New Year Aspirations

BY SHARON HOBBS, AVVA PRESIDENT

A short, virtual meeting was held by the National Board in January to discuss some matters that couldn’t wait until spring. We will meet face-to-face in April in Silver Spring to continue planning AVVA’s 2023 National Convention in Orlando.

Conventions don’t just happen; it takes many hours of preparation and development to put together a smooth and well-thought-out event, and that’s why plans are well underway. The deadline for submitting bylaws amendments and candidates’ declarations for national offices is April 1. Delegate registrations will be accepted until July 8. All criteria and other important information about these deadlines are on our website, www.avva.org.

AVVA presents three recognition awards each year, all of which acknowledge the work and dedication of individual members. It is never too early to begin the search for this year’s national award nominees. Nominations will be accepted until May 31.

Do you know someone who is worthy of national recognition? A member who is always volunteering their time and energies to veterans, to your chapter, and in the community? Please take the time to nominate them for 2023 recognition for the Member of the Year, Fellowship Award, or the Cathy Keister Spirit of Excellence Award.

All recipients will be announced during the AVVA Awards Luncheon in Orlando, though recipients do not have to be present to win. VISTA volunteer frontrunners also will be announced and recognized for their service at the luncheon.

In January 2021, AVVA partnered with the National Birth Defects Registry. Since 1986, it has been the only organization collecting research data and advocating for veterans who have children with disabilities linked to their parent’s exposure to Agent Orange in the Vietnam War and to toxic chemicals in the Gulf War. The National Birth Defects Register will be this year’s Project Friendship honoree at the Convention in Orlando. More details will be announced during the April Board of Director’s meeting.

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