March Council of Administration (CoA):
Will be held on March 16
th
at Pepperell Post 3291 located at 55 Leighton St, Pepperell, MA 01463 at 10:30.
Convention Corporation Meeting
: Will be held on March 16
th
at the DoubleTree by Hilton Leominster located on 99 Erdman Way, Leominster, MA 01453.
INSTALLING OFFICERS:
Installing officers will see that the provisions of Section 216 of the National Bylaws 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.
National Convention Registration:
Attention of Post Commanders is directed to Section 222 of the National Bylaws and the Manual of Procedure, which provides that 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 National Convention. Each additional delegate attending the National Convention will pay a ten dollar ($10) delegate fee.
Posts are encouraged to register their Post delegate online through the Online Membership System (OMS) or by submitting their National Convention Post and Delegate Registration form that was mailed to all Posts as part of the Election Report/Convention Registration mailing that went out in February. Advanced registration for the 120th National Convention should be mailed with each delegate’s name and address to: Convention Registration, 406 West 34th Street, Kansas City, MO 64111.
District Convention:
Pursuant to Section 403 of the National Bylaws and the Manual of Procedure, each District shall hold an annual District convention for the purpose of electing District officers, such convention to be held not less than ten (10) days nor more than seventy-five (75) days prior to the convening of the Department convention. District officers shall not assume the duties of their office until the Department Commander is installed. District officers shall not be installed or assume the duties of their office until proof of eligibility has been submitted and properly reviewed in accordance with Section 416 of the Manual of Procedure.
Loyalty Day and Memorial Day Observance:
Section 223 of the National Bylaws 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.
“Buddy” ® Poppies Distribution:
The distribution of VFW “Buddy” ® Poppies will be conducted according to the provisions set forth in Section 711 of the National Bylaws and the Manual of Procedure. Department, District, