MAY 2023
Greetings Brothers and Sisters,
My journey as your Department Senior Vice President has
almost come to an end. In about six
weeks we will be at convention and hopefully I will be elected as your
Department President.
This year has been full of learning experiences. Unfortunately, I have learned how to close an
auxiliary because a post was closed, I have learned how to cancel a charter
because the auxiliary members can no longer participate, and I have learned how
to place an auxiliary on suspension. These were all hard decisions made by the President and her line
officers, but they were necessary.
However, in the positive, I have learned how to take the
steps to open a new auxiliary, mentor an auxiliary so they elect officers and
get rejuvenated and how to share inspiration with others.
As your Senior Vice President I attended Sr. Vice
President training in Kansas City, MO in March. I learned so much from our national line officers and administrative
staff. The VFW also presented during our
training; we truly are working together at the National level. Prior to my Sr. Vice Training I attended the
Legislative Conference in Washington DC and the Parade of Winners for the Voice
of Democracy essay contest. I enjoyed going
to Capitol Hill and meeting with Oregon’s Representatives and Senators. The
evening of the Parade of Winners was fantastic to see our future on the faces
of the winners.
I was able to host a two-day retreat in March for my
Program Chairmen at Camp Rilea Training Site command in Warrenton. We spent two days getting to know each other,
our programs and sharing ideas on how to make Oregon shine this year. We even played a rousing game of Auxiliary
Jeopardy.
Just last weekend, I hosted a retreat for those who will
be my line officers if elected. I rented
a house in Prairie City (near John Day) for the weekend. We talked about many subjects, Leadership,
Customer Service, Teamwork, Training Academies, Convention, and lots of other
topics. I want you to know you have an
amazing group of line officers representing Oregon.
I look forward to the coming year and serving our
Auxiliaries and Posts.
Loyally