Headquarters News 3725 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring, KY 41076 | June 2017

Inside this issue:

From the Desk of

the National Com-

1

Legislation 1

National Conven- 2

Spreading the

Mission

3

990-N e-Postcard 3

Membership 4

Reminders 4

Congratulations to these State

Departments for achieving 2016-2017 membership quota!

Alabama Arizona Indiana

Louisiana Massachusetts

Nevada New Jersey

North Carolina Ohio

South Dakota Tennessee

Virginia Wisconsin

From the desk of National Commander Frances Costa...

Legislation by Diane Franz, National Legislative Chairman

If you have taken the time to sign up for the Commanders Action Network, you recently received a mes-sage from DAV National Commander Riley requesting you to take a survey to provide information as part of the continuing campaign to educate the public and policymakers. If not, you can complete the survey here. H.R. 1472: Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act of 2017—To expand eligibility for the program of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to expand benefits available to participants under such program, to enhance special compensation for mem-bers of the uniformed services who require assistance in everyday life, and for other purposes. H.R. 1618: Support Our Services (SOS) to Veterans’ Caregivers Act— This bill would amend the law to allow the VA to assist caregivers who are supporting the needs of veterans with serious illnesses related to their military service. This was introduced to the House on March 13, 2017, by Congressman Raul Ruiz. Soon we will find out if the USPS will issue a commemorative stamp honoring the 100th anniversary of the DAV. Thank you for your efforts! Again, I ask you to please sign up for the Commander’s Action Network to stay informed. There are links to explain all the bills currently in the 115th Congressional session.

Page 2 Headquarters News

2017 DAV and DAV Auxiliary National Convention

Join us for the 2017 DAV and DAV Auxiliary National Convention at the Hilton New Or-leans Riverside located at 2 Poydras Street, July 29-August 1. Rooms are available at $130 per night, single/double, plus applicable taxes, and can be reserved by calling 504.561.0500 or online, and requesting the Disabled American Veterans group rate. Wheelchairs and scooters are available for rent by contacting Scootaround Personal Transportation Solutions at 888.441.7575. Online reservations are available by visiting their website. Seven day rental rates are available that include delivery to the convention

hotel on Thursday, July 27, and pick up on Wednesday, August 2. Rates range from $110 to $190, depending on the type of rental, and pricing is subject to change. The Airport Shuttle is offering discounted one-way and round-trip transportation between the hotel and air-port. To reserve your spot, please call 800.596.2699, or visit their website. The discounted round-trip reservation is $40 per person, one-way reservation is $20 per person, and reservations must be made at least 24 hours prior to your flight arrival time. When making reservations, please indicate if a wheelchair lift or ramp is required. If making reservations by phone, mention the Disabled American Veterans Conference to receive the reduced rate. Alternate transportation options are available, including taxi, with fair minimums beginning at $36.00 each way, per person, plus service charge, and Uber beginning at $36.00 each way for two to three people. Hilton New Orleans Riverside offers self-parking in parking structures connected to the hotel at a discounted rate of $15.00 per night. This discount will be worked into the room reservation, and guests will be able to use their guest room key as the parking card to get in and out of the garage. Attendees not staying at the hotel will receive the $15.00 daily rate, but will not have in and out privileges. You must request a discount coupon or code from the hotel in order to receive the discounted parking rate. Guest and non-guest vehicles over 20’ will be charged $150.00 per night. Hilton New Orleans Riverside has various accommodations available for persons with disabilities, including vis-ual assistance rooms, wheelchair assistance rooms, and hearing impaired rooms. Please advise the hotel if you require these accommodations at the time of your reservation. Service animals are permitted; however, there are no designated areas for walking or relieving your pet. We look forward to seeing you at the 2017 DAV and Auxiliary National Convention. Let the good times roll!

7/27 - Registration 7/27 - Pre-NEC Meeting 7/28 - National District Meetings 7/29 - Joint Opening Session 7/29 - Auxiliary First Business Session 7/29 - National Commander’s Reception 7/30 - Memorial Service

7/30 - Convention Committee Meetings 7/30 - Fun Night 7/31 - Auxiliary Second Business Session 7/31 - Forget-Me-Not Luncheon 8/01 - Auxiliary Final Business Session 8/01 - Post-NEC Meeting 8/01 - Introduction of National Officers and Dinner

Is Your Unit Ready for Convention? Did your unit elect/select delegates? Remember, units are entitled to one delegate and one alternate for its charter, and one

delegate and one alternate for each 25 life members or major fraction thereof. For example, if a unit has 78 senior members, they will be entitled to four delegates and four alternates; one for the charter, and three for every 25 members or major fraction thereof.

