteranswithhealthcareandtheirotherdeservedbenefitsbeganlongbefore1946andevenbeforeVAexisted.InordertounderstandwhytheVAVoluntaryServiceprogramanditsvolunteersaresosignificant,alittlebackgroundonhowthisfederalsystemofhospitalsandvolunteersevolvedisnecessary.

Volunteers and Care of Veterans before 1946

Today’sVAhospitalsowetheirveryexistencetovolunteersoftheCivilWar.InJune1861,justweeksaftertheAmericanCivilWarbeganinFortSumter,SouthCarolina,PresidentLincolnauthorizedtheU.S.SanitaryCommissiontoprovidemedicalsupporttotheU.S.military’smedicaldepartmentduringthewarto:

“establish the principles and practices connected with the inspection of recruits and enlisted men; the sanitary condition of the volunteers; to the means of preserving and restoring the health and of securing the general comfort and efficiency of the troops; to the proper provision of cooks, nurses, and hospitals; and to other subjects of like nature.” 1

TheU.S.SanitaryCommissionoriginatedastheWoman’sCentralAssociationofReliefinNewYorkCityafterthefirstshotsofthewarwerefiredandtheysoughttochannelthepublic’soutpouringofsupportforthetroopsinawaythatwouldhelpthegovernmentandmilitary.TheU.S.SanitaryCommissionanditslegionofvolunteers,whichincludedAmericanpoetWaltWhitman,landscapearchitectFrederickLawOlmsted,andthousandsofothers,held“sanitaryfairs”toraisemoneyfor

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bandages,ambulances,combs,stationery,andothersuppliesforthemedicaldepartmentandattendedtotheneedsofwoundedsoldiers.

TherewasnoshortageofvolunteerswantingtohelptheU.S.SanitaryCommissionasmanywomenwhowereleftbehindwhentheirmenwenttowar,aswellasmenwhowereunsuitableforthemilitary,wantedtofeelusefulandcontributetothewareffort.VolunteersprovidedvitalservicesandcomfortsinmanyformstotheU.S.military:providedanambulanceservice,wroteletters,combedhair,heldhands,readtothebedridden,satquietlyattheirbedsidessotheywouldnotfeelalone,recordedburiallocationsforthosewhosewoundedprovedfatal,andmuchmore.

TheU.S.SanitaryCommissionestablishedconvalescent“soldiershomes,”duringthewar,asatransitionalplaceforsoldierswhowereoutofimmediatemedicaldanger,butwerenotreadytogohomeorbackintobattle.These“soldiershomes”provedtobeofgreatnecessity,andwiththeincreasingnumbersofmenhavinglimbsamputated,concerngrewforwhatwouldhappentothemafterthewarended.Inpreparationfordealingwiththesefutureissues,in1862theU.S.SanitaryCommissionsentsociologistStephenH.

PerkinstoEuropetoconductastudytoseewhatbenefitsmajorcountriesthereofferedtotheirdisabledwarVeterans.

Perkins’reportfoundthattherewasverylittleinEuropeanmodelstoemulateintheU.S.Infact,Dr.Faure,headphysicianattheHoteldesInvalidesinParis,suggestedthatifAmericawasto“establishaninvalidhospitalsystem,letregularoccupationforinvalidsbethecorner-stoneforit.”

In1864twoschoolsofthoughtarosetoaddresstheloominginvalidsoldiers/Veteransproblem:letthemreturntotheirhomesandprovidethemwithpensionsonlyorcreatesoldiershomesforthem.ReverendHenryBellows,directoroftheU.S.SanitaryCommission,favoredthepension-onlyoption,butmanyofhissanitarycommissioncolleaguesandevenGeneralUlyssesGrantsupportedthesoldiers’homeplan.Thepension-onlyoptionwasfineformenwhohadhomestoreturnto,buttheU.S.militaryhadbeenfilledbymanyimmigrantsandformerslaveswhohadnofamiliesorhomesawaitingthem.Severalstatestooktheinitiativeandestablishedsoldiers’homesduringthewaroutofnecessity,buttheydidnothavetheU.S.SanitaryCommissionresearchtoguidethem.

OnMarch3,1865,thedaybeforehissecondinauguration,PresidentAbrahamLincolnsignedthelawestablishinganationalsoldiersandsailorsasylumfortheUnion’svolunteerforces.ItwasthefirstgovernmentinstitutionintheworldestablishedsolelyfordisabledVeteransofvolunteerforces.BasedonU.S.SanitaryCommissionresearchandadvice,thefirstNationalAsylumopenedinthefallof1866inTogus,Maine(knowntodayVAMaineHealthcareSystem-Togus).TheNationalAsylumforDisabledVolunteerSoldierswasrenamedastheNationalHomeforDisabledVolunteerSoldiersin1873.

TheU.S.SanitaryCommission,whichwasthefirstlarge-scalenationalvolunteerorganizationinhistory,atthetime,couldhavebeenextendedandrevampedforpost-warwork,butitwasnot.TherewasnoRedCrossorothermajornationalsocialorganizationsinexistencewhentheCivilWarended,soitfelltoformersoldierstolookaftertheir

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own.TheGrandArmyoftheRepublic(GAR)wasestablishedin1866bydischargedUnionVeteransshortlyafterthewaranditbecamethefirstlarge-scaleVeteran’sorganizationinAmericanhistory.

FollowingrecommendationsfromtheHoteldesInvalidesinPerkins’1863U.S.Sanitaryreport,theNationalHomeforDisabledVolunteerSoldiersputalloftheirable-bodiedresidentstowork.AmajorityofthemanpowerattheNationalHomeswassuppliedbytheVeteranslivingthereuntilthe20thcentury.Theyconstructedbuildingsandmonuments,raisedcattleandcrops,cookedandservedfood,didthelaundry,keptthegroundsclean,ranacanteenandlibrary,andmuchmore,servingineverycapacity.Forthisreason,volunteersfromthecommunitywererarelyneeded,althoughentertainersoccasionallydonatedtheirservicesforperformancestoentertaintheresidents.

The1865NationalAsylum’sorganicactestablishedaPostFundsothattheycouldraisemoneyandacceptdonationsfortheVeterans’needs.MajordonorswereHoratioWard,aU.S.businessmanwhodiedinLondon,leftaportionofhisestatetotheNationalHomeswhichhelpedbuildtheatres;MaryLowellPutnam,sisterofAmericanpoet,JamesRussellLowell,establishedalibraryattheNationalHomes’CentralBranchinDaytonand,whileshewasalive,donatedlibrarybooks,paintings,andotheritemsforthemen’senjoymentonanannualbasis;andAndrewCarnegiedonatedfundstobuildlibrariesattwoNationalHomes:theMountainBranchinJohnsonCity,Tennessee,(knownastheJamesH.Quillen,orMountainHome,VAMedicalCenter)andtheDanvilleBranchinDanville,Illinois(nowknownasVAIllianaHeathCareSystem).For

roughly25years,theNationalHomesoperatedbeerhalls,runbytheVeterans,andallmoneyfromthesaleofbeerwentintothePostFundtopayforminstrelshows,fireworksforJuly4th,andthelikefortheiramusementorentertainment.Today’sPostFundunderVAVoluntaryServicehaschangedseveraltimesovertheyears,butisalegacyleftoverfromtheCivilWarandNationalHomedays.

By1900theAmericanRedCrosshadbeenfounded(1881)byformerCivilWarnurse,ClaraBarton,theU.S.hadbeeninanotherwar,andtheyoungCivilWarVeteranswhofirstfilleduptheNationalHomesafterthewaranddroveitsexpansion,wereoldmenbythen.CivilianswereincreasinglyhiredtodomuchoftheworkonceperformedbytheVeteranswholivedtherebecausethenumberofSpanishAmericanWarVeteranstherewerenotsufficientforalltheworkneeded.Volunteerswereneededandused,too,butfewrecordsoftheircontributionsattheNationalHomeshavesurvived.

TheCivilWarVeteranpopulationattheNationalHomespeakedin1905withover30,000system-widelivingatthehomes.AsmoreofthembegantofilltheHome’scemeteries,questionsaroseabouttheNationalHomes’future.In1900VeteransoftheSpanishAmericanWar,PhilippineInsurrection,andChinaRebellionwereeligibleforadmittancetotheNationalHomesandthey,liketheCivilWarVeteransbeforethem,establishedtheirownVeteranssupportgroups.

World War I

In1914,whatwasknownas“theWorldWar,”atthetime,brokeoutinEurope.Germansubmarines,knownasUnterseebootor“U-boat”forshort[translatestounderseaboat]hadsunknumerousshipsventuringintoEuropeanwaters,includingtheBritishpassengershipR.M.S.Lusitaniawhichresultedinnearly1,200deaths.InordertoprotectU.S.shipsandtheircargoesgoingintothewarzone,CongresscreatedtheBureauofWarRiskInsurancewithintheTreasuryDepartment.TheU.S.officiallyenteredthewaronApril6,1917,andsixmonthslaterCongressexpandedtheBureauofWarRiskInsurance’smissiontoincludeprovidinglifeinsurancetomilitaryservicepersonnelservinginthewar.

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In1918,CongresstaskedtheTreasuryDepartmentwithprovidinghospitalsandmedicalcaretodischargedU.S.soldiers,sailors,andmarinesoftheWorldWaranditdidsothroughthePublicHealthService.ThePublicHealthServicewasgivenresponsibilityforprovidinghospitals,medicalcare,andservicestoBureauofWarRiskInsurancebeneficiaries-WorldWarIVeterans.Atthetime,PublicHealthServiceonlyhadroughlyadozenhospitals.WhiletheBureauofWarRiskInsurancesoughtfundstobuildhospitals,VeteransreceivedcareandtreatmentattheNationalHomeforDisabledVolunteerSoldiersalongwithprivatehospitalsonacontractbasis.ThehospitalbuildingprogramunderTreasury-administeredbytheBureauofWarRiskInsuranceandPublicHealthService-builtthreetypesofhospitals:generalmedicalandsurgery,tuberculosis,andneuro-psychiatricandwasthelargestfederalconstructionprograminhistoryatthetime.TheBureauofWarRiskInsurancemovedintoitsnewheadquartersbuildingattheintersectionofHStreetandVermontAvenue,N.W.inWashington,DC,inthefallof1918.

WorldWarIVeteranswhoreceivedcareinmilitaryhospitalswereaccustomedtovolunteersfromvarietyoforganizationsvisitingthemandprovidingcomfortsthatmadetheirrecoverymorepleasant.However,thePublicHealthServicewaspreventedfromsupplyingsuch“delicaciesofcomfort”becauseoflegallimitations.2Asaresultofthislimitation,in1919,PublicHealthService’sSurgeonGeneralRupertBlueformallyrequestedthattheAmericanRedCrossprovidesupplementalcomfortsandrecreationtothesickanddisabledVeteransinitscare.AtthattimePublicHealthServiceoperated32hospitals.ThiswasthefirstlargescalecooperativeeffortbetweenFederalprovidersofVeteranshealthcareandvolunteerorganizationsinthe20thcentury.

TheAmericanRedCrosspartneredwiththeAmericanLibraryAssociationtoprovidepatientswithreadingmaterials,books,andmagazines,whiletheRedCrossprovideddailyvisits,writingletters,cheeringuppatients,andentertainment.TheRedCrosswasnottheonlyorganizationtovisitVeteransinthehospitalsanddonateneededitems.TheElks’WarReliefCommissionhaddonatedahospital

knownasParkerHill,inBoston,Massachusetts,tothegovernmentin1918fortheuseinrehabilitatingWorldWarVeteransanditwasamongthePublicHealthServiceVeterans’hospitalsatthetime.

OnMay15,1919,MissRuthEmerson,oftheAmericanRedCross’MedicalSocialServicewasplacedinchargeoftheRedCrossHomeServicewhichwouldoperateinallofthePublicHealthServiceVeterans’hospitals.3ThehomeserviceprovidedhospitalizedVeteranswithcomfortssuchas“pajamas,socks,sweaters...livelyentertainment....movingpictures,vaudevilles,bandconcerts,andmotorrides.”4TheRedCrossalsoprovidedclerical,recreational,socialwork,psychiatric,andothervolunteerstokeeptheVeteranshospitalsoperatingsmoothly.

In1921CongressmergedtheBureauofWarRiskInsurance,PublicHealthService(onlytheVeteran’shospitals),andtheFederalBoardofVocationalEducation(rehabilitationdivisiononly)inthefirstconsolidationoffederalVeterans’programs.ThenewmergedentitywasnamedastheVeteransBureau.AllPublicHealthServiceVeterans’hospitals,alongwiththeirstaff,wereofficiallytransferredtotheVeteransBureauinMay1922.TheAmericanRedCrosscontinuedtoprovidevolunteersforawiderangeofservicestotheVeteransBureauanditsVeteranbeneficiaries.

