Meetup Ratings and Featured Comments
Number: 16 recent ratings
Average:
"To grow the organization and better represent vets."
"Need more input and more workers and energy. Some people seem to be doing a lot and you wouldn't want to lose them from burnout."
"While a Caucus of the Iowa Democratic Party, this group is making a difference for all Veterans, regardless of party, active/reserve, branch, etc."
"Got a lot done. Chair Krause kept us on track and close to schedule. Kent Severn came well prepared to work on our strategic plans. Great exchange of ideas throughout. Great to see the change toward a cohesive organization within this first year of existence. Just think what we will be like on our second anniversary."
"There seemed to be a good number of noledgeable people there. We got alot of things accomplished along with some very good information. I was very well satisfied."
"We need to change the course of our country. We are in a war based on lies, just like Vietnam. We need to use our limited resources on rebuilding New Orleans, rebuilding our infra structure and investing in new means of energy. Lets figure out a way to reach out to independents, republicans and those that have never voted."
"A very slick way to communicate. Helps to further our goals. Provides an excellent form online to be followed up by monthly in-person meetings. Charter members are dedicated and focused. "
"Hooah!"
"Well rounded group. Mr. Krause did a superb job keeping on schedule and maintaining focus on the subject at hand. I look forward to the next "Meet Up""
"Time to take our "promise as a group to the next level - "
"As a new comer, it was inkeeping with what I had expected. Thanks vets."
"Good start hope it picks up steam and more volunteers/members"
VETERANS' CAUCUS OF THE IOWA DEMOCRATIC PARTY
IDVC Vision Statement:
By the Year 2010, the Iowa Democratic Veterans' Caucus will be the recognized voice for veterans and their families within the Iowa Democratic Party and IDVC will act as the voice of Democrats in the Veterans' community by setting the IDP legislative and policy agenda for issues affecting Veterans, their families and their communities.
STATE STEERING COMMITTEE
IDVC Chair - Bob Krause 501 West Adams #3, Fairfield, IA (319) 961-0830
IDVC Vice Chair - Al Flyr 3916 48th St, Des Moines, IA (515) 278-5928
IDVC Recording Secretary - Joe Stutler Cedar Rapids, IA (319) 389-7888 (Linn County Liaison)
IDVC Treasurer - John K. Smola, 304 Scott Hollow Road, Monona, IA (563) 539-2425
IDVC State Communications Liaison - Kent Sovern 1534 Germania Drive, Des Moines, IA (515) 255-0776
1st District - - Ron Healey 15068 Thielen Road, Dubuque, IA (563) 599-7802
1st District -- Tome Howe, 1075 Martha Street, Dubuque, IA (563)-588-2698
2nd District -- Terry K. Philips 1605 Riverside Road, Riverside, IA (319) 430-8536
2nd District -- John Pomberg, 1062 172nd Ave, Salem, IA (319) 469-2002
3rd District -- Bruce Stone 689 42nd Street, Des Moines, IA 50312 (515) 778-9699 (Polk County Liaison)
3rd District -- Mark I. Cohan 3308 Eula Drive, Urbandale, IA (515) 278-8805
4th District -- John K. Smola, 304 Scott Hollow Road, Monona, IA (563) 539-2425
4th District -- Hardin & Franklin Counties Larry Olk, Sheffield, IA (641) 892-4417
5th District - Keith Carpenter, P.O. Box 56 Bridgewater, IA (641) 369-2007
COUNTY VETERANS' LIAISON
The County Veterans Liaison may either be appointed or elected by the County Party, or may be appointed by the District Veterans Liaison or the Chair of the Veterans Caucus of the Iowa Democratic Party if there is no District Liaison. All County Veterans Liaisons shall be reported to the Chair of the Veterans' Caucus of the Iowa Democratic Party, and also reported to DSCC staff for appropriate inclusion on the VAN.
