BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION
Chartered by the United States Congress
FLORIDA REGIONAL GROUP
3801 Coco Grove Avenue
Miami, Florida 33133
FRG Newsletter - March 2011
email:
gstocking@bellsouth.net
BVA-FRG Web Site: bvafrg@bellsouth.org
FRG NEWSLETTER - MARCH 2011
FRG President's Message: We
are now only a few weeks away from the FRGs annual state convention. With all of the activities that have been arranged,
Im hoping that this convention shall be a record setter. With a mere $30 for your early registration fee in
the food department alone, you receive, a pizza party on Thursday evening, Snacks and
refreshments at the horse shoe games on Friday morning, dinner dance Friday evening, lunch
snacks after the business meeting on Saturday afternoon, and the grand finale Instillation
Banquet on Saturday evening. And dont
let us forget the hospitality refreshments and snacks before and after the banquet. Alene Tarter, Director of the Florida Department of
Veterans Affairs FDVA) Benefits and Service Office in St. Petersburg will be our Guest
Speaker for the Banquet. The FDVA coordinates
service to veterans through the FDVA Benefits Service Officers at the VA Medical Centers
and the County and City Veterans Counselors.
I only have two more items that I
would like to cover before I conclude my final presidents message. First of all I would like to enumerate just a few
of the amazing devices that have been made available to our veterans in order to make
their lives just a little bit more satisfying. Here
are just a few that I consider to be outstanding. 1, talking thermostats for the house
heating and air conditioning . 2,
Victor Stream reader for reading talking books while setting in the doctors office
waiting to be called, and or traveling on a
plane, car, or bus. 3, the various stand alone
reading machine that can read your mail or other printed material. 4, The GPS devices that have come a long way, but
are really not quite perfect yet, and I am referring to the size. 5, The summit for identifying bar codes on can goods and all other items sold by various stores,
including hardware items. 6, the talking
rulers, levelers, and a device for indemnifying colors
and of course the Talking Compass. 7,
for the most important device of all, the computer with all of its peripheral devices,
witch I consider to be the greatest innovation for the blind since the white cane. It has made the blind population a lot more
competitive in the sited world. Dont
forget only request a particular device if you feel that you are going to use and benefit
from the device. Also remember that the VIST Coordinator will have to determine your
eligibility and in some cases the BROS must evaluate and determine if you are able to use
the device and benefit from it.
Now for the final item in
the Presidents message. I have made the
decision after having served 7 years as
president of the FRG, I am stepping aside, and let some one else lead the FRG onward and
into the future. I must say that after having
served over 40 years in various other organizations, my time serving the BVA, FRG has been
by far the most satisfying. I have made many
friends, and unfortunately have made a few enemies due to I am sorry to say political
differences of opinions. For those losses I am
deeply saddened, but I have learned over the years, that if you are going to accept a
leadership positions, you are not going to satisfy all the people all the time. As I have always said, if you are going to be
involved in organizations, then criticism comes with the territory.
Even though I shall be stepping down
as president, whenever there is a veteran that is in need of assistance or needs an
advocate, I shall always be available. Now let
me leave you all with what I consider to be the three most important issues, for the
continued survival of the FRG. 1, Strong
leadership: That means Officers and district
Directors that have the capability, time, and most of all the energy, Desire, and enthusiasm. 2, a continuing strong financial base for the FRG
to insure the on going subsidizing of the luncheons around the state, thereby allowing the
veterans to meet and exchange ideas, and also for the most important, disseminating very
important information monthly throughout the year to all of our veterans. 3, increased
membership: This is paramount, for per posed
legislation for veterans. Whereas politicians understand only one attribute and that is
numbers for voting purposes. As I have been
saying all year, its not so much about more innovating legislation, but holding on
to what we have obtained over the years in services and benefits. This goes double for our non service connected BV's.
A final note, dont forget our
guest speaker. I am looking forward to seeing
you all at the upcoming state convention, and lets make it an all time record
attendance. Terry King, FRG President
FRG AUXILIARY
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE: The FRG state
convention is always a happy weekend. Whats not to like about an ocean view room and someone else to
do the cooking? Last year, the FRG Auxiliary held our first coffee hour on Friday morning
while the horseshoe tournament was going on. Again
this year, we will meet in the Hospitality Room at 10 AM.
