Central Coast Chapter Minutes for March 18, 2017

Central Coast Chapter Minutes for March 18, 2017

Meeting to Order: 1:03 PM

Attendance: 13 (10 members & 3 guests).

Pledges of Allegiance & SAR

Sunshine Report: None

Secretary’s Report: February Minutes read aloud. Motion (Siler) to accept minutes as read. Seconded (Mummert). Carried.

Guest Speaker: Alan McKean, a Veteran’s Affairs representative with the State of California Employment Development Department was our speaker. Alan has a military background and provided some history attached to veteran’s issues. 179,000, at one time or another, served in the Continental Line during the Revolutionary War and most had some expectation that they would receive a pension and/or land bounty. Only 3100 actually received full benefits. The Society of Cincinnatus represented 2300 veteran officers but only 420 received full benefits. Thus, began an uneven history between war veterans and their government.

In 1818, the first bill was enacted to authorize revolutionary pensions but only if the veteran was indigent. Veterans of the Mexican War had to wait until 1887. WWI veterans, who experienced a 23% suicide rate, had to undertake bonus marches in order to finally receive $1000.00 bonus payable in 1945.

Today, numerous organizations provide services to veterans. Locally, the SLO Co. Veteran’s Collaborative provides a myriad of services in a one stop setting. The Collaborative is tailored to San Luis Obispo Co. and a good deal of cohesion is required. There are 61 providers on board but the Collaborative could use volunteers. They convene the second Tuesday of each month.

There are approximately 2700 homeless vets in SLO with only 67 housing units designated. Alan stated that most vets don’t know U.S. History and that EDD does teach some history along with its main mission which is employment. The VA has been plagued with backlogs. In 2007, the average length of a claim was 4 years, three months and 28 days. Now waits are 3 ½ months from receipt of the initial letter. There is shuttle from SLO to Los Angeles VA Hospital. Cuesta College is also very engaged.

Alan’s presentation was warmly received and President Haynes presented him with a certificate and cannon.

Treasurer’s Report: Current account balance stood at $3173.29 but as of today it is $3093.29.

Old News: The Women’s Auxiliary are looking for local quilters to help complete a statewide project.

Closing Pledge

Adjournment.

Respectfully Submitted,

Chris Scrimiger

Chapter Secretary