Where there is a position for a Veterans Liaison in the Constitution or By-Laws of the County Democratic Central Committee, this shall supersede district or state appointment and the Veterans Representative shall be appointed or elected through the procedures specified in the County Constitution or By-Laws. Where there is no provision for a Veterans Liaison in the County Party Constitution or By-Laws, the County Veterans Liaison shall be appointed by the District or the State, as described above, unless the County Chair appoints on an ad hoc basis.
All County Central Committees shall be encouraged to create the position of Veterans Liaison by amendment to the County Party Constitution or County Party Bylaws. The County Veterans Liaison may be either appointive or elective at the preference of the county. The County Rules Committee shall be encouraged to include the procedure in the Rules for the County Convention, and the County Rules Committee shall be encouraged to schedule time in the County Convention for the County Veterans Liaison to address the Convention.
Each Central Committee is requested to have at least one County Veterans Liaison and one Alternate County Veterans Liaison.
DUTIES OF THE COUNTY VETERANS LIAISON:
Duties of the County Veterans Liaison shall be as follows:
A. Represent the interests of veterans to the County Central Committee through attendance
B. Educate candidates, veterans and the general public to the importance of veteran's issues and act as Veterans Liaison at candidate and county events,
C. Come to the defense of Democratic candidates when military records are challenged,
D. Give a brief 'state of the veterans' talk to the County Convention (if allowed by Rules),
E. Search out veterans (especially newer veterans) for inclusion in Democratic activities and Veterans Caucus activities.
F. Liaison with the County Veterans Affairs Coordinator to make veterans aware of program availabilities.
G. Seek position or positions on the County Platform Committee for veteran's issues
H. Advocated Veterans issues at the platform committee and insure that there is a veterans? plank in the county platform.
I. Attend an annual district or state Veterans' Caucus meeting.
DISTRICT VETERANS LIAISON:
The District Veterans Liaison may either be appointed by the District Party, or may be appointed by the Chair of the Veterans Caucus of the Iowa Democratic Party. All District Veterans Liaisons shall be reported to the DSCC staff for appropriate inclusion on the VAN.
Where there is a position for a Veterans Liaison in the Constitution or By-Laws of the District Democratic Central Committee, this shall supersede state appointment and the Veterans Liaison shall be appointed or elected through the procedures specified in the District Party Constitution or By-Laws (elections preferred). Where there is no provision for a Veterans Liaison in the District Party Constitution or By-Laws, the District Veterans Liaison shall be appointed by the State, as described above, unless the Chair of the District Party Central Committee appoints on an ad-hoc basis.
All District Central Committees shall be encouraged to create the position of Veterans Liaison by amendment to the District Party Constitution or District Party Bylaws. The District Veterans Liaison may be either appointive or elective at the preference of the District. The District Rules Committee shall be encouraged address this, and the District Rules Committee shall be encouraged to schedule time in the District Convention for the District Veterans Liaison to address the Convention.
Each District shall have two District Veterans Liaisons and two Alternate District Liaisons.
DUTIES OF THE DISTRICT VETERANS LIAISON:
Duties of the District Veterans Liaison shall be as follows:
A. Represent the interests of veterans to the District Central Committee through attendance,
B. Educate candidates, veterans and the general public to the importance of veterans issues and act as Veterans Liaison at candidate events,
C. Come to the defense of Democratic candidates when military records are challenged,
D. Give a brief 'state of the veterans' talk to the District Convention (if allowed by Rules),
E. Work to insure that Veterans positions are included in the District Central Committee Constitution and By-Laws,
F. Help to recruit County Veterans Liaisons where they do not exist, and encourage all Liaisons to be active,
G. Host a District Veterans Steering Committee,
H. Seek a position or positions on the District Platform Committee for Veterans Issues,
I. Search out veterans (especially newer veterans) for inclusion in Democratic activities and Veterans' Caucus activities.
Meetup Forum Rules
Never shall one generation of veterans abandon another!
