November 7 and 8, 2013 Veteran and Family Student Association Tabling Event
The VFSA is asking for volunteers to help with the Tabling Event being held in the MU Quad on November 7th and 8th. There are various times to choose from and are scheduled in hour increments, but you can volunteer for whatever time is suitable to your schedule. We would like two people per time, but more is possible. We will have table, chairs, flags and handouts for people. This event is to create awareness to veterans on campus that there is a veteran organization and we are here to help. Thank you for helping!
http://www.doodle.com/qq2v54nwm3nhzdvp

November 8, 2013 Oregon State University Veterans Day Ceremony
Oregon State University Air Force ROTC Detachment 685 asks you to join them in honoring our nation’s veterans. The ceremony will include a mock funeral ceremony with a 21 gun salute, as well as a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Ceremony. Dress is casual. The event will be held at 10:00 a.m. and in the Oregon State University Memorial Union Quad
Contact: Armando Kraynick
Phone: (503-383-4165)
Email: kraynica@onid.orst.edu

November 11, 2013 OSU Womens Basketball Game against CSU Bakersfield dedicated to Veterans.
The Department of Veteran Resources is partnering with the Athletics Department and OSU ROTC Units to honor Veterans. OSU ROTC Joint Color Guard will be presenting the colors. OSU Student and Coos County Veteran Service Officer Eric Gleason will be honored on the court for his military service and continued service as a Veteran Advocate. Game starts at 6:00 p.m. Ticket Information can be obtained at the following website; http://beavertickets.com/.

November 11, 2013 Albany Veterans’ Day Parade
Student Veterans from around the state will be joining Oregon State University Student Veterans to walk in the 2013 Albany Veterans Parade. Those interested need to show up by 9:30 a.m at the Fred Meyer which is on 2500 Santiam Hwy SE in Albany, Oregon. Students will then travel from there to their line up spot in the parade by 10:00 a.m. Parade starts at 11:00 a.m.

November 14, 2013 VA Outreach Day at Oregon State University
Veterans and Family Student Association (VFSA), Associated Students of Oregon State University (ASOSU) Veterans Taskforce Director, and the Office of Veterans Resources are happy to once again host representatives from the Federal and County VA Programs. Present will be representatives from the Portland and Roseburg VA Medical Center, Salem and Eugene Vet Centers, and Benton County Veterans Service Office. The event will be held from 9:00 to 3:00 on Thursday, November 14, 2013 in the Memorial Union Veterans Lounge. Stop in to talk with these individuals about your VA benefits beyond GI Bill. Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.

November 15, 2013 Open House Event in Veterans Lounge
Veterans and Family Student Association (VFSA) and the Associated Students of Oregon State University (ASOSU) Veterans Taskforce Director are hosting an Open House Event in the Veterans Lounge on November 15, 2013 11:00 to 2:00. Come and meet your new leaders. Keynote speaker and guest will be Mr. Victor Kuhns, Director for Vets Helping Vets HQ. Refreshments and food will be provided.

Memorial Union
Position Title: Student Building Manager
Hiring Immediately for Academic Year 2013-2014
Position Description:
Work with MU Building Operations Manager and Building Management Team in overseeing and coordinating evening
and weekend operations throughout the Memorial Union organization.
Responsibilities:
 Promote a safe, secure and orderly environment for employees, volunteers and visitors in the MU.
 Troubleshoot and solve problems involving guests, employees and building systems.
 Ensure meeting rooms, event spaces and common spaces are clean, arranged properly and ready for guests.
 Provide leadership and appropriate response during emergency situations.
 Open or Secure doors, windows and other access points in all MU facilities.
 Provide emergency coverage and relief in MU Basement, Guest Services, Info Desk and Building Services.
 Monitor all Memorial Union facilities, rooms and locations on reoccurring walking rounds.
 Enforce building policies and procedures and handle disruptive incidents as appropriate.
 Lead fellow student staff in providing exceptional customer service to all parties encountered.
 Perform other duties as assigned.
General Qualifications:
Academics –
Must be an upper-class undergraduate student or graduate student with at least one full academic year left before
graduation. Must have at least a 2.5 GPA and must be continually enrolled for at least 6 credit hours each quarter.
Communication Skills –
Must be proficient in both verbal and written communication. Must be capable of communicating across multiple workshifts
utilizing e-mail, voicemail, written logs, telephone and hand-held radio. Must communicate in a positive manner
and strive to deal with problems in a mature and responsible manner resulting in mutually favorable resolutions.
Judgment and Integrity –
Must be able to exercise sound judgment and act in a responsible manner and lead other MU staff members with
integrity and in accordance with established policies.
Customer Service Skills –
Must possess and demonstrate exceptional customer service and positive attitude at all times.
Attitude –
Must display a healthy work-ethic which includes, but is not limited to the ability to be self-directed towards reliable
attendance and excellent punctuality. Must demonstrate the ability to focus attention to details on the job, and avoid
distractions that take away from effective building supervision.
Hours: Approx 16-20 hours each week, with shifts 4pm-11pm on Weeknights and 7am-4pm & 4pm-12am Weekends
Pay Rate: $ 10.00+ /hr and merit-based increases upon annual anniversary.
* Successful applicants will be subject to, and must successfully pass an Oregon State Police Background Check.
Applications are available until Nov 13 at the Memorial Union Website
http://mu.oregonstate.edu/mu-job-application
Interviews will follow.
Contact Mike Mayers for more information.
(541) 737-4105 or michael.mayers@oregonstate.edu

