Veterans News

ENVSC in Minneapolis: Read our Convention Recap

The ENVSC had a great time in Minneapolis at the Elks National Convention. Want to find out what you missed or relive the fun? We’ve got you covered.

On Friday night, we kicked off the weekend with a welcome event for our State Veterans Chairs, ENVSC National Volunteers, and PGERS and Commission members. We didn’t get too wild though, because Saturday was a packed day.

Saturday was an all-day training session for State Veterans Chairs and guests. We were lucky to have guest speakers from the Minneapolis VA CDCE department who presented us with an exciting presentation of volunteer opportunities and statistics of Elks support.

We also featured presentations from Help Heal Veterans Staff member (and California Elk) Chip Purkey, who filled us in on new craft kit designs and reminded Representatives to order those for free! Thanks to Chip for also spending time at the ENVSC booth!

At right, Chip Purkey poses with Leather Program Vice-Chair Chuck Mudge.

ENF Senior Associate Meaghan Morris stopped by to talk about CIP Grants, we shared ideas for community veterans projects, and celebrated our successes from last year.

For those who couldn't make it to the training, here are some of the topics we covered.

• These are the slides presented by Minneapolis VA CDCE Chief Rachel Hammer. We returned the favor by delivering dozens of socks to the VA later in the week. Thanks to all who donated!
  
• Here is a link to the Compassionate Contact Corps program webpage. This new VA program encourages community members to build friendships with veterans in need of connection. Anyone with spare time and a phone can join in the program. Volunteers receive free training and are matched with veterans who have similar interests.

On Sunday, we spent time at the ENVSC booth and encouraged veterans and volunteers to sign our “Wall of Service.” Look closely at this photo of the wall and you might even catch the name of a United States Senator!

We presented our National Veterans Service Volunteer of the Year with his award. Congratulations to Thomas Kramin of Willmar, Minn., Lodge No. 952! Read about his outstanding service to veterans here.

ENVSC staff also gave our seminar entitled “Serving Today’s Veterans: How your Lodge can be a Resource for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans.”

• These are the slides that we presented at that training.

We ended with a call to spread the word about the Veterans Crisis Line. Veterans can call, text, or chat online anytime.

• Here is a link to the Veterans Crisis Line page. If you click on the heading "Resources and Support", you can choose the 'Spread the Word' option and find printable material and shareable resources for social media and emails.
• Here is a link to the S.A.V.E training, a free 30-minute training video that teaches you about suicide prevention and how to help veterans (or anyone) that might be struggling.

Sunday ended with the Convention Opening Ceremonies, including the ENVSC report, given by PGER Bob Duitsman. We featured our popular recent video about the Welcome Home program in New Jersey, and debuted a brand new video about the Elks’ volunteer support of the Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic.

Thanks to all the volunteers who came to visit the Elks National Veterans Service Commission booth to learn more about our programs. Special thanks for Veterans Leather Program Vice-Chair Chuck Mudge and his wife Joan for their time at the ENVSC booth.

It was another successful year at the Elks National Convention!

Meanwhile, while we were hard at work in Minneapolis, the National Veterans Wheelchair Games were taking place in Portland, Oregon. Our stalwart volunteers took over for us, representing the Elks at the event and distributing wheelchair gloves to the veterans competing at the games.

At right, here's a photo of those volunteers in action. Thanks to Representative Leonard Mills for taking the lead on this project!

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