Author Archives: Brett Kulbis

USSI News – National Election Results

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USSVI News | August 18, 2022 

Congratulations to Bill Andrea our newly elected National Commander.

Shipmates,

The results of our 2022 National Election have been posted on the website, ussubvets.org. To access them, go to ussubvets.org , then click on “Documents” and then on “Elections”. Our voter turnout was 11%. Thank you to all who submitted your votes either online or by mail. 

It has been my privilege to serve as your Elections Master. 

With best Regards, 
Tom Conlon, Past National Commander 

USSI News – USSVI Charitable Foundation

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USSVI News | August 17, 2022 

Shipmates,

The link below should take everyone to the United States Submarine Veterans Charitable Foundation website page that has the current videos developed to acquaint our members with various programs that benefits our organization, members, and dependents.

There will be more videos to come in the future (a new video is scheduled for every Saturday), so please stay current and watch each of them as they are posted.

This link is a single source for all current and future videos – ussvcf.org/videos.html.

A well-earned BZ goes out to USSV Charitable Foundation Executive Director & Treasurer Ken Earls for the professional work he has devoted to produce these videos.

Hopefully, our system will transmit this link properly, if not copy and paste it into your browser. 

Thank you, 
Wayne Standerfer 
National Commander 

USSVI NEWS – NEW Website Update

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USSVI News | August 11, 2022 

Good Morning USSVI – here is the latest regarding the website.

Everything is going smoothly with the new website and database – we believe barring some out-of-the-box, unforeseen issues, we will complete the project and have the website ready to go just before the National Convention on August 23rd.

You will receive an invitation (we will send an email out at that time), and you will need to sign up. You will need to create a new password (will likely require a password with letters, numbers, symbols, etc.).

The one area where there will be a delay is the database or “Tools Menu,” as we referred to it on the old site.  We will need to get our training materials finalized and train our Base Commanders, Treasurers, Membership Chairs, District Commanders, and above. I anticipate that will take some time, with that portion fully utilized by October 31, 2022.

We are developing “tools” training for all Base Commanders, Membership Chairs, Treasurers, District Commanders, and above. We will start with “live demo” training on Zoom, which will be recorded and posted on Youtube, and we will also develop videos on the “how-to” aspects. I am familiar with this, having developed about $250,000 of videos for another organization – for free.

The new old reconstructed site http://ussubvets.org/home.asp, is working very well, both for reference purposes and the 2022 National Elections – we have repaired some minor issues, as is expected when rebuilding a site of this magnitude. Please bear in mind this site http://ussubvets.org/home.asp has been posted to serve as an interim Tools system until we have completed our Blackbaud Database training for all of our members.

If you find a bug, fill out this bug report – we will get to it. Gerry Smith, our webmaster for this site, may reach out to you to test the fix.  His email for bug fixes is ussvi@e911systems.com.

If you have questions, contact me at ussviwebsitequestions@gmail.com. I monitor the email and am happy to answer your questions. Talk to you next month!

Pride Runs Deep,

Tim Carlisle

USSVI NEWS – Veterans Service Officer Bulletin

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USSVI VSO | August 9, 2022 

The PACT Act has some news for Submarine Veterans, primarily for Guam and surrounding waters from January 9, 1962 to July 31, 1980. 

The information on the expanded issue is contained in this LINK: 
What’s in the PACT Act for Toxic-Exposed Veterans (woodslawyers.com)

The information related to submarines in Guam are primarily for Squadron 15 which was established in Pearl Harbor on 1 September 1963 but transferred to Guam in October 1964 and ended on 30 September 1981 when it was disestablished onboard Proteus. It has since been re-established in 2001. 

The information listed for the approved dates listed above include a multitude of different SSBN’s, but many SSNs also were refurbished by the Submarine tenders in Guam which included the Proteus and Hunley. The SSNs are not listed in the article. 

The reference for Squadron 15 is –  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submarine_Squadron_15

The above is a start for you to review to see if Agent Orange has been expanded to the service you had in the Pacific Submarine Fleet between January 9,1962 to July 31, 1980. This also includes Tender personnel.
 
If you need to file a claim with the VA, please locate a local Veterans Service officer in your state to help with the claim. 

Also, there are about 30 states that use County Veterans Service Officers to help with your claim, so please find one of them if it applies to your state. 

None of these personnel will charge you for their help, it is a FREE service and a federal law that prohibits charging veterans for this service.
 
Good Luck with your Claims! 

