HOMELESS VETERANS TASK FORCE REPORT
Saturday, March 26, 2005
Wm F. Earnest Post 559 Champaign, IL

The Task Force Inaugural meeting was called to order at 10:15AM, at Post 559 by Chairman Derrick David Stinson, (1st Division), Donnie L. Taflinger (3rd Division), John Davis (2nd Division), Rick (Peggy) Alderson (4th Division), and Cmdr Art Ambos were present; Steve Norris (5th Division) and Sr-Vice Cmdr Gene Thompson were absent. Also attending were Paul Haines, Champaign County Cmdr representing the SAL and Mark Stroud, Jr, Sr-Vice Cmdr, Dorie Miller Post 915.

We reviewed the Jan, 22, 2005 report, HVTF Outline of Structure and Responsibilities, Getting Started” materials, and May 14, 2004 memo to Cmdr Carey and Department Leadership; and discussed each one in turn. The outline contained the needed information of what our duties would be and that we needed the full participation of the Department, ALA and SAL to carry out work. The committee re-enforced that each member would identify the contact information for their prospective Divisions from the organizations listed on page 3 of Getting Started, in the “gather data from:” section. We determined the need to utilize the Department Newsletter and stressed direct contact throughout the Department membership and to the broader community officially informing them of our intent, plans and progress. The chairman or Department Commander would contact the ALA and SAL to enlist their participation after further guidelines were established to direct the operation level of the Task Force.

Cmdr Ambos stated that he attended the discussion panel on homeless veterans at the Washington, D.C. Conference and that after reviewing the Outline and getting started materials, he has gained a deeper understanding of the seriousness of the Task Force charge of Mission. We ensured the Commander that we serve at his leave and would do our up most to carry out our duties within whatever limitations the Department Leadership desired, but those limitations needed to be determined and stated to the Task Force. He agreed and stated the biggest problem would be financing. Chairman Stinson stated that we should be raising funding similar as the Gift to the Yanks and other programs and National recommended some easy implemented fundraising items. The guidelines will come from the Commander after consultation with the Department Adjutant, Treasurer, and other Department Leadership.

The next item of review was the May 14, 2004 memo that was sent to Commander Carey and other Department Leadership about the Homeless Veteran Task Force, requesting funding, administrative support and an official status. We stressed the need for Administration support to get out the hundreds of letters to our contacts and follow-up communications afterwards. The importance of obtaining a 501 C 3 Status for the Task Force work was very important to receive great sums of money from the Corporate, Business and Philanthropy communities. Some other items we reviewed and discussed were Activity Suggestions.

Some of the suggested activities included Volunteering, Advocacy, and Fundraising. Volunteering ranged from publicizing through our Newsletter; Prevention by establishing an Emergency Fund; Outreach and Assessment by participating in the nearest Stand Down; Providing personal care items to Emergency Shelters. Advocacy could be achieved through participation in Local Homeless Coalitions; Registering Homeless Veterans to Vote and Contacting our Elected Representatives.

The Fundraising suggestions are simple, The Department / District / Post / Unit / Squadron donate a percentage of their budget; and work with local houses of Worship to remember homeless veterans through a special collection, perhaps around Veterans Day. Paul Haines delivered a check to Cmdr Art in the sum of $500.00 on behalf of the Department SAL, made payable to the Goodwill Home; and requested that the department have a giant check made for PR and photo-op purposes.

Mark Stroud briefed us about the large number of homeless veterans coming through the Chicago office requesting Extended Program Rehab benefits at North Chicago because they had no where to live. Davis mentions that two apartment buildings are being used to help these homeless veterans with the maximum of two years occupancy. He will find out more about them and report at our next meeting. Cmdr Art shared with us that the VA & R needed to be involved in our work, we all agreed and furthered agreed that all resources that the Department already have, needed to be coordinated and focused on achieving our goals to serve the homeless veterans.

Our next meeting will be determined after the DEC, however the Commander agreed to a June meeting to be held in Peoria, IL so that the Task Force could tour the Goodwill Homeless Veterans facility that was suggested by John Davis and confirmed by the committee. Commander Ambos and Chairman Stinson will attend the Dedication Ceremony on April 26, 2005 at 10:00AM.The meeting adjourned at 11:58AM.

Submitted on behalf of the Homeless Veteran Task Force,


Derrick David Stinson, Chairman