Duringthe1920s,thefederalgovernmentoperatedtwohospitalsystemsforVeteransatthesametime:theNationalHomeforDisabledVolunteerSoldiers,forVeteranspriortoWorldWarI,andtheVeteransBureau,forWorldWarIVeterans.The

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NavalAsylumandU.S.SoldiersHomeinDC,whichwereestablishedforVeteransoftheRegularforcesduringtheearly19thcentury,werelikemorelikenursinghomes.TheNationalHomeforDisabledVolunteerSoldiers(VHA’sorigins)wereresidentialinstitutionsthatcontainedbeautifullandscapes,generalhospitalswithspecialtywards,barracks,canteens,theatres,chapels,libraries,bands,andcemeteries,educational,rehabilitation,andworkprograms,andVeterans’organizationofficeson-site.NationalHomestaffworeuniforms,theyheldreveilleandtapsdaily,andwasrunbyaBoardofManagersthatansweredtotheU.S.president.TheVeteransBureau,atthetime,wasbuildingthreetypesofhospitals-general,tuberculosis,andneuro-psychiatric-withfewoftheamenitiesoftheNationalHomes.TheVeteransBureaufoundoutthatdomiciliarieswereanimportantpartofmeetingVeterans’needs.

In1923theNationalHomeforDisabledVolunteerSoldiersopenedupadmittancetothefirstwomenVeterans.WomennurseswhoservedduringWorldWarIweregiventhesameVeteransbenefitsasmen,buttherewerenoaccommodationsforthemuntil1923.ThismeantthatvolunteerstoassistwomenVeteranstakingadvantageoftheirnewbenefitswereneeded,too.

In1924theWorldWarActextendedbenefitsforthesecondtimeinhistorytoVeteranswhosedisabilitieswerenotrelatedtotheirmilitaryservice.Asaresult,theVeteransBureauencroachedmoreandmoreontheNationalHomes,utilizingtheirbedsandotherservices,providingfundstobuildadditionalbuildings,andevensuggestedthattheysharefacilities.ThisdidnotsetwellwiththeNationalHomes’management,whichhadwell-establishedsystemsandprocessesthathadworkedsuitablysincetheirfirstfacilityopenedin1866.

By1924radiohadbecomepopularinmainstreamAmericansocietyandVeteransBureaudirector,Gen.FrankT.Hines,authorizedradiosforVeterans’hospitalsandpatients’roomsasaformofentertainment,butreliedonoutsideorganizationstohelp.CivicandvolunteerorganizationsraisedmoneytopurchaseradioreceiversandheadphonesforVeterans,whiletheVeteransBureausawtoitthatradiowiringwasinstalledinitsnew

hospitalbuildings.ByDecember1924,30outof49VeteransBureauhospitalshadradioequipment.5RadiosservedaskeyconnectionsbetweenVeteransandtheworldoutsideandwerefundedbyvolunteerorganizations.

Afterthe1924WorldWarActbecamelaw,theVeteransBureaubegantotakeovercertainfunctionsonceperformedbyAmericanRedCrossvolunteers.In1925theytookovertheAmericanRedCrossstenographer’sbranchpresentinVeteransBureauhospitals;inSeptember1926theytookoverpsychiatricworkersinitsneuro-psychiatrichospitals,andin1927tookoverthesocialworkbranch.ManyformerRedCrossvolunteersbecameVeteransBureauemployeesatthattimeasVAestablisheditsownsocialworkdepartment.VolunteerorganizationsincludingtheKnightsofColumbus,VeteransofForeignWars,andtheAmericanLegioncontinuedtoprovide“diversionalentertainmentsforthebenefitsofpatients”andspecialprogramsduringtheholidays.6

WhenthestockmarketcrashedinOctober1929andtheGreatDepressiontookhold,economyandefficiencybecametopprioritiesinthegovernmentasneverbefore.Asaresult,thesecondmergeroffederalVeteransprogramstookplaceinJuly1930whenthePensionBureau,NationalHomeforDisabledVolunteerSoldiers,andVeteransBureauweremergedtogethertoformanewfederalentity:theVeteransAdministration.ItbroughttogethertheoldestandnewestVeteransprograms,butdidnotmergeallVeterans’programs.PresidentRoosevelt’s1933EconomyActreversedmanyVeterans’benefits,especiallythosewhosedisabilitieswerenotattributedtomilitaryservice,slashedmanyofthemby15%,aswellascutstaffandbudgetsofallfederalagencies.TheVeteransAdministrationbecameahybridofboththeoldandnewhospitalsystemsincludingadoptionandtransferoftheNationalHomeforDisabledVolunteerSoldiers’PostFundtoVAasapermanenttrustfund.7

ThefundingthathadauthorizednewhospitalsforWorldWarIVeteransduringthe1920sfinallysawresultsinthe1930s.In1930,VAcomprised54hospitals;by1940thenumberofhospitalshadgrownto86andthenumberofvolunteersgrew

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aswell.RadiosinVeterans’hospitalsenabledhospitalizedVeteranstotuneintoPresidentRoosevelt’s“firesidechats,”hearnewsoftheBonusArmymarchesduringtheGreatDepression,andhelpedmaintainaconnectiontoAmericansociety.OtherformsofentertainmentprovidedtoVeteransincludedmusicalconcerts,vaudevilleactsandactors,andbaseballgames.TheGreatDepressionfueledagreatinterestinsocialworkandthenumberofsocialwelfareandvolunteerorganizationsgrewsignificantly.ThenumberofvolunteerswhoprovidedservicestoVeterans’hospitalsduringthisperiodislargelyunknown,astherewasnocentralizedsystemofoverseeingvolunteersattheVeteransBureauorVeteransAdministrationbefore1946.

World War II and Historic Changes for VA

HospitalsforWorldWarIVeteranswerestillbeingconstructedwhenanewgenerationofsoldierswentofftowarafterthenavalbaseatPearlHarborwasbombedonDecember7,1941.ThecountrywasstillinthegripoftheDepressionwhenitsuddenlyhadtoproduceweaponsandfightawar.SpecialServicesinthemilitaryservicesworkedhardtokeepupthemoraleofsoldiers,sailors,marinesduringthewarandsocialandvolunteerorganizationsdidthatjobinVeterans’hospitals.

TheServicemen’sReadjustmentAct,knownastheG.I.Bill,authorizedmanysweepingnewbenefitsforVeteransofWorldWarIIonJune22,1944,andVeteransreliedonvolunteerstohelpthemfilloutpaperworkforbenefitsandmuchmore.

InJune1945,PresidentHarryTrumanappointedGeneralOmarBradleyasAdministratorfortheVeteransAdministration,replacingGeneralFrankT.Hineswhohadbeeninthatpositionforover20years.Trumanstatedin1945that“theVeteransAdministration,asitnowoperates,wassetuptocarefortheneedsofVeteransofthelastwar,andaddedthathehimselfasaVeteranofWorldWarIwouldnothavewishedtoseetheVeteransAdministrationoperatedbyaVeteransoftheSpanishAmericanWar.”8HewantedaWorldWarIIleadertolookafterinterestsofreturningWorldWarIIVeteransandmodernizetheVeteransAdministration.

GeneralBradleyestablishednumerousprogramsatVAthatweremodeledaftersuccessfulsimilarprogramswithintheWarDepartmentatthattime.Oneofthefirst,priortothetransformationofVAmedicineinJanuary1946,tookplaceinNovember1945whenheinauguratedaSpecialServicesdivisionwithinVA.TheintentionwastoprovideaproperlycoordinatedsocialwelfareprogramthatwouldcontributetoVeterans’peaceofmindandphysicalrecovery.9SpecialServiceswouldprovideprogramsandstaff,toincluderecreationalleaders,chaplains,canteenworkers,librarians,athleticinstructors,musicspecialists,motionprojectionists,voluntaryservice,andothers,whosemissionwastoprovideforpatients’well-being.InDecember1945,BradleyappointedCol.FrancisR.KerrtoheadthenewSpecialServicesdivision.

InJanuary1946CongressauthorizedtheestablishmentofanewVADepartmentofMedicineandSurgerysothatVAcouldprovidemedicalcarethatwassecondtonone.SpecialServiceswasalignedunderthenewmedicaldepartmentandbyJune1946hadfourmajorservices:Chaplaincy,canteen,recreation,andlibrary.InMay1946theVoluntaryServiceadvisorycommitteewasestablishedtocoordinateandintegratethesupplementalassistanceofvolunteerorganizationsintheSpecialServicesprogram.10VACircularNo.117,signedonMay15,1946,establishedanddefinedthemissionofVA’sVoluntaryServiceandnamedthefirsteightorganizationsthatformedtheNationalAdvisoryCommittee:theAmericanLegionanditsAuxiliary,theAmericanNationalRedCross,DisabledAmericanVeterans(DAV)anditsAuxiliary,UnitedServicesOrganizations(USO)andVeteransofForeignWars(VFW)anditsAuxiliary.

JamesParke,whohadservedwithArmy’sSpecialServicesduringWorldWarIIjoinedVA’sSpecialServicedivisioninFebruary1946,wasappointedasDirectorofVAVoluntaryServiceinMay1946.

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InDecember1946MissCharlotteO.vonderHeyde,aformerWorldWarIINavylieutenant,wasappointedliaisonofficerbetweentheVASpecialServicesdivisionandnationalvoluntaryserviceorganizations.

In1946thenumberofVAhospitalshadexpandedto109andtheneedforvolunteerswasever-growing.VAhadestablishedspecialprogramsfocusingonrehabilitationoftheblind,prostheticsresearchanddevelopment,andparaplegicswhichfueledtheneedformorevolunteers.ManyVAhospitalsatthattimehadradiostationson-siteand,withthehelpofvolunteerorganizationsliketheVeteransHospitalRadioGuild,producedspecialradioprogramsforVeteransinthehospitals.

InFebruary1947thescopeoftheNationalAdvisoryCommitteeswasbroadenedtoincludeintegrationofvolunteeraidintoallappropriatephasesoftheVAhospitalprogram.11ByJune1947theNationalAdvisoryCommitteecomprised23socialwelfareandVeterans’organizationsrepresentingover300voluntaryservicegroupsandoverthreemillionvolunteershadservedinVAhospitals.B’naiB’rithWomenwasoneofseveralorganizationsnamedasanagencymemberoftheNationalAdvisoryCommitteeofVoluntaryServicethatyear.WiththereturnofWorldWarIIVeterans,cametheformationofneworganizationssuchastheAmericanWarBlindedVeteransandParalyzedVeteransofAmericatohelpVeteranswithparticularneeds.

In1947,basedlargelyonthesuccessofDr.KarlA.Menninger’s“TopekaExperiment,”VAgreatlyexpandedrecreationalservicesinitneuro-psychiatrichospitalscreatinganeedforadditionalvolunteers.Dr.Menninger,apre-eminentAmericanpsychiatrist,wasdirectoroftheVA

hospitalatTopeka,Kansas.In1946heaskedtheUSOtoprovidedancesandpartiesformentallyillandemotionallydisturbedhospitalpatients.SpeciallytrainedUSOjuniorhostessvolunteersandmusiciansprovidedtheservices.Dr.Menningerstatedthat“dancingwithaprettyUSOgirlhisownagemakesapatientfeelthathisisnotforgotten”-animportantfirststeptowardrehabilitation.12

In1950WorldWarIINavyVeteranPeterMillerwasappointedasdeputydirectorofVAVoluntaryServiceandthefirstdirectorsofVAVoluntaryServicewereappointedinlargerVAfacilities.13BothPeterMillerandVAVSdirectorJamesParkehadbackgroundsinacademiaandweren’tafraidtotrysomethingnew.In1950theyinitiatedthe“VAVoluntaryServiceInformationBulletin,”apublicationproducedeveryothermonthforthebenefitofstaffandvolunteersandpublishedtheirfirstpamphlet,“YourJobasaVolunteer.”

In1952VAVSproduceditsfirstfilm,“WithintheTown”andPresidentTrumanlaudedvolunteerswhenhespoketoVAVoluntaryService’sNationalAdvisoryCommitteemembersinWashington,DC.Hewasthefirstsittingpresidenttoaddressthecommittee.DuringthisperiodKoreanWarVeteranswerereturningandenteringVAhospitalsandVAbegantheconversionofitstuberculosishospitalsintogeneralhospitalsduetoabetterunderstandingofthediseaseandtheuseofantibiotics.Throughoutthe1950stheVeteransHospitalRadioGuild,agroupofmorethan200volunteerswhooftenworkedatnationalbroadcastradiostations,visitedVAhospitalsandtaughtpatientshowtowrite,act,sing,andproducetheirownradioshows.SeveralVAfacilitieshadtheirownradiostationandstudio.