The VFSA is asking for volunteers to help with the Tabling Event being held in the MU Quad on November 7th and 8th. There are various times to choose from and are scheduled in hour increments, but you can volunteer for whatever time is suitable to your schedule. We would like two people per time, but more is possible. We will have table, chairs, flags and handouts for people. This event is to create awareness to veterans on campus that there is a veterans organization and we are here to help. Thank you for helping! If you have any questions please email or call.

http://www.doodle.com/qq2v54nwm3nhzdvp

OSU Veterans Association Leaders

The position will require the Work-Study Student to assist the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) representatives in providing direct and indirect support services to qualified veterans. These duties include; welcoming the veterans to the center, assisting the veterans to complete occupational history and job skills identification, maintain veterans e-mail distribution list for providing information updates, assist veterans in establishing eBenefits accounts and applying for benefits through that site, and assisting DVOP Reps in providing veterans benefits information and provide referral to other veterans service organizations for additional services.

Wille Elfering
Veterans Representative
Oregon Employment Department
Dallas / Salem / Woodburn
Salem Office #: 503-378-8574

Web Site: http://www.workinginoregon.org
Labor Market Info: http://www.qualityInfo.org

Do you have a 10 credit internship to complete? Are you interested in developing executive skills in hiring and staff development? KidSpirit is looking for three dedicated interns for this winter term who will be helping to evaluate the future staff of KidSpirit and making a valuable contribution to the continuation of the program. Many students wait to complete their intensive internship until spring term, but with the influx of other students looking for internships, stress of making summer plans and graduation, winter term is the perfect time earn your credits while cultivating your higher level management skills. Intern will be expected to work weekdays in the term and some weekends. If you are interested in this unique and exciting opportunity please schedule a meeting with KidSpirit director Karen Swanger or another leadership staff to discuss the internship. KidSpirit is located in 125 Langton Hall 541.737.5437

KidSpirit Leadership Staff
KidSpirit/Girls on the Run Office
KidSpirit@OregonState.edu
541-737-5437

Check out the Fall Career Fair Seminars & Events beginning on Friday, October 18th through Tuesday, October 22nd sponsored by OSU Career Services. These are great opportunities for you and your students to find out what employers are looking for in resumes, learn tips and strategies to make interviews a success, and discover how to negotiate the best job offer! Learn how to be successful at the Career Fair and how to strengthen your professional portfolio. Join us for one of our favorite events: Speed Mock Interviews, which will be held on October 22nd, 2:00pm in Kidder Hall room 202. This event allows students to practice with national recruiters to be fully prepared for interviews. For more information please follow this link: http://oregonstate.edu/career/seminars-and-events.
Please help us get the word out to students of these upcoming events.

It’s that exciting time of year again! Time for the much anticipated annual Cheadle Challenge 5k Adventure Run in Lebanon, OR!
When: Veteran’s Day Weekend, November 9, 2013
Where: Cheadle Park – Lebanon, OR
Presented by the Lebanon Community Foundation

Proceeds Benefit: Boys & Girls Clubs of the Greater Santiam, Oregon Military Support Networks & other Community Non-Profits!
5k course includes 10 obstacles awaiting those brave enough to turn out! Mud, fire, mountain climbs, water and more!
** Discounts available for Veterans, active duty military and their families. Please contact race director at:
lcf.activity@gmail.com for details

Hope to see you there!

Thank you very much for all you do to support and encourage Veterans and their families!

In support of Veterans,

Andrew Denker
Program Director
Oregon Military Support Network (OMSN)
503-789-5164
E-mail: omsn.info@aol.com
Website: OMSN.INFO

Please visit and “like” us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/OMSNOregonMilitarySupportNetwork

The Center for Civic Engagement is excited announce our 2013 Make a Difference Day projects for Saturday October 26th. Students, staff, and faculty are invited to participate! 7 service projects are available in both the morning and afternoon. Make a Difference Day is the largest national day of service.

Projects sites include Corvallis Community Children’s Center, Habitat for Humanity, Trillium Family Services, Linn-Benton Food Share, South Corvallis Food Bank, and Corvallis Manor Nursing Home. Pre-registration is required! REGISTER TODAY. Visit our registration page with a list of service sites and project descriptions here: http://oregonstate.edu/cce/2013-madd-projects.

They are separated by many years and multiple wars, but when 26-year-old Michael Contee presented 96-year-old Imel Willis with a pin and a plaque to commemorate his years of service, the young Marine reservist and the World War II vet were a united front. One nation under the call of duty.

