January 3, 2011

Minutes for Veterans Affairs Commission Meeting of Jan. 3, 2011

Agenda item 1 – Call to Order
Having achieved a Quorum, the meeting was called to order by VAC President James Guglielmoni @ 6:05pm.

Agenda item 2 – Pledge of Allegiance (Led by Comm. R. Wong)

Agenda item 3 – Roll Call
In Attendance for the Meeting: Commissioners Alfidi, Baldonado, Caldera, Gibbs, Gruwell, Guglielmoni, Levin, Noetzel, Thompson, Varni, Wilkerson, R. Wong, D. Wong (13)
Absent: Commissioners Champagne (excused, medical), Cauley, (excused, illness).
Attending Guests: Mr. Charles Reed, Mr. Roger Dong

Agenda item 4 – Approval of AGENDA
A previously distributed AGENDA was reviewed. MOTION to accept Agenda, as written (M-Wilkerson; 2nd-Caldera) passed without exception.

Agenda item 5 – Approval of Minutes of 11/8/10 and 12/6/10 VAC meetings.
A previously distributed copy of the Draft Minutes for the 11/8/10 meeting was reviewed. It was noted that some corrections voted on at the last meeting had not been incorporated. MOTION to table Acceptance of 11/8/10 Mtg. Minutes (M- Levin; 2nd-Noetzel) so that Secy Wong could correct, was passed without exception.
Secretary Wong also announced that she had been unable to complete her Draft Minutes for the meeting of 12/6/10. President TABLED item for further action at the next VAC meeting.

Agenda item 6 - PUBLIC COMMENTS
Guest Roger Dong reserves his comments for presentation under Agenda Item K – War Memorial Veterans Building (see below).
Comm. D. Wong reports on 1/3/11 letter received from Cheryl Cook, of the SF County Veterans Service Office. The letter includes new information on new service locations, hours and contact information for the SFVSO. Comm. Levin asks Sec’y Elect Noetzel to insure that all such information is incorporated into the VAC Website Pages.

Agenda item 7 – Reports
A - Presidents Report, Pres. Guglielmoni thanks Commission for support through the past year.
B – Vice Presidents Report, Comm. R. Wong. Same: “Commission heading in right direction”.
C – Secretary’s Report, Comm. D. Wong reports on Wreaths across America @ GG Natl. Rec. area, as well as Fundraising for Gold Star Families on 2/18 @ Marines Memorial bldg.

Election of Officers for 2011
Comm. Guglielmoni reviews nominations already made, and opens floor for new nominations. With no additional nominations, a vote is called for. Individual ballots are distributed, completed, collected, then tabulated by guest Charles Reed and Comm. Levin. After tabulation Mr. Reed announces public vote results as follows:

For PRESIDENT:
Commissioner VARNI received a total of 10 (ten) votes;
(Alfidi, Baldonado, Gruwell, Guglielmoni, Levin, Thompson, Varni, Wilkerson, R. Wong, D. Wong)

Commissioner CALDERA received a total of 3 (three) votes;
(Caldera, Gibbs, Noetzel).

Commissioner Robert Varni was installed the new President of the VAC for the 2011 term of office.

For Vice President:
Commissioner Ray Wong received a total of 12 votes;
(Alfidi, Caldera, Gibbs, Gruwell, Guglielmoni, Levin, Noetzel, Thompson, Varni, Wilkerson, R. Wong, D. Wong).

Commissioner Ray Wong was installed as Vice-President of the VAC for the 2011 term of office.

For Secretary:
Commissioner Stephen Noetzel received a total of 12 votes;
(Alfidi, Caldera, Gibbs, Gruwell, Guglielmoni, Levin, Noetzel, Thompson, Varni, Wilkerson, R. Wong, D. Wong).

Commissioner Stephen Noetzel was installed as the new Secretary of the VAC for the 2011 term of office. After announcements of election results, new officers were congratulated and the gavel was passed to the new Commission President, Robert Varni who presided over the balance of the meeting.

