https://www.combatvet.us/
Over the last five years, something has become apparent to me. I knew it with a few, but now realize it's most. Most, have zero idea/clue how to find shit. There you go, in a nutshell.
Every year we hear .. how do I pay my National Dues? Where can I get a new ID card? The list goes on and on.....
The most important thing we have at our disposal in the CVMA is the 201 File. Basically, it's the holy grail for us; with a repository with ALL our info. Yet, my understanding is the majority of folks never even look at it. WTF? As a minimum, one's ICE info is there.. you know.. whom to contact if your body bounces off the Interstate and someone needs to call a family member or something along that lines. There are sections with notes, sanctioned events, disciplinary actions .. even an 'other events'. Under those 4 tabs is pretty much EVERYTHING that has occured during ones membership tenure. Unless....
Unless... the info is missing. Are you sure your chapter meeting was recorded when you swiped? Are you sure you got credit for that Sanctioned event? Are you sure you got credit for attending the National Meeting? The list goes on and on. One could argue.... 'does it all matter?' .. well, I guess if one wants to plod along with their head in the sand and simply exist, probably not. I would tell you it mattered for Lucy when it came time for Life Membership and we realized there was no record of her patching in at a Sanctioned Event. And yes, it bit her in the butt. Hard reminder that our 201 file is OUR responsibility. Yet .. most rarely look at it... assuming they ever have.
The FORUM. This is an interesting one. INCREDIBLE amount of info in there. But, most never venture into it and do any reading. A few do.. daily. A few .. are the regular contributors. But Tens of Thousands.... may not know it ever existed. Of course, the computer skills of most are negligible and they'd probably just get lost in the maze.. but.. that's on them. The info is there.
Finally... the main website has a repository of documents... info .. you name it, pertinent to everything we do (ex: ByLaws). There is a list of ALL Chapters and their officers and .. the NBOD and regional and state resps. It's all there!
Last .. a link to the store (separate web site). This is a plethora of items there.. from a new ID card to stickers, patches shirts, shorts, hats... whatever you want to part $ for.
Yet... a lot of folks don't even have a login to the national website or national store, much less visit it.
Go Figure..................
Final tidbit .... while at the MS State Mtg last month, one of the Chapter Commanders mentioned they have a mentor program of sorts for new members. Current members take them under their wing and get them up to speed on By Laws .. Protocols .. 201 files, etc. Now that ... is a great idea!
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