Lifeline 2016 Conference Issue

Virginia Lifeline 2016 Conference

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AVAVRS Nominating Committee Report Submitted by Donna S. Porter, AVAVRS Nominating Committee Chair This is a 2016 AVAVRS Slate of Officers: 

President ----Harry Householder - Loudoun County Auxiliary - Northeastern District

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Vice President - Ailease Short - Bensley-Bermuda Auxiliary - Southeastern Auxiliary

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Treasurer - Fay Browning - Henrico Auxiliary – Southeastern District

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Chaplain - Linda Berkstresser - Lexington FR Auxiliary - Western District

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Historian - Valarie Becker - Glade Spring Auxiliary - Southwestern District

Reminder: If you would like to nominate someone from the floor to run for an office, read the following rules from the AVAVRS Constitution-Section 1, D. 3.

Nominations from the floor shall be accepted at the first Business Meeting (Friday) and will be voted on at the final Business Meeting (Saturday). A resume of the nominee's work on local, district and state levels shall be presented in writing to the State Nominating Committee Chair prior to the first Business Meeting, with a statement of willingness to run for that office, signed by the nominee.

I am mailing the Slate of Officers and their resumes to all Auxiliaries and State Officers prior to Conference.

Thank you to my mentor, Ruth Swicegood, for your guidance in helping me in my first year as Nominating Committee Chair. Also, thanks to others that have helped me along the way. See you at the Conference … Take care and God bless you :)

VAVRS Nominating Committee Report Submitted by Bruce Stratton, VAVRS Nominating Committee Chair Thanks to all involved in the Interview process. Based on the ballot count of the VAVRS Nominating Committee the following names are forwarded to the VAVRS Board of Governors:

President: Vice President: Secretary: Treasurer: Training Officer: Chaplain: Page

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Kim Craig Scott Davis Wesley Melson Tarry Pribble Greg Burton Gary Dalton September

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2015-2016 VAVRS Officers and Committee Chairs President Kim Craig Nominating: Bruce Stratton Vice President Scott Davis Membership: Scott Davis Secretary Cecil Leach By-Laws: Bruce Edwards Treasurer Tarry Pribble Lifeline: Gary Dalton Training Officer Greg Burton Conference: Ford Wirt Chaplain Mike Smoot Camporee: Ronnie Slough Chaplain Emeritus Page Entsminger Finance: Tarry Pribble Historian Chris Snyder Scholarship: Carolyn Brand Editor Gary Dalton EMS Memorial: Kevin Dillard Legal Advisor Mary Malone Grant: Elizabeth Papelino Parliamentarian J. C. Phillips Web Page: Gary Dalton Immediate Past President Rickey Hodge Legislative: Bubby Bish Medical Advisor James R. Dudley, MD Nominating: Bruce Stratton Lobbyist Ed Rhodes Rescue College: Wayne Myers District 1 V. P. Patrick Scott Facility Manager: George Langford District 2 V. P. Chris Flioro Life Membership: Ronnie Slough District 3 V. P. Warren Winner Hall of Fame: Page Entsminger District 5 V. P. Jason Morgan EMS Advisory Board: Valeta Daniels District 6 V. P. Bob Wingfield EMS Advisory Board: Denene Hannon District 7 V. P. Curtis Crawford Strategic Planning: Scott Davis District 8 V. P. Erik Brown Recruitment and Retention: Fran Phillips District 9 V. P. Dwayne Stanley Volunteer Management: Dave Tesh District 10 V. P. Wesley Melson Volunteer Management: Walter Stephens EMS Exchange Program: Jane Laverne Training Coordinator Kathy Eubank Information Technology: Steve Ayers Office Assistant Cindy Bailey Bookkeeper Cynthia Babb

2015-2016 VAJVRS Officers President Elizabeth Pittman Vice President Adarah Williams Secretary/Treasurer Toby Akers Historian Bradley Hancock Chaplain Makayla McMahan Official

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2015-2016 AVAVRS Officers and Committee Chairs President - Harry Householder Vice President - Ailease Short Secretary - Marie Householder Treasurer - Fay Browning Chaplain - Linda Berkstresser Historian - Valarie Becker Parliamentarian - Nancy Winner Immediate Past President - Fern Puckett Midwestern VP—Dolores Hudson Northeastern VP - Eddie Ann Orndoff Southcentral VP - Vicki Arnold Southeastern VP - Elsie Butler Southwestern VP - Roger Lynthlin Western VP - Janis Slough