In1953VAannouncedthefirstpublicationof“VeteransVoice,”amagazineofarticlesandpoetrywrittenbyandforpatientsinVAhospitals.ThemagazinewassponsoredbyKansasCityalumnaeofThetaSigmaPhi,anationaljournalismsorority,incooperationwiththeVAandtheHospitalizedVeteransWritingProject,Inc.,avolunteergroup.14

Inthesummerof1954VAofficiallyendedracialsegregationinitshospitalsinfulfillmentofExecutiveOrder9981andPresidentEisenhower’s

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goals.In1955apilotprojectwasundertakentotesttheuseofvolunteersinVA’soutpatientclinics.In1955anewVAVSemblemawardwascreatedtorecognizevolunteerswhohadservedforaminimumof5,000hours-thefirstonewasn’tawardeduntil1956.Asecondfilm,“TheGiftYouBring,”wasthefirstcreatedasarecruitmenttoolforvolunteersin1959.ThemoreVAprogramsexpanded,themorevolunteerswereneeded.

1961sawtheelectionofPresidentJohnF.Kennedyandashiftinfocustonationalyouthprograms.In1961volunteerhourssurpassedthe7millionmark,morethandoublethenumberinVAVS’firstfullyearin1947.TheU.S.enteredanotherwar,thistimeinSoutheastAsia,asVAwaspreparingtoopenitsfirstnursinghomes.In1965VAVSbegantodevelopitsfirstyouthvolunteerprogram.In1966atrainingcoursewasdevelopedfornewor

inexperiencedvoluntaryserviceofficersandatwo-yearpilotwasconductedtoevaluateexpandingvolunteersintoVAnursinghomes,daytreatment,andrestorationcenters.By1968fieldreportsshowedthatalargenumberofVAyouthvolunteershadchosenmedicaloralliedfieldsascareersasaresultoftheirvolunteerexperienceinVAhospitals.1968wasthepeakyearforvolunteerswithanaverageof121,317permonth.In1969VAhad166hospitals,202outpatientclinics,6restorationcenters,and65nursinghomes.VAVSbeganheavyrecruitmentofhighschoolandcollegestudentsandproducedafilm“TodayandTomorrow”tohighlighttheworkofyouthvolunteers.Duringthe1960svolunteersbecamemorevisibleinlocalandnationalnewspapersasrecognitionfortheirserviceinVeterans’hospitalsincreased.

JamesH.Parke,directorofVAVSsinceitscreationin1946,diedonAugust31,1970aftersufferingaheartattack.PeterMiller,Parke’slong-timeassistantdirector,wasappointedasdirector.Thatyear

effortsbegantoestablishascholarshipinhishonorforanoutstandingyouthvolunteer.In1970over112,000volunteersdonatedmorethan9millionhoursofserviceinVAhospitals.AmemorialscholarshipawardwasfoundedinhonorofVAVS’longtimeformerdirector,JamesH.Parke.ThefirstrecipientoftheJamesH.ParkeMemorialAwardwasDennisBartkowiak,a16-yearoldvolunteerattheLeechFarmVAhospitalatAspinwall(nowPittsburgh).Hereceivedacertificateand$400checkin1972inrecognitionforhisservice.15Mrs.JamesH.ParkewaspresentedwiththeJamesH.Parkesilvertrayachievementawardingratefulremembranceofherhusband.16

AsVietnamVeteransreturnedhomefromwar,VAVScontinuedtofocusonrecruitingyouthvolunteerstoworkwiththem.VAestablisheddrugandalcoholrehabilitationprograms,dayclinics,“vetcenters,”andotherprogramstomeettheneedsofVietnamVeterans,whileprovidingcontinuityofcaretoSpanishAmericanWar,BoxerRebellion,PhilippineInsurrection,WorldWarI,WorldWarII,andKoreanWarVeterans,whichrequiredmorevolunteers.

In1971CarmellaLaSpadafoundedtheNoGreaterLoveOrganizationto“recognizeVietnamconflictwoundedandformerprisonersofwar”andprovidecommemorativeeventsforthosewhohadlostlovedonesinservicetotheU.S.17CelebritiesandentertainersvisitedVAhospitalstoliftspiritsofVeterans.TheNationalSaluteforHospitalizedVeteranswasoneofseveralnationaltributesbytheorganization.Baseballhomerunking,HankAaronwastheorganization’spresident,andGeneralOmarBradleywasitshonorarynationalchairmanunderNoGreaterLove.TheNationalSalutewasinitiallystartedtohonorVietnamVeteransbutquicklyexpandedtohonorallVeterans.VAtookpartinthefirstNationalSaluteinFebruary1974andsawthenumberofvolunteerhoursthatyear

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crossthe10millionmarkforthefirsttime.In1978,VAAdministratorandVietnamVeteranMaxClelandannouncedthatVAwouldtakeovertheNationalSaluteandbeadministeredbyVA’sVoluntaryService.VAVShostedtheNationalSaluteinitsentiretyforthefirsttimeonFebruary14,1979andtheCampFireGirlsadopteditaspartoftheirnationalprogram.

TheArmytransferreditsnationalcemeterysystem,allbuttwo,toVAin1973.ArmyretainedownershipoftheNationalSoldiersHomecemeteryandArlingtonNationalCemetery.TheroleofvolunteersgrewexponentiallywhennationalcemeteriesbecamepartoftheVAfamilyasVA’sresponsibilityforMemorialDayandVeteransDayobservancesexpandedbeyonditshospitalsandmedicalcenters.

America’sBicentennialwascelebratedin1976andVAvolunteerscontributedtoawidevarietyofeventsandactivities.Bicentennialtreeswereplantedandplaqueswereerectedinhonorofthenation’spatriotsatallVAfacilities.SomesitesheldparadesandotherspecialeventsthatincludedVeteransinthenationalcelebration.ArlingtonNationalCemeteryunveiledthefirstMedalofHonorheadstonesaspartofthenationalBicentennial.

DirectorPeterMillerretiredinJanuary1976andWilsonSchuerholz,assistantdirectoroftheBrooklynVAhospital,wasappointedasVAVSdirector.Hisdeparturetwoyearslater,in1978,duetoapromotion,sawEdRoseappointedtotheposition.UnderEdRose,thecategoryofAssociateMemberwasaddedtotheNationalAdvisoryCommitteefororganizationactiveinatleast20VAfacilities.TheForty&EightorganizationwasthefirstassociatemembertotheNAC.

In1980PresidentJimmyCarterrecognized11VAvolunteers,whosecombinedservicetoVeteranstotaled637years,ataspecialWhiteHouseluncheon.Mosthadservedasvolunteersforatleast50years.MabelPattonofWadsworth(Leavenworth)heldtherecordat67yearsofservice.VAAdministratorMaxClelandpresentedthefirstAdministrator’sVoluntaryServiceAwardin1980.Anew,minimallystructuredvolunteerprogramwasbeguninVietnamVeteranoutreachcenters

anduniformsforvolunteerswerefieldtestedthatyear.In1981VAheldthefirstnationalVeteranswheelchairgames,andvolunteerswereakeypart.

In1982theNACwasupto50membersandtheplanstoholdNACsmeetingoutsideofDCforthefirsttimetookplace:Dallaswouldbethehostcityforthe35thanniversarymeeting.ContributionstotheParkeAwardweredoubled,forthefirsttime,inordertorecognizetwoyouthvolunteers.AVAvolunteerlapelpinwasdeveloped,aswasanawardpinforvolunteersreaching1,000hours.

Bythemid-1980svolunteerswereplacedinover150differentassignmenttypesandspecialrecognitionforvolunteersatthe750-hourand1,000-hourlevelswereadded.AsubcommitteeonmembershipwasestablishedaspartoftheNAC.VAVSbegantomakeuseofVA’sgrowingpublicandconsumeraffairsofficewhichhelpedtoincreasevisibilityfortheNationalSalute.In1984,17volunteersreceivedtheAdministrator’sVoluntaryServiceAward.Useofvolunteersexpandedintonewareasincludingan“adopt-a-grandparent”program,palliativecare,pettherapy,physicalfitness,andyogaclasses.

1987wasthefirstyearinVAVShistorywherenogrowthwasreportedinthetotalnumberofvolunteers,butyouthvolunteerswererepresentedinhighernumbers.TheParkescholarshipfundreached$100,000forthefirsttimeinitshistorythatyear.VApartneredwiththeACTIONagencytoallowlimitedstipendstosenioragedvolunteerswhoseincomefellbelowthepovertylevel.VolunteerassignmentsexpandedintoVA’sreadjustmentcounselingcenters,contractnursinghomes,communityservicecenters,residentialcarehomes,andadultdayhealthcarecenters.TheVolunteerTransportationNetworkwasestablishedbytheDisabledAmericanVeterans(DAV)toensurethatVeteranshadtransportationtoVAmedicalcentersandclinics.VApublishedimplementinginstructionsfortheprograminFebruary1987.AsofNovember1988,152coordinatorpositionswereinplaceand44vanshadbeendonated.18

In1988theVeteransAdministrationwaselevatedtoaCabinet-leveldepartmentwithinthefederalgovernmentandrenamedastheDepartment

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ofVeteransAffairs.TheDecentralizedHospitalComputerProgramwasimplementedat164VAsitesandCongressauthorizedanewhomelessVeteransprogram.Theelevationresultedinmanystructuralandadministrativechangesthattookseveralyearstoimplement.VAVSDirectorEdRoseretiredin1991,theyearofVAVS’50thanniversary,andJimDelgadobecamedirector.Delgadosetouttotapnewsources,includingcorporations,asvolunteers.HewasdirectorduringDr.KenKizer’stransformationoftheVeteransHealthAdministration(VHA)inthe1990sandthroughtheU.S.enteringadditionalwarsinthePersianGulf,Iraq,andAfghanistan.Manyschools,colleges,anduniversitiesinstitutedpublicservicerequirementsforstudentsbeginninginthelate1990sand,asaresult,thenumberofyouthvolunteersincreased.

JimDelgadoretiredin2005andLauraBalun,along-timeVAVSemployee,becamethefirstwomannamedasVAVSdirectorthatyear.UnderLauraBalunVAVScultivatedagingBabyBoomersaspotentialvolunteersastheynearedretirement.Sheretiredin2013andSabrinaClarkbecamethefirstAfricanAmericanappointedasVAVSdirectorthatyear.HerengagingstyleincreasedvisibilityforVAVSandvolunteersatatimewhenVAwasrecoveringfromawait-listscandalthatbeganin2014.Since1946,theaveragetenureforVAdirectorshasbeen10years,whichspeakswellforthecommitmentbyVAVSleaderstotheprogramanditsvolunteers.

AfterVA’selevationin1988,informationonVAVSlargelydisappearedfromVAannualreports.PartofthiswasduetochangesinreportingimplementedundertheClintonadministrationthroughtheOfficeofManagementandBudget(OMB).Annualreportsforfederalagenciestransitionedinto“performanceandaccountabilityreports”wheredescriptivedetailsofVAprogramswerereplacedbybroadgeneralsummarieswithgraphs,charts,anditemizedobjectivesthatfocusedondollars,numbers,andpercentages.TheneedtocaptureandpreservethecountlessservicesandactivitiesconductedbyvolunteerstobenefitAmerica’sVeteranisanimportantone,especiallysincethenumberofVeteransprogramsandbenefitscontinuestogrow.

Since2000,VAhasexpandedthenumberofoutpatientclinics,establishednewfitnessprogramssothatVeteranscanbeproactiveinimprovingtheirownhealth,andevolvedtomeetthechangingneedsofanewgenerationofVeterans.Theneedtorecognizevolunteersandtheirworkhasbeenimportantsincethebeginning.

InrecentyearstwoVAmedicalcentershavebeennamedaftervolunteers,bothofwhomweremilitaryVeterans.AlbuquerquewasthefirstVAfacilitynamedinhonorofavolunteeronJuly5,2007;itwasnamedafterKoreanWarVeteranandMedalofHonorrecipientRaymondG.MurphywhoworkedattheAlbuquerqueVAregionalofficefor23yearsthenbecameadedicatedvolunteerafterhisretirement.TheVAmedicalcenterinLouisvillewasnamedafterWorldWarIVeteranRobleyRexonDecember16,2009;hebecameavolunteertherein1986andwentontologmorethan14,000hoursofservicetoVeterans.

SincetheCivilWarbillionsofvolunteershaveansweredthecalltohelpVeteransinneednomatterwheretheywere.VolunteersdonatedtheirtimeinstateVeteranshomes,U.S.NationalHomes,privatehospitalsandasylums,communitypoorhouses,citystreets,shelters,andotherplaces,providingaidandcomfort.Butonlysince1946hastherebeenacentralized,unifiedapproach,atthe

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nationallevel,toensurethatVeterans’needsweremetandvolunteers’precioustimewasputtothebestuse.

