MINUTES
VETERAN’S SERVICE COMMITTEE
JANUARY 2011
Members present: Rosetta Stern, John Gallagher, Bonnie Olson
Members excused: Cliff Powers, Deb Noffke
Others present: Nick Benzinger, Melissa Bezio
Frank Pascarella and Diane Rusch arrived late
Location & Time: Lundmark Room at Fellman Center
607 E. Elizabeth Street Shawano, WI
January 5, 2011 1:30PM
Call to Order: Chairperson Stern called the meeting to order at 1:30 P.M. It was noted that the meeting notices were properly posted.
Pledge of Allegiance: Benzinger led the Committee in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Minutes: There were no corrections or additions to the minutes. A motion was made by Olson, and seconded by Gallagher, to approve the minutes of the December 8th, 2010 meeting. All aye. Motion carried.
Public Comments: None.
Committee Member Training: “DAV Van Service and Transportation”: Benzinger presented an overview regarding the DAV van service and transportation that is available for Veterans. There are two vans available for Veterans to use for medical appointments to VA Medical Centers. The vans travel to Milwaukee, Appleton, and Green Bay. The DAV develops guidelines that are followed for this operation. The vans are driven by volunteer drivers, which at this time there are between eight and nine volunteer drivers assisting. The VA pays for the maintenance and the gas of the vehicles. There are pick up points for riders to meet the van when they are traveling to an appointment in Milwaukee. The pickup points include Shawano, Clintonville, and New London. The earliest scheduled medical appointment time for Milwaukee is 9am and the van leaves Milwaukee by 3pm to avoid rush hour traffic. When the Veteran is going to an appointment in Green Bay or Appleton, then the individual can be picked up at their house. This operation is organized to provide complete service at no cost to the Veteran.
Frank Pascarella and Diane Rusch arrived in the middle of the committee member training discussion regarding the DAV Van Service and Transportation.
Training Updates: The last CVSO meeting/training was held at Oneida but Benzinger was not able to attend. The next CVSO meeting/training will be held in Stevens Point.
Old Business: None.
Topics for Future Meetings: Benzinger will look at topics that were discussed in the past and will start to bring back some of these items again since at this time there are no suggestions for new topics.
Next Meeting Date: The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 2, 2011, in the Lundmark Room of the Fellman Center at 1:30 P.M.
Adjournment: Gallagher moved to adjourn the meeting, and Olson seconded the motion. Chairperson Stern declared the meeting adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted by: John Gallagher, Secretary