DeKalb County, Illinois

Minutes of the DeKalb County Veterans Assistance Commissions

March 12, 2007

     President Rich Joslin called the meeting to order at 7:00.  We had 17 members in attendance.

     Introduction of new members or guests, Bill Meyer from the Sandwich VFW and Dave Frazer from the Sandwich American Legion were introduced, and Casey White was introduced as a guest.

     Steve Walz read the minutes from the February meeting.  Mike Boorsma made the motion to accept the minutes and this was seconded by Ed DeJonghe.  The motion passed.

     John Davis reported that we now have $1927.57 in the bank.  Ed Dejonghe made the motion to accept the report and this was seconded by Steve Skopek.  The motion was passed.

     Correspondence, the Sandwich fair sent the commission a form for a booth at the fair.

     Superintendent’s report, Herb Holderman passed out a report on what money was spent to help veterans and also the number of trips to Hines and Madison.  Trans VAC is doing most of the trips to Hines and we are mostly taking veterans out of state.  There was discussion of having an emergency fund for veterans in need so that they will not have to wait for up to six weeks to receive help.

     Committee reports, Vet fair will be at Kishwaukee College on Saturday August 11, from 9:30 to 1:00.  This will be for employment, health, and benefits.  Area people will help put up posters, and the boy scouts will be asked if they will sell hot dogs and hamburgers.  There is a $25 dollar booth fee and this will go back to the county but to be earmarked for our use.  People that are doing the major work for the Vet Fair are asked to keep track of their hours.

     Constitution and Bylaws, President Rich Joslin made mention of a report in the Chicago Tribune that the open meetings act is not being enforced.  There was some discussion about going back to executive meetings.

     There was no budget and personnel report.

     Public relations, Frank Beierlotzer has been hand delivering to the news papers the time and place of our meetings but they have not been published in a timely fashion. 

     Unfinished business, Frank Beierlotzer passed out the new plans for the new county building.  There was much discussion on these plans.

     New Business, the new handbooks covering the guide to services were handed out.  There was discussion about hiring a new employee for when Herb Holderman retires.  There will be on the job training and it takes approximately three years to get the new person fully indoctrinated.  This new person has to be a veteran but does not have to live in the county.  There was some discussion of asking Jerry Taylor to sit in for Herb Holderman when Herb takes a vacation.  Jerry Taylor is will versed in veterans issues and will be able to step right in.  Some discussion was on what the pay would be.  Mike Boorsma made the motion to hire Jerry Taylor as needed and this was seconded by John Davis.  The motion passed.  The post cards for the meeting times and dates that are sent to the delegates and their alternates were discussed and if it would help to also send the cards to the posts.

     Mike Boorsma made the motion to adjourn and this was seconded by John Duback.

Respectfully Submitted;

Steve Walz, secretary

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