Call Out for Volunteers – Support & Advocacy

Background:

Support and Advocacy for RCMP Veterans was brought into existence a few short years ago as a dedicated program.  At that time, President John Sherstone took on the lead for the Vancouver Division. This program Nationally has become a large focus of the RCMP Veterans Association as the need for a point of contact for each veteran and serving Member has become necessary. Currently there are 50 plus veterans across Canada who are considered subject matter experts concerning benefits available to veterans from various sources, such Veterans Affairs and Revenue Canada. We are a group of individuals who care that you are looked after and are getting the maximum benefits you are entitled to in retirement.

Going forward:

The Vancouver Veterans Association is looking for up to five veterans to join us to help in dealing with the number of requests we receive.

As a subject matter expert, you will be required to contact veterans who ask for help in navigating various sources of information for assistance.  You will need some basic computer and internet skills, skilled in reading complex regulations and policies, and interpreting the veterans needs, and linking and directing them to applicable areas in Veterans Affairs etc. as they apply. You will not have to write the applications, but the ability to word smith the application would be helpful. You are a true volunteer and appreciate the benefits in helping others. There is no compensation for this.

Is this you?  If so please send me a separate email at mmacham@telus.net

Depending on the response a morning meeting in person or a Zoom meeting will be set up in the future for us to meet and you will be shown in detail the various web links, and agencies that are used to make this an easy task.

I am also looking for veterans or associates to create a Good and Welfare Group.  As part of the overall Support and Advocacy group, you will be responsive to veterans who have fallen ill or have had a recent event in their life, that perhaps a phone call, or a visit in a hospital would be very much appreciated.  Veteran Ray Kielan has been doing this for the division and we would like to see a few more come forward and help us out.

SUPPORT & ADVOCACY IS THE FUTURE OF OUR VETERAN’S ASSOCIATION AND IN THE MONTHS AHEAD YOU WILL SEE MATERIAL COMING OUT THAT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED. IT IS INFORMATIVE AND WILL INCREASE QUESTIONS.

ATTACHED IS A LINK TO THE VETERANS OMBUDSMAN OFFICE AS AN EXAMPLE OF WHERE WE ARE HEADED.

https://ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca/en/publications/resource-guides-and-information/survivors-resource-guide?fbclid=IwdGRjcATPrTZ0ZGNwBMp2tHBkb2YBZmRpZBZQrsME__Gq5er7PIvllCEVLWF5a5IHZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQKNjYyODU2ODM3OQABHvSzci8QFZ_cDbjEQiRVmdHavd6ydBKnQ0nUz4K9bLfJEHCjmkl41oIW0PjI_aem_gJ8AtWNTCDHymmZZ2RIf9Q

If this link doesn’t work you may have to copy it and paste it in the search bar.
Murray F. Macham

RCMP Veterans Association

Vancouver Division

Vice President and Support & Advocacy