Election and Award Season

BY SHARON HOBBS, AVVA PRESIDENT

The National Board met in Silver Spring in October and began planning for AVVA’s 2025 National Convention in New Orleans. Decisions concerning submission deadlines for bylaws, amendments, national award recipients, candidate declarations, and delegate registration were discussed. All criteria and important information about these deadlines will be posted on the AVVA website no later than January.

During the Board meeting, we also heard a presentation from a representative of the Chapel of Four Chaplains. Dave and Elaine Simmons assisted with the presentation. On Saturday morning, the AVVA Board attended seminars on the upcoming national elections and the FY 2026 budgets. Our presenters were Nancy Montgomery, National Elections Chair, and Susan Price, National Finance Chair. I introduced our new flag etiquette booklet in my last column, but I failed to mention how to order copies of it. To do so, go to the order form on our website under the “Our Programs” tab. After you fill out the form, scan it, and attach the scanned image to an email to me. These same instructions are on the form itself, which should reduce confusion.

Our Survivor Benefits brochure can be ordered by contacting the National Office. A fresh supply of AVVA Paper Safes has been delivered and is ready for your requests. They can also be ordered through our website or by emailing Nancy Switzer at switzeravva@gmail.com

It is not too early to begin the search for next year’s national award nominees. Do you know someone who is worthy of national recognition? Please take the time to nominate them for recognition in 2025 for Member of the Year, the Fellowship Award, or the Cathy Keister Spirit of Excellence Award. All recipients will be announced during the AVVA Awards Luncheon in New Orleans. The recipients do not have to be present to win. VISTA volunteer frontrunners also will be announced and recognized for their service at the luncheon.

AVVA’s accomplishments are still a work in progress; they’re ever-changing and ever-expanding. We are exploring new programs and are open to suggestions from members. I trust that every AVVA state and chapter has held elections and that they will be sending delegates to the AVVA National Convention in 2025.

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