American Judges Association

The Virginia Ship Repair Association ( VSRA ) is a regional trade association representing companies engaged in, or supporting, the ship repair industry in Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region. Its mission is to focus and coordinate member resources on issues, challenges, and opportunities facing the ship repair industry in Virginia and across the nation. The Virginia Ship Repair Association had its origin in 1979. Corporate officers of the individual private sector shipyards in south Hampton Roads jointly established a training facility named the Tidewater Maritime Training Institute ( TMTI ). The Institute was incorporated in 1981 as a non-profit, tax exempt, educational institution ( IRS 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) ). TMTI was founded to provide training for the ship repair industry in Hampton Roads, Virginia. In 2006, TMTI changed its name to the Virginia Ship Repair Foundation ( VSRF ) whose mission is to attract more qualified workers to the ship repair industry and help member companies improve their incumbent worker qualifications. VSRF directly supports the Virginia Ship Repair Association. In 1984 recognizing that there was a need for a regional association of ship repair yards to address other mutual concerns, the same corporate shipyards organized and incorporated the South Tidewater Association of Ship Repairers, Inc ( STASR ) as a non-profit, tax exempt trade association ( IRS 501 ( c ) ( 6 ) ). Membership was extended to ship repair sub-contractors, suppliers and support service companies. By early 2004, the association had grown to over 160 member companies from all over the Commonwealth of Virginia, as well as near-by states. In 2005, the name of the association was changed to the Virginia Ship Repair Association to better reflect the geography and business focus of its members. VSRA represents approximately 160 member companies whose combined businesses have an economic impact in the Hampton Roads area on: 30, 000 jobs, $1.2 billion in annual sales and $941 million in employee earnings. VSRA Board of Directors meetings are held monthly followed by a lunch meeting with the general membership. The Chairman of the VSRA Board and the VSRA Committee Chairs report to the general membership at the monthly meeting. VSRA standing committees are: The VSRA Chairman of the Board appoints Committee Chairs. Standing committee meetings are open to all members. Member companies are strongly encouraged to participate in committee meetings and activities. Typically, committee members are men and women whose experience relates to the committees on which they serve; therefore, they bring a great deal of knowledge and best practices to the table to share with others and help improve our industry, in general. The committees meet monthly, work closely with various agencies, discuss mutual concerns, and recommend positions on industry issues to the VSRA Board when appropriate. Each VSRA company, once approved by the Board of Directors, receives "Member Only" access to the private side of the association website where the following can be viewed: You will also receive, by mail, a printed copy of the association by-laws. Your company's name, address, phone & fax numbers, email & web addresses, a description of your business, and a point of contact for your company are listed within the VSRA web site at www.VirginiaShipRepair.org. To join VSRA, an application form must be submitted to the VSRA office, along with a one-time application fee of $250.00. Annual membership dues are based upon the membership category of the company. The Membership Categories are defined as: Ship Repair Sub-Contractor ( Annual Dues - $2, 000 ) - A company that performs ship repair but does not meet the criterion of a Large Ship Repairer or a Ship Repairer. Each member company has their designated representatives present at the general membership monthly lunch meeting; however, member company guests may also be invited. For further information, contact the VSRA at 233-

The Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC) in Chesapeake, VA is a regional organization dedicated to charting the course for Hampton Roads through data, resources, and public meetings. They focus on topics such as housing programs, economic development, and environmental initiatives to benefit the localities within the district. With a commitment to transparency and inclusivity, HRPDC ensures compliance with civil rights laws and offers accessibility services for individuals attending public meetings. Their work program outlines planning efforts for the region, addressing key issues like stormwater management and economic development to enhance the quality of life in Hampton Roads. Generated from the website

PTA The Virginia Congress of Parents and Teachers, better known as the Virginia PTA is a volunteer child advocacy association working for ALL children and youth in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Virginia PTA is the strongest group of volunteers in the state working exclusively on behalf of children and youth. Chartered by the National PTA in 1921, the primary goal of the Virginia PTA is to strengthen our family units, our schools and our communities through parent/family involvement. PTA recognizes parents as the first educators in the home and works to promote parents as partners in the school. The Virginia PTA is geographically divided into twenty-one districts in six regions in over 1095 local units with an annual membership well over 335, 355. Managed by an all volunteer Board of Managers elected by the membership, the VA PTA/PTSA is one of the largest Congresses of the 54 Congresses in the National PTA. As one of fifty-four Congresses, the Virginia PTA is an integral part of the National PTA, serving as the liaison between the local unit and the National PTA, helping each to function effectively and to support and sustain the other. Membership is open to anyone who believes in the National PTA Mission and Purpose. The PTA is committed to being inclusive in its efforts to represent and assist all who nurture and educate children. Every person who joins a local PTA automatically becomes a member of both the state and national PTA. Each of the more than 335, 355 members in 1095 local units of the Virginia PTA, has an opportunity to help direct and formulate PTA efforts and direction. While subject to the National PTA bylaws and policies, the Virginia PTA is self-governing a separate and independent entity as established by state bylaws. Likewise, the PTA at the local level is self-governing, linked to one another through the state and National PTA forming a nationwide network of adults working for all children and youth.