NEWSLETTER
JULY 2021
COMMANDER'S CORNER
Matthew Kampainen, DAV WI Commander

News from C&A Training

The Commanders and Adjutants Association’s (C&A) training this year was from June 26-29th in Cold Springs, KY. State Senior Vice Commander (SVC) Rob Hilliard and I attended this training. There may be some cross information coming out with this but there was a lot to learn, and I am going to go over some of the key points.

First, to truly help the Benefits Protections Team Leaders in our state remember that change first starts with you! So, when the DAV CAN (Commander’s Action Network) sends out an Action Alert email asking you to support a bill, you need to contact your Representative and/or our Senators.

Second, Customer Relations Management or CRM is the new computer system DAV National is putting into place. This is an infrastructure upgrade which will merge many digital files and programs into one system. It is going to take time for it to be operational but according to DAV National we should be able to access after the National Convention.

Third is Membership. Now I know SVC Hilliard put out the new goals and information, but I want to double down on the way goal numbers are made up. The number you get for your goal is either 4% of your hot list or a minimum of 10 new members, whichever is higher.

Fourth is Voluntary Services which includes LVAP (Local Volunteer Assistance Program) and VAVS (Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service). It was put out that since the inception of LVAP, 57,513 volunteers have provided 11,480,931 hours of service to veterans. That is amazing and I cannot be prouder of DAV Wisconsin because we have led the way for the past three years in our National District. As for VAVS, well just in 2020 alone, DAV at the National level has logged 675,000 volunteer hours with over 9.6 million miles driven.  

Don’t forget about Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship which has 8 monetary prizes. They are $20,000, $15,000, $10,000, (2) $7,000 and (3) $5,000. So, make sure you are getting your hours logged in for the kids that are volunteering.

Now, Voluntary Services includes so much more but as I said earlier just the highlights.

Finally, Fundraising. All funds raised in the DAV name need to go to our Service Programs! Also, funds should not be used to support other Veteran Service Organizations. Funds can be used for stand downs and assistance for needy veterans, but not to support civilian organizations! The funds that the DAV raises needs to go to DAV Service Programs and Veterans Assistance. If you have any questions on who and what to support, feel free to contact us. We are here to help.

On one last note, I found out that Wisconsin is in the second highest tier ($150k-$300k) of donating to DAV. Congratulations DAV Wisconsin. Keep up the Amazing Work.

I also look forward to seeing those of you going to the National Convention in Tampa, Florida. We will be bringing back even more information. 
2021 DAV/DAVA NATIONAL CONVENTION
For the latest on the 2021 DAV and Auxiliary National Convention - Read More.
DAV STATEMENT
DAV Statement on withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan. Read More.
BENEFITS
So how does the VA Determine Disability Ratings? See Video.
TRANSPORTATION
July report from Milwaukee, Green Bay Programs; Madison "We need drivers." Read More.
COMMANDER'S ACTION NETWORK
Support S. 1031, H.R. 1585/S. 565, S. 1664, H.R. 2724, H.R. 3452, S. 2102. Take Action.
EMPLOYMENT
How to attend a DAV Career Fair. See Video.
MEMBERSHIP
July Membership Report. Read More.
WOMEN VETERANS
VA Women Veterans Acting Director to administer White Ribbon Pledge. Read More.
LOCAL VETERANS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Resources for the Local Veterans Assistance Program (LVAP). Learn More.
DAV TESTIMONY
DAV testifies on Appeals Modernization and Pending Legislation. Read More.
DAV WISCONSIN: ITEMS OF INTEREST
King/Chippewa Falls have new DAV Reps and other important items. Read More.
JESSE BROWN MEMORIAL YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP
$75,000 awarded annually - Apply now for the Jesse Brown Scholarship. Read More.
MIKE HERT FOR NATIONAL CHAPLAIN
Mike Hert - Spiritually Centered, Proven Leader, Veteran Focused. See Video.
DAV AUXILIARY
It was wonderful to rekindle the bonds of friendship and comradery. Read More.
A&W ROOT BEER FLOAT DAY
DAV and A&W partner up for Root Beer Float Day at 8 WI locations. Read More.
TOMAH VA GOLF COURSE
Grand opening for Jason Simcakoski Golf Course at Tomah VA is August 14. Read More.
NEW DAV NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
DAV National HQ moves - discard obsolete brochures. Read More.
DAV MEMBER ADVANTAGES
Check out your DAV Member Advantages. Read More.
DAV WINNEBAGO COUNTY CHAPTER 17 VIDEO
The Outpost with Mike Hert and Adam Alexander premieres. See Video.
FORGET-ME-NOT DAY
DAV Barron County Chapter 52 holds Forget-Me-Not fundraiser. Read More.
DAV CHAPTER 57 INSTALLATION
DAV Elmer Rapp Chapter 57 holds Chapter Officer Installation. Read More.
FROM THE DAV DEPARTMENT ADJUTANT LARRY HILL

We Need Your Feedback!

Comrades we begin another year in our DAV yearly cycle. Let us commit to making this one the best! This past year began slowly due to COVID and as we approached our District Meetings in March and April, we were able to conduct them and our Annual Convention in June. The decision to conduct a full schedule convention proved to be the right one. Our attendance and feedback for the convention was excellent. We can still improve, and your feedback will help us do so. As an example, there will be a new member orientation at next year’s State Convention.
 
Annual Financial Reports (AFR) are due 30 September this year. Now is the time to begin working on them. Last year we had a few that were late, and we do not need a repeat performance. For assistance you can contact State Headquarters and our Assistant Treasurer Stan Kogutkiewicz.
 
August 6th is National Root Beer float day. On that day, customers receive a free float. We have eight locations participating in Wisconsin this year. They are:
 
2.   271 S. Main Street, Clintonville, WI 54929
3.   7885 US Highway 2, Iron River, WI 54847
4.   4141 Harbor Town Lane, Manitowoc, WI 54220
5.   1020 W. Hokah Road, Minong, WI 54859
6.   7389 Airport Road, Siren, WI 54872
7.   804 South Pacific Street, Spencer, WI 54479
8.   212 Division Street, Withee, WI 54498
 
DAV National Convention starts next week with a Day of Inspiration on 29 July and District Meetings will be on 30 July. Convention starts on the 31st of July. Location this year is Tampa, FL. Attendees should be present by 10:00 am 30 July to participate in the District 12 meeting. Currently we are anticipating 26 attendees from our department. We have a candidate for National Office, Mike Hert for National Chaplain.
 
Reminder for the District Executive Committeepersons (DECs), Chapter visit must be completed prior to Fall Conference.
 
Fall Conference this year is at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Stevens Point, 14 – 16 October. It is devoted to training our members and Chapter Officers. Based on the survey for the conference that was completed at the Convention there are new areas identified for training. In fact, we will need to fit 10 pounds into that 5-pound sack this year. 
 
As plans for this are formulated, we will share with you. Plan on attending and bring a new member with you. 
Wisconsin DAV Headquarters
1253 Scheuring Road Suite A
De Pere, WI 54115
Phone: 920.338.8620
Fax: 920.338.8621
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