Respectfully, 

John Dudas
USSVI Veterans Service Officer 

USSVI NEWS – USSV Charitable Foundation

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USSVI National Commander | August 8, 2022 

Shipmates,

We ask all of you to click on the two links below and watch the videos in their entirety.

The purpose is to acquaint all of you with our United States Submarine Veterans Charitable Foundation and all that it accomplishes for our organization.

There will be more videos to come in the future, so please stay current and watch each of them as they are posted.

Wayne Standerfer
NC

Part 1: Introduction of the US Submarine Veterans, Inc and the US Submarine Veterans Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Kap(SS)4Kid(SS)

USSVI NEWS – Proposed Amendment Clarification

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USSVI National Commander | August 2, 2022 

Shipmates,

On this year’s national election ballot, we have a “PA” (Proposed Amendment to our National Constitution & BY Laws). It appears some of you have heard or developed the false belief that if this PA is implemented, it will  impede the creation of additional bases.

I would like to explain why the National BOD’s and Constitution & Bylaws Committee felt it necessary to include this proposal on the ballot.

Everyone knows that trying to please everyone all of the time is an impossible goal.

In light of this, each of our Bases has occasionally had to deal with the ire of a small number of members who don’t agree with the majority.
In some cases, this has led to the disgruntled campers splitting off and asking their District Commander for permission to establish another base quite near their original primary base.

We know from previous experience that allowing this new Base charter to be issued without additional review by more than one person (District Commander) has resulted in some very unpleasant and unneeded issues, especially for the affected Regional Director.

Both bases enter with a competition goal of persuading the individuals in the near vicinity of the original Base to defect and join the new group.
Regretfully, in some instances the fierce rivalry reached a point where it was necessary to cancel one of the Base’s charters and shut it down.

Folks, this is not a National power grab. At the National level, we’re all working hard to build more Bases, but we want them to be solid, dependable Bases that don’t suffer from internal conflict.

This PA is primarily intended to develop a process that extends the scrutiny and permission of multiple parties before a Base is chartered, nothing more.

All the best to all of you,
Wayne Standerfer
NC

USSVI NEWS – August VSO Newsletter

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USSVI VSO | August 1, 2022 

Why You Should Get a Veterans Designation on Your Driver’s License 
military.com/discounts/veterans/why-you-should-get-veterans-designation-your-drivers-license.html?ESRC=navy-a_220720.nl

Military Retirees and Dependents With ID Cards That Don’t Expire Need to Get Replacements Within 4 Years 
military.com/daily-news/2022/07/14/military-retirees-and-dependents-id-cards-dont-expire-need-get-replacements-within-4-years.html?ESRC=navy-a_220720.nl

House Approves Higher Inflation Bonuses as Sweeping Defense Bill Advances 
military.com/daily-news/2022/07/15/house-approves-higher-inflation-bonuses-sweeping-defense-bill-advances.html?ESRC=navy-a_220720.nl

The VA Just Changed This Home Loan Inspection Rule 
military.com/daily-news/2022/07/15/va-just-changed-home-loan-inspection-rule.html?ESRC=navy-a_220720.nl

155,000 Military Health System Patients to Be Pushed to Civilian Care Starting This Year 
military.com/daily-news/2022/07/12/155000-military-health-system-patients-be-pushed-civilian-care-starting-year.html?ESRC=mr_220718.nl

These Resorts and Hotels Are Just for Veterans and Military Members 
military.com/travel/these-resorts-and-hotels-are-just-veterans-and-military-members.html?ESRC=mr_220711.nl

Senators Block VA Review of Hospital Closures, Upgrades 
military.com/daily-news/2022/06/28/senators-block-va-review-of-hospital-closures-upgrades.html?ESRC=mr_220704.nl

Requirement for Women to Register for the Draft Back on thein Annual Defense Bill 
military.com/daily-news/2022/06/27/requirement-women-register-draft-back-table-annual-defense-bill.html?ESRC=mr_220704.nl

New Defense Department ID Cards Are Finally Compatible With TSA Security 
military.com/daily-news/2022/07/22/new-defense-department-id-cards-are-finally-compatible-tsa-security.html?ESRC=mr_220725.nl

House Panel Approves Expansion of GI Bill Eligibility After Sparring over COVID Vaccine 
military.com/daily-news/2022/07/19/house-panel-approves-expansion-of-gi-bill-eligibility-after-sparring-over-covid-vaccine.html?ESRC=mr_220725.nl

Roughly 150 Patients Harmed by Flaw in the New VA Medical Records System, Watchdog Finds 
military.com/daily-news/2022/07/19/roughly-150-patients-harmed-flaw-new-va-medical-records-system-watchdog-finds.html?ESRC=mr_220725.nl