Agenda item D – Commission Goals and Plans
President Varni spoke of his vision for Goals and Plans of the VAC in the next year. He described his goal is to help our ‘next generation’ veterans become ‘America’s SECOND GREATEST GENERATION’. He requests that everyone come to next meeting with their own ideas for Commission projects in the next year. He suggests we investigate the status of ‘Veterans Preference’ in both public and private hiring practice, as well as what the Commission can do to maximize participation in educational benefits of the new GI Bill. Pres. Varni leads discussion on re-appointment of 9 Commissioners whose appointment ends on 1/31/10. Further discussion on recruitment efforts to fill the two currently opened seats with at least one female vet and preferably with YOUNG vets. Comm. Noetzel speaks of his contacts at SFSU and Chair appoints him to make contact there for recruitment of potential young vets for appointment to the VAC. Comm. Levin suggests establishment of an Advisory Committee (to the VAC), consisting of non-veteran experts who might help us in developing effective projects. Also some discussion on the potential of maximizing discounts (BART and other transport) for struggling student veterans. Pres. Varni displays a copy of the new VA magazine: ‘Vanguard’. It has a variety of articles that might be helpful to the VAC. He asks Sec’y. Noetzel to arrange for mailing of the publication to all VAC Commissioners.

Agenda item E - Employment
Comm. Thompson reports on Planned Job Fair run by Univ. of Phoenix. Event will include 121 perspective employers and should garner significant employment opportunities for Bay Area veterans.

Agenda item F – Health and Welfare (no report at this meeting)

Agenda item G – Homeless Veterans
Comm. Gibbs comments on VA Sec’y Shinsecki’s pledge to eliminate veterans homelessness within 5 years, pointing out that providing shelter or a home for many homeless vets is only one of many steps needed for rehabilitation.

Agenda item H – Legislation Evaluation
Comm. R. Wong reviews highlights of page-long synopsis of current Vet-related legislation at State and Federal legislatures. He also notes that Rules and Qualifications for acquisition of ‘Gold Star’ vehicle license plates are available at the Calif. DMV website.
Comm. Guglielmoni reports on SB 3447, the new GI Bill for Education benefits.

Agenda item I – National Veterans Groups
Comm. Guglielmoni reports that early months of year are when National Vets Groups meet to review and expand their plans and goals for legislative actions to benefit veterans and the veterans community. He urges VAC Commissioners to participate in the drafting of such legislation by attending the Planning Sessions of various VSOs (Amer. Legion, DAV, VFW, etc.)

Agenda item J – Veterans Projects:
Comm. Alfidi reports on his project to work with the S.F. Opera regarding their 2011 production of the World Première of a new Opera: HEART OF A SOLDIER, in the fall. The new work tells the story of Rick Rescorla, a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran who died in heroic rescue work during the tragic events of 9/11 at the World Trade Center. Comm. Alfidi is working with Ms. L'Ann Bingham of SF Opera Productions to develop ways to maximize participation by the Veterans Community in SF. Comm. Levin moves to announce the full support of the VAC for both the production of the Opera, and all events developed by this Committee for SF Veterans and their families. (2nd – Guglielmoni); passed unanimously.

Agenda item K – War Memorial Veterans Building
Guest Roger Dong, President of the War Memorial Commission (WMC) addresses the VAC on progress by the WMC in recruiting additional Veterans Service Organizations and other appropriate Patriotic Organizations (such as the USO) to commit to establishing offices and Vets Services in the War Memorial Building. Comm. Levin submits copies of two letters he recently sent to the City of SF Administration, expressing VAC support in this endeavor and urging full support by the SF Government.

Agenda Item 8 – Old Business
Comm. Noetzel inquired as to the status of the Letter to City Administration regarding Request for Investigation of actions of former American Legion leader Michael Gerold. Sending of the letter was tabled last month, pending approval of final text by City. Comm. Guglielmoni and Comm. Alfidi (author of the letter) explained that final text approval was indeed received from City Attorney Snodgrass and original Letters were hand delivered to the Mayor, and all Supervisors, on the 15th of December. Copies were also mailed to local, state and National American Legion Commanders. Comm. D. Wong says she will insure that all Commissioners receive a copy of the letter. To facilitate communication between Commissioners, Comm. Levin distributes copies of updated list of full contact information for all current Commission members. He also describes his progress in facilitating mailing of VAC correspondence through City of San Francisco government offices.

Agenda Item 9 – New Business
No new business was offered at this time.

Agenda Item 10 – Announcements
Comm. Thompson announces that the Order of the Purple Heart Assoc. is seeking Iraq & Afghan vets to take to lunch under their hospitality program.

Agenda Item 11 – Honors Report & Adjournment.
Meeting ADJOURNED after moment of silence in memory of the 5,850+ Americans killed in Iraq/Afghanistan, as well as homeless and/or suicide deaths of San Francisco Veterans.

Minutes of the 1/3/11 VAC Meeting (as written by VAC Secretary Stephen S. Noetzel) were approved without dissent at the VAC meeting of 2/7/11.