GETTING STARTED

TO OUR FUTURE CLIENTS: The U.S. Small Business Administration requires all clients to complete the Request for Counseling (Form 641). This form will act as our Confidentiality and Code of Conduct Agreements. All client information is held in strictest of confidence. To start the process, please click on the eCENTER button below to access our electronic Request for Counseling form

From the Director's Desk

DECEMBER 2011

SOME GOOD NEWS
SOME NOT SO GOOD NEWS

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS FIRST THING: Please note that as of 1 Jan. 2012 VetBizCentral will have a new home. Our headquarters is moving in with a key partner, Goodwill Industries of Mid-Michigan. There will be no lapse in service the remainder of the month. We will be at our current location 711 N. Saginaw, Flint, until Dec. 23. We are closed from 24 Dec. to 3 Jan.

We think you will like our new home. Not only will be closer to our vital partner, we will also have access to a computer lab with 15 terminals available. (Computer classes, anyone?)

NEW ADDRESS:

501 Averill Ave.
Flint, MI 48506
(NOTE: AFTER 1 JAN.) Our phone number will remain the same.

MORE NEWS: We look back at 2011 with fond memories, especially of some of the folks we have worked with. Our annual conference held at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, MI, 16 Nov. was a success as was the Matchmaking event the following day. The surveys turned in by attendees generously gave us good grades and we are grateful.

We look forward to the 7th annual program and we will keep you posted as soon as we confirm a date and a place. Another highlight was the SBA district office’s statewide tour which we were fortunate to participate in at several stops. It was refreshing to meet other resource partners and up and coming entrepreneurs. That’s what this is all about. Helping other people – our military family.

GOOD NEWS DEPT. More than a few folks have asked, "Hey, what happened to Vets Night Out?" For those of you unfamiliar with the program, VNO was a monthly networking gathering of Veterepreneurs from around the state. It is an opportunity to meet, network and share ideas and horror stories about the VA’s verification system while enjoying pizza and a cash bar. The VNO was put on hold early last year, having grown tired and in need of a facelift.

After much thought and pleading from vets (especially those who like the pizza), we’re bringing back VNO. The first for 2012 will be held 18 Jan following the Michigan SDVOB Roundtable in Warren, Mi. (see below). The VNO will be from 1900-2100 hours. We will post a location on our website within a week.

There is no admission charge but you must register. To sign-up, please call Karvel at 810-767-8387. The pizza is on me, the beer, you take care of that. Ideas, inspiration and reality checks are all free. Bring business cards and your best 3 minute elevator pitch, or else.

Our second VNO is tentatively scheduled for April in Grand Rapids at a location TBA.

NOT SO GOOD NEWS: Many of you have likely been following a situation involving a SDVOB from the Kalamazoo area owned by former Marine Rodney Marshall. His firm lost on a bid for kitchen equipment for the VA. Rodney appealed, asking the GAO for an opinion, citing law109-461 which established the Vets First Law. (The appeal and the GAO ruling can be found HERE in PDF.)

Without going into all the details, the GAO said the VA must indeed follow 109-461, thus ruling in Rodney’s favor. They said the contract should be rebid following 109-461.

The end. Everyone goes home happy, right?

Wrong!

The VA proclaimed, in essence, the law doesn’t apply to me.

(Hmmmmm. I wonder if some SDVOB out there used the same logic when going thru the VA’s verification system. Think that would get VA’s attention? Hey, that law doesn’t apply to me.)

The House Committee on Veterans Affairs held a hearing 30 November on the verification program and the Vets First issue. A video of the hearing is HERE.

Now, we’re in a holding pattern. We’ll keep you posted.

It appears the issue will be decided in the courts. Sometime you have to scratch your head in wonder with the way veterans are discriminated against in our society. Especially by the federal agency whose mission it is to help veterans. And at times, you have to scratch your head and wonder why we don’t all bombard our elected officials with our frustrations? Accountability anyone? We’ll keep kicking shins but the more who kick, the quicker the resolution of the issue.

ROUNDTABLE ROUNDUP: The Michigan SDVOB roundtable is up and functioning, meeting the third Wednesday of each month. You, too, can be part of the solution. Click HERE for a membership application and watch your e-mail.

The next meeting is 18 Jan. 2012 at Automation Alley, 2675 Bellingham, Troy, Mi. The meeting is 1330 hours. (Hint: you can take in the meeting and make a difference in our great state and then join us for Vets Night Out.)

The Roundtable has been working behind the scenes to address the issue of veterans preference in state contracting. Michigan is one of only a few states that has a veterans preference and has established a 5 percent goal for SDVOB contracts. In FY 2010, the latest figures available) state buyers awarded a mere .67 percent of contracts to SDVOBs.

Not good enough.

But take heart. State officials have been listening to the facts and there appears to be support for accelerating efforts to include more SDVOBs. And the Roundtable as well as VetBizCentral are standing by to help in anyway we can.

One step at a time, folks. To make our argument stronger, however, we need your help. The more members joining the Roundtable, the louder our voice.

CLOSING REMARKS: My Christmas shopping wish list.

For our clients: Perseverance, access to capital, inspiration and success in all you do.

For our trusted partners (and you know who you are): The joy of knowing that your skills, your kindness and your time have helped some deserving folks in Michigan’s military family.

Michigan Army and Air National Guard: A sincere wish that next year, all soldiers and airmen will be home for Christmas and deployments a thing of the past.

VetBizCentral Staff (Matt, Sherm, and our work study students Karvel and Wade): A hearty thank you for all your hard work, including juggling schedules, demonstrating dedication and loyalty. Not surprising, though, since you’ve all wore the uniform of our country.

For all our Veterans: Your service is most appreciated and we have vowed to never, ever forget you or leave anyone behind.

For all our Military: No matter where you are this Christmas season, we wrap you in our thoughts and prayers and gratitude for a job well done. Without you, there is no freedom.

Edward L. Ronders
Executive Director
VetBizCentral, Inc.

Back to the top

CONTACT US

FAX: (810) 767-8662 or
Mail: VetBizCentral
501 South Averill Ave.
Flint, MI 48506

E-Mail: ed@vetbizcentral.org

OTHER USEFUL FILES

SDVOB Application Form 0877 ][ Lost DD-214 Dept. of Veteran Affairs Locator