CHAPLAIN'S CORNER

I'm honored to have been elected for another term as Dept of California state chaplain.   I can be reached at fcorreaVFW@gmail.com
Chaplain Frank Correa
 
 
 
 
 

Our next Zoom training will take place on May 15, 2025 at 1730 Pacific Time, and will be led by Past National Chaplain Jim Jenkins. The topic will be "Lessons Learned by Chaplain Jim”. Please note there will be no Zoom training in June, July or August due to conventions.  On August 21, 2025: Past National Chaplain Debb Halter will be offering an Introduction Training Class for newly elected Chaplains. Then, on September 18, 2025, we officially begin our new season of Zoom training sessions.

REMINDER! Next Zoom Training Class: Third Thursday of most months at 1730 Pacific time.  Reach out to Peter Hook if you are not already on email list for notifications.

 

Chaplains Training Workshop at Dept Convention 2025  Wednesday June 18,  12:30- 1400

Topics:

·      Suicide Intervention Basic Training: Amy Alvarez, Licensed Therapist specializing in trauma. Retired USMC Gunnery Sergeant 

·      Dashboard Reporting for Chaplains: Frank Correa, Dept Chaplain

Praying at meetings and events

Chaplains resources

·      Q&A


 

Link to VFW Chaplain Service Dispatch monthly newsletter  https://lotcs.org/vfw_chaplain.html   use "News" tab

 
Department of California Chaplains Check in Meeting notes January 21, 2025 Key points and links to resources
 
Chaplain Training Opportunities
3rd Thursdays of most months 1730 PST Monthly Chaplains training meetings.(rotating topics and speakers)

Monthly Chaplains Zoom Training Classes

******To get on the list to receive the Zoom link*****
To sign up for VFW Chaplain Zoom training, you can email Reverend Peter Hook at: PeterHook@verizon.net. Be sure and enter the information below if you email him directly. Message Body: I wish to sign up for the VFW Chaplain training sessions. My name is: My email is: My phone number is: My state is: My district is: My post is:

The content varies each month and is well worth your time. It’s a fantastic resource for training and equipping all our chaplains.

 Dashboard Reporting for Chaplains training video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiGC4xMZHPs

Dashboard Reporting PowerPoints /uploads/Documents/Dashboardreporting.pptx
There is a new option for veterans who prefer burial in private cemetery or personal urn retention by family by the VA starting June 1st.  https://news.va.gov/131136/nca-adds-options-for-ommemorative-plaques-and-urns/
Primary site for Archives of Chaplains training and Multiple recourses
Link https://lotcs.org/vfw_chaplain.html Select blue "Training" tab and then select the link for the video or PowerPoint you want to see.
Comrade Chaplains,
Here's the link to the YouTube video for the Ethics and VFW Ritual training:  https://youtu.be/eu3IDmb_8xs.
It's also on our web page:  https://lotcs.org/vfw_chaplain.html.
Here's the link for the updated Chaplain's Handbook:   Dated March 2024
https://lotcs.org/Forms/Chaplain/VFW_Chaplain/Manuals/VFW%20Chaplain%20Handbook%202024%20MAR%2018th.pdf
VFW Chaplain's Training:   "Suicide Awareness" by Guest Speaker; Certified Trauma Training Specialist (CTTS) and a Loss & Grief Specialist, Chaplain Ron RIngo

The Suicide Prevention Training Zoom session is now live on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/rxjpSuPyq4M.  It's also under the Training tab on the VFW National Chaplain web page:  https://lotcs.org/vfw_chaplain.html.

CA POST CHAPLAINS Basic  Training  (Link to PowerPoint) Covers the most importantly basics such  as where to find resources and all the training opportunities available. Plus how and why to enter chaplain reports into the Dept website dashboard. Ill teach you how to enter reports.   

Chaplains Basic Training Video link   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TRkZ8MgbI-W1PTvAvFOm1PiMOxVjGSWX/view?usp=sharing


CA District Chaplains Training Meeting PowerPoint  from Aug 30th Please share with all your chaplains. There are a lot of great resources for chaplains here.  A special thank you to newly elected National Chaplain Dave Frei for joining and supporting us.

  
Please check our or CA chaplain page on Facebook   VFW Dept of CA State Chaplain 
 
Please check out our National Chaplain's Page (its hosted on the Cootie Site)

National Online Reporting System

 
CHAPLAIN OF THE YEAR   Guides
District and Department Chaplain of the year awards   Due Feb 1 to Dept Chaplain.
Chaplain of the Year nomination instructions -  Due March 1st to National Chaplain

 
CHAPLAIN TRAINING RESOURCES 
 Chaplain's Handbook       March 2024 Revision*
Chaplain's Resource Manual
Resources for Chaplains   ** Excellent list of Chaplain resources
Various Prayers for 9-11 Remembrance
We shall Never Forget
 Remembrance Ceremony
Graveside Service basic template
 
Additional sites with useful reference materials
https://vfwpa.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp?pid=88797
https://vfwmo.com/di/vfw/v2/default.asp?pid=76106   includes duties of chaplains