Founded in 1942 in Flint Michigan
Congressionally Chartered in 1960

Pat Soler
National President
5533 Terra Granada # 1A
Walnut Creek, CA 94595

72^nd ANNUAL CONVENTION CALL

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
(Subject to Change)

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):

• Take 101 North to the Downtown/7th Street Exit
• Stay on 7th Street going North; Cross Market Street
• Turn Right onto Leavenworth Street
• Turn Right onto Bush Street
• Turn Right onto Mason Street
• Turn Right onto Sutter Street
• Hotel is on the corner of Sutter and Mason Streets

From the East Bay/Bay Bridge & Oakland International Airport (OAK):

• Follow directions from the Airport to I-880 N
• Take I-880 N toward Downtown Oakland
• Merge onto I-80 (left exit) toward San Francisco/Bay Bridge
• Take the Fremont Street Exit
• Turn left onto Fremont Street
• Fremont Street becomes Front Street
• Stay in the Center/Cross Market Street
• Turn Left onto Pine Street
• Turn Left onto Mason Street
• Turn Right onto Sutter Street
• Hotel is on the corner of Sutter and Mason Streets

From Marin/Golden Gate Bridge:

• Take US-101 S
• Take the Lombard Street Exit to Downtown San Francisco
• Turn Right onto Van Ness Avenue (US-101 South)
• Turn Left onto Bush Street
• Turn Right onto Mason Street
• Turn Right onto Sutter Street
• Hotel is on the corner of Sutter and Mason Streets

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