We invite all family members and friends of the BVA to join us, whether you are an Auxiliary member or not. On Saturday morning, the auxiliary has its annual business
meeting. Recently, I participated in the first
ever telephone conference for BVA Auxiliary national and regional officers. I learned that the
situation in Florida is very different
from other regions. Our auxiliary covers the whole state. Some other
auxiliaries are much
more local. For example, one person on the call represented only southeastern Massachusetts. This means that
the activities other auxiliaries do
are things such as visit a nearby veterans nursing home or decorate
for a BVA Christmas party. Being so far flung as we are in Florida makes it
difficult to have an
auxiliary-wide project. In spite of this obstacle, we have been very successful with our annual scholarships. It
doesnt appear that any of the other
auxiliaries
has such an ambitious goal. Besides us, only the national auxiliary offers scholarships.
The national officers were interested in how we raise money to do this. Kudos to the raffle chairs at
each of the BVA luncheons around the
state who pitch in and make this happen.
One fundraising
project the national auxiliary has come up with is to produce a cookbook to be sold at the next annual convention.
If you have a favorite recipe,
you may send it to Karen Teachout by April 20. Her
telephone number is (989)
473-2446 or cell phone 989-493-5794. Her email
is _sagelakesadie_2000@yahoo.com_ (. The FRG
Auxiliary is planning some interesting and enjoyable activities at the FRG Convention. Please join us at the Pizza Party, Thursday
evening, our coffee on Friday morning, and particularly our Business Meeting on Saturday
morning. Fran Thomas FRG Auxiliary President
(239) 283-1708 email pghfran9@aol.com
National Legislative Up-Date:
As previously reported the BVA and PVA worked to get PL 111-163 passed
in May 2010. Included in
that legislation was a provision to eliminate co-payments for catastrophically disabled
veterans for in and out patient medical treatment including pharmacy co-payments. Blinded Veterans and Paralyzed Veterans are
considered catastrophically disabled and thus eligible.
VIST Coordinators are responsible for having BV's in their catchment area listed as
catastrophically disabled. In most cases this
has been accomplished. NSC BV's are placed in
Priority 4. SC veterans with 30 or 40% SC
ratings are in Priority 2 and 10% or 20% SC veterans are in Priority 3. In some VAMC, there has been confusion about
Priority 2 & 3. BV's in those Priorities
will remain in those classifications but should have an note
added to their records that they are catastrophically disabled. If you are still getting pharmacy bills contact
your VIST Coordinator. If
that does not work contact Terry King at (941) 505-7747 or George Stocking at (305)
446-8008.
FRG State Convention Reminder: This
is a reminder that The FRG State Convention will be
held at the Plaza Ocean Club Hotel , 640 North Atlantic Avenue,
Daytona Beach, FL 32118 April 29-May 1. Your
Convention Committee secured the low guaranteed group rates of only $79 per day, for 1 to 4 persons per room. In the Plaza Ocean Club Hotel, all rooms are
equipped with refrigerators and microwaves and All rooms have
ocean view balconies. These low
convention rates will be in effect 3 days before and/or 3 days after the Convention. You may come early or stay late for an extended
vacation. The low Convention rates are
guaranteed for reservations made on or before April 13th.
Reservations made after April 13th, will be at the low Convention rate but only on
a space available basis. We encourage you to
make your reservations immediately to insure your accommodations as another group is at
the hotel that weekend. You may cancel your
reservation and receive
a full refund of your deposit, if you cancel 24 hours before noon on the day you were
scheduled to arrive. Send your reservation to
the Hotel along with your check for one night's room rate and 12.5% tax or you may use
your credit card number to guarantee your reservation.
Other than your deposit, the
hotel will not accept checks for your remaining charges.
You must have a credit card or cash. Better
yet, as time is short, you should make your reservation by C Rickard, Vincent calling the toll free reservation number at: (800) 874-7420. There are 22 hotels using that reservation number.
Be sure to specify the Plaza Ocean Club Hotel and that you want the guaranteed group rate
for the Florida Regional Group Blinded Veterans Association Convention. If you have any problem ,
call George Stocking at (305) 446-8008.