Inthe70yearssinceVAVoluntaryServicewasestablished,theNationalAdvisoryCommitteehaslistenedtoinputandobservancesofvolunteersandVAstaff,alike,andactedtomeetalmosteveryconceivableneedthatVeteranshad.Notaskwastoobigortoosmallforvolunteersofallageswhowillinglyprovidedthelovingtouchsooftenmissingfromtheclinicalworldofmedicine.

Since1946volunteershavecontributednearly1billionhoursoftheirtimetohelpingAmerica’sVeterans,nomatterwhethertheywereinahospital,aclinic,atanevent,orinthecanteen.VAVSstaff,theVeteransandsocialorganizationsthatcomprisetheNACexcelandexceedthe“goldstandard”ofcompassionincaringforVeteransandwesaluteeachandeveryoneofthemduringthisspecialanniversaryyear!

Citations1“GrantofPowersfromthePresidentandSecretaryofWar,SanitaryCommissionOrdered,”June13,1861,Washington,DC;partofU.S.SanitaryCommissionrecords,NewYorkPublicLibrary.

2PublicHealthReports,Vol.34,No.23,June6,1919,pp.1267-8.

3“RedCrossHomeService,”UnitedStatesBulletin,May5,1919,p.24.

4“RedCrossHomeService,”UnitedStatesBulletin,May5,1919,p.24.

5“OrdersVeterans’BedsEquippedwithRadio,”TheNewYorkTimes,March27,1924;“Radiofor34hospitals,”The New York Times,December14,1924.

61925VeteranBureauannualreport,p.54.

773rdCongress,PublicLaw473,June26,1934.

8“BradleytoSucceedHinesasVeterans’AgencyHead,”The New York Times,June8,1945.

91946VAannualreport,p.11.

101947VAannualreport,pp.16-19.

111947VAannualreport,p.19.

12“Let’sFinishtheJob,”The New York Times,October20,1946.

131950VAannualreport,p.57.

14“’Veterans’Voices’Published,”The New York Times,February2,1953.

15“CarrickHighStudentWinsParkeAward,”PittsburghPost-Gazette,December5,1972,p.17.

16“Highlightsofmeeting,”VAnguard,December12,1972,pp.1and3.

17“VAReports,”The New Era (Parker,SD),February15,1979,p.7.

18VAannualreports:1987(p.47)and1988(p.17).

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Leading the Pack: Directors of Voluntary Service Through the Years

JamesH.Parke(1905-1970)DirectorofVAVoluntaryService,1946-1970

James Hambright Parke was born on August 14, 1905, inDickinson,Texas,toJamesM.andMaryParke.HeattendedpublicschoolsandwaslateracceptedintotheUniversityofTexas-Austin.Thereheservedontheuniversity’spublicationsboard,wasamemberoftheDeltaChifraternity,waseditor-in-chiefoftheLonghorn-theuniversity’sliterarymagazine- and graduated with a B.A. in 1927 and an M.A. in 1928.After graduation, he taught in the English Department attheuniversityuntil1936whenhewasawardedaRockefellerFoundationGrantforadvancedstudyattheYaleUniversitySchoolofDrama.In1938theUniversityofTexasestablished

anewDepartmentofDramawithintheCollegeofFineArtsandParkewasnameditsfirstchairmanandprofessor.

DuringWorldWarIIheenteredmilitaryserviceinOctober1942,attherankofCaptain,andservedasChiefofrecreationandentertainmentwithArmy’sSpecialServicesintheNorthAfricanandMediterraneantheatersofoperation.SpecialServiceshelpedtomaintaintroops’moraleduring thewar. Hewasdischargedwith the rankofLieutenantColonel inMarch1946andwasawardedtheLegionofMeritforhiswork.

JamesParkegotmarriedandjoinedVA’sstaffinFebruary1946.AtthetimeVAwasbeingmodernized under General Omar Bradley and new support services and programs werecreatedunderVA’snewDepartmentofMedicineandSurgeryforVeteransreturningfromwar.ParkewasgivenresponsibilityfordevelopingbettercoordinationofvolunteersfromnationalorganizationswhoprovidedassistancetoVeteransinVAhospitals.HeconductedastudyanddevelopedaplanforavoluntaryserviceprogramatVA.

VAVoluntaryService(VAVS)wasestablishedinMay1946andParkewasappointedasitsfirstdirector.VAVSwasaligned,atthetime,undertheSpecialServicesDivisionofVA’sDepartmentofMedicineandSurgery,alongwithnewChaplain,Canteen,andMedicalLibraryServices.ParkewasVAVS’longest-tenureddirector,servingnearly25yearsandcoordinatingvolunteerstoserveVeteransofthreewars.

HediedonAugust31,1970,aftersufferingaheartattackandisburiedinBaltimoreNationalCemetery.

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PeterMiller(1917–1981)DirectorofVAVoluntaryService,1970-1976

Peter “Pete” Miller was born the son of RussianimmigrantsonOctober7,1917,andgrewuparoundPortland,Oregon.HereceivedanA.B.degreefromPacific University and an M.S. degree from theUniversityofOregon,wherehelaterservedonthefacultybeforeenteringtheNavyduringWorldWarII. He was discharged from the Navy at the rankof Seaman First Class and joinedVA’s new SpecialServices department in 1946 where he workedwithJamesParketodevelopVA’sVoluntaryServiceprogram.

In 1951 he was appointed as the VA VoluntaryServiceassistantdirector.HeandJamesParkewerea collaborative team who together guided thevolunteer program through vast expansions andtwoadditionalwars.HewasawardedtheVAChiefMedical Director’s Commendation twice--in 1961and 1966. In 1970 he was appointed Director ofVAVoluntaryServiceafterJamesParke’sdeath. AtthetimeVAoperated166hospitalswhere111,000volunteerspermonth(average)gavemorethan10millionvolunteerhoursannually.

In 1971 he received the VA Administrator’sCommendation and in 1976 was honored bythe American Legion for his service. He retiredfrom VA on December 31, 1975, having servedVAVS for roughly 30 years, and returned tonative Oregon. He died on November 23, 1981and is buried in Willamette National Cemetery.

WilsonJ.Schuerholz(1920–1997)DirectorofVAVoluntaryService,1976-1978

WilsonJosephSchuerholzwasbornonDecember13,1920,inBaltimore,MarylandtoGermanimmigrantWilliam Schuerholz and his Italian wife, Marie. Hewas one of eight children. He was attending EastCarolinaUniversitywhentheU.S.enteredWorldWarII,sohepostponedhiseducationuntilafterthewar.HeenlistedintheNavyonJuly8,1942andservedas a Pharmacist’s Mate in the Atlantic fleet untilOctober7,1945.Afterhismilitarydischarge,heusedtheG.I.bill to resumeandcompletehiseducationat the University of Maryland and later obtaineda master’s degree in hospital administration fromGeorgeWashingtonUniversity.

His first VA job was as a recreation supervisor atthe Fort HowardVA hospital in 1952. He pursueda career in hospital administration at VA and hadreached the level of assistant director for theVA hospital in Brooklyn, New York, when he wasappointedasdirectorofVAVoluntaryServiceafterPeter Miller’s retirement at the end of 1975. Heservedasdirectorforonlytwoyears,theleastofanyVAVoluntaryServicedirectorto-date,andleftwhenhewasappointedasdirector for theMilesCityVAMedicalCenter.HediedonSeptember3,1997;hisburiallocationiscurrentlyunknown.

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EdwardF.Rose(1930–2002)DirectorofVAVoluntaryService,1978-1991

Edward“Ed”FieldRosewasbornonAugust20,1930,inEmporia,Virginia,toJamesBlountandAlmaPowellRose.HisfatherworkedontherailroadandEdwastheyoungestoffourchildren.Attheageof18,heenlistedintheU.S.AirForce,servingforfouryearsuntilhisdischargein1952. HeusedtheG.I.billtopursuehiseducation,graduatingfromVirginiaTechwithaB.S.inIndustrialEducation and later earned a master’s degree in special education from theUniversityofVirginia.

In1957hewasappointedasdirectoroftheGeorgeMasonCenterforRetardedChildren inArlington,Virginia,whereheserveduntil1966. HethenworkedfortheU.S.CivilServiceCommissionfrom1970-73,specializinginthehiringof people with disabilities, and served from 1973-78 as deputy executive

directorofthePresident’sCommitteeonEmploymentoftheHandicapped.In1968hereceivedtheArthurS.FlemmingAwardfromtheTrachtenbergSchoolofPublicPolicyandPublicAdministrationasoneof10young employees selected for their outstanding performance. In November 1978 he was appointed asDirectorofVAVoluntaryServiceafterWilsonSchuerholz’sdepartureduetoapromotion.

He received numerous awards in his career, including the Meritorious Achievement Award from theVirginia Governor’s Committee on Employment of the Handicapped and AMVETS Silver Helmet Award.He stepped down from the VAVS director’s position in 1991, but continued to work with programuntil 1994. He later became director for hospital visitation at the Masonic Service Association in SilverSpring until his death in 2002 from Parkinson’s disease. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

JimW.DelgadoDirectorofVAVoluntaryService,1991-2005

JimW.DelgadowasanativeofPortLavaca,Texas,andservedintheU.S.AirForceduringtheVietnamWar. HebeganhisVAcareer in1971asanursingassistantafterhismilitarydischarge. HeattendedtheUniversityofHoustonand received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from MarshallUniversityinHuntington,WestVirginia.Healsotooksomegraduatecoursesat theUniversityofNewMexicowhilehewasworkingat theVAhospital inAlbuquerque.

He served in various capacities at several medical centers in VA’s VoluntaryService program for 15 years before his appointment as Director of VAVoluntaryServicein1991.HewasChiefofVAVoluntaryServiceattheAudieL.MurphyMemorialVeteransHospitalinSanAntonio,Texas,priortomovingtoWashington,DC.HebecameamemberoftheSeniorExecutiveServicein1994.

HeretiredasDirectorofVAVoluntaryServiceinJanuary2005andreceivedtheAMVETSSilverHelmetAwardasCivilServantoftheYearthatsameyear.Hewascreditedwithincreasingthenumberofvolunteersby30%underhis14yeartenureasdirector.SincehisretirementhehasservedaspresidentoftheVAAlumniAssociationandtheNationalActiveandRetiredFederalEmployeesAssociationaswellasremainingactivewithAMVETS,DisabledAmericanVeterans(DAV),andtheVietnamVeteransofAmerica.

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LauraBalunDirectorofVAVoluntaryService,2005-2013

Laura Balun was a native of Front Royal, Virginia,andgraduatedfromLongwoodCollegeinFarmville,Virginia, with a bachelor’s degree in therapeuticrecreation.

HerVAcareerbeganin1981whenshewashiredasarecreationtherapistatNorthChicagoVAMedicalCenter and, later, Hampton VA Medical Center inVirginia.ShereceivedherVoluntaryServicetrainingat Palo Alto and afterwards was assigned as ChiefofVoluntaryServiceandPublicAffairsattheGrandJunction,Colorado,medicalcenter. ShewasChiefof Voluntary Service at the DC VA Medical Centerprior to her appointment as VA Voluntary ServiceDirectorin2005.

Atthetimethatshebecamedirectorin2005,over88,700 active volunteers and 350 organizations,nationwide, provided roughly 12.5 million hoursof service and $107 million in gifts or donationsto veterans under VA’s care. She also served asthe principal liaison between Veterans ServiceOrganizations, theVeteransHealthAdministration,andUnderSecretaryforHealthinthatposition.

She retired in 2013 after devoting more than 30yearsinservicetoVeterans.

SabrinaClarkDirectorofVAVoluntaryService,2013-

Sabrina Clark is a native of Zanesville, Ohio, andgraduate of Ohio University. She holds Bachelor’sandMaster’sdegreesinMusicaswellasaCertificateinPublicLeadershipfromtheBrookingsInstitute.

HerVAcareerbeganinFebruary1992whenshewashiredasamusictherapistatEastOrangeVAMedicalCenterinNewJersey.ShecontinuedhermusiccareerasanadjuncttoherVAcareer,whichcontinuedtoadvanceasshemovedtoVA’sMarylandHealthCareSystemtoworkinitshospitalsandclinics.ShewasProgram Manager for Voluntary Service at severalsitesinVA’sMarylandHealthCareSystem.

