Transcript Chaplain Training - DAV Members Portal

CHAPLAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Reverend Donald R. Sellers, Sr.
Department Chaplain
Department of Alabama
THE DAV MISSION STATEMENT
Fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served.
We are dedicated to a single purpose: empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives
with respect and dignity. We accomplish this by ensuring that veterans and their families
can access the full range of benefits available to them; fighting for the interests of
America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill; and educating the public about the great
sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life.
•Providing free, professional assistance to veterans and their families in obtaining
benefits and services earned through military service and provided by the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) and other agencies of government.
•Providing outreach concerning its program services to the American people generally,
and to disabled veterans and their families specifically.
•Representing the interests of disabled veterans, their families, their widowed spouses
and their orphans before Congress, the White House and the Judicial Branch, as well as
state and local government.
•Extending DAV’s mission of hope into the communities where these veterans and their
families live through a network of state-level Departments and local chapters.
•Providing a structure through which disabled veterans can express their compassion for
their fellow veterans through a variety of volunteer programs.
Department of Alabama
WHAT IS A CHAPLAIN?
Defined by Webster’s Dictionary as:
(1) a clergyman in charge of a chapel
(2) a clergyman officially attached to a branch of military, to an institution,
or to a family or court
(3) a person chosen to conduct religious exercises (as at a meeting of a
club or society)
Very likely the DAV/DAVA Chaplains fall into category 3 for the
definition of Chaplain
Department of Alabama
CHAPLAINS’ PRIVILEGE
The office of DAV/ DAVA Chaplain is one of
honor, reverence, distinction and a privilege
in representing “God and Nation.”
Department of Alabama
AUTHORITY OF THE CHAPLAIN
 First Amendment guarantees free expression of religion
 DAV/DAVA Chaplains are duly elected or appointed exemplifying
highest ideals of patriotism and good citizenship
 Addressed in Chapter/ Unit Officers Guide
Department of Alabama
CHAPLAIN DUTIES
 Administers to spiritual affairs of chapter
 Attending all meetings
 Ready to take part in initiations, dedications, funerals or memorial
services
 Give a current Sickness & Distress Report at each chapter
meeting
 Maintain close confidence with commander and officers
 Visits or calls sick members and those members in the hospital
 Comforts families of recently deceased chapter members/
veterans
Department of Alabama
CHAPLAIN DUTIES CONTINUED
 Encourage members to attend funerals and memorial services
 Make sure DAV/ DAVA Services are properly conducted
 Help maintain the Spirit of Comradeship of the DAV/ DAVA through:
 Unity
 Harmony
 Peace
 Compassion and caring
 Lend dignity and respect to your office
Department of Alabama
CHAPLAIN DUTIES CONTINUED
 The Chaplain shall notify the Department Chaplain with a monthly
report including the Notice of Death (NOD) of members with name,
membership number, date of passing, age, & funeral arrangements.
 The Chaplain will also send in a NOD to DAV National Headquarters
of any DAV member who has passed away.
Department of Alabama
There is a great deal more to learn! These are
the basics. The information you will find in the
Officers Guide from National and from the
Department Chapter Officers Guide will be
helpful. Please, feel free to contact the
Department Chaplain with any questions you
may have concerning Chaplain duties!
Department of Alabama
QUESTIONS???
Department of Alabama