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Conference: Fern Puckett Conference: Ruth Swicegood Nominating: Donna Porter Life Membership: Jean Garrett Emergency Care: John Dimino Resolutions: Nancy Winner Membership: Ailease Short Finance: Fay Browning Roll Call: Laura Booze Roll Call: Clara Craig Fundraising: Stacey Frame Fundraising: Tracey Frame

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HAVING AN IN-DEPTH UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR NEEDS AND GOALS IS THE WAY WE SERVE

The Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads is THE voice of EMS…. the advocate for our members, Virginia’s EMS agencies and providers. We link members and agencies for the purpose of sharing ideas, giving you a voice at the General Assembly, on state advisory boards, as well as on state and local committees. When our members have training issues or needs, they come to the VAVRS. When our members need assistance from leadership to budgets they come to the VAVRS. We help rescue squads throughout the Commonwealth thrive and succeed so they can provide prompt, effective patient care 24/7 in the communities they serve.

Make Your Plans to Join Us at the Annual VAVRS Conference September 26-30, 2017 in Virginia Beach

Deadline for the Upcoming Issues of the VIRGINIA LIFELINE Articles may be submitted by any member of the VAVRS, AVAVRS and VAJVRS. Feature articles are encouraged.

Photos and/or graphics are acceptable and can be returned if requested. Contact the Editor at gdalton@vavrs.com if you need assistance in writing an article Deadline for future issues as follows: October 1, 2016 for the November/December 2016 Issue December 1, 2016 for the January/February 2017 Issue February 1, 2017 for the March/April 2017 Issue April 1, 2017 for the May/June 2017 Issue June 1, 2017 for the July/August 2017 Issue August 1, 2017 for the September/October 2017 Issue September 1, 2017 for the 2017 Conference Issue October 1, 2017 for the November/December 2017 Issue Advertising Rates: Member Squads…,…......no charge Full Page…………………..$ 275.00 Half Page………………..…$150.00 Quarter Page……………....$100.00 Business Card……………..$ 50.00 Page

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Virginia Lifeline ISSN 0279-6023 VIRGINIA LIFELINE is the official bimonthly publication of the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads, Inc. Editorial material should be sent directly to the VAVRS Editor at P O Box 522 Woodstock, VA 22664 (H) 540-459-4849 (W) 540-536-2758 (FAX) 540-459-4925 (C) 540-481-0125 Email-gdalton@vavrs.com Requests for advertising rates, material specifications and deadlines should be directed to the Editor.

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From the VAVRS President Submitted by: Kim Craig, VAVRS President Welcome to Virginia Beach and the 82nd Virginia Association Volunteer Rescue Squad Conference. Planning for the conference started last year this time.

There has been a lot time and effort put into making this Conference the best it can be.

Please take advantage of all the great opportunities being offered. I would like to thank the Conference Committee Chairs and the Committee. These individuals have gone above and beyond serving the Association by planning this successful event. The membership appreciates your hard work.

Please make sure to attend the educational events and seminars, each one offers continuing education hours. Thank you Kathy Eubank for putting this together and offering excellent topics with great presenters.

It is so important that everyone goes to the exhibit hall to visit the vendors. Each vendor supports our Conference by attending, so please thank each of them for being there and displaying their merchandise. Ask them for their continued support and to plan on attending next year. The Exchange program will have a booth in the exhibit hall. Please stop by to hear about their adventures in Germany. They will have a display of their items and a power point of their journey.

Hopefully, with weather permitting, we will be having a parade on Friday night. It is always good to see such a good turn out from those watching the parade and the agencies participating. The picnic will be on Thursday afternoon @ 4pm at Camp Pendleton. To get onto the base, you will need your driver’s license for all occupants over 18 in the vehicle (or some form of picture ID). Your vehicle must have a current state registration, current inspection sticker, no pets allowed except for service dogs and the voucher that you will receive at the VAVRS registration booth displayed in the windshield. Please plan on attending rain or shine as the picnic will be held in a covered area with air conditioning. I am looking forward to seeing everyone there having a good time and eating lots of food.

The EMS symposium is just around the corner, November 9-13. VAVRS will have a donated hospitality suite, for one night, at the Marriott. I will let you know more about that as I receive verification of which night and the exact location. It will be a place where VAVRS members can gather for an evening.

It has truly been an honor to serve the Association as your President. It will be a privilege to serve another year. The Executive Committee has worked well as a team to achieve many accomplishments. It makes me proud to serve the Association with a great group of people. During my time as President I have worked with the Officers and the Membership to continue to move the Association forward by advocating our mission “to promote and assist member rescue squads in improving pre hospital emergency care in Virginia”. I have worked with the Officers, District VP’s and the members as a team to get a job done by showing appreciation, respect and letting everyone know how important every thought and recommendation is. It takes a team, it takes YOU. My goal will be to continue to make it my responsibility to ensure that the environment within the Association will remain positive, to encourage all members to become and stay involved and to work for YOU the membership and the Association so that we can continue to make that difference! Thank you for your support!