Convention Registration Fee: The
Convention Registration Fee will be $35 per person (for each BV, family member, or friend
attending). However, an early registration fee
of only $30 per person will be in effect for registration received on or before April
13th. The registration fee will cover general
Convention activities, including the dinner-dance on Friday night, Hospitality Room, and
the Banquet on Saturday night. Please make
your check payable to the BVA and send it to: 3801
Coco Grove Avenue, Miami, FL 33133. Please
include the first and last name of each person registering, so that we will be able to
make name tags prior to the start of the Convention. It
will be helpful if you will send your registration fee in advance to speed up the
registration at the Convention.
For those who get to Daytona Beach on Thursday, April 28, the BVA Hospitality Room
will be open from 6 to 10 PM. Lesa Kretschmer from Florida Reading and Vision Technology
will host a Pizza Party from 6-8. If you plan
to take part in the Pizza Party add that information to your early registration
information so that we can plan properly and have enough pizza. AT 9 AM on Friday, the fifth annual horseshoe
pitching contest will be held on the beach behind the hotel.
If you wish to participate call Contest coordinator
Paul Kaminsky (904) 291-0576 or email pkaminsky@bellsouth.net. Last year there was a good turnout and competition
in the two categories was heated(totally blind and partially
blind). John Palmer from Magnify America will
provide snacks at the Horseshoe Pitching Contest on the beach.
The Convention Late Registration Desk will open at 1 PM on
Friday, April 30, in the hotel lobby. If you
have not pre-registered, you may pay your late Registration at that time. If you have pre-registered, please pick up your
name tags and Convention Program. We need
everyone to check in so that we can give the chef the proper count for the dinner dance
and Banquet. The opening session will be held
in the second floor Ball room at 3 PM on Friday, April 29.
The Informational Seminar will be open with a presentation on Prosthetics and
Sensory Aids for the Blind by
VISN 8 Prosthetics Representative. That will
be followed by presentations
presenting information about specific low vision and sensory aid devices for the blind. The Dinner dance will begin with dinner at 7 PM
followed by dancing. Again, this year, Marsha
Summers will provide the music, both during the dinner and for dancing afterwards. A cash bar will be available for liquid
refreshment.
Saturday, April 30, The Annual Florida Regional Group Business Meeting will be held
at 9 AM in the 2nd floor Ball Room. In
addition to reports on the past year and planning the FRG Program for the coming year, you
will have the opportunity to share your thoughts and comments on future FRG activities. Elections for FRG Officers and District Directors,
for the coming year, will be held. According
to the BVA guidelines and the FRG By laws, The election and instruction of a Delegate and
Alternate Delegates to the 66 BVA National Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada in August, will also be
held. Possible Amendments to the BVA and/or
FRG By-Laws may be considered. The FRG
Auxiliary will also hold its Annual Meeting at 9 AM on Saturday in the Osprey Room.
Following the FRG Business meeting, John Palmer of Magnify America will display Low
vision and sensory aids
and provide refreshments in the Board Room adjacent to the Ball Room.
At 2 PM on Saturday, the second Informational Seminar will be held, starting with a
presentation by Susan Roberts, the new Chief of the Bureau of Brail and Talking Book
Services, who will bring us up to date on Talking Book Program. Michael Healer the VA Regional Office Liaison for
the Florida VIST Program will provide information on veterans
benefits. Then, Douglas Brooks, the new BVA
Southeast Field Representative (FSP) from Atlanta will describe the BVA FSP Program.
The Hospitality Room will be open from 5 to 7 PM.
At 7 PM, the Installation Banquet will be held in the Ball Room. Terry King, BVA President will be Master of
Ceremonies. Alene Tarter, Director of the
Florida Department of Veterans Affairs (FDVA) Benefits and Service Office, will be Guest
Speaker. The Banquet will close
with the Installation of FRG Officers and District Directors and FRG Auxiliary Officers
for the coming year. Join us in the
hospitality Room, after the Banquet, for more socializing and refreshments.
VIST and BROS Training: For many
years the FRG has shared its Convention facilities and speakers with the VIST Coordinators
and BROS in Florida for their in-service training. This
year, that in-service training will begin at 8 AM on Friday and continue until the opening
session at 3 PM that afternoon. This will give
you the opportunity to meet your VIST and BROS in an informal setting.
Since time is short, call (800) 874-7420 to make your reservations at the Plaza
Ocean Club Hotel. Please send your
registration fee to the BVA-FRG in Miami. We
look forward to meeting you in Daytona Beach for an informative and enjoyable weekend.