Highlights from the National Leadership Conference

BY SHARON HOBBS, AVVA PRESIDENT

The 2024 National Leadership & Education Conference is history. Here are a few AVVA highlights.

At the beginning of the Conference, with thanks to the knowledge and expertise of the National Flag Foundation, Marc Leepson, and Wes Guidry, AVVA introduced a new educational booklet, “Liberty and Justice for All.” This booklet is a guide for the proper display and use of the American flag. The booklets are free and make a perfect handout for your next event or school visit. You may contact me directly or the National office for copies.

During the Conference, AVVA presented one seminar, which focused on spousal and survivor benefits. The program presenters were the co-chairs of our program, Beverly Pounds and Jennifer Ellis. On the platform with them was a Certified Veterans Service Officer, Robert Neal, who lives in Michigan and served in the military on active duty and in the reserves for nine years. He proved to be very knowledgeable and supportive. We thank him for participating and making our seminar complete.

Our updated Survivor Benefits brochure was introduced to the attendees during our seminar. Those also are available through the National office.

We held our Awards Luncheon on Thursday. The guest speakers were Scott and Karolyn Hooper, co-founders of Horsemanship for Heroes. During the luncheon, AVVA announced our annual award recipients. The Commendation Medal, AVVA’s highest honor, went to Penny Meinhardt (Michigan) and Wayne Reynolds (Alabama).

Awards Chair Tony Gigli presented the Member of the Year award to Brigitte Stafford of Nevada Chapter 989. The Fellowship Award recipients were Linda Blocher of Oregon Chapter 805 and Terry Byron of Arizona Chapter 106.

VISTA awards were presented by Program Chair Kathy Andras, who noted that there were 21,345 hours reported this past year. The member with the most volunteer hours was Linda Meyer of Tennessee Chapter 1004; second highest was Kim Biddle of Florida Chapter 1059; and third was Rosie Wright of Tennessee Chapter 240.

Region 3 submitted the most volunteer hours. Tennessee walked away as the top state, while Tennessee Chapter 1004 received recognition for the most chapter hours reported. The AVVA Annual Membership meeting took place following the luncheon.

Horsemanship for Heroes was our Project Friendship recipient this year. I want to thank everyone who donated to this worthy cause. The final total has not been tallied; I will report on it in my next column.

Congratulations to Maryland Chapter 1091 and Florida Chapter 1059 on completing their incorporation process to become our newest chapters.

All-in-all, the Conference was a success. “Unity is strength,” the young poet Mattie Stepanek wrote. “When there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.”

AVVA was delighted and proud to be a part of this unified achievement.

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