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Welcome to Virginia Beach and the 65th Anniversary of the AVAVRS. Submitted by Harry Householder, AVAVRS President I look forward to seeing you all during our meetings and at the picnic and hope we will have time to sit and chat. We are usually so busy we don't get a chance to socialize much.

Life Member and Past President Maxine Kerns is organizing a history display for the 65th Anniversary.

Please stop in visit the display in the history room next to the Tradewinds Restaurant and elevators at Virginia Beach Resort and Conference Center.

Fern Puckett, Conference Chair and Ruth Swicegood, Conference Co-Chair are working hard planning our meetings. Be sure to give them a huge THANK YOU for all their hard work.

Remember that our Life Members are virtual history - talk to them and hear how our organization has evolved over the past 65 years.

Again, thank you for allowing me to serve as your President and I look forward to the coming year.

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AVAVRS 65th Anniversary 1951 - 2016 "Everyday Heroes" Submitted by Fern Puckett, AVAVRS Conference Chair The AVAVRS will be celebrating 65 years of continued dedicated services from members across the state at the 2016 conference. We will be saluting our members as "Everyday Heroes" for services given during the past years to the present.

The AVAVRS President, Harry Householder made history in the AVAVRS at the 2015 Conference by being the first male to be elected president of our organization. His theme for this year is "Everyday Heroes" and the colors are Red, White and Blue.

The history of our organization is an important part of our celebration this year. Maxine Kerns, Chair of the history has been busy contacting Auxiliaries for items to display in our history room at Conference. The "Living History Room" will be on display at the Virginia Beach Resort and Conference Center. Please join our celebration by stopping by and sharing memories of the past to the present. Take a moment to post a memory on a "Comments Board" that will be on display.

Dates and Times to remember: Wednesday, September 21, 2016 

7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Opening Ceremony, Virginia Beach Convention Center, Suite 5

Thursday, September 22, 2016 

AVAVRS Officer's Meeting/lunch- 10:30a.m., 8th floor board room, VA Beach Resort Conference Center.

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The AVAVRS Delegates meeting - 1:00p.m., Chesapeake room, VA Beach Resort Conference Center.

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Conference Picnic- 4:00p.m. - 7:00p.m., Camp Pendleton-Virginia Beach

Friday, September 23, 2016 

AVAVRS Life Member breakfast - 7:00 a.m., Virginia room, VA Beach Resort Conference Center.

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AVAVRS Business Meeting- 10:00 a.m., Chesapeake room, VA Beach Resort Conference Center.

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Parade- 7:00 p.m. - Laskin and Atlantic Avenue and proceeds to 19th street.

Saturday, September 24, 2016 

AVAVRS Membership breakfast - 8:00a.m.-9:00a.m, Chesapeake Room, VA Beach Resort Conference Center.

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AVAVRS Business Meeting - 9:00a.m. - 12:00p.m., Chesapeake Room, VA Beach Resort Conference Center.

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Incoming Officer's Photos- 3:00p.m., VA Beach Convention Center

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Installation of Officer's and Awards Ceremony- 4:00p.m., VA Beach Convention Center.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 

AVAVRS Officer's meeting - 9:00a.m., Lynnhaven room, VA Beach Resort Conference Center.

I have enjoyed working with Ruth Swicegood, AVAVRS Conference Co-Chair during the year. Ruth and I hope that each of you will join us at Conference as we celebrate the 65th Anniversary of the AVAVRS.

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On Thursday, September 22 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

All Conference Attendees are invited to a picnic There will be food, door prizes and fellowship for all!

CAMP PENDLETON

OFF GENERAL BOOTH BOULEVARD OFF OF SOUTH BIRDNECK RD

VIRGINIA BEACH VA

(please note all persons are required to have a photo id; the driver of the vehicle is required to have a current drivers license and your vehicle need current registration and valid state inspection sticker. These items will be required when you check in at Camp Pendleton)

BBQ, CHICKEN BBQ & FRIED, ALL BEEF HOTDOGS, HAMBURGERS, CHEESBURGERS, POTATO SALAD, COLE SLAW, CHIPS, ROLLS, CONDIMENTS, COOKIES, AND BEVERAGES So Bring your favorite blanket or chair and come sit a while after a long day of meetings and moving around.