In2005shecametoVACentralOfficeinWashington,DC, as a Learning Consultant for VA’s LearningUniversity,whereshespearheadedseveralinitiativesto build future leaders for VA. These includedVA’s Aspiring Leaders Program, the LeadershipDevelopment Mentoring Program, and the VALUMentor Certification program. She served asInitiativeCoordinatorandlaunchedon-lineportalsforVA’sprimaryleadershipdevelopmentprogramsand facilitated cutting-edge employee trainingprogramsinpartnershipwithFranklinCovey.

She was appointed as Director of VA VoluntaryService in September 2013 after Laura Balun’sretirement.

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2016 VAVS National Advisory CommitteeChairperson:MichaelR.Odle

ExecutiveDirector,VHAOfficeofCommunicationsDeputyChairperson:SabrinaC.Clark

Director,VoluntaryServiceOffice

2016VAVSNACExecutiveCommittee

Chairperson:RonRolfes,Jr.,FortyandEightVice-Chairperson:ColonelCharlesGallina,KnightsofColumbus

AmericanLegion,TheAmericanLegionAuxiliaryAmericanRedCrossAMVETSAMVETSAuxiliaryBenevolentandProtectiveOrderofElksBlindedVeteransAssociationDisabledAmericanVeteransFortyandEightKnightsofColumbusMarineCorpsLeagueMasonicServiceAssociationofNorthAmericaMilitaryOrderoftheCootieAuxiliaryMilitaryOrderofthePurpleHeartoftheU.S.A,Inc.NationalSocietyofDaughtersoftheAmericanRevolutionParalyzedVeteransofAmericaSoldiers’AngelsVeteransofForeignWarsAuxiliaryVeteransofForeignWarsoftheU.S.VietnamVeteransofAmerica

ECSubcommittees

Recommendations GeorgeBraatz,Chair JohnKleindienst KennethRose Recruitment CharlesGallina,Chair EmilFranz JamesMoss

VolunteeroftheYear RonRolfes,Jr.,Chair CharlesGallina W.G.“Bill”Kilgore Membership DelTurner,Chair GaryThomas StewartIsrael

PartnershipAdHocCharlesGallina,Co-ChairKarenO’Neal,Co-ChairChristiHillmanEdwardLilleyMelissaHeinleinJimTodd

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2016 NAC Annual Meeting and Conference Host:NewMexicoVAHealthCareSystem,Albuquerque,NewMexico

2016 NAC Annual Meeting and Conference Planners:

SabrinaC.Clark,Director,VoluntaryServiceOffice,VeteransAffairsCentralOffice

LornaHatch,Chief,VAVoluntaryService,VAMaineHealthcareSystem,Augusta,ME

SonjaBrown,Chief,VoluntaryService&PublicAffairsOperations,NewMexicoVAHealthCareSystem,Albuquerque,NM

VAVSStaff&NACPlanningCommitteeattheNewMexicoVAHealthCareSystem,Albuquerque,NM

VA Voluntary Service Central Office:

SabrinaC.Clark,DirectorMaryJoMunnelly,LeadStaffAssistant

TonyBurtley,VoluntaryServiceSpecialistChristineFeeser,ProgramSpecialist

TyroneGreen,ProgramAnalystGinnyHoover,VoluntaryServiceSpecialistKevinStanford,HealthSystemsSpecialist

Registration Staff:

Coordinator-VickiEatmon,VoluntaryServiceSpecialist,CharlesGeorgeVAMedicalCenter,Asheville,NC

TabithaIngram,ProgramSpecialist,RichardL.RoudebushVAMedicalCenter,Indianapolis,IN

Conference Photography and Social Media Support:

WilliamP.Armstrong,PublicAffairsSpecialist,NewMexicoVAHealthCareSystem

DavidOverson,PublicAffairsSpecialist,NewMexicoVAHealthCareSystem

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2016 VAVS NAC Member Organizations(AsofApril8,2016)

Service Member Organizations

Organization Name Position Name

AmericanEx-PrisonersofWar R VACANT

AmericanGoldStarMothers R Georgian“Ann”Davis D JenniferJackman

TheAmericanLegion R LouisJ.Celli,Jr. D EdwardLilley

AmericanLegionAuxiliary R Patricia“Pat”Kranzow D K.LynneWild

AmericanRedCross R RuthWalters D JoyceParke D JulieMyers D BettyTemple D LouisWagnerIII

AMVETS R W.G.“Bill”Kilgore D BerylLove D GerardGurnari D JohnP.Brown,III

AMVETSAuxiliary R MarieRorrio D KathrynM.Berning D LeslieNell BenevolentandProtectiveOrderofElks R MaryMorgan D StewartIsrael D TomJamison D DennisMcAleese

BlindedVeteransAssociation R EdwardEckroth D WadeDavis D JamesHogan

BlueStarMothersofAmerica,Inc. R AnneParker

DisabledAmericanVeterans R JohnH.Kleindienst D WilliamC.Baumann D EdwardE.Hartman

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Organization Name Position Name

DisabledAmericanVeteransAuxiliary R NancyO.Mooney D ElizabethEldridge D AnnGlende

FortyandEight R RonRolfes,Jr. D RogerGowen D BernieSampson

JewishWarVeteransoftheUSA R JeromeBerns

KnightsofColumbus R CharlesH.Gallina D GaryL.Thomas D JamesWeaver

KoreanWarVeteransAssociation R J.D.Randolph D ArthurE.Hills

LadiesAuxiliary,MilitaryOrderofthePurpleHeart R CherylPerezoftheU.S.A.,Inc. D TrishA.Rosie

MarineCorpsLeague R EmilA.Franz D RexHopper D JackProsuh

MarineCorpsLeagueAuxiliary R NancyCalleja

MasonicServiceAssociationofNorthAmerica R GeorgeO.Braatz D RaymondJ.VandenBerghe,Sr.

MilitaryOrderoftheCootie R RayTarango D RichardBostick D DickDickens D TerranceP.“Shorty”Lyons MilitaryOrderoftheCootieAuxiliary R RebeccaStrauss D GeraldeanHunter-Vautherot MilitaryOrderofthePurpleHeartoftheU.S.A.,Inc. R Del“Bulldog”Turner D GregLutes D SydneyStaton D WilliamWare

MilitaryWomenAcrosstheNation R DianeCulleton

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Organization Name Position Name

NationalSocietyDaughtersoftheAmericanRevolution R Marjorie“Margie”S.Shelton D CynthiaAllen D DeborahCarlson D MaryHines D MarianneHughes D JoyLinn D RaniWaddell

NationalSocietySonsoftheAmericanRevolution R Martin“Bill”W.Kabel D StanleyA.Evans,Sr. D RichardE.Friberg

ParalyzedVeteransofAmerica R ChristiHillman D JacquinWhite

PolishLegionofAmericanVeterans,U.S.A. R FerdinandR.Thomas,Jr. D RalphA.Wozniak

TheSalvationArmy R SharronHudson D SusanEllis D MarciaSmith D BrendaR.Herivel D JuneM.Carver D JenniferQueener

Soldiers’Angels R VickiSarracino D AmyPalmer

SonsoftheAmericanLegion R ClintBolt D DuaneAlexander D GaryCrokett D RaymondThornton D James“Jimmy”Hunter D DanO’Rouke D ThomasGlander D GregPrice D DouglasMurphy

UnitedDaughtersoftheConfederacy R CharlotteJ.Clinger D SherryDavis D JanetW.Grams

UnitedVeteransServices R MaryLee D GeorgeA.Beadles,Jr. D RichardWalters D FrankSchleifer

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Organization Name Position Name

VeteransofForeignWarsAuxiliary R CaraM.Day

VeteransofForeignWarsoftheU.S. R JamesW.Moss D DawnJirak

VietnamVeteransofAmerica,Inc. R JudithMcCombs D KennethRose

Associate Service Member Organizations CatholicWarVeterans R JohnR.Dubay D JoseM.Garcia D JosephRaimo D SusanReith

CatholicWarVeteransAuxiliary R ElaineA.Diaczun D ConcettaProvenza

CorporationforNationalandCommunityService R JohnJ.Lira D JoanneNewsome D TheresaLong

DaughtersofUnionVeteransoftheCivilWar, R MaryAnnHerbsleb(1861–1865) D RoleneRobinson

FleetReserveAssociation R ChristopherSlawinski D JerryButler D RichardS.McKee

GoldStarWivesofAmerica,Inc. R ArleneP.Murray D AugustineChapman D AudreyEasterling D CarolynS.Edwards D SusanJ.Simmons

I.B.P.O.ElksoftheWorld,Inc. R JeffryL.Wright D WandaM.Grover LadiesAuxiliary,PolishLegionofAmerican R KathyBollVeterans,U.S.A. D TheresaKrysiak

NationalLadiesAuxiliary,JewishWarVeterans R PetraC.KaatzoftheU.S.A. D MarionE.Friedman D BellaWesterman

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Organization Name Position Name

NationalSocietyColonialDamesXVIICentury R VirginiaLayman D NancyBarber D BettyFogarty D NaomiMangum D MaryNeumaier UnitedAutoWorkers R JoeAshton D GarryBernath D DarrelMartin D AnitaL.Myers D Kris“Buffalo”Owen D DougTiderington

Women’sArmyCorpsVeterans’Association R AcquanettaPullins

Donor Member Organizations

TheBowlerstoVeteransLink(BVL),Inc. R ElizabethMontanya

TheSilverStarFamiliesofAmerica R DianaCreed-Newton D KathleenLandess

VeteransVoicesWritingProject,Inc. R DeannMitchell D PriscillaA.Chansky D SherylLiddle

Associate Donor OrganizationsN/A

Honorary MemberSonsofAMVETS R William“Bill”Gerry D DanielBriggs D WilliamChiddister D CharlieSummerall

WomenMarinesAssociation R KayCroll D MitziManning

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Goals and Objectives

The following are goals and objectives for the 70th Annual VAVS NAC Meeting and Conference:

1.ProvidetheVAVSNACanopportunitytoconductitsbusinessinamannerthatassuresachievementofallresponsibilitiesmandatedbyitscharter.2.ProvideNACorientationtonewlocalandnationalVAVSRepresentativesandDeputiesandVAVSstaff.

3.PresenttoallmemberorganizationrepresentativesanoverviewofcurrentandpendingVAVSpoliciesandprocedures.

4. Foster fullandopencommunicationsamongthememberorganizations, their representatives,andtheVoluntaryServiceCentralOfficeandfieldstaff.

5. ProvidetheNACmemberorganizationswiththeeducationalandtrainingprogramsdesignedtoshareinformation geared towards improving volunteer programs with special emphasis on methods to recruit,retain,motivate,andrecognizevolunteers.

6.FurnishtheNACmemberorganizationstheopportunitytohearfromVAleadershipconcerningkeyissueswithintheDepartmentofVeteransAffairs.

7.ArrangefortheNACreviewof,andactionon,recommendations.8.HonorthenationalrecipientoftheJamesH.ParkeMemorialYouthScholarshipAward,Shane Mathew,studentvolunteerattheMiamiVAHealthcareSystem,Miami,Florida.

9. Recognize Ruth Wheeler, American Legion Auxiliary, VA Central Western Massachusetts Health CareSystem,astherecipientofthe70thAnniversaryCommendation.

10. Recognize Gus Groat, Knights of Columbus, Battle Creek VA Medical Center, as the VAVS NAC MaleVolunteeroftheYearandJulie Stranges,NationalSocietyDaughtersoftheAmericanRevolution,VAGreaterLosAngelesHealthcareSystemastheVAVSNACFemaleVolunteeroftheYear.

11.RecognizeDeborah Brookshire,Chief,VoluntaryService,attheSouthernArizonaVAHealthCareSystem,Tucson,Arizona,astherecipientoftheVoluntaryServiceAwardforExcellence.

12.RecognizethefollowingawardrecipientsfortheAmericanSpiritAwards:Reginald Hardy, CentralTexasVeteransHealthCareSystem,Temple,Texas,forStudentRecruitment;andRonni Miller,DurhamVAMedicalCenter,Durham,NorthCarolina,forCorporateRecruitment.

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VAVS NAC 2016 RecommendationsAs submitted by the Recommendations Subcommittee

Recommendations will be handed out and processed at the NAC Business Session.

Hotel Map

CIMARRON

LAS CRUCES

SALON J

SALON I

SALON H

SALON G

Grand Ballroom

SALON F SALON E

SALON D

SALON C

SALON B

SALON A

LIBRARY

PECOS SANDIA

Sandia Ballroom

ACOMA

CARLSBADSANTA FE

Audio Visual Office

Banquet Office

Registration Desk

Second Level

Taos Boardroom

ConferenceSuite

Celebrate 70 Years of VAVS on Social Media

Throughouttheconference,andbeyond,usethehashtag:

#VAVS70Strong

onallsocialmediaplatformstoshareyour70thAnniversaryexperience.