Marine Honoring Others 2 Marine Honoring Others 2

“Whether it is World War II or Korea or Vietnam, there is this automatic sense of understanding,” Contee said. “When they see the uniform, their eyes perk up. If they can speak, they speak. But if they don’t speak, it doesn’t matter. It’s all been said.”

As a volunteer with LightBridge Hospice and Palliative Care, 2nd Lt. Michael Contee performs honor ceremonies for veterans who are on the last march of their lives. In his full dress uniform, Contee kneels at the patients’ feet for a few words of thanks, followed by a sharp salute.

In hospitals, convalescent homes and bedsides all over San Diego, Contee presents military men and women with tokens of a country’s appreciation. In return, he gets a world of thanks.

“I don’t know that my father has ever been singled out by the military, and I am so honored that they have done this,” Willis’ son, Floyd, said after last week’s ceremony, which took place in the family’s Chula Vista living room. “Michael was so respectful, and he was very adept at intuiting what my father needed. He was saying just enough that Daddy could grasp.”

A native of Oahu, Hawaii, Contee was on track to be deployed to Afghanistan last summer. But his deployment was delayed due to the drawdown, so he decided to find another way to serve. Remembering how his grandmother benefited from hospice care, he started researching local hospice organizations and ended up contacting LightBridge. Within a few days, LightBridge drafted him for veterans’ duty. Which, as it turned out, was more of a privilege.

“I love old people. I just love ’em,” said the gregarious Contee, who majored in history at Quincy University in Illinois and is currently a manager at Chuze Fitness in Mission Valley. “They’re wise, and they tell you what they want to tell you, and they don’t care if you accept it or not. It’s an amazing feeling when you make that connection. I have to smile. You can’t not smile.”

Before they embark on hospice work, LightBridge volunteers are trained in the delicate art of aid and comfort. They learn how to deal with dying patients and grieving families and how to keep the process from taking its toll on their own emotional health. In Contee’s case, he also learned that helping patients through these final chapters doesn’t have to be a sad story.

“Most of the time, it’s not tragic. One guy got seasick (during his service), and that’s all he wanted to talk about. Another guy’s plane crashed in the Pacific during World War II, and he was rescued by his own brother. That was an amazing story.

“When someone passes, it’s never easy. It’s how you deal with it,” he continued. “You think your life is crazy, and then you hear about this man being shot down and rescued by the person he loved the most. When you hear that, you realize that anything is possible.”

Like many LightBridge honorees, Imel Willis is frail and battling dementia. But when Contee appeared, the fog seemed to clear.

Maybe it was the uniform, which inspired Willis to open his eyes and comment on Contee’s sharp appearance. (“The first thing he said to me was, ‘You look good,’ ” Contee said with a grin.) Maybe it was the ceremony, a short, heartfelt affair that ended with a salute and a blessing, followed by cake and coffee in the dining room.

And maybe it was the man in the uniform, who always makes sure his shoes are shined, his face is clean-shaven (bye-bye, goatee) and his heart is in the perfect place.

“He is always willing to make the sacrifice,” said Tauna Austin, LightBridge’s volunteer coordinator. “I’ll call Michael and say, ‘We’ve got this guy who is dying, can you do this right away?’ and he will do it. He’s got a great sense of humor and a great smile. Not everyone is generous with their smile.”

Contee isn’t sure what his military future holds. Maybe he will be deployed, and maybe he won’t. But his future with the men and women who served before is not up for debate.

“You reach that age when the light clicks and you realize that life is about something more than you. I’ll keep doing this as long as they’ll have me.”

 

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/jun/19/tp-saluting-a-soldiers-last-march/

Mt. Adams Institute Announces Funding for VetsWork in Washington and Oregon

Natural resource management and public lands agencies/organizations are encouraged to submit an application to receive a VetsWork intern at their site beginning January, 2014.

VetsWork is an 11-month long career development AmeriCorps internship program for military veterans interested in natural resources management/public lands employment. Participants engage in on-the-job training at their local sponsor site while supporting real management projects such as biological studies, public education and outreach, trail maintenance and volunteer management. Mt. Adams Institute provides additional training to participants for academic credit, human resources and payroll services and sponsor site support services. To learn more, read the VetsWork brochure.

In addition to supporting the transition of veterans back into the civilian world and our communities, VetsWork is important to agency/organization sponsors as it allows them to train and build relationships with specific veterans that can fill employment openings at their local sites. Federal partners will realize additional hiring flexibility as participants will qualify for non competitive status as both Pathways candidates and per the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps.

The deadline to submit a VetsWork Sponsor Site Application is August 7, 2013 at 5 PM. Don’t delay — 1/3 of the 25 available positions have already been awarded during a limited release that occurred in the fall, 2012. To discuss the program with a VetsWork staff member, contact us via email. We are available to make presentations at local sites throughout Oregon and Washington depending on our schedule.

Funding for VetsWork comes from the Corporation for National and Community Service (AmeriCorps), agency contributions and public donations. To learn more about Mt. Adams Institute, check out our website or follow us on Facebook

We look forward to hearing from you,

Brendan Norman
Executive Director
Mt. Adams Institute