Come have a rest and eat some dinner.

Fellowship with your friends and family!

DIRECTIONS: FROM THE CONVENTION CENTER Go East on 19th Street and turn right on Pacific Avenue.

Continue over the bridge where it becomes General Booth Blvd.

You will enter off General Booth Boulevard at Gate #15, this will be just south of Birdneck Road.

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VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF VOLUNTEER RESCUE SQUADS,INC.

7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Opening Ceremony: Virginia Beach Convention Center, Suite 5 Welcome: Ford Wirt - Conference Chair, VAVRS Invocation: B. Mike Smoot - Chaplain, VAVRS Pledge of Allegiance: Elizabeth Pittman - President, VAJVRS Introduction of President: Ford Wirt - Conference Chair, President’s Welcome: Kim Craig - President, VAVRS Introduction of Guests: Kim Craig - President, VAVRS Junior Welcome: Adarah Williams - Vice President, VAJVRS Auxiliary Welcome: Harry Householder - President, AVAVRS Introduction of Speaker: Kim Craig - President, VAVRS Guest Speaker: TBA Benediction: Linda Berkstresser - Chaplain, AVAVRS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016

82nd ANNUAL CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 21 - 24, 2016 VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA Hotel Headquarters Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center 2800 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 PHONE: 757-481-9000 Event Location Virginia Beach Convention Center 1000 19th Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 9:00 a.m. Registration @ Virginia Beach Fire & EMS Training Center 9:30 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. Educational Events (Seminars): Virginia Beach Fire & EMS Training Center See Website for Details.

1:30 p.m. until 3:45 p.m. Educational Events: Virginia Beach Fire & EMS Training Center See Website for Details.

ALL EDUCATIONAL EVENTS WILL REQUIRE CONFERENCE REGISTRATION—SEE WEBSITE: CONFERENCE EDUCATIONAL EVENTS FOR DETAILS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Registration: Virginia Beach Convention Center outside Hall C 9:30 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. Educational Events (Seminars): Virginia Beach Fire & EMS Training Center 1:30 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Educational Events (Seminars): Virginia Beach Fire & EMS Training Center 4:00 p.m. Past Presidents’ Dinner:

Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center, 8th Floor Board Room

7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Rescue Contest: Location of contest site to be provided with contest confirmation 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Rescue Diver Contest: Location of contest site to be provided with contest confirmation 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. ALS Contest: Location of contest site to be provided with contest confirmation.

8:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. EMT Contest: Location of contest site to be with contest confirmation.

9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Vehicle Extrication Contest: Location of contest site to be provided with contest information.

9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Registration: Virginia Beach Convention Center outside Hall C 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Exhibits: Virginia Beach Convention Center, Hall C 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Scrapbook Display: Virginia Beach Convention, Hall C 9:30 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. Educational Events (Seminars): Virginia Beach Convention Center, Ball Room 1 10:00 a.m. EVOC Written Exam: Virginia Beach Convention Center ,

Show Management Office C & D 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. VAVRS State Officers’ Meeting: Virginia Beach Convention Center, Suite 5 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. AVAVRS Officers’ Luncheon:

Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center 8th Floor Board Room

12:30 p.m. VAVRS Board of Governors’ Meeting: Virginia Beach Convention Center, Suite 5 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. EVOC Contest Driving Course: Location of contest provided at time of written test .

1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. AVAVRS Delegates’ Meeting:

Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center Chesapeake Room

1:30 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Educational Events: Virginia Beach Convention Center, Ball Room 1 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Conference Picnic: CAMP PENDLETON—VIRGINIA BEACH VA

Seminars on Tuesday & Wednesday are at the Virginia Beach Fire/EMS Training Center located at 927 South Birdneck Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016 7:00 a.m. VAVRS Life Member Breakfast: Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center, Sunset B 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. AVAVRS Life Member Breakfast: Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center, Virginia Room 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Rescue Diver Contest: Location of contest site to be provided with contest confirmation.

8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Rescue Contest: Location of contest site to be provided with contest confirmation.

8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. ALS Contest: Location of contest site to be provided with contest confirmation.

8:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. EMT Contest: Location of contest site to be provided with contest confirmation.

9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Vehicle Extrication Contest: Location of contest site to be provided with contest confirmation 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Exhibits: Virginia Beach Convention Center, Hall C 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Scrapbook Display: Virginia Beach Convention Center, Hall C 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon EVOC Contest Driving Course: Location of contest site to be provided with contest confirmation.

