DEPARTMENT OF ALABAMA

Grievances

Reprimands&

DEPARTMENT OF ALABAMA

Fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served.

We are dedicated to a single purpose: empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. We accomplish this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fighting for the interests of America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill; and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life.

•Providing free, professional assistance to veterans and their families in obtaining benefits and services earned through military service and provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other agencies of government.•Providing outreach concerning its program services to the American people generally, and to disabled veterans and their families specifically.•Representing the interests of disabled veterans, their families, their widowed spouses and their orphans before Congress, the White House and the Judicial Branch, as well as state and local government.•Extending DAV’s mission of hope into the communities where these veterans and their families live through a network of state-level Departments and local chapters.•Providing a structure through which disabled veterans can express their compassion for their fellow veterans through a variety of volunteer programs.

THE DAV MISSION STATEMENT

DEPARTMENT OF ALABAMA

Grievances & Reprimands

DAV National Constitution, Bylaws & Regulations [C,B&R] dated Aug 4, 2012 (Article 16; Regulation 6; Article 9, Section 9.1, Para.1.; Article 19, Section 19.3)

DAV Official Daily Planner (2013-14)

DAV “New” Mission Statement

References:

DEPARTMENT OF ALABAMA

Constitution, Bylaws and Regulations of the DAV DEPT of ALABAMA (Jun 2013) Article 9, Section 9.1 Section 9.4; Regulation 6; Article 16

CHAPTER Constitution, Bylaws & Regulations (which vary by Chapter)

Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (Apr 2012) Chapter XX

References (Continued): Grievances & Reprimands

DEPARTMENT OF ALABAMA

• Ref: DAV Dept of AL C,B&R Art 16, Para 1

• Charges may be preferred against ANY member or officer in the DAV in accordance with National C,B&R Article 16

• NO member shall be dropped, expelled or limited in any provisions or benefits of membership “without” a hearing in meeting on any charge(s) preferred in writing against him

GRIEVANCES

But Remember

DEPARTMENT OF ALABAMA

• The Chapter Commander is responsible for everything that occurs or fails to occur within their chapter [Dept AL C,B&R Reg 6, a.]

• THEREFORE• ….the Chapter Commander SHOULD EXHAUST ALL

means within the chapter to “RESOLVE” problems or perceived bylaw violations Dept AL C,B&R Art 16, Para 2]

THE CHAPTER COMMANDER

DEPARTMENT OF ALABAMA

WHAT ARE SOME OPTIONS

Discuss the issues &

possible solutions

Remain Calm & Orderly Educate members on Chapter, Dept & Nat C,B&R

Be – Think – Act in a Professional

Manner

Use gravel to

maintain order

Consider the ‘different’ personalities when looking at options and actions

DEPARTMENT OF ALABAMA

MORE OPTIONS

Set the Example

through Sound

Business Practices

Ask for an

Apology

Accept an

Apology

Offer an Apology

Seek the advice of ‘elders’ within the chapter –

because there is a ‘world’ of experience available to you

DEPARTMENT OF ALABAMA

REPRIMANDS

• It is usually in the best interest of the organization – first to make every effort to obtain a satisfactory solution of matters – quietly and informally [ Robert’s Rule of Order, Chapter XX, Section 61 (pg 644) ]

• Although it is NOT ‘stated’ in our National or Department Constitution, Bylaws and Regulations - the good old fashion REPRIMAND is a “quiet” option available to you

DEPARTMENT OF ALABAMA

JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER• If you have exhausted all means within the chapter to

resolve the problem - - - then the Chapter Commander will REFER the matter to the Junior Vice Commander

• The Junior Vice Commander (JVC) will then appoint a Grievance Committee

• If JVC is not able to solve the problem, it is referred to the Department Senior Vice Commander - - who recommends “actions” to the Department Commander

DEPARTMENT OF ALABAMA

DEPARTMENT COMMANDER

The Department Commander may find it necessary to appoint an Investigating Committee

The Investigating Committee shall be composed of 3 DAV Members – each from separate chapters

1

2

3

DEPARTMENT OF ALABAMA

BOTTOM LINE• DAV’s “REPUTATION” Rests in Our Hands –

Stress this to your members!!

• Point out to members the dangers of internal strife and gossip – these lead to harmful and erroneous impressions

Consider ‘how’ your action(s) or proposed action(s) will affect the

DAV’s Good Name

DEPARTMENT OF ALABAMA

REMEMBER OUR MISSION• Our “Mission” is Carried Forward by Extending

DAV’s Mission of HOPE into the Community - - BUT it STARTS with YOU - the Leaders and Members at CHAPTER LEVEL

Build a Win –Win Environment by Building

Solid Chapters of Members that Work Together as a TEAM

DEPARTMENT OF ALABAMA

NOW What are YOUR Thoughts

and Ideas

D A V