ZOOM MONTHLY MEETING
Thursday, March 19, 2020
8 PM EST / 5 PM PST
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1-929-436-2866
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National President
Cheryl Perez
Unit Meetings and Coronavirus
Spring brought us a surprise to deal with in the form of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) and planning for meetings and conventions. The national state of emergency and efforts to contain the virus is resulting in gatherings across the Nation being put on hold or cancelled. With the uncertainty of how long or what this all means for our everyday routines, Unit meetings and location availability may be affected for your nominations of Officers in March and elections and installations in April . If your Unit will not be able to hold its usually in-person meeting in April, please let me know. We are working on options to ensure we keep on track for Unit elections and submitting Installation Reports in a timely manner.

Annual Reports
We are testing a new format this year for three annual reports, Americanism, History and Publicity that are completed and filed online. The reports can be found on our website at www.PurpleHeartAuxiliary.org for both the online filing and a paper form to print out if you need it. All other annual reports will be filed as usual (fill in and mail or scan to the appropriate Chair).

I am sure everyone is well versed on minimizing the risk of contracting COVID-19 so all I will say is stay healthy! I hope to see you on this month’s Zoom meeting which will include information on Unit elections and annual reports. 

Please note: We don't know how the increase of businesses and schools going to online meeting formats will effect our Zoom meeting and participation. We may experience technical difficulties with the meeting due to overall increase use.
National Senior Vice President
Amanda Flener
Hope each of you are well and stocked up on whatever you need. Now is a great time to reach out to your members over the phone and check in with them. See how you or your Unit may be able to meet the needs of those who can't get out. Take time to mail a card or letter to those isolated in nursing homes or ones who may be lonely as meetings and events are cancelled.

While some of you have extra time at home this next week or two, lets use it to our advantage and get INSPECTION REPORTS in and other reports needed. I would love to see everyone's Inspection Reports by 4/1/20. Thanks to those of you who have done them and offered great positive feedback. I was able to travel to Savannah, GA recently and attend their Unit 576 Meeting. We completed their inspection at the close of their meeting but you can do them over the phone or via email as needed to get the responses.

Please know we are here to support you. Let me know how we can help. Let me know your struggles and concerns - or what is great and wonderful. If we don't know, we can't offer assistance. (Note: Paper Forms can be downloaded at https://www.purpleheartauxiliary.org/members-forms)
National Junior V ic e President
Colleen Oltmann Orfanello
Spring is the season for new beginnings; and how appropriate is it that our next Zoom Conference will be held on its first day!

For those of you Who haven’t joined us before, we encourage you to do so. If you have a topic that you would like to see covered in an upcoming conference, let us know. Your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions are valued and appreciated.
National Secretary
Judy Fiddler
Spring is just around the corner and it is that time of the year for Unit and Department elections…AND Installation reports. They are due May 31st. If you mail them, they have to be POSTMARKED no later than May 31. The easiest way is to go to our new website www.PurpleHeartAuxiliary.org and fill out the form, save it to your computer and then email as an attachment it to me. This is the first step in qualifying for your annual rebate. 

PLEASE be sure to make any corrections to addresses, phone numbers and especially email addresses. The email addresses are used to update Constant Contact so that everyone possible can receive our newsletter. An excellent way to get the current information is to take a blank form to your election and have each member print their information on the form. Your Secretary can then enter the correct information onto the Installation report that she will submit.

Just a reminder…we have Past Unit and Past Department President pins available…check the website for pricing. If you have questions…I can be reached at 330-880-3364. Have a Great Spring!
Membership Development Program
Armida Martinez, Chair
The Membership Development Program this year is focusing on Units that have been in “inactive” status or “closed” status with members still listed in the Unit. Letters and request for member update forms were sent to several Units. Through the efforts, we have been able to update contact information including addresses, emails, phone numbers and fill in information missing on the master roster for some members. With the updated information, we were able to increase the readership of General Orders by members whose only source of information was previously the Purple Heart magazine. It is always good to hear from members and the work they continue to do in their communities for veterans and their families. 
National Chaplain
Barbara Waller

Springing Into Action...According to the spring equinox vernal , March is the month that spring arrives. It’s also when the clock springs forward in most states and daylight savings time takes place. It is a time when most of the flowers spring forward and starts to produce floral blooms and the branches on the trees produce their leaves, various vegetables burst forward in gardens, and animals that have been hibernating all winter awake from their long winter’s naps. Vernal means new and fresh , during this time of year that’s what all the aforementioned have in common. Actually, many of us humans are the same way in our own lives this time of year. Many will start a diet or exercise regime for that new bathing suit or those new summer fashions so w e can look and feel vibra nt, and ready for the coming summertime activities.
Many of us will work in our flower and vegetable gardens so that the items planted will be appealing to the eye and tasteful to the tongue. This month just as the clocks spring forward and we prepare for the MOPHA Unit and Department elections for the year 2020 - 2021 we must remember we are planting seeds . As we elect our new officers, we must do so with prayerful consideration . This is the first step to Springing into Action for the Auxiliary. We must remember like our gardens the buds and seeds we plant in our Units and Departments will produce beautiful flowers and vegetables for our Veterans and their families. Let each of us plant our seeds so that our Auxiliary will have beautiful gardens all across this great nation. Blessings to each of you. 
Regions
News & Events
MARCH'S SPOTLIGHT:
REGION IV
AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, PR, SC TN
Kay Jo Baucom, Region IV President

A huge HELLO to everyone in our MOPH family from Region IV where only the best is given and no one stands alone. "We R Region IV family"!!

Region 4 is always working to stay on the alert, looking for ways to better serve our veterans, their families, and our communities. We work tirelessly to support those wonderful members of our Military Order of the Purple Heart Auxiliary and share the rare gift of a bond forged in common experiences. Throughout Region IV, I have met countless examples of strengthen, courage, perseverance, wisdom and beauty. I am constantly amazed at everything this region is able to accomplish through our Departments, Units and individual members. Modern technology allows us to connect easily with ones far apart geographically and I, for one, have a tremendous appreciation for those persons who are "tech savvy". Many work with small numbers, aging membership, and few to actually do the work. Kudos to those who lead by example, like Debra Kmetz in South Carolina, for giving that extra effort to keep Units afloat! 

Recently, we were able to come together, in Region IV for a conference held in Columbus, Georgia, at the beautiful Hilton Garden Inn. This was a delightful time to get acquainted, reacquainted, share experiences, ideas and gain valuable insights from our National Leadership Team. Hats off to the host Chapter 492 for the outstanding job of planning and organizing this conference!  Read more ....
Click HERE for Helping Our Veterans (HOV) Application Form

FOR THE GOOD OF THE AUXILIARY

MOPHA SUPPLY CATALOG
Do you need a new MOPHA logo pin? Flag set? Patches? President or Past President pins?
Order today!

Click HERE for the
MOPHA Supply Catalog.
Order forms available on website.
Request Membership Replacement Card (extended to 6/30/2020) Click HERE
2019 -2020 National Officers Roster - Click HERE
MOPHA Office Depot/Office Max discount card - Click HERE
Go to Auxiliary website - Click HERE
Membership Application - Click HERE
ONLINE REPORTING FORM
FOR DECEASED MEMBERS

Click the link below to access the online form, fill it in, hit submit and your deceased member report is filed to the National Chaplain and the National Membership Officer.

Please Note: The Deceased Member Online Form has received positive feedback and is now the preferred method for reporting member's death. Please use the online form rather than emailing or mailing in notices.