Founded in 1942 in Flint Michigan
GREETINGS: To the Officers and Members of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., the Annual National Convention is hereby called to convene on July 29 – August 2, 2014 at the Marines Memorial Club, 609 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA, 94102. Lodging has been secured at Marines Memorial Club with additional accommodations available in the city.
PURPOSE: In accordance with Article VII, Section 2 of the Bylaws of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., the Organization will hold an Annual Convention for the purposes of electing new officers, acting on proposals, resolutions, and motions, to conduct business as may be brought before the body and to plan the coming year.
REPRESENTATIVES: In accordance with Article VII, Section 4 of the Bylaws, With the exception of the NP, each Member of the NEB shall be a Delegate at the respective Convention (see Bylaws, Article III, Section 1 for exceptions). Each Department and Chapter President shall also be a Delegate at the National Convention. In accordance with Article VII, Section 7 of the Bylaws: Each Chapter is entitled to one (1) Delegate for every ten (10) Members in good standing or fraction thereof. ("Members in good standing" are members who have not received any written discipline within the last six months--see Bylaws, Article III, Section 1). All Delegates must be Members in good standing. All Chapter Presidents are entitled to vote at the National Convention and are NOT counted in Chapter delegate calculations.
2014 National Convention Tentative Agenda
|
Welcome Day Tuesday, July 29, 2014 |
||
2:00-4:00 | Board Meeting (timing tentative based on NEB arrival times) | |
5:00-6:00 | Registration; or throughout Reception | |
6:00-8:30 | President’s Reception | |
Vendor Room open (noon) | ||
BSMA Business Day Wednesday, July 30, 2014 |
||
7:00-8:30 | Breakfast | |
7:00-7:45 | Registration | |
8:00-8:30 | Music & Social in Convention Room | |
8:30 | Opening Ceremonies | |
8:45 | Welcome to Convention | |
9:00 | Introduction of Officers | |
9:05 | Naming of Judges, Timekeepers and Spotters | |
9:10 | Naming of Minutes Approval Committee | |
9:15 | Explanation of voting cards | |
9:20 | Credentials Committee Report | |
9:30 | Convention Chair Report/Agenda | |
9:40 | Convention Rules | |
9:50 | Approval of Convention 2013 Minutes | |
10:00 | Break and Rehearsal for Memorial | |
10:30 | Memorial / National Convention picture | |
12:00 | Lunch w/speaker – Col. William Peacock, Ret. | |
1:30 | President’s Report | |
1:45 | Audit & Financials | |
2:15 | Finance Committee: Financial Policy & Budget Approval | |
7:00-10:00 | Big Dipper Fun(d) Night | |
Education Day Thursday, July 31, 2014 |
||
7:00-8:30 | Breakfast | |
8:00-8:30 | Music and Social in Convention Room | |
8:30 | Credentials Committee Report | |
8:35 | Convention Chair Report/Agenda | |
8:40 | Financials, Compliance & 990’s update | |
10:00 | Break | |
10:30 | Website Introduction and Training for Chapter Officers | |
12:00 | Lunch – Hospitality Room | |
1:00 | Website and Compliance | |
1:45 | Strategic Planning overview | |
2:15 | VAVS/Veterans’ causes | |
2:45 | Break | |
3:15 | Big Dipper | |
3:30 | Tim Maggart | |
Education/Governing Documents Day Friday, August 1, 2014 |
||
7:00-8:30 | Breakfast | |
8:00-8:30 | Music and Social in Convention Room | |
8:30 | Credentials Committee Report | |
8:35 | Convention Chair Report/Agenda | |
8:40 | Speaker - Bert Upson, 911 Survivor | |
10:00 | Break | |
10:15 | Breakout sessions/transition responsibilities | |
12:00 | Lunch – Hospitality Room/on your own | |
1:00 | Governing Documents Amendments | |
3:30 | Chapter Reports (time permitting) | |
4:00 | Big Dipper Meeting; election of Officers | |
5:00 – 6:30 | Silent Auction preview and bidding | |
6:30-11:00 | Banquet, dancing and Silent Auction | |
Election Day Saturday, August 1, 2014 |
||
7:00-8:30 | Breakfast | |
8:00-8:30 | Music and Social in Convention Room | |
8:30 | Credentials Committee Report | |
8:35 | Convention Chair Agenda Report | |
8:40 | Review of Tellers | |
8:45 | Review of Judges | |
8:50 | Explanation of Ballots | |
9:00 | Election of Officers | |
11:30 | Lunch provided | |
12:30 | Election of Officers | |
Chapter reports during ballot counting | ||
3:00 | New Business | |
3:15 | End of Convention | |
3:20 | Installation Rehearsal | |
3:30 | Installation of Officers | |
Post Convention Sunday, August 3, 2014 |
||
9:00 AM | Officer Transition meeting |
Convention Information:
Proposed Governing Document changes will be available on the website for all chapters to review before Convention. Delegates are reminded to BRING their marked up copies as the documents will not be in the Convention packets; they will be on the projector screens as each item is discussed and voted upon.
