Student Resources
Learn about additional resources from SVA’s partners.
Virtual Resources for Chapter Leaders
Student Veterans of America (SVA) recommends using Zoom, Slack, Discord, or Google Hangouts if your campus does not provide a virtual meeting solution. You can also host smaller group calls on Facetime.
Meetings should be productive, to the point and not waste time:
- SVA Chapter Members and Leaders often live busy lives
- Schedule meetings at a time when members can attend
- Have an alternative platform for those who can’t attend
- Consider privacy level
- Meetings open to the public should feel welcoming
Announce the meeting via email and social media
- Announcements should be short, visually appealing
- Send reminders the day before and one-hour prior to meeting
- Create and circulate a public and private meeting agenda
Start and end the meeting on time
- Appoint a time-keeper if necessary
- Build in breaks for long meetings
- Take and record attendance
- Make introductions when new members or guests are present
- Follow the agenda
- Establish what needs to be discussed
- Encourage open ended discussions
- Straw polls or a show of hands is an effective way to gauge how the group is thinking
- Always confirm when an issue is settled or tabled for a later date before moving on to next topic
- Summarize the decisions made and outstanding items on the agenda
- Verbally confirm any specific actions
Adjourn the meeting and announce the date and time of the next meeting
Meetings should be productive, to the point and not waste time:
- SVA Chapter Members and Leaders often live busy lives
- Schedule meetings at a time when members can attend
- Have an alternative platform for those who can’t attend
- Consider privacy level
- Meetings open to the public should feel welcoming
Announce the meeting via email and social media
- Announcements should be short, visually appealing
- Send reminders the day before and one-hour prior to meeting
- Create and circulate a public and private meeting agenda
Start and end the meeting on time
- Appoint a time-keeper if necessary
- Build in breaks for long meetings
- Take and record attendance
- Make introductions when new members or guests are present
- Follow the agenda
- Establish what needs to be discussed
- Encourage open ended discussions
- Straw polls or a show of hands is an effective way to gauge how the group is thinking
- Always confirm when an issue is settled or tabled for a later date before moving on to next topic
- Summarize the decisions made and outstanding items on the agenda
- Verbally confirm any specific actions
Adjourn the meeting and announce the date and time of the next meeting
Join SVA's server on Discord: https://discord.gg/65R7uRUBpZ
The Veteran Wellness Alliance connects veterans who are experiencing challenges with their mental or brain health or facing struggles in their daily life with resources that will allow them to improve their wellbeing and live their best lives.
Establish a connection and learn from a mentor through an app like Veterati, a free online mentorship platform for service members, veterans, and military spouses: http://veterati.com/sva
Having and maintaining a regular and consistent presence through social media is a must for an SVA Chapter. During these trying times where we are encountering online courses, working from home, and social distancing, utilizing social media will be the key to keeping your chapter and your community connected.
Facebook Live: Provide Updates and Host Virtual Chapter Events
Facebook Live lets you livestream events, performances and gatherings on Facebook. Viewers can watch from a phone, computer or connected TV. Reactions, shares, comments, and other interactive features enable you to engage with your audience.
Instagram Stories: Provide a Snapshot, Conduct a Poll, and Keep Your Chapter Membership Encouraged
With over 500 million people posting 1 billion Instagram Stories every day, your chapter can certainly reach a wider audience and help others stay connected to opportunities, news updates, and any virtual or in-person events.
Facebook Live: Provide Updates and Host Virtual Chapter Events
Facebook Live lets you livestream events, performances and gatherings on Facebook. Viewers can watch from a phone, computer or connected TV. Reactions, shares, comments, and other interactive features enable you to engage with your audience.
Instagram Stories: Provide a Snapshot, Conduct a Poll, and Keep Your Chapter Membership Encouraged
With over 500 million people posting 1 billion Instagram Stories every day, your chapter can certainly reach a wider audience and help others stay connected to opportunities, news updates, and any virtual or in-person events.
