NTEU Chapter 78 - Honesty, Integrity, Accountability

Welcome to the Detroit Chapter of Military Outreach for Service (MOS) - Internal Revenue Service

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Military Outreach for Service - Internal Revenue Service (MOS-IRS) employee organization is to provide support to our veterans of the Uniformed Services of the United States (e.g. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, etc.) who have sacrificed so much through their efforts to defend our nation and to further the cause of peace and freedom around the world. In providing support to military veterans and their family members, the MOS-IRS will simultaneously further the interests of IRS and other IRS employees as the unique features of the veteran community are brought together to enrich life at IRS, MOS-IRS membership is open to all IRS employees and retirees. No person shall be excluded from membership, segregated or discriminated against within the organization on the grounds of sex, race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, age, political affiliation, or physical/mental disability.

Purpose:

The purpose of the MOS-IRS is to:

1. Provide a forum whereby the unique needs of veterans employed by IRS can be identified, addressed, and communicated.
2. Provide education and information to employees and managers regarding benefits available to veterans as employees of IRS.
3. Serve as a resource for IRS recruitment initiatives by identifying sources for veteran recruitment, partnering with IRS recruiters to increase the potential candidate pool and provide information about the federal hiring, application, and interview processes as needed.
4. Be a champion for veterans so that the IRS can ensure issues of veteran retention and development in the workforce are appropriately addressed.
5. Serve as a mechanism to ensure that the unique skills and abilities veterans have acquired during their military service are effectively understood and documented in employment forms so that the IRS can take full advantage of veteran capabilities in the workplace.
6. Serve as an information-sharing vehicle with respect to issues unique to veterans such as making effective transitions from military to civilian life, adjusting to IRS leadership and management styles, etc.
7. Provide an information network pertaining to how disabled veterans can quickly adapt to employer needs in the workplace by providing historical and organizational knowledge to current disabled IRS veterans who are in need of such transitional adjustment services.
8. Assist IRS employees who are family members of veterans on issues unique or challenging to their situation.
9. Educate and enhance perceptions of managers and hiring authorities to the benefits of hiring veterans.
10. Communicate in several IRS media outlets the importance and value that veterans have to offer in civilian federal service and provide a forum for disseminating information concerning federal holidays pertaining to veteran history.

"The Freedom Team Salute Program exists to recognize the enduring bond between Soldiers, family, Community, and Veterans. It celebrates the sacrifices made by those who support America’s Soldiers. Freedom Team Salute honors the millions of Army Veterans who have served and is a living connection to the ideals of duty, honor, and patriotism." Click here to Honor a Parent, Spouse, Employer or Veteran at The Freedom Team Salute Program web site.

Thank you.

Michele D. Hedden

USAF Disabled Vet

Earlier this week, the Department of Veterans Affairs launched a new "Returning Veterans" web site that will focus on the specific needs of troops returning home from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The web site features videos, veterans stories, and a blog where vets can post feedback. the site also restructures the traditional index-of-benefit format on other VA pages into question-based, categorized and easily navigated links by topic. Check out www.oefoif.va.gov !

Thank you.

Michele D. Hedden

USAF Disabled Vet

Detroit MOS is having a charity drive and all the proceeds will be going to the Michigan Veteran's Foundation. The drive will May 18th thru the 22. Unfortunately, most of the board will be out of town on various projects for work. Tony G., our Sergeant at Arms will still be here that week.

I am looking for someone else to assist with this project. I am looking for a few people to be "points of contact" (click here to volunteer) if anyone wants to donate. All you have to do is receive the stuff and either take it to Tony or dump it in my cube(I doubt anyone will take the stuff). I am going to try to find a large enough box to set by the security area and by the exit area. If anyone knows where I can get two large boxes, let me know. Those boxes can be left alone and I will take care of them when I get back. But if people don't want to use them and want to hand the donations to a living person, I would like there to be some people available.

There will be flyers and a notice in the weekly bulletin soon.

I will be taking the donations to the Foundation the following week in honor of Memorial Day.

And again, if you know vets that want to be on my mailing list, have them send me an email and I will add them....

Thank you.

Michele D. Hedden

USAF Disabled Vet

The Web site allows you to send a free printed postcard to U.S. military personnel stationed overseas. Show your support and appreciation for all that they are doing for our country. The link to this site is: http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home1024.html

Thank you.

Michele D. Hedden

USAF Disabled Vet

The Veteran's Group here at the DCCC has had a tradition of wearing red on Fridays. This is to show support for our troops and an on-going remembrance of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for this great land of ours. I have been here two years now and I have seen fewer and fewer people wearing red on Fridays. I presume it may be due to the changing of personnel in this building and the fact that the word may not have been passed to few people. So I offer this little reminder: Please wear red on Fridays in remembrance of our fallen brothers and sisters. Memorial Day and Veteran's Day shouldn't be the only days we think of them.

Thank you.

Michele D. Hedden

USAF Disabled Vet

Victory! Congress Approves Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act
September 18, 2008
NOW salutes Congress' passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Amendments Act. This bill to reinstate important civil rights protections for people with disabilities should be on President Bush's desk by end of the week where it is expected that he will sign the bill into law.
A series of Supreme Court decisions in 1999 seriously undermined the original bi-partisan intent of the ADA, narrowing the category of who qualifies as an "individual with a disability." The ADA amendments, crafted in partnership with the disability rights and civil rights community, concerned employers and those overseeing public accommodations, will restore the original purpose of the bill and reinstate anti-discrimination protection for the broad range of individuals with disabilities who had been denied coverage a decade ago by the Supreme Court.
On Thursday, September 11 the Senate passed S. 3406 by "unanimous consent," and yesterday the House passed the Senate version by a voice vote. The House had previously supported a similar bipartisan legislation introduced by Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) that passed by a 402-17 margin this summer. This will cap a decades-long effort to restore the original intention and coverage of the 1990 landmark civil rights bill guaranteeing equal rights and access to individuals with disabilities.
This is an important victory, especially for women, because many of the disabling conditions that had been denied by the Supreme Court are ones that women experience. The Court, in its supposed medical wisdom, had decided that a person who takes medication or uses a technical aid such as a prosthetic limb or hearing aid to mitigate a disability is not considered disabled.
The amendments just passed by Congress will include in the definition of disability any condition that limits a major life activity, regardless of whether or not it is treatable with medication or technology. It updates the definition of a major life activity to include conditions that limit bodily function such as that of the immune system, circulatory system or brain.
NOW echoes Senator Hatch's declaration that "this bill continues our ongoing effort to expand opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate in the American Dream."

Have you registered with the National Group! If not here is the link for the registration form. Email Michele Hedden for any questions!