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Registration InformationThe New Mexico VA Health Care System, Albuquerque, New Mexico

welcomes you to the 70th Annual VAVS National Advisory Committee

Meeting and Conference!

TheRegistrationDeskwillbeopenonthefollowingschedule:

Tuesday,May3-12Noonto4PM Wednesday,May4-7AMto4PM Thursday,May5-8AMto5PM Friday,May6-8AMto12Noon(InformationOnly)

Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorconcernsduringyourvisit,pleaseseeRebeccaStrauss,VickiEatmon,TabithaIngram,oroneoftheRegistrationVolunteers.

Wednesday, May 4th - 9 AM to 3 PMSandia Ballroom

ManythankstotheVISN22andNewMexicoVAHealthCareSystemleadership,themembersoftheNewMexicoVAHealthCareSystem’sNACPlanningCommittee,theirVAVSCommittee,andall theVAVSvolunteersfortheiroutstandingeffortsonthe70thVAVSNationalAdvisoryCommitteeAnnualMeetingandConference.

Thankyou!31

70th VA Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee Annual Meeting

Daily Agenda

Pre-Meeting Activities

TUESDAY, May 3, 2016

12:00PM-4:00PM REGISTRATION RegistrationDesk

3:00PM-6:00PM VAVS STAFF MEETING SalonsE&FWEDNESDAY, May 4, 2016

7:00AM-4:00PM REGISTRATION RegistrationDesk 8:00AM-11:30AM EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING SalonsF-J

9:00AM-3:00PM HEALTH AND INFORMATION FAIR SandiaBallroom RefreshmentsSponsored By: Disabled American Veterans, Knights of Columbus, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, and AMVETS 11:30AM-1:00PM LUNCH ON YOUR OWN

1:00PM-2:30PM NEW REP/DEP & NEW VAVS STAFF TRAINING SalonsA-E Faculty: Colonel Charles H. Gallina, VAVS National Representative, Knights of Columbus and Nathan Witt, Chief, VAVS, Bay Pines VA Healthcare System

3:00PM-5:00PM OPEN TABLE FORUM SalonsE-J 5:00PM-6:00PM DINNER ON YOUR OWN

6:00PM–7:00PM OPENING KEYNOTE ADDRESS SalonsE-J “What’s Your Why?” Timothy E. Eernisse, Director of Development & Marketing, WGVU Public Media Sponsored by: Fleet Reserve Association 7:00PM-9:00PM 70TH ANNIVERSARY RECEPTION - 1940s THEME SalonsE-J Sponsored By: Paralyzed Veterans of America, Forty and Eight, VFW Auxiliary, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Disabled American Veterans, and Local VAVS Organizations including NSDAR Charles Dibrell Chapter, Military Order of Purple Heart, American Legion Auxiliary, and AMVETS Post 7, Marine Corps League

Entertainment: Swing Dance Group, Balbuquerque! featuring Performance Team - The Incredibals

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THURSDAY, May 5, 20168:00AM-5:00PM REGISTRATION RegistrationDesk8:30AM-11:30AM BUSINESS SESSION GrandBallroom

CalltoOrder Ron Rolfes, Jr.

Invocation Steven Gribble, Chaplain, New Mexico VA Health Care System

NationalAnthem Alfredo Bourget, Trumpeter, Korean War Veterans, NMVAHCS

PledgeofAllegiance Ruby Garcia, VAVS Representative, Blue Star Mothers, NMVAHCS Welcome Andrew M. Welch, MHA, FACHE Medical Center Director, NMVAHCS RollCall Ron Rolfes, Jr.

OpeningRemarksandMeetingObjectives Ron Rolfes, Jr. AHistoricalPerspectiveofVoluntaryServicetoVeterans Darlene Richardson, VHA Historian

9:45AM–10:00AM BREAK Foyer Sponsored by: Military Order of the Purple Heart of the USA, Inc. and Blinded Veterans Association

YouthLeadershipthroughService Katie Combs, Southwest Region Military Youth of the Year, Boys & Girls Clubs of America

HomelessVeteransProgramUpdate Lisa Pape, Executive Director, Homeless Veterans Program Veterans Health Administration

VAVSAwardPresentations Ron Rolfes, Jr. and Sabrina Clark 70thAnniversaryCommendation NACMaleandFemaleVolunteeroftheYear AmericanSpiritAwards VAVSAwardforExcellence

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12:30PM PARKE LUNCHEON SalonsE-J Invocation Rafael Aspeitia, VAVS Representative, Salvation Army, NMVAHCS PledgeofAllegiance Ryan Weaver and Gordhan Jogia, Hospital Occupation and Career Students, NMVAHCS

BuffetLuncheon

VideoPresentationofAwardWinner

PresentationandAcceptanceofAward JohnP.“JP”Brown,III

AcceptanceofDonations JohnP.“JP”Brown,III

2:15PM–3:30PM EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS

1-MaximizingCollaborations Sandia Lelia Jackson, Director, VHA Office of Community Engagement

2-It’sAboutTime:BurnoutandVolunteerResourceManagers Pecos Melissa Heinlein, PhD, MA, MS, CAVS - Chief, VAVS, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA

3-Don’tLeaveThemHanging:ReducingVolunteerWaitTimes SalonsA-D Deborah Brookshire, M.Ed., CAVS - Chief, VAVS and Mandy Martell, MHA, Voluntary Service Specialist, Southern Arizona VA HCS, Tucson, AZ

4-TheSocialMediaDance:WhereDoYouFindYourself-WallflowerorEmergent? Cimarron/LasCruces James Todd, Chief VAVS, Richard L. Roudebush VAMC, Indianapolis, IN and Daniel Morgan, Director of Communications, Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing

3:30PM–3:45PM BREAK Foyer Sponsored by: AMVETS

3:45PM–5:00PM EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS 1-MaximizingCollaboration Sandia 2-It’sAboutTime:BurnoutandVolunteerResourceManagers Pecos 3-Don’tLeaveThemHanging:ReducingVolunteerWaitTimes SalonsA-D 4-TheSocialMediaDance:WhereDoYouFindYourself-WallflowerorEmergent? Cimarron/LasCruces

DINNER ON YOUR OWN

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FRIDAY, May 6, 2016

8:00AM–12:00NOON INFORMATION RegistrationDesk

8:30AM-11:30AM BUSINESS SESSION GrandBallroom CalltoOrder Ron Rolfes, Jr. PledgeofAllegiance Kay Coleman, VAVS Representative, American Gold Star Mothers, NMVAHCS SubcommitteeReports Recommendations George Braatz, Masonic Service Association of N.A. NACVolunteeroftheYear Ron Rolfes, Jr., Forty and Eight Recruitment Charles Gallina, Knights of Columbus Membership Del “Bulldog” Turner, Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A., Inc. StandardOperatingProcedures Patricia “Pat” Kranzow, American Legion Auxiliary AdHocCommittee PartnershipAdHocCommittee Charles Gallina, Co-Chair, Knights of Columbus Karen O’Neal, Co-Chair, VAVS Program Manager, Erie VA Medical Center

VAVoluntaryServiceReport Sabrina C. Clark, Director, VA Voluntary Service Office

10:00AM–10:15AM BREAK Foyer Sponsored by: Knights of Columbus NationalAdvisoryCommitteeChairReport Michael Odle, Executive Director, VHA Office of Communications

VeteransHealthAdministrationUpdate Vivieca Wright Simpson, VHA Chief of Staff

Human Hug Project Ian Michael, Hug Ambassador Sponsored by: Dr. Neil McClymont, OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, Rockford, IL and A Creative Touch, Inc. 71stAnnualNACMeeting&ConferenceHostCityPresentation

ClosingRemarks Ron Rolfes, Jr. 11:30AM-1:00PM LUNCH ON YOUR OWN

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1:00PM–2:15PM EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS 1-MaximizingCollaboration Sandia 2-It’sAboutTime:BurnoutandVolunteerResourceManagers Pecos 3-Don’tLeaveThemHanging:ReducingVolunteerWaitTimes SalonsA-D 4-TheSocialMediaDance:WhereDoYouFindYourself-WallflowerorEmergent? Cimarron/LasCruces

2:15PM–2:30PM BREAK Foyer Sponsored by: Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks2:30PM–3:45PM EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS 1-MaximizingCollaboration Sandia 2-It’sAboutTime:BurnoutandVolunteerResourceManagers Pecos 3-Don’tLeaveThemHanging:ReducingVolunteerWaitTimes SalonsA-D 4-TheSocialMediaDance:WhereDoYouFindYourself-WallflowerorEmergent? Cimarron/LasCruces

4:00PM–5:00PM EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CRITIQUE SalonsF-J

6:00PM CLOSING DINNER SalonsA-E Invocation DianaWong,VAVSDeputyRepresentative,AMVETSand 2011NACFemaleVolunteeroftheYear,NMVAHCS

PledgeofAllegiance VictoriaJensen,VAVSRepresentative,VFWAuxiliary,NMVAHCS

SpecialPresentation MichaelA.Migliara,PublicAffairsOfficer, NationalVeteransOutreachOffice,VAOfficeofPublicAffairs

MatthewCollier,SpecialAdvisortotheSecretary, OfficeofStrategicPartnership

Entertainment by: Bow Guard Singers and Dance GroupSponsored by: Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks (Local)

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KeynoteTimothy Eernisse

As WGVU Director of Development and Marketing Timothyoversees the WGVU Development & Business Developmentteam as well as Marketing, Outreach, Art, and Educationareas. HehasbeenwithWGVUformorethannineyears, threeas an Underwriting Sales Representative and the last six asDevelopmentandMarketingManagerandbecametheDirectorofDevelopmentandMarketingin2015. TimothyisaproudAirForceVeteran,havingservedfrom1990–1998workingwiththe439th Military AirliftWing and the 127th AirWing as a PERSCOTeamMemberandthe110thFighterGroupasaWeaponsLoaderon A-10 Aircraft. Timothy has been deployed domestically andoverseasinsupportofseveralAirForceoperations.

Mr. Eernisse has been involved in multiple WGVU communitycommitteesincludingtheWGVUCarrierCrewaspartofthePBSdocumentaryCARRIER;LZMichiganCommittee(aWelcomeHome

forVietnamVeterans);GVSUMilitaryAppreciationDay;WGVUEngageVeteransSalute;WestMichiganRDAC;andmore.TimothyisatwotimeMichiganEmmyNomineeforhisworkwithLZMichigan.

TimothyisinvolvedinseveralcommitteesincludingthePBSCommunicationsAdvisoryCommittee;PBSRevenueInnovationCouncil;KenBurns/WETAVietnamStationAdvisoryBoard;NationalEducationalTelecommunicationsAssociation(NETA)MarketingCommittee;PBSStoriesofServiceAdvisoryBoard;NETA Development Committee; NETA Community Engagement Committee; Michigan Associationof Broadcasters Awards Committee; Michigan Association of Broadcasters Marketing Committee;VeteransComingHomeAdvisoryCommittee;R4AllianceAdvisoryBoard,WestMichiganVeteransCoalitionEmploymentCommittee;GVSUVeteransNetwork;WGVUEngageCommittee;Rocco’sHeart,anHLHSFoundation,BoardofDirectors;PresidentFordCouncilBoyScoutsofAmericaSeptember11thRemembranceCommittee;LZMichiganCommitteeandtheEngageVeteransAdvisoryCommittee.

Eernisse has received many other national and international awards for his works including:

2015 - MarCom Platinum Award for both Bob Ross Look-alike Contest Special Event and Promotion Categories 2015 - MarCom Gold Award – WGVU is a Family Tradition Interstitial; 2015 Year in Review Corporate Image Spot; Ballooning for Education Event2015 - Vietnamese Communities of Grand Rapids and Surrounding Community Service Award2014 - PBS Development Award – Community Collaboration 2014 - VFW Post 702 Veteran Community Service Award2014 - Communicator Award of Excellence – President Gerald R. Ford Celebration for Marketing/Promotion2011 - National Communitas Award for Service to the Community for LZ Michigan

TimispartoftheWGVUPublicMediaSeniorLeadershipTeam.37

Vivieca Wright SimpsonVeterans Health Administration (VHA)

Chief of Staff

PROFESSIONALSUMMARY

Vivieca Wright Simpson serves as the Veterans HealthAdministration(VHA)ChiefofStaffintheOfficeoftheUnderSecretaryforHealthinVeteransAdministrationCentralOffice(VACO),Washington,DC.VeteransAffairsisoneofthelargestcivilianemployersinthefederalgovernmentandVHAisoneofthelargesthealthcareemployers intheworldwithover311,000 employees and a FY 14 budget of $57 billion.TheChiefofStaffservesastheseniorstaffadvisortotheUnderSecretaryforHealth.