Did your unit send in the yellow delegate listing to national headquarters? Did those attending national convention consider online registration? Information will be included in your delegate letters. Did the unit complete and submit the annual financial report? Did the unit complete and submit the annual 990-N e-Postcard filing? Remember—failure to complete and submit the annual financial report and/or 990-N e-Postcard will result in those attending national convention to register as members, and will not have a voice/vote at the convention.

Tentative Auxiliary Agenda Subject to Change

Page 3 3725 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring, KY 41076

990-N e-Postcard Annual Filing In accordance with the provisions of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, most non-profit organizations with gross income receipts of less than $50,000 must file IRS Electronic Form 990-N, also referred to as the 990-N e-Postcard, annually. This is not a paper form and can only be filed online. Units and State Depart-ments with gross income receipts greater than $50,000 must file the appropriate paper IRS 990 forms. The 990-N e-Postcard is due every year by the 15th day of the 5th month after the close of your tax year. Units and State Departments cannot file the e-Postcard until after the tax year ends. It takes only moments to file, and once accepted by the IRS, no further action is required. Units who fail to file the annual 990-N e-Postcard for three consecutive years will have their tax-exempt status revoked, which could ultimately lead to charter revocation. Restoring a tax-exempt status takes time and money, so don’t forget to file! It bears repeating that there is no fee to file the 990-N e-Postcard. While there are legitimate businesses available that can assist Units and State Departments with filing, they are often costly. If you encounter prob-lems completing the requirement, please contact National Headquarters, and a staff member will be able to complete the filing on your behalf, and send the approval paperwork.

Spreading the Mission of the DAV Auxiliary—Connecticut Unit #15

Page 4 Headquarters News

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Media for news and

information on the DAV

Auxiliary.

DAV AUXILIARY

Frances Costa,

National Commander

Patricia Kemper,

National Adjutant

3725 Alexandra Pike Cold Spring, KY 41076

Phone: 877.426.2838

Fax: 859.442.2095

E-mail: dava@dav.org www.davauxiliary.org

“Hands full of heart are DAV/DAVA helping hands. It’s time for some heart work!”

Save The Date

Join us for the annual Na-tional Fall Conference, Sep-tember 28-30, 2017, in Lex-ington, Kentucky. Reserva-tions can be made by call-ing 859.445.5000. Rates are $124 per night, plus tax, for single/double occu-pancy, and $134 per night, plus tax, for triple/quad occupancy. Remember to mention DAV Auxiliary to receive the reduced rates.

Earn a Recruitment Certificate

Recruit ten new, paid members and receive a certificate of appreciation!

Earn a DAV Store Gift Certificate

Recruit 25 new, paid members and receive a $30 gift certificate to use at the

DAV Store!

Membership by Ellen Timmerman, National Membership Chairman

Membership is the life blood of any or-ganization and without new membership there are usually very few new ideas to help an organization to move forward. We are in the final month and final phase of the Membership Sprint. You have until the end of this month to sign up members and have your name entered in the drawing for $100. Congratulations to all the units and states that have made quota. If you haven’t made yours yet you still have the month of June to do it. Thanks to all of you, the National DAV Auxiliary has also made quota. Keep up the good work! God bless each of you for all that you do to help our Veter-ans and their families. God Bless America!

Reminders Units and State Departments should not use debit or credit cards because the

national bylaws provide for the proper procedure when issuing checks. If a unit or state department has been issued a debit or credit card from their financial institution, please see that it is destroyed and the account(s) closed.

It is the Adjutant’s responsibility to share all unit mail. It is not the Adjutant’s personal mail. Take it to unit meetings and share with the members.

Unit Funds may only be expended by vote of the unit or in accordance with unit standing rules. Record approved expenditures in the meeting minutes and in-clude in Treasurer’s report. Remember, unit and state department checks re-quire two signatures. No rubber stamps or signing of blank checks!

When sending in annual financial reports, please include all attachments/schedules for lines that require further explanation. Many are being received without the necessary attachments resulting in the return of the report. When including attachments/schedules, please be sure to break down each deposit and expenditure, and include as much information as possible.

Forget-Me-Not income is only to be used for services to disabled veterans, their dependents, and survivors.

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