I want to briefly provide you with an update on how your Department Headquarters is working to address the concerns arising from the current situation with COVID-19. We are receiving regular communication from DAV National, and monitoring all of the advice from the CDC and Minnesota Department of Health. We will make the best decisions possible, with the available information.
Below are specific updates:
DAV MN HQ Office
At this time, the DAV MN HQ office located in the State Veterans Service Building will be closed as of Friday Midnight. The HQ staff will be working remotely and will be reachable thru email. If you have any questions please email [email protected] and your email will be directed to the appropriate person.
DAV MN Pick Up Service
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 mitigation efforts and the resulting Governor’s executive order for all Minnesota residents with “nonessential” occupations to shelter in place, the DAV of Minnesota will be temporarily suspending our metro residential pickup service effective March 23, 2020 throughout the shelter in place order. We hope to resume our collection activities as soon as conditions allow. Please check back with us periodically throughout the month of April as new information comes available. We truly appreciate the support and advocacy we have received and express our heartfelt gratitude for the continued support for the DAV of Minnesota and the Minnesota Veterans, their dependents and survivors we serve. The DAV of Minnesota sincerely wishes health and safety to all during these unprecedented and unfortunate times.
DAV MN Transportation
Minnesota Governor Walz ordered a Shelter in Place order last night going into effect Friday evening March 27th. Guidance has been left up to the Directors and upper management team of each VA facility. This means there are differences in how each VA is limiting/restricting our transportation programs. So far, Fargo VA has shut down transportation as a whole. We are looking for guidance at this time if that is just to the Fargo VA hospital or to any appointment. Minneapolis has restricted the number of riders in a vehicle, has canceled/rescheduled all non urgent appointments and moved many appointments to telehealth and restricted the number of Veterans allowed in clinic at one time. St. Cloud has canceled/rescheduled all Optical and Audiology appointments, postponed and surgeries and are encouraging Veterans to reschedule non essential appointments or utilize a telehealth option however they have not at this time mandated this change for many of their mental health appointments and other departments such as podiatry.
We will give rides to emergent appointments (dialysis, INR lab draws, essential imaging ect) as long as we have volunteer drivers willing to do so and have not been grounded by our VAs.
DAV MN National Service Office
Currently the Office is closed until further notice and all Service Officers will be working remotely for the safety of the veteran population and ourselves. The only way to make contact with the NSOs is through our corporate email at [email protected] or through our National NSO locator at www.benefitsquestions.org.
DAV MN Convention 2020
Convention 2020 has been POSTPONED. As of now, we are planning a 1 day event on Friday June 26th. This will be to conduct mandatory business only. Members seeking higher office, the application is available on our website and details on meeting with the Nominating Committee PRIOR to June 26 will be shared at a later date. For those members that made hotel reservations UNDER our DAV Block for May, these reservations will be cancelled by the hotel. Please do not call the hotel at this time as their staff is overloaded.
Chapter Meetings/Elections
I have been getting more questions about holding Chapter meetings. There is guidance from CDC discouraging groups of 10 or more from gathering, especially if the space will not allow for the proper “social distancing”. It is ok to cancel/postpone meetings.
These are uncharted waters for all of us and we all have to make the best decision we can with the best interest of our families, community, and members in the forefront of our mind. I know many chapters are looking at upcoming elections, please know we will work with you when things settle down to resolve any and all issues. Currently, the guidance is if you can not safely hold a scheduled election, your current line will continue until you can meet again.
Please know we will keep you posted as things change and your Dept. Staff and Executive Committee continue to work for you and to navigate these trying times. I encourage you to reach out if you need anything. Clothing Collection Operations
As of today (3/16/2020), we are not aware of any specific changes to our clothing program fundraiser due to the COVID 19 situation. However, as new information comes available conditions seem to be changing quickly. We are working on contingency plans for several different scenarios (just in case) and we will keep Chapter and Department Leadership updated with any changes to the best of our abilities.
DAV MN Donor Connect Program
Effective immediately, we have decided to suspend the MN DAV Donor Connect Program until further notice. This means we will not accept Durable Medical Equipment donations nor will we assist in the disbursement of medical equipment we have on our current inventory dated Feb 24, 2020.
DAV MN Hog Hunt POSTPONED
Disabled Veteran Turkey Hunt at Camp Ripley CANCELLED
Veterans Day on the Hill 2020
The COVID-19 virus has caused disruptions that limit gatherings throughout the state and nation. Current federal and state guidance requires that the scheduled “Veterans Day On The Hill 2020” pre-event lunch, march and capitol rotunda rally will not convene in-person as scheduled on April 20, 2020. I strongly encourage you to immediately contact transportation companies you may have made arrangements with to let them know the event has been cancelled.
Parting Message
The Disabled Americans Veterans of Minnesota has an important mission, and it is entirely possible that at a time like this we may be called on to help our Disabled Veterans in new ways. During this time please keep in mind the Veterans who may be struggling in your communities as schools close, workplaces shut down, and elderly Veterans face possible shortages. Our Chapter’s are the best positioned to help these Veterans immediately, as new challenges arise.