As the VHA Chief of Staff, Ms. Wright Simpson representsandspeaksfortheUnderSecretaryinhighleveldiscussions

and negotiations in order to establish or implement all policies, practices, management,andoperationalactivitiesforVHA.ActingaspersonalrepresentativeoftheUnderSecretary,Ms. Wright Simpson participates in department-wide activities involving organizationalalignments,functionalassignmentsandstaffing.ShemakesrecommendationstotheUnderSecretaryonrequestsforchangestotheapprovedorganizationalalignments,andreviews,analyzesandproposeschanges inorganizationaland functional responsibilitiesassociatedwithchangesinVHACentralOffice,VeteransIntegratedServiceNetworks(VISNs),andMedicalCenters.

Ms.WrightSimpsonjoinedtheOfficeoftheDeputyUnderSecretaryforHealthOperationsandManagement(DUSHOM)in2005andwaspromotedtoDirectorinSeptember2008.PriortojoiningtheofficeoftheDUSHOM,sheworkedintheVISN9NetworkofficeandtheTennesseeValley Health Care System. In each position, she demonstrated her ability to strengthenoperations,enhancequalityofcare,optimizeresourceutilization,infuseinnovativeprogramsandservices,reducecosts,andimprovemarketpositioning.Ms.WrightSimpsonreceivedherBachelorofSciencedegreefromTennesseeStateUniversityfollowed by a Master’s Degree in Health Administration, with an emphasis in HospitalAdministrationfromMeharryMedicalCollegein1992.ShebecameamemberoftheSeniorExecutiveServiceinSeptember2008.SheisanativeofBirmingham,Alabama.

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Workshop DescriptionsNew Rep/Dep & New VAVS Staff Training (Only1session,Wednesday,May4,1:00PM-2:30PM)Faculty: Nathan Witt, Chief, VAVS, Bay Pines VA HCS, Bay Pines, Florida and Colonel Charles H. Gallina, VAVS National Representative, Knights of Columbus

ThissessionisdesignedtoprovideorientationfornewVAVSNACRepresentativesandDeputyRepresentatives,and new VAVS staff, and will also offer current information to seasoned VAVS NAC Representatives andDeputies. The latest trends, statistics, and recommendations inVAVS volunteering will be presented anddiscussed.VAVSRepresentativesandDeputyRepresentativesservingonlocalVAVSCommitteescouldalsobenefitandlearnbyattendingthissession.

Maximizing CollaborationsFaculty: Lelia Jackson, Director, VHA Office of Community Engagement

This session will provide strategies for enhancing and developing partnerships with NongovernmentalOrganizations. It will provide best practice tips and tools to build and sustain partnerships and will raiseawarenessaboutcurrentpartnershipinitiatives.

It’s About Time: Burnout and Volunteer Resource Managers Faculty: Melissa Heinlein, PhD, MA, MS, CAVS - Chief, VAVS, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA

Didyouknowthatburnoutisstudiedmoreoftenamongvolunteersthanvolunteerresourcemanagers?Inthisinteractiveworkshop,youwillhearaboutrecentresearchonburnoutandvolunteerresourcemanagersandlearnhowVAVScompareswithothersinthefieldofvolunteermanagement.ThisworkshopprovidesanopportunityforvolunteerstohearhowtheycansupportVoluntaryServiceintheirVAMedicalCenter.

Don’t Leave Them Hanging: Reducing Volunteer Wait TimesFaculty: Deborah Brookshire, M.Ed., CAVS- Chief, VAVS and Mandy Martell, MHA, Voluntary Service Specialist, Southern Arizona VA HCS, Tucson, AZ

Wouldyoulikemorecontroloftheprocessandreducethetimeittakestoon-boardyourvolunteers?Thisinteractive session will give you new tools to identify barriers, improve your procedures, and implementstrategiesforprocesssustainability.

Bonus!–Thetoolspresentedcanbeappliedtoanyimprovementproject.

The Social Media Dance: Where Do You Find Yourself - Wallflower or Emergent?Faculty: James Todd, Chief VAVS, Richard L. Roudebush VAMC, Indianapolis, IN and Daniel Morgan, Director of Communications, Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing

This session will discuss how local VAVS program offices and partnering organizations can develop acollaborativeproactiveapproachtoovercomethechallengesofutilizingsocialmedia.

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Award Recipients

Honoring: (1)ShaneMathew-StudentVolunteer MiamiVAHealthcareSystem,Miami,Florida

Additional James H. Parke Memorial Scholarship Recipients

BrandonMcLean CarlVinsonVAMC $5,000 DurgaGanesh VAPaloAltoHCS $2,000 KeithLockhart JamesH.QuillenVAMC $2,000 BethanyAmerman RichardL.RoudebushVAMC $2,000 AllyJacobs VAAnnArborHCS $2,000 OliviaSchomer St.CloudVAHCS $2,000

(2)RuthWheeler,AmericanLegionAuxiliary VACentralWesternMassachusettsHealthcareSystem, Leeds,Massachusetts (3)GusGroat,KnightsofColumbus BattleCreekVAMedicalCenter,BattleCreek,Michigan (4)JulieStranges,NationalSocietyDaughtersoftheAmerican Revolution,VAGreaterLosAngelesHealthcareSystem, LosAngeles,California (5)ReginaldHardy-Chief,VoluntaryService CentralTexasVeteransHealthCareSystem,Temple,Texas (6)RonniMiller-Chief,VoluntaryService DurhamVAMedicalCenter,Durham,NC (7)DeborahBrookshire-Chief,VoluntaryService SouthernArizonaVAHealthCareSystem,Tucson,Arizona

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James H. Parke Memorial Scholarship $20,000 Scholarship Recipient

ShaneMathewMiamiVAHealthcareSystem

Miami,Florida

ShaneMathewhasservedasayouthvolunteerattheWilliam“Bill”KlingVAOutpatientClinicforthelastfouryears.ShanewasassignedtothePhysical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service’s Polytrauma ProgramCoordinatorandassistedVeteransinthePostDeploymentClinic. Hissupervisor, Robyn Bolgla, describes him as “the most dependablestudentvolunteer[she]haseversupervised.”

ShaneiscurrentlyinhisfirstyearofPre-MedattheUniversityofFloridaandheldmanyleadershippositions inhighschool includingChapterVicePresidentoftheNationalHonorSociety,Presidentofhisschool’schapter of the Health Occupations Students of America, and wasrecognizedbytheCoralSpringsVeteransCoalitionforsuperiorservice

tohiscommunity. Hismaturitywasapparentbyhisabilitytoworkwell inateamandcommunicatewithmedicalprofessionalsfromalldisciplinesand,mostimportantly,withtheVeteranpatientshewasassisting.HissupervisornotesthatShane“oftensurpassedtheprofessionalmedicalandphysicaltherapystudentswithregardtohiseagernesstoserveandhisabilitytomentorotherslessexperiencedthanhe.”

ThevolunteerexperiencecanbeasrewardingforsupervisorsandVAstaffasitisforvolunteersandVeterans.Ms. Bolgla states that“Shane’s youthful exuberance, positive attitude, and concern for others inspired myVeteran patients and colleagues, since he was a pleasure to have around. Patients often commented onShane’suniqueabilitytorecognizethesensitivenatureoftheVeteranpopulation,andempathizewiththem.Theyfoundhimimpressive,smart,andcaring,andwere inspiredbyhiscommitmenttoserveournation’sheroesyearafteryear,onhisowntime.”

OfhisexperienceasaVAVolunteer,Shanesays,“IwouldnevertrademyexperiencesattheVAforanything.The life lessons, encounters, and interactions I gained this summer were truly priceless. As a volunteer, Ilearnedhowtoprovidethebesttreatmentandpatientcare.Forme,itwasveryimportanttorecognizethatthepatientscomingtophysical therapyarenotaveragehumanbeings; rather, theyareheroeswhohaveservedthiscountrywholeheartedlyandundoubtedlysufferedforoursake.Byinteractingwithmanypatientsoverthecourseofthesesummers,IsteadilylearnedhowtohonorandrespecteveryVeteranIencountered.Asmile,greeting,orhandshakewithaVeterandemonstratestothemthattheyarecaredforandarethusinclinedtopasstherespectontothenextpersontheymeet.

ItwastrulyapleasuretohaveservedthepatientsattheVAoverthepastfouryears.Whereverlifetakesme,IwillalwayslookforwardtocontinuingtoserveourVeteransintheyearstocome.Iambeyondhumbledandhonoredtobenominatedforthisaward,andIamthankfultothementors,preceptors,andmostimportantly,toournation’sheroes-towhomIowethegreatestamountofgratitudeforthisandthemanyotheropportunitiesthatourprecious,hard-foughtfreedomallows.”

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70th Anniversary Commendation

RuthWheelerAmericanLegionAuxiliary

VACentralWesternMassachusettsHealthcareSystemLeeds,Massachusetts

s the longest serving volunteer in the VHA system, 85-year-oldolunteerRuthWheeler,affiliatedwiththeAmericanLegionAuxiliaryatheVACentralWesternMassachusettsHealthcareSystem,iscurrentlyervinginher65thconsecutiveyear.

“Forover65years,RuthWheelerhasbeenanunbelievablydedicatedolunteertoourVAcommunity inMassachusetts,”saidAnneMurray,oluntary Service Officer for VACWMHCS. “We, her VA friends, areumbledeverydaybyhersenseofservice,herloveandaffectionfor

heVeteransweserveandarehonoredtorecognizeherasourcelebrityolunteeronanyoccasion.”

Avts

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Inthattime,shehasaccumulatedover26,450volunteerhours,equivalenttoover12yearsoffull-timework.Thatisanextremelygenerousgiftandshe’sstillaccumulatinghours.Shejokesthatherplanistovolunteeruntilshe’s120yearsold!

Wheeler,herVAcolleaguessay,isanindispensablememberoftheBusinessOfficestaff,buildinginformationand benefits packets that go out toVeterans throughout the region that spans five counties and services120,000Veterans.EverynewenrolledVeteraninVAhealthcareincentralandwesternMassachusettsreceivesapackagethatWheelerbuildsandmailstothem.HerVAcolleaguesestimateWheelerpreparesatleast32,000mailingsayear.

Born inAshfield,Mass.,Wheeler lived inShelburneFallsandthen latermovedtoNorthamptonwheresheresidestoday.HerworkwithVeteransstartedinhighschoolasawaytohonorherfather,RaymondL.Wheeler,whowasintheU.S.ArmyCavalry.“MyfatherwasaWorldWarIVeteranandmymotherworkedfortheAmericanLegionAuxiliary,soIjoinedtheAuxiliarytoo,”shesaid.ImmediatelyafterWorldWarII,whenthehospitalhad1,200patientsinresidence,WheelersaidshehelpedorganizeaboutthreedancesayearforVeterans.

“Ijuststuckwithitafterthat,”shesaid.“IvolunteeredwhenIcouldovertheyears,butIwasworkingthen.”WhenRuthretiredin1993after30yearsasanofficeassistantatBerkshireElectricCableinLeeds,shebegantoserveasafull-timevolunteer.“Ilikebeinginvolvedinsomething;itkeepsmebusy,”shesaid.“Everybody’sfriendlyandthere’salwayssomethingtodo.Anditmakesyoufeelgood,helpingouttheVeterans.”

Unfazedbythehonorofbeingthelongest-servingVAVolunteerinthenationandalltheattributes,Wheelershrugsmodestly.

“Beingavolunteerisimportant,”Wheelersaid.“Whatmorecanyousay?”

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National Advisory CommitteeMale Volunteer of the Year

GusGroatKnightsofColumbus

BattleCreekVAMedicalCenterBattleCreek,Michigan

Gus Groat has served as the Knights of Columbus VAVSRepresentativefortheBattleCreekVAMedicalCentersince2010,followingoneyearastheDeputyRepresentative. SirKnight Groat is also the Michigan District Il of the FourthDegreeoftheKnightsofColumbusVAVSDirectorservingontheMasterfortheDistrict’sStaff.InthisroleheisresponsiblefordevelopingprogramstoaidourNationsVeterans.

SirKnightGroathasbeeninstrumentalinleadingmanyprogramsforBattleCreekVeterans,includingthe“TreatCart”Programinwhich KnightsofColumbusCouncilsandAssembliestaketurnstakingaTreatCartaroundthewardsoftheBattleCreekVAMedicalCenter.Theunitssupplycandy,fruit,workbooks,andotheritemstothepatientsatnocost.HealsocoordinatesaprojectwiththeLadiesofMichiganDistrictIItogatheritemssuchassocks,underwear,lapblankets,crosswordpuzzles,wordsearchbooks,andotherpersonal items.These itemsarecollectedatallMichiganDistrict II functionsfromJulytoJanuaryandaretakentotheAnnArborVAMedicalCenter,andthosecollectedfromJanuarytoJulyaretakentotheBattleCreekFacility.Thispastyearover2,000itemsweregiventotheVeterans.