Dress Code: The dress code for the Opening Ceremony and the Memorial Service (Wednesday) and for the Elections and Installation of Officers (Saturday) is your Blue Star Mother uniform: white blouse, dark blue slacks or skirt, blue or black shoes dark blue jacket (optional), BSM hat and white gloves for Memorial. National Officers will wear their white uniforms.
There will be a Silent Auction at the Convention. Chapters and individuals are encouraged to bring items for the Silent Auction to the convention or ship them to the National President: Pat Soler, 5533 Terra Granada # 1A, Walnut Creek, CA 94595.
The theme for the Big Dipper Fun(d) Night is the Red Carpet.
Vendor Tables: If your chapter plans to sell fundraisers at the National Convention, please remember that the National Executive Board must approve any items to be sold at Convention prior to Convention. Each chapter selling items shall be charged a $25 vendor fee. The Vendor Registration form can be found on the BSM website under Convention 2014. Outside vendors will be charged a $50 vendor fee.
Chapter Delegate Form: The Chapter Delegate Form can be found on the BSM Website under Convention 2014. This form must be submitted by July 7, 2014.
Convention Registration Form: The Convention Registration Form can be found on the BSM Website under Convention 2014. This form must be submitted by July 7, 2014 No refunds will be processed if a request for refund is submitted after July 7, 2014. Registrations after July 7, 2014 will cost $ 150.00 per person.
Extra Meal form: We have a second registration form that can be utilized to purchase extra meal tickets for guests if you forgot to do so when registering.
Chapter Reports: Chapters present at Convention may provide an oral Chapter presentation during the Convention. Chapter representatives are asked to briefly discuss no more than 3 projects/programs that are unique to their chapter, with one focusing on Veteran outreach. A maximum of 3 minutes per speaker will be allowed.
Marines’ Memorial Club & Hotel
609 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Tel: (415) 673-6672
Fax: (415) 441-3649
Driving Directions
From the Peninsula & San Francisco International Airport (SFO):
From the East Bay/Bay Bridge & Oakland International Airport (OAK):
From Marin/Golden Gate Bridge:
Preferred Parking is located at:
Olympic Club Garage
665 Sutter Street
(415) 359-1626
Overnight parking is available for Marine Club guests at the Olympic Club Garage at the current charge of $42.00 for 24 hours (subject to 14% hotel tax) WITH in and out privileges. Parking is guaranteed for Marines’ Memorial Club overnight hotel guests only. Any oversized vehicle will be charged double.
As parking can be very expensive in the city, we suggest that individuals carpool, or arrange to be dropped off, if you live locally.
There are many parking garages in the area and you may find one that is less expensive, but requires walking/additional time to reach the Marines Memorial Club..
* Olympic Garage Oversized Vehicles:
All Full Sized Trucks
All Full Sized Vans
Chevrolet Suburban
GMC Yukon XL (Regular Version OK)
Ford Expedition or Excursion
Cadillac Escalade (Long Version)
Lincoln Navigator XL
Chevy Avalanche