Student Resources
Learn about additional resources from SVA’s partners.
Virtual Resources for Chapter Leaders
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
- 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
- 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
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.
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)
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.