9:30 a.m. until 12:00 noon Registration: Virginia Beach Convention Center outside Hall C 9:30 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. Educational Events (Seminars): Virginia Beach Convention Center, Ball Room 1 10:00 a.m. VAVRS Board of Governors’ Meeting: Virginia Beach Convention Center, Suite 5 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon AVAVRS Business Meeting: Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center , Chesapeake Rooms, A, B, C.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 7:00 a.m. Rescue Hall of Fame Breakfast: Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center , 8th Floor Board Room 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. AVAVRS Breakfast Meeting: Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center, Chesapeake Room 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. AVAVRS Business Meeting: Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center, Chesapeake Room 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Virginia Office of EMS Instructor(s) Update Virginia Beach Convention Center, Ball Room 1 9:00 a.m. VAVRS Board of Governors’ Meeting: Virginia Beach Convention Center, Suite 5 10:00 a.m. VAJVRS Board of Governors’ Meeting: Virginia Beach Convention Center, Room 3DE 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m. Scrapbook Pick Up: Virginia Beach Convention Center Hall C. 3:00 p.m. Incoming Officers’ Photos: Virginia Beach Convention Center, (OFFICERS ONLY) 3:30 p.m. Doors open for Installation of Officers and Awards Ceremony: Virginia Beach Convention Center, Pre Function Area

Ballroom 2 & 3 NO RESERVED SEATING. 4:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Installation of Officers, Memorial Service and Awards Ceremony: Virginia Beach Convention Center, Ballroom 2 & 3 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2016 All the following events are at the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center in the listed room: 7:30 a.m. Officers’ Continental Breakfast:

Virginia Room

1:30 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Educational Events (Seminars): Virginia Beach Convention Center, Ball Room 1

8:00 a.m. Conference Committee Meeting:

Dominion Room

9:00 a.m. VAVRS Officers’ Meeting:

Chesapeake A-B

3:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. VAJVRS State Officers’ Meeting: Virginia Beach Convention Center, Room 3DE

9:00 a.m. AVAVRS Officers’ Meeting:

Lynnhaven Room

3:30 p.m. VAJVRS Board of Governors' Meeting: Virginia Beach Convention Center, Room 3DE 6:30 p.m. Parade Line-up Atlantic Avenue between 35th and Laskin Road by way of Pacific Avenue.

7:00 p.m. Parade Starts: Laskin and Atlantic Avenue and proceeds to 19th Street RESCUE CAMP & RESCUE EXPLORERS EDUCATIONAL EVENT Virginia Beach Convention Center Suite 3 in rooms A/B/C Friday, September 23, 2016 from 9:30 a.m.to 4:00 p.m.

Continuing & Concluding Saturday, September 24, 2016 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

PLEASE NOTE: THE MEETING ROOM FOR ANY EVENT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. ANY CHANGES WILL BE POSTED AT EITHER THE CONVENTION CENTER OR THE HOTEL. THANK YOU. We hope that you have enjoyed the 82nd Conference May you all have a safe trip home We look forward to seeing you on

September 27-30, 2017 83rd Conference

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Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads, Inc. Phone: 804-749-8191 Phone: 800-833-0602 Fax: 804-749-8910 E-mail: vavrs@vavrs.com

PO Box 279 2535 Turkey Creek Road Oilville, VA 23129 ISSN 0279-6023

"Greater Love Hath No Man Than This, That A Man Lay Down His Life For His Friends." John 15:13 Official

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Dear Rescue Ranger

I've learned....

That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

Dear Rescue Ranger, As our most esteemed advisor for over 25 years we have learned so much. What have you learned from us?

Your biggest admirer Dear Bubby, I've learned....

That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned....

That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned....

That life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned....

That when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned....

That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned....

That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned....

That money doesn't buy class.

I've learned....

That just one person saying to me, "You've made my day!" makes my day.

I've learned...

That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned....

That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned....

That the Lord didn't do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?

I've learned....

That being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned....

That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I've learned....

That you should never say "no" to a gift from a child.

I've learned....

That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue

I've learned....

That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

I've learned....

That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned....

That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned....

That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned....

That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned....

That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned....

That simple walks with my mother around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

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That there's nothing sweeter than sleeping with your babies and feeling their breath on your cheeks.

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I've learned....

That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned....

That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned....

That I wish I could have told my Dad that I love him one more time before he passed away.

I've learned....

That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned....

That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned....

That I can't choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.

I've learned....

That when your newly born child holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.

I've learned....

That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I've learned ...

That it is best to give advice in only two circumstances; when it is requested and when it is a life threatening situation.

I've learned....

That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

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