There are a lot of ways for you to get involved with the California Chapter, whether you are becoming a member of PVA for the first time, or transferring to our chapter from another one. Perhaps you wish to volunteer some of your valuable time to help make us better. Maybe you decide to become an associate member. Whatever you decide, there are different ways for you to get involved and we look forward to seeing you around the office more in the near future.
Become a Member
Here is the application form you will fill out to start your membership application process. The process has changed a bit in November of 2019 to make it easier for you to become a member. Simply print out the application form, provide a copy of your form DD-214 and either a Physician Statement from your doctor, or any medical information you have outlining your spinal cord injury or disease. Please do not email this information to us but provide it via hard copy. We will make a copy and return the original to you and email or fax the information to national. We will not email your medical information to help ensure your records are protected.
As a member of PVACC you receive
- welcome kit (New Members)
- monthly subscription to “PN” Magazine
- bi-monthly subscription to “Sport and Spoke” Magazine
- bi-monthly subscription to Chapter “Momentum!!” Newsletter
- access to monthly BOD meetings
- access to chapter membership meetings
- invitations to countless recreational therapy and community events across California
New members are immediately eligible to receive chapter Sports and Recreation grants. Currently valued at up to $2000/member/year
You can also fill out an application online: New Member On-Line Application
Don’t forget to select “California Chapter”
Be sure to have your SCI doctor fill out the following Physician Statement form to include with your application.
Membership Chapter Transfer Application
If you are a member of another chapter and decide that the California Chapter is a better fit for you, we welcome you regardless of where you live. Simply prepare the one page application, and provide it to our chapter office and we will get you transferred.
New Chapter transfers have a 6 month waiting period before being eligible for Sports and Recreation Grants.
Membership Chapter Transfer Application
Volunteer with us
Whether you are a member or not, if you would like to volunteer some of your valuable time to help make the chapter better, we greatly accept your generosity. Whatever your skillset or passion is, we can probably put it to good use. Volunteering for something you enjoy doing makes volunteering even that much more rewarding and fun.
- Sports Programs
- Serving Patients Meals on Special Events
- Visiting with Patients*
- Administrative Details
- Various Chapter Committees
- Participate in various events, parades, expos.
- Simple advocacy…. Help spread the good word about what we are all about.
* Visiting with patients
One of our most popular and rewarding ways to volunteer is to simply visit with patients in the wards. Many may not have local family members in the area, and simply enjoy some good friendly company. There are additional requirements that you need to fulfill in order to be allowed access to visit with patients through the Hospitals “Voluntary Service” office, including a background check and a TB check. However, we can help you navigate the additional paperwork and process if this is something you would like to consider.
Once you decide you would like to donate some time to help improve lives of Veterans in Southern California, simply download Volunteer Application form and submit it back to the chapter.
We will get you an Volunteer ID number. If you want to work directly visiting with patients, we will guide you through the additional process with the VA’s Voluntary Service office. Then get you scheduled to volunteer on a weekly or monthly basis.
We simply ask that you track your hours and each month our Volunteer coordinator will request you to email in your hours report so we can submit all the fantastic hours submitted by each of you to our national office. It is pretty simply once you get the hang of it.
Request a grant
The member Recreational Grants program is designed to help get members out and about and to be reminded that life’s opportunities still exist.
Simply put, as a member of PVACC in good standing, you are eligible for up to $2000/year to help offset lodging and transportation costs to various recreational therapy events across the US, or even in local Southern California or wherever the member happens to reside.
Pick up a Grant application form in the office, or on link below. Fill out the form 45+ days before the event date and bring it or email it to info@pvacc.org.
Your application will be reviewed, and returned to you with your approval, or reason as to why it was not approved. After the event, submit the receipts along with the approved form back to the PVACC office for payment.
If financial situations dictate funding before the event in your particular situation, contact the office to discuss and each instance will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
Click here for Sports and Recreation Grant Information