SirKnightGroatvolunteersattheBattleCreekVAMedicalCenter intheCommunityLivingCenter,InpatientMentalHealthUnit,andTherapeuticRecreationSection.HealsoassistswiththeBattleCreekVAMC’sannualcarnivalandwatermelonfestivalinadditiontoattendingallVAVSCommitteeMeetings.AstheVAVSDirectorfortheMichiganDistrictIIheledprojectsthatprovided$5,050 in fundingandresulted intherestorationandrelocationofahistoricfountainandreflectionpoolfromFortCustertotheBattleCreekVAMCwherepatientsmaygotofindpeaceandserenity.

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National Advisory Committee Female Volunteer of the Year

JulieStrangesNationalSocietyDaughtersoftheAmericanRevolution

VAGreaterLosAngelesHealthcareSystemLosAngeles,California

Ms. JulieA.Strangesservesas theDeputyRepresentative forthe National Society Daughters of the American Revolution(DAR)andisadedicatedvolunteeratVAGreaterLosAngelesHealthcare System, Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center &Community Living Center. Julie began volunteering in 2002andshecontinuestovolunteerdailycontributingover17,140hours of volunteer service meeting the needs of America’sheroeswithdignityandcompassion.

JulieworkscloselywiththeVAVSChiefasherrighthandgotolady,howeverherregularassignmentistheVAVSofficeassistant/clerk.Sheassistswithrecordingdonationsandmakingsure that thedonorsareacknowledgedwithin the time frame. Julie isalsoinstrumentalinmakingsurethatthevolunteerhoursareproperlyenteredintothevolunteerpackage as well and works with theVoluntary Service Specialist making sure that Sepulveda’svolunteer recognition ceremony goes off without a hitch and that all volunteers are properlyrecognized.JulietakesherroleasDeputyRepresentativefortheDARveryseriouslyandmakessurethattheDARisrepresentedandaccountedforatallevents;aswellasVAVSMeetings.

Julie has also been instrumental in championing the Sepulveda’s Women Veterans LuncheonHonoringMilitaryWomenfor10yearsnowandeveryyeartheeventgetsbiggerandbetter.SheregularlycollaborateswithVeteransServiceandCommunityOrganizationstoensurethattheyareawareoftheneedsofWomenVeterans.WithoutadoubttheservicesandassistancethatJulieisprovidingstaffandVeteransisawin-winforGreaterLosAngeles,theDAR,andeveryonethatshecomesincontactwithdaily,especiallytheVeterans.

JulieisnotonlyanassettothestaffinVAVS,sheisanessentialpartofthePatientAdvisoryCouncil,VAVSExecutiveBoard/Committee,theWomenVeteransCommittee,PatientCenteredCareteam,theVoiceoftheVeteransChief,andtheGreaterLosAngelesHealthcareSystemasawhole.VAVSChief,SadieStewart,says,“Julieisindeedthatphenomenalwomanthatwereadandhearaboutbutrarelygettheopportunitytomeet.Itistrulyablessingtohavesuchawonderful,humbleindividuallikeJulieasapartofourteam.Hervolunteeringspeaksvolumesabouthercharacter.”

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VA Voluntary Service Award for Excellence

DeborahBrookshireSouthernArizonaVAHealthCareSystem

Tucson,Arizona

DeborahBrookshirekeepsVeteranCaretheprimaryconsiderationasshemanagestheVoluntaryServiceProgramatTheSouthernArizonaVAHealthCareSystem(SAVAHCS).Sheexpectssuperiorperformancefrom her staff and volunteers and is quick to recognize theiraccomplishments.Further,Ms.BrookshireisanactivememberoftheEmployee Empowerment Committee and assists in the maintenanceof the First in Service and First in Leadership awards for the facility.Ms.BrookshireestablishedtheSAVAHCSVeteranandFamilyAdvisoryCouncil (VFAC) and was instrumental in developing membershipwhichisnowchairedbyaVeteran.Sherecognizestheimportanceofthis council in communicating the perspectives, concerns and needsof Veteran patients and their family members. Ms. Brookshire also

spearheadedtheeffortstobringaboutthehighlyanticipatedFisherHouseofSouthernArizona.Herpassionfor quality care for both Veterans and their family members brought together the necessary communityresourcesthathavemadethebuildingofthefirstFisherHouseinArizonaareality.

Ms. Brookshire challenges herself with new and innovative ways of using VAVS resources to improvethe SAVAHCS experience for Veteran patients, families, volunteers and employees. She partneredwith Nursing Service and Veteran Centered Care to develop and pilot the Restful Nights Programwhere patients are provided with ear plugs, nasal strips and an eye mask to address patient requestsfor a more restful inpatient environment. She also collaborated with Nursing, Chaplain Service,Environmental Management Service and Diagnostics to develop a Veteran Memorial Program. Thisprogram honors hospitalizedVeterans who pass away in one of the acute care wards. Patriotic blanketsare draped over the deceased during transport within the hospital and are then presented to the family.

Ms. Brookshire serves as the deputy chair of SAVAHCS VAVS Committee which includes 25 communityorganizationsandmanages1,337regularlyscheduledvolunteersincludingavolunteerescortprogramwith220volunteers.Inthelastyear,throughaLEANproject,shereducedthewaittimeforthevolunteerapplicationprocessby54%.Shealsoestablishedanon-callvolunteerpooltoaddressunanticipatedneeds.SAVAHCSvoluntary service partnered with local business, Citi Inc. for the United Days of Caring of which activitiesbenefitedWomen’sHealthcare;HealthyLivingPrograms;HomelessVeterans,andMcArtanCommemorativePlaza.ShehasworkedwiththeSouthernArizonaArtsandCulturalAlliance(SAACA),tousedonatedfundstosupportalternativetherapiesandentertainmentforSAVAHCSpatientprograms.SAVAHCSVoluntaryServiceprogramalsoparticipatedin2014TucsonMayor’sSummitonSeniorOptions.Ms.BrookshireisanassettotheSAVAHCS,Veterans,andVoluntaryServiceprogramaswellastheDepartmentofVeteransAffairs.Shewilldo“whateverittakes”tobenefittheVeteransandsupportthevolunteers.SheismostdeservingoftheVoluntaryServiceAwardforExcellence.

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VA Voluntary Service American Spirit AwardStudent Recruitment Category

ReginaldHardyCentralTexasVAHealthCareSystem

Temple,TexasReginaldHardystartedasChief,VoluntaryServiceattheCentralTexasVeteransHealthCareSystem(CTVHCS)inMayof2015.UponhisarrivalhefoundthatVoluntaryServiceSpecialist,MonicaSmith,hadalreadydevelopedtheSummerStudentProgram. With littlesupervisionMs.Smithdevelopedseveralnewassignmentstoensurethatthestudentswouldreceivearewardingexperience,aswellasexceptionaltrainingandknowledgeofaVAhospital’soperationalprocedures.

Aftermeetingwithservicechiefsandsupervisors,Ms.Smithdevelopednewpositiondescriptionsforthefollowingassignments;studentliaison,valet parking clerk, finance and accounting clerk, Voluntary Serviceassistant, logistics clerk, kiosk appointment clerk, and dermatologyclerk.Thesenewassignmentsprovidedvaluable training,knowledge

andexperiencetostudentvolunteersonenhancingtheVeteranHealthCareExperience.

Thisyearreturningstudentswereabletohelprecruitotherstudentsfromtheirschoolsandchurchgroups.ThereturningstudentsusedwordofmouthtotellotherclassmatesabouttheirexperienceinvolunteeringandlearningjobskillsattheCentralTexasVeteransHealthCareSystem.With50%ofthereturningstudents(45)comingbacktovolunteerthissummer,CTVHCShad138betweenTemple(93),Waco(10),andAustin(35)studentvolunteersforoursummerstudentprogram.Outofthe138students41newstudentswereaddedtotheTempleVAStudentprogramand10startednewassignmentsattheAustinOutpatientClinic.

ThebenefitsforstudentvolunteersareunlimitedbecauseeachstudentgetstoworkinavarietyofjobsthatenhancetheirknowledgeandskillsofhowtheVAhospitaloperates.Studentvolunteerswerecross-trainedindifferentassignmentstogainmoreknowledgeinotherworkareas.Cross-trainingthestudentsprovidedthemwithabroadoverviewofthevariouspositionsavailableintheorganization.CTVHCSmadegreatuseofthesocialmediaapplications,FacebookandTwitter,toshineaspotlightonthestudentvolunteerprogramand increase the public’s awareness. Veteran Service Organizations (VSO) sponsored over 25 students,interviewingthemandpostingtheinterviewsintheirmonthlymagazinestohelpgetthewordoutabouttheexperienceofvolunteering.Studentsalsobenefitedfromworkingwithhighlytrainedprofessionalsinahealthcareenvironment-anexperiencenormallyonlypresentedtointerns.

Beyondthetraditionalmethodsofrewardingstudentvolunteershourlyserviceawardpinsandcertificates,studentswerealsorecognizedthroughtheirsponsoringVSOaswellastheirservicesupervisorswithgiftcardsandcertificates.ThestudentswerealsoinvitedtoaluncheonintheirhonortoreceivetheirawardsinfrontofSeniorLeadership,VoluntaryServicestaff,aswellastheirpeers,family,andfriends.SixstudentvolunteersalsocompletedtheYouthToastmasterscourse.

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VA Voluntary Service American Spirit AwardCorporate Recruitment Category

RonniMillerDurhamVAMedicalCenter

Durham,NorthCarolinaThe Durham VA Medical Center has developed a strong corporatepartnershipwiththeUnitedAutoWorkersandGeneralMotorsoverthelastseveralyearsthatwillgreatlybenefitDurham’shospicepatients.

In 2010 at the National Advisory Committee meeting, DurhamVAMCChief, Voluntary Service, Ronni Miller, shared with the National VAVSRepresentativeandDeputy fromUnitedAutoWorkersher frustrationwiththeabilitytoraiseenoughfundsforaRecreationServicewheelchairaccessiblevan.AfterDurhamformallyhadtheirHospiceUnitlocatedontheirCommunityLivingCenter(CLC),RecreationServicecouldonlytakewheelchairpatientsoutonalimitedbasis.TheEngineeringServicewould have to utilize and secure transportation with a contractedservice.AneveningtothemoviesanddinnerforCLCresidentscould

rangeinexcessof$500-$800pereveningtripafewmilesdowntheroad.AdayattheStateFaircouldcostinupwardsof$5,000duetothelargegroupofVeterans.

AstheHospiceUnitprogresseditbecameevidentthateventhoughtherewereanabundanceofdonationsfor last minute wishes and special outings, Durham lacked a vehicle that could be utilized at the urgentrequestofHospiceVeterans. Forexample,whenSergeantGreen’s lastwishwastohave lobster,Durham’sincredible volunteers were able to provide Red Lobster gift cards, but the meal had to be picked up anddeliveredbedside.TheydidnothavetheoptiontobringSergeantGreentohisfavoriterestaurant(atleastnotinatimelyfashion)soinsteadtheybroughtittohim.ThespecialprogramtograntlastminutewishestoHospiceVeteranswasentitled“SergeantGreen’sLobster”asofthatday.

Both theVAVS Representative and Deputy listened to Ms. Miller’s suggestion“Could United AutoWorkerssuggesttoGeneralMotorstopossiblycreateamatchingprogram,similartotheDAVandFordMotorCompany’smatchingprogramfortheDAV/VolunteerTransportationNetworkvanprogram?”Sheexplainedthecostwasoutoftheirfundraisingcapabilitiesandwiththeappropriatedbudgetanewwheelchairvanwasnotfeasible.TheRepresentativeandDeputywentbacktoGeneralMotorsandtoUnitedAutoWorkerssharingthedifficultyDurhamhadpurchasingthevan,andtheyalsotalkedtoanotherChief,VoluntaryServicewhosharedthesamesituationfortheirmedicalcenter.

In 2014 the first 5Wheelchair AccessibleVans were donated to the MichiganVA’s by General Motors andUnitedAutoWorkers.

OnJune25,2015RonniMiller,hadthehonorofacceptingthekeysfromUnitedAutoWorkersandGeneralMotorsfortheDurhamVAMC’sbeautifulnewwheelchairaccessiblevanasdidfourotherVAMedicalCenters.

ThankstothepartnershipwithUnitedAutoWorkersandGeneralMotors,thisnewdonatedvanwillprovidethoseVeteranswhodonothaveatomorrowwithaspecialwishoutingtoday.

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Notes__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Cover photo by Verna Wood courtesy of the Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau