General:
Sharing information is critical to the continued success and future development of AMVETS and AMVETS Riders Programs. Your reports become the basis of our report card as a Veteran Service Organization to Congress and the public at large as we work on behalf of veterans and this nation’s citizens. AMVETS is a Congressionally Chartered Veteran service organization and as such we as an organization must report to Congress on our participation in our communities. The “Values” reported are utilized to give AMVETS a stronger voice on the congressional floor and add to the clout given to the National Commander to be heard on important issues concerning Veterans today.
It also fulfills an IRS accountability requirement we must meet as a tax-exempt organization at all levels.  If a Chapter were to get audited, you must be able to show what you have done with your time and money to keep your tax exempt status.
 
A consortium of over 500 volunteer organizations relies on the formulas of the Independent Sector. The Dept. of Veterans Affairs also uses these criteria to account for and report VAVS hours. Currently the figure is $19.51 for volunteer hours. (Uncompensated workers.) And the mileage is determined by the IRS guidelines that authorize standard Volunteer Mileage Expense deductions, which is currently .14 cents and that is how we come up with the Programs Values.
 
Submission:
You have the capability of reporting online and submitting your records electronically. The
online system is very user friendly and may be accessed directly using the report programs tab on the bottom of any page the www.amvetsridersnational.org website or the AMVETS National Website: www.amvets.org/amvets-in-action/reporting-programs. Your Department and National leadership will receive your online report immediately when you hit the submit button. User instructions are incorporated on the pages, however, if you still have questions or need assistance in utilizing the online reporting program; please call the Riders National 2nd Vice President at (319) 382-2484, extension 3. You may also contact the AMVETS Programs Department toll free at 877-726-8387, extension 4031, or download the Programs Reporting Manual at: http://www.amvets.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Online-ReportingGuide.pdf.
 
What not to report:
•Chapter meetings (including set up, take down, buying food/drinks, etc.) Hanging out at the
   Post canteen for comradery
•Department/National conferences/SEC/NEC/Conventions
•Volunteer events for other organizations (i.e. if you volunteer at a Ladies Auxiliary event,
   because they claim it. We can’t double dip).
•Coaching a little league team / volunteer activity such as volunteer firefighter, not directly
   related to your Chapter or AMVETS.
•Attending a luncheon for another organization
•Any volunteer hours served in the VA Medical Center or VA related center (health care
   centers, outpatient centers, veteran’s homes, etc.) These hours are reported through the VA
 
Activities to Report (Just a sampling):
•Attending a school or Eagle Scout meeting to tell students about the Americanism contest
•Mileage and hours associated with any and all Military Funeral Honors
•Fundraising activities, including time, mileage and money spent buying supplies and setting up
    for the event
•Time spent taking a sick or hospitalized veteran to and from doctor’s appointments
•All the volunteers and their hours for your events, even if they are from other organizations (i.e. American Legion Riders riding in your Poker run can be reported under your programs)
•Riding in a parade for Memorial Day with your AMVETS Riders vest
•Supporting and attending local Stand Downs in your area
•Mileage and hours for visiting Veterans in a retirement home
•Conducting or supporting Troop Return celebrations
 
Deadlines:
Chapters are required to make a report to their respective Departments at a minimum of twice each year. The six-month calendar periods, January – June and July – December. However, with
online reporting, you may make your reports at any time and they will automatically be shared
with your Chapter, Department and National Officers immediately. They will also be automatically included in the bi-annual National reports without any additional action on your part.
 
This Programs Guide has been designed to help you set up, run, and report programs for your Chapters and for Department 2nd Vices to understand what is required of the Chapters. Department 2nd Vices should strive to become the product expert to be able to help your Chapters.
 
LRB/LRS,
 
Tom McNamara
National 2nd Vice
AMVETS Riders

The 2016 LRP will be discussed and finalized at the 2016 Convention in Reno.

LRP - Draft

Good day Riders!

FOR ALL THAT STILL HAVE NATIONAL GUN DRAWING TICKETS:
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT MESSAGE!

Although the deadline to return the ticket stubs and money has passed, there are still some out there that have not been returned.
It is imperative that every person who purchased a ticket(s) be put into the drawing at National Convention in Reno and the money for those tickets be received by Nationals prior to the drawing. Please pass this information on to any member who still has National Gun Drawing tickets.

Per National President Don Cox and Past National President Rob Quick:
If you have not yet mailed the ticket stubs and money back to Rob Quick as of today, they must be mailed to the Convention Hotel.
There will be no one available to receive mail at Rob's address. (Ticket stubs and money must be received at the hotel no later than Wednesday, August 10th)

Send stubs with check or money order (do not send cash) to:
NUGGET CASINO RESORT
C/O AMVETS RIDERS - ROB QUICK
1100 NUGGET AVENUE
SPARKS, NEVADA 89431

Hotel phone - 775-356-3300
Rob Quick - 314-520-3893
or you may contact me on the numbers below

If you have already sold your tickets and returned the stubs and money we thank you very much!!!
If your position changed during this year's elections, please forward to current officer. Thank you


Kathy Campbell RNCO
kc.chptr7@suddenlink.net
(319) 382-2484, Ext 10
(318)793-0263
(318)277-4593-cell

July 18, 2016
 
To All Riders Nationwide
 
SUBJECT:  National Quartermaster
 
This is notification that Vince Stretar is no long taking orders as Quartermaster.  The AMVETS National Quartermaster is Laura Stenson and everything must be ordered from her that has the AMVETS logo on it (AMVETS, Sons, Ladies Auxiliary and Riders). This shall be effective immediately.
 
To get to the website, you can log onto the Riders site (www.amvetsridersnational.org).  On the home page you will find the link:  Riders National Quartermaster.  When you click on it you will find menu bars on the upper left.  Click on it and you’ll see AMVETS RIDERS.  You’ll also see their address, phone numbers and a fax number.
 
Thank you and everyone ride safe!
 
Don Cox
Riders National President
(419) 304-8292
(319) 382-2484, ext. 1
d.cox1313@yahoo.com

July 11, 2016

Attached with this blast are the Resolutions for the 2016 National Convention in Reno. The two Resolutions are to amend our Constitution and By-Laws into a Unified Constitution and By-Laws document that will be used by all. Resolution 001-2016 is the actual resolution to amend the Constitution and attachment 001-2016 is the document. Resolution 002-2016 is the By-Laws Resolution and attachment 002-2016 is the By-Laws document. If you are coming to Reno, please bring copies with you as no printed copies will be distributed at the Convention.

There will be a CBL Committee meeting that will be open for all to attend. This will be a question and answer session on Friday to answer any questions regarding the Unified Constitution and By-Laws that will be presented for a vote at the Saturday general meeting.

I look forward to seeing all of you that are planning on being at the Convention. Please feel free to contact me regarding any questions you may have. I can be reached at 740-603-5766 or e-mail at whitjrw54@aol.com.

Thank you,
Jim Whitcraft
National Judge Advocate
AMVETS Riders

Resolution 001-2016 | Attachment 001-2016
Resolution 002-2016 | Attachment 002-2016