Blue Star Mothers of America Presidents Page

Presidents Page

Our 68^th Annual Convention in Grand Junction Colorado this month was a success on many levels. On day 4 we had a final count of 204 registered members and guests. The silent auction was the largest ever and raised over $4500 to help with convention expenses with one item designated for big dipper and another for Homes for our Troops. While I don’t have the exact fun night totals for HFOT I do know that the total for the year for the presidents project was over $27,000. I have selected Homes for our Troops again for the 2011 presidents project and hope even more chapters will get involved.

Numerous speakers honored us with their presence beginning right after opening ceremonies and continuing through our Saturday night Gala. The arrival of some of our guests was a celebration of its own as we welcomed a motorcycle escort for Medal of Honor winner Paul Bucha, our luncheon speaker, and a triple delivery of 3 wounded warriors; Kade Hinkhouse, TJ Johannsen and Bryant Jacobs for the HFOT fundraiser 2 days later.

Other speakers were Admiral and Deborah Mullen (on DVD), Kevin Secor, Veterans Affairs; Sara Williams Volf, Challenge Aspen Military Opportunities; Kim Gates, Military One Source; Qubad Talabani, Kurdistan Regional Government, Iraq; Richard Baca from Congressman Salazar’s office; Roger Stradley, USA Cares; Terri Brumit who also sang for us, and Tim Gard on handling stress with humor.

The theme of the convention was history and asides from the large exhibit in the mini-museum we also made history. Resolutions were voted on for changes to our charter that will now need to pass through congress. A fourth vice president in charge of chartering was added to the National executive board and a motion was passed to create a committee to begin the research and process of hiring an Executive Director and establishing our presence in DC.

Our elections and membership year are now in line with our fiscal year. Membership dues and chapter reports are due in September. Along with the IRS deadline of January 15^th, all paperwork to National will be required on or before that date. The information that we garnered from the Annual reports received for 2009 indicate we are now a 4 plus million dollar corporation.

The fellowship and camaraderie at convention were outstanding. It was so wonderful being immersed in the love and support and genuine cohesiveness that were part of the annual conference. I am honored to have been elected to serve you for another term and I am equally honored to have a great team of elected officers to work with. I am currently working on committees and appointed officers and looking into locations for a DC convention next July.

We now begin our 2010-2011 year of Blue Star Mothers of America and I believe it will be truly a great year.

Paul 'Bud' Bucha, Medal of Honor and Qubad Talabani of Kurdistan Regional Government.

Tag

HOLLY

Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:31 PM

I AM NOT A MEMEBER BUT I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR WHAT THEY ARE DOING. I KNOW HOW IT FEELS TO HAVE CHILDREN IN THE MILITARY. I HAVE A SON IN THE ARMY AND ONE IN THE NAVY. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE

Bill McCutchan

Wed Nov 11, 2009 9:22 PM

To All,
Thank you all for the support you are providing for our troops here in the states and overseas. I didn't know much about this great orginization untill my mother joined a few months ago. The things she tells me about your efforts makes me proud and grateful that we still have Americans that don't want to protest but to just support our troops.
Thank You so much and Semper Fidelis!
Sgt William McCutchan (OIF IV & V)

Donna

Thu Nov 26, 2009 6:59 PM

I too am somewhat like Holly. I have two daughers serving one in he Navy and one in the Air Force. I am not a member but would love to join. The only problem that I see with that is there i no local chapter that I see in or around St. Lucie County which is Central Florida. There are quite a few co workers who have sons/daughters serving as well. My daugter who is in the Navy is stationed @ Maport in Jacksonville, Florida, I will notify that Chapter President. hank you in advance.

Wendy

Profile

Thu Nov 26, 2009 11:20 PM

Donna, there is a chapter getting organized in Orlando. Contact firstvp@bluestarmothers.org

Kelly

Thu Dec 10, 2009 11:25 AM

Hi. I am a teacher in Kentucky. Myy students have written letters to soldiers, but we have no addresses of soldiers serving in Iraq. Can you help? Thanks for all you do!