These are the basic rules for participation in the Iowa Democratic Veterans' Caucus and for use of the meetup web page. www.idvc.org
Who We Are: This site is the online community for the Iowa Democratic Veterans' Caucus. Participation is open to Veterans, Veteran's families, active duty military personnel, interested registered Democrats and other progressives. Group Members are expected to be supportive of the Democratic Party and progressive ideals, and to support Democratic candidates for political office. The Iowa Democratic Veterans' Caucus is affiliated with the Iowa Democratic Party; however, comments posted here are not necessarily representative of the Democratic Party or its candidates.
Who We Are Not: If you subscribe to or in any way support the Republican smear tactics of Ralph Reed (as chair of the Georgia GOP) or groups like the "Swift Boat Veterans" that impugn the military record of our fellow Democratic Veterans, you may wish to find camaraderie with another group.
In our view, it takes the gift of greatness to fight and nearly die for one's country and to retain the desire to serve. We as Iowa veterans are fortunate to live in this great nation and we believe that this nation is also fortunate to have a good many veterans who have elected to serve in many new ways. Some of us have taken on the commitment to serve our fellow veterans upon our return to the USA. Some of us have entered politics, using our military experience, extraordinary discipline, and cooperative skills as legislative tools.
During Our Second Call to Duty we will assist honorable campaigns for worthy efforts in support of our nations veterans. We will rely on our intelligence, education, courage in the face of adversity, commitment to country, and proven self-sacrifice to advance progressive public policy for veterans. We have no need for lies and distortion.
Why We Are Organized: The immediate goal of our group is to expand the participation of Iowa Veterans in the Iowa Democratic Party by building an infrastructure that includes a veterans liaison in every Iowa county. Through these grass roots efforts the IDVC will elevate veterans and veterans issues within the Democratic Party in Iowa and the nation. What we do here in Iowa will set the stage for veterans all over the country.
Civility: Thou shall not speak ill of another Democrat. Treat other members of this online community with the respect you would expect. Do not post personal attacks against any democratic candidate for office or any other members of this discussion forum.
Content: Do not post messages that are inflammatory, extreme, divisive, incoherent, or otherwise inappropriate. Do not engage in anti-social, disruptive, or trolling behavior. Do not post broad-brush, bigoted statements. The moderators and administrators of this site will work very hard to enforce some minimal standards regarding what content is appropriate.
Candidate Forums: There is a message board organized for each Democratic presidential candidate www.idvc.ord and for Senator Harkin and each of Iowa's incumbant Democratic Congressmen. Each forum contains links to the candidate's web site. Members are encouraged to post news and positive messages in support of their chosen candidate in the appropriate forum. Members may also post questions for the candidate or their staff in the forum.
This is a moderated discussion forum with rules. The Iowa Democratic Veterans Caucus is a team of veterans who are reaching out to others across the state to become more actively involved in this effort with your ideas, time and energy added to the mix. Our leadership organizers and district representatives will act as moderators who can delete posts and ban the disruptor. Members are strongly urged to familiarize themselves with our rules, and make an effort to become positive and contributing members of the Iowa Democratic Veterans' Caucus. Those who do not adhere to our policies risk being removed from the group; their posts will be deleted or their posting privileges will be revoked.
Copyrights: Please do not 'copy and paste' entire articles onto this discussion forum without including the copyright mark and a link back to the original material. When referencing longer copyrighted work, it is best to post a short excerpt (not exceeding 4 paragraphs) with a link back to the original.
Meetup Site Administration: Respect the site organizers and administrators, and respect their decisions. You can help make their job easier by e-mailing the site organizer (k.sovern@mchsi.com) to alert on any post that might need the organizer's attention. Please understand that moderating errors and inconsistencies are inevitable as the website and membership grows larger. If you have a question about these policies, or if you have a concern about an action of the organizer, please contact the Caucus Chair privately.