Church that Allegedly Scammed GI Bill Benefits Is Proof More Oversight Is Needed, Advocate Tells Congress 
military.com/daily-news/2022/07/20/church-allegedly-scammed-gi-bill-benefits-proof-more-oversight-needed-advocate-tells-congress.html?ESRC=mr_220725.nl

VA to Get First Permanent Official for Top Health Job Since 2017 
military.com/daily-news/2022/07/21/va-get-first-permanent-official-top-health-job-2017.html?ESRC=mr_220725.nl

Disney Discounts for Military Families 
military.com/discounts/disney-discounts-for-military-families.html?ESRC=navy-a_220727.nl

Fate of Historic Toxic Exposure Bill Unclear After Shocking Senate Defeat 
military.com/daily-news/2022/07/28/fate-of-historic-toxic-exposure-bill-unclear-after-shocking-senate-defeat.html?ESRC=mr_220801.nl

Accepting Nominations for the 2022-2023 Base Officers

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Nominations for Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base Officers is now open, and will close on August 5, 2022. Voting will be open from August 6 to 31, 2022. Results will be announced and newly elected officers will be sworn in at the September meeting. Officers to be elected are Base Commander, Vice Commander, Secretary and Treasurer.

2022-2023 Base Officers Nominations

Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base Bylaws of January 3, 2022 – ARTICLE X – OFFICERS

Section 1 – Base Officers

A. Elected Base Officers shall include the following: Base Commander, Base Vice Commander, Base Secretary, and Base Treasurer.
B. The prerequisite for Base Office is that the Nominee must be a Regular or Life Member in good standing a minimum of twelve consecutive months.
C. The term of office for Base Officers, will be two (2) years or until a successor has been elected.
D. Appointed Officers shall consist of: Chief of the Boat, Chaplain and Committee Chairmanships appointed by the Base Commander and confirmed by the Executive Board.

Section 3 – BASE COMMANDER
A. Act as the Chief Executive Officer.
B. Cause to call all regular and special meetings of the Base.
C. Preside over all regular and special meetings of the Base.
D. Enforce the National and Base Constitution and Bylaws.
E. Direct and supervise the operation of the Base.
F. Prepare and present an annual report to the membership.
G. Submit, in writing to all officers for confirmation, all appointed officers and committee chairmanships.
H. Be responsible for the promulgation of all pertinent information to the membership of the Base.
I. Other duties as necessary in the support of Article III – Purpose.
J. Serve as a member of the Executive Board.
K. Work up, keep current and pass on, immediately to his relief a “Turn Over” folder, including all official correspondence, records and official materials assigned to his care.

Section 4 – VICE COMMANDER
A. In the absence of the Base Commander, shall preside at all meetings.
B. Perform such duties as assigned by the Base Commander or as necessary in the support of Article III – Purpose.
C. Serve as a member of the Executive Board.
D. Work up, keep current and pass on, immediately to his relief a “Turn Over” folder, including all official correspondence, records and official materials assigned to his care.

Section 5 – SECRETARY
A. Shall keep minutes of all meetings and maintain files for reference. Copies are to go to the Base Commander.
B. Shall read the meeting minutes, if required, at the Business Meetings and place copies on file with the Base Commander.
C. Shall keep a file of all outgoing and incoming correspondence, and maintain the contact information of all members.
D. Serve as a member of the Executive Board.
E. Work up, keep current and pass on, immediately to his relief a “Turn Over” folder, including all official correspondence, records, and official materials assigned to his care.
F. Perform such duties as assigned by the Base Commander or as necessary in the support of Article III – Purpose.

Section 6 – TREASURER
A. Shall be responsible for all funds and securities of the USSVI Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base and deposit such in the name of the Base.
B. Shall read the monthly financial reports, if required, at the Business and Executive Board Meetings and place copies on file with the Base Commander and Secretary.
C. Serve as a member of the Executive Board.
D. The books shall be audited annually, prior to being relieved, by an auditing committee. This committee will consist of three active members appointed by the Executive Board. The Executive Board may require an additional audit as deemed necessary.
E. Shall collect dues and forward to National that portion of the dues required by them in accordance with existing National Bylaws.
F. All monies in the Base functions shall pass through the Treasury.
G. Work up, keep current and pass on, immediately to his relief a “Turn over” folder, including all official correspondence, records, and official materials assigned to his care.
H. Perform such duties as assigned by the Base Commander or as necessary in the support of Article III – Purpose.