Wendy

Profile

Thu Dec 10, 2009 8:34 PM

Kelly, you can check on the '
Locate a Chapter' page and contact a local chapter. They can probably help you.

Teresa

Sat Dec 26, 2009 10:29 AM

I am also interested in becoming involved. My son is in Iraq and I would love to do more. How do I get connected to a group or start one in Alabama.

Wendy

Profile

Sat Dec 26, 2009 10:40 AM

If you check the 'Locate a Chapter' page for Alabama you will find the current chapters. There is also a new one chartering in Huntsville. If there are none in your area contact firstvp@bluestarmothers.org and ask for a startup package. It only takes 5 moms to start a chapter.
Thank you and your son for your service

W.B. Ward

Mon Dec 28, 2009 2:59 PM

Thank you for allowing me to become a part of the Blue Star Mothers'
experience. I am looking forward to a long-term service of helping you achieve your goals!

Donnita

Profile

Sat Jan 16, 2010 8:36 AM

First of all I want to thank all involved here. I am a Navy mom and stepmom of a National Guard Army member. I have joined but still waiting to hear from someone about a meeting or event. Not sure what to do while I wait but am excited about getting involved.

Amy

Profile

Sun Jan 24, 2010 12:34 PM

Wendy,

Any helpful hints on how to get a board of directors to be more inclusive of members' talents and offers of assistance? Or to take things to the membership for a vote, especially when deciding financial expenditures of more than $500?

Mike

Profile

Wed Feb 10, 2010 11:39 PM

Very nice site even though I'm not a mother but a proud farther of 2 in the US Army,my daughter is a combat RN,and my son who is a combat electronic engineer,already served in Iraq and going to Afghanistan in the spring,I am very big supporter of the USO and are very proud of both of them,I am glad to see such a wonderfull site devoted to are fine young men and woman in the armed forces linking together as one,this site is a must for everyone who has a child in the service, keep up the GREAT work and God bless everyone for there efforts.

Jerelyn Pedrina,MAJ, USAFR, NC

Tue Feb 16, 2010 3:49 PM

On behalf of all the wounded warriors & staff of the 332d Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility (CASF) in Iraq, I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude for the kind & generous donations by your organization. We received a generous supply of phone cards from New Mexico Chapter 1 . Our wounded heroes are often caught off guard by the suddeness of their injuries and arrive with very little. Your generous donations will allow our wounded heroes to call family & friends without the added burden of cost. Just one phone call home brings such joy to many. Again, thank you so very much for being thoughtful and caring. Thank you for supporting our deployed soldiers in Iraq. We are truly grateful.

Penny

Profile

Wed Aug 11, 2010 9:39 PM

Could you tell me what is the offical duties of a chapter past President. I can not find anything in the by-laws. Are they on the board, do they vote on @ officers meetings and do they attend officers meetings. Where can I find this information?
Thanks, PJ

Rhonda

Profile

Thu Aug 19, 2010 10:24 PM

Wendy, congrats on completing your first year as President and best wishes as you continue your mission. I need to edit profile information on several of our members. When I go in to do it...I get the You do not have permission to view...how do I correct this and get my up-dates entered. Also several of our members have told me when they look at our chapter they cannot see our members. Thank you for your time and assistance.

Rhonda Milliam
President
Smoky Mountain Blue Star Mothers

Wendy

Profile

Sun Aug 22, 2010 3:21 AM

Rhonda - this was a glitch on the site following the most recent upgrade and should work for you now.

Penny - Your Past presidents (in the bylaws) are voting officers on the executive board and attend all meetings.

Karen

Sun Aug 22, 2010 1:42 PM

I have been a Blue Star Mother for five years now every since our chapter has got started my son is Army and has served two tours in Iraq. It is a wonderful organization.Mothers helping Mothers and families getting through deploment.Some times its so hard when your child is deployed but together we get through it. Love to All

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