Veterans Benefits Administration continues to provide Veterans with benefits and services while shifting to a virtual environment in response to the Coronavirus. Many in-person services are already available over the phone or online, and VBA is expanding the use of existing technologies to remain accessible to Veterans, service members, and their families. Learn more. You can also read GI Bill updates.
VBA is also hiring. If you or someone you know is interested in a new career path, VBA offers many professional opportunities to both Veterans and civilians looking for new ways to serve. Careers offering competitive salaries, retirement plans, and paid leave are currently available.
VA One-Pager on GI Bill COVID-19 Protections (April 2021)
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)
Educational and Career Counseling Program
VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) Program
VBA is also hiring. If you or someone you know is interested in a new career path, VBA offers many professional opportunities to both Veterans and civilians looking for new ways to serve. Careers offering competitive salaries, retirement plans, and paid leave are currently available.
VA One-Pager on GI Bill COVID-19 Protections (April 2021)
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)
Educational and Career Counseling Program
VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) Program
Student Veterans of America (SVA) has partnered with LinkedIn to teach student veterans how to establish and define your professional identity, develop network relationships, build professional development opportunities, and conduct training to student veterans on how to leverage career success. We are also educating recruiters on how to tap into a larger pool of high achieving student veterans, promoting continued service of alumni through mentorship opportunities, and further solidifying SVA as a thought leader in the veteran career development space.
LinkedIn for Student Veterans Training Webinars - In this training you will learn how to tell your professional story and build an effective profile, build and maintain a professional support network, search and find jobs and internship opportunities, and maintain and advance your professional development.
Access to LinkedIn Premium and LinkedIn Learning - Access your 1-year free Premium Career subscription to help you get noticed by recruiters, build out your network, stay in the know on new jobs that fit with your skills, and easily apply for new opportunities.
LinkedIn’s Veterans Opportunity Report - Powered by LinkedIn data and insights, explores the current state of veteran employment and how challenging it can be for veterans to face the realities of not doing work that makes full use of their skills and abilities.
Jobs in Demand - Check the most current hiring needs and updates in the U.S.
How to Use LinkedIn - Tutorial on the basics of how to use LinkedIn.
LinkedIn for Student Veterans Training Webinars - In this training you will learn how to tell your professional story and build an effective profile, build and maintain a professional support network, search and find jobs and internship opportunities, and maintain and advance your professional development.
Access to LinkedIn Premium and LinkedIn Learning - Access your 1-year free Premium Career subscription to help you get noticed by recruiters, build out your network, stay in the know on new jobs that fit with your skills, and easily apply for new opportunities.
LinkedIn’s Veterans Opportunity Report - Powered by LinkedIn data and insights, explores the current state of veteran employment and how challenging it can be for veterans to face the realities of not doing work that makes full use of their skills and abilities.
Jobs in Demand - Check the most current hiring needs and updates in the U.S.
How to Use LinkedIn - Tutorial on the basics of how to use LinkedIn.
January: Connecting with Other SVA Chapters
January 17th @ 6:00PM ET and January 18th @ 8:00PM ET
Connections make the world go ‘round. Without connections, how would we share our ideas, and feel supported? Being able to connect to the university helps us feel supported as students, and connecting with other local veterans can help us feel supported in our military identity. This How-To session will cover some ways to help your SVA chapter feel connected to other local SVA chapters, create joint events, and build the foundation for a strong SVA Community
February: Managing your Social Media and Digital Connection with HQ
February 21st @ 8:00PM ET and February 22nd @ 6:00PM ET
If you’re not a marketer or social medial guru, managing your chapter’s social media can be a bit intimidating. Come join SVA as we discuss some tips to help maximize your chapter’s social media presence to improve connections with your campus, other veterans, and SVA HQ! From little things like learning who to tag, what are hashtags, and showing the world what SVA members can accomplish, this How To will help your chapter’s digital footprint. And SVA HQ’s Marketing and Communication team will be there to offer their expertise!
March: Chapter Handover
March 20th @ 6:00PM ET and March 21st @ 8:00PM ET
Successful chapters have successful officer transitions! Join us to learn about how to manage your handoffs as your new executive board takes over! This session will have suggestions on what your chapter can do to ensure an easier transition as new leaders take their place. From reviewing roles and responsibilities to helping establish continuity, we’ll cover everything from the steps you can take leading up to elections all the way through the changeover period.
April: Telling Your Story
April 17th @ 8:00PM ET and April 18th @ 6:00PM ET
"So, what's your story?" They say that telling your story is the most important aspect of networking, interviewing, and even landing a job. Our story is our brand and our reputation, so let SVA help you put your best foot forward with this How To! In this session, we'll cover translating your military experience for civilian understanding and help you develop your own small elevator pitch. We'll also provide a template on expanding that pitch into a story! Whether you're a soon-to-be graduate, a current member, or an alumni member, join us in learning about how to talk about YOU.
May: MySVA
May 15th @ 6:00PM ET and May 16th @ 8:00PM ET
MySVA is a new Chapter Management system rolled out by SVA back in January 2022. Now, we thanks to advice and feedback from our chapters, we have added some incredible new updates to MySVA. If you missed the MySVA breakout at NatCon, then this is the place for you. Learn all the new features such as access to Mental Health Resources, the New and improved Career Center, and even how MySVA can help you throughout your entire higher education adventures and beyond!
January 17th @ 6:00PM ET and January 18th @ 8:00PM ET
Connections make the world go ‘round. Without connections, how would we share our ideas, and feel supported? Being able to connect to the university helps us feel supported as students, and connecting with other local veterans can help us feel supported in our military identity. This How-To session will cover some ways to help your SVA chapter feel connected to other local SVA chapters, create joint events, and build the foundation for a strong SVA Community
February: Managing your Social Media and Digital Connection with HQ
February 21st @ 8:00PM ET and February 22nd @ 6:00PM ET
If you’re not a marketer or social medial guru, managing your chapter’s social media can be a bit intimidating. Come join SVA as we discuss some tips to help maximize your chapter’s social media presence to improve connections with your campus, other veterans, and SVA HQ! From little things like learning who to tag, what are hashtags, and showing the world what SVA members can accomplish, this How To will help your chapter’s digital footprint. And SVA HQ’s Marketing and Communication team will be there to offer their expertise!
March: Chapter Handover
March 20th @ 6:00PM ET and March 21st @ 8:00PM ET
Successful chapters have successful officer transitions! Join us to learn about how to manage your handoffs as your new executive board takes over! This session will have suggestions on what your chapter can do to ensure an easier transition as new leaders take their place. From reviewing roles and responsibilities to helping establish continuity, we’ll cover everything from the steps you can take leading up to elections all the way through the changeover period.
April: Telling Your Story
April 17th @ 8:00PM ET and April 18th @ 6:00PM ET
"So, what's your story?" They say that telling your story is the most important aspect of networking, interviewing, and even landing a job. Our story is our brand and our reputation, so let SVA help you put your best foot forward with this How To! In this session, we'll cover translating your military experience for civilian understanding and help you develop your own small elevator pitch. We'll also provide a template on expanding that pitch into a story! Whether you're a soon-to-be graduate, a current member, or an alumni member, join us in learning about how to talk about YOU.
May: MySVA
May 15th @ 6:00PM ET and May 16th @ 8:00PM ET
MySVA is a new Chapter Management system rolled out by SVA back in January 2022. Now, we thanks to advice and feedback from our chapters, we have added some incredible new updates to MySVA. If you missed the MySVA breakout at NatCon, then this is the place for you. Learn all the new features such as access to Mental Health Resources, the New and improved Career Center, and even how MySVA can help you throughout your entire higher education adventures and beyond!