ATTENTION IS DIRECTED TO THE BELOW, DEADLINE APPROACHING
DOCUMENTS AND REPORTS DUE:
Attention is directed to Section 213 of the National By-Laws concerning any Post in arrears for failing to have the office of Quartermaster properly bonded in accordance with Section 703, failing to ensure that the Post is properly insured in accordance with Section 709, and failing to submit properly completed quarterly Post Trustees Report of Audit.
SEC. 217—NOMINATION, ELECTION, INSTALLATION AND TERM OF OFFICE:
Nominations of Post Officers shall open in March and remain open until the Post is ready to vote, provided, however, that when a poll system is used, as hereinafter described, nominations must be closed at the meeting prior to the election to allow the Adjutant to prepare a printed ballot.
ELECTION
: Post officers shall be elected in April. Balloting for Post officers may be conducted by open vote or written secret ballot (handwritten or printed) at a regular Post meeting, or, if required by Post By-Laws or authorized by Post vote prior to the opening of nominations, by a poll system. Absentee ballots and proxy votes are prohibited.
PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR OFFICERS:
Installing officers will see that the provisions of Section 216 of the National By-Laws and the Manual of Procedure are properly carried out and that all officers are members in good standing and qualified to hold office prior to installing Post officers for the current year. Post officers shall not be installed or assume the duties of their office until proof of eligibility has been submitted and properly reviewed. Post-Election Reports must be submitted following Post election of officers in April and no later than June 1 to the National Headquarters. We highly encourage all Post Quartermasters to use the online Election Report process featured in the Online Membership System (OMS). Post-Election Reports received electronically will be forwarded to the Department Headquarters.
LOYALTY DAY AND MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE:
Section 223 of the National By-Laws and the Manual of Procedure provides that each Post shall make the necessary arrangements for proper observance of Loyalty Day and Memorial Day. Officers should see that suitable grave markers, wreaths and flags of the United States are placed on the graves of deceased veterans. The Department Loyalty Day Event will be held on April 29
th
, 2018 at 11AM at the USS Massachusetts Battleship Cove, 5 Water Street, Fall River, MA 02721
POST COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES REPORTS:
All Post Commanders are reminded to forward each month their Community Activities report to Department Chairman Michael Raymond
mraymond@vfwma.org
or mail to the department headquarters. Forms can be found at:
www.vfwma.org
MEMORIAL DAY “BUDDY” POPPY CAMPAIGN:
Plans should be under way for the Memorial Day “Buddy” Poppy Campaign. Contact the Department Quartermaster to place your order for “Buddy” Poppies. Remember that your poppies should be ordered a minimum of 6 weeks in advance of your distribution date.
SPECIAL PROJECT:
Commanders Special Project is the Massachusetts VFW Foundation Inc.
Please see attached newsletter of how your donation is directly impacting Massachusetts Veterans. We need your help, to be able to continue assisting our veterans and their family. Donations can be made using your post relief funds.
If not us, then who?
The Foundations mission is to support the core programs of the Massachusetts Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. The VFW is dedicated to helping veterans and their families rebuild their lives. You can make a difference by donating to the Massachusetts VFW Foundation. Your generous donation will meet vital needs and improve the lives of thousands of Massachusetts veterans and their families. Mail donation to: VFW Department of Massachusetts, State House, 24 Beacon Street 546-1, Boston, MA 02133 Memo line: Special Project
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF VISITS MASSACHUSETTS:
VFW National Commander-in-Chief Keith Harman will make his visit to the Commonwealth
on March 8-11th 2018
. During his time in Massachusetts, Chief Harman will visit with members, make post visitations, and meet with our military service members. A Banquet will be held in his honor
on Saturday, March 10th, 2018
at the Joseph L. Mottolo VFW Post 4524, located at their new post address
61 Lucia Avenue Revere, MA
commencing
at 11:30AM
. Tickets: $42.00 Per Person. Ticket Deadline:
March 2
th
2018
. order ONLINE at:
www.vfwmaevent.eventbrite.com
(credit card processing fee applies for all online orders) MAIL: DEPT OF MA VFW,
24 Beacon Street, Suite 546-1
, Statehouse, Boston, MA 01233 MEMOLINE: Chief's Banquet.
COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION MEETING
: The Next Council of Administration Meeting is scheduled for
Saturday, March 24
th
, 2018
at 10:30 AM at Florence VFW Post 8006 18 Meadow Street Florence, MA. Council of Administration meeting is open to any member in good standings. The COA meeting will begin at 10:30AM.
98TH VFW STATE CONVENTION
: Join us in Leominster this year for the 98th Massachusetts VFW State Convention. Post Delegates will elect new State Officers and pass or reject Resolutions, By-Law Changes, Amendments and other such business as necessary as well as receive updates on all VFW Programs from State Level Committee Chairman. Attendees will have opportunity to visit with vendors and view Buddy Poppy Displays and discuss matters of interest to all Massachusetts Veterans. Convention opening is
on Friday, June 8th, 2018 at 1:00PM
. The Joint Opening session and Memorial Service is scheduled for
June 9th, 2018 at 8:30AM
. The State Awards Banquet IS
on Saturday June 9th, 2018 starting at 5:30PM
. The Banquet will recognize All-State Honors for Districts and Posts, Commanders & Quartermasters as well as winners of State Level Awards. This is a great opportunity for camaraderie and networking with fellow VFW members from all over the Commonwealth. Hotel reservations can be made: ONLINE RESERVATIONS:
1. Enter your arrival and departure dates.
2. Enter the amount of rooms you would like and the number of people occupying in each room.
3. Below, in small blue lettering, you will see “Add Special Rate Codes” --- Click on that link.
4. In the box “Group Code” --- Enter VFW
5. Click on Check Rooms & Rates.
6. Proceed with choosing your discounted room type and booking your reservation.
HOTEL RESERVATIONS BY PHONE
: Call
(978) 534-9000
and ask for reservations Inform them you would like to “make a reservation under the Group Code VFW” for the 98th VFW State Convention and dates. For additional information, contact the State Headquarters at
617-727-2612
VFW NATIONAL CONVENTION HOUSING:
119th National Convention housing will officially open February 20, 2018. Housing reservation information will be located on the convention website accessed through the main VFW website at www.vfw.org. The convention website will also have general convention information including the registration form and links to other convention related information for Kansas City, MO, July 21-25, 2018, including a tentative agenda.
CONVENTION REGISTRATION
: Section 222 of the Manual of Procedure states each Post will pay, in advance, a national convention registration fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) which shall entitle the Post to a packet of convention information and materials and one identified registered delegate for the VFW National Convention. Each additional delegate attending the national convention will pay a ten dollar ($10) delegate fee provided the Post has paid the mandated $25 advance registration fee. All advance registrations should be mailed to the VFW National Headquarters, 406 West 34th Street, Kansas City, MO 64111, ATTN: Convention Registration or you may register on-line by going to
www.vfw.org
In your Comradeship,
Eric Segundo
State Commander
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Department of Massachusetts
