Happy New Year Greetings from Lea Rowe, Interim Executive Director
We appreciate your patience during December as we navigated several logistical hurdles. A combination of the government shutdown, holiday schedules, and external web server outages prevented us from sending our regular updates.
Despite these challenges, our team adapted quickly, using alternative formats such as the December 19 BVA Happenings to keep information flowing. While the shutdown temporarily restricted some Veteran Service Officers’ access to VA databases and onboarding our newest team member took longer than expected, we are now back at full strength and ready to serve.
Looking Ahead: Our 2026 Gameplan
We are hitting the ground running this January with several key initiatives:
- Ambassador Classes Resume: After final technical refinements to our virtual links and website, Ambassador training will restart toward the end of this month.
- Mid-Winter Conference: During the last week of January, the National Board of Directors will convene in Washington, DC. The team will meet with VA Central Office leadership and visit Capitol Hill to develop our annual testimony for a joint session of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees.
- Improved Volunteer Reporting: We are collaborating with the VA Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) to launch new time-submission portals. Once the website is fully stable, we will debut a streamlined monthly reporting form.
Join Our Upcoming Town Hall
We will soon host a virtual Town Hall to walk you through these new reporting tools and answer your questions. Stay tuned for the meeting invite and the corresponding information to join the meeting.
Thank you for your continued dedication to the BVA. Let’s make 2026 a year of independence, growth, and renewed connection.
