Regional groups throughout the country are now on the move to hold spring meetings to determine which members of the group will attend the BVA 79th National Convention and to elect convention delegates and alternate delegates. The urgency is, at least in part, due to the early July convention dates.

The challenges inherent in holding spring regional group meetings include having to make available a virtual option due to the mere geographical layout of several groups. The Mid-Atlantic Regional Group, for example, met in person on April 27 at the Pilgrim AME Church in Northeast Washington, DC, while also offering an opportunity to join via Zoom on screen or by phone. The group spans Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

According to Mid-Atlantic Regional Group President Michaun Harrison, although there were internet connectivity issues and low ceilings that would not accommodate long flagpoles, ingenuity resulted in effective workarounds. Attendees and presenters included Lawrence Harrison who helped secure the venue, National President Paul Mimms, longtime Past Executive Director Tom Miller, longtime regional group member Peter Davis, District I Director Claudia Baldwin, OrCam Area Sales Manager for Washington-Baltimore Stacy Crown, Pat Zawasky from Integration Technologies Group, Inc., and Pastor Stan Wright, the latter of whom assisted in the areas of sighted guides, transportation, serving food, and registering attendees.

“Claudia stole the spotlight when, as the only Air Force veteran present in person, she sang the Air Force Corps song,” Michaun said. “Although she had no idea she was being recorded, she would still have been willing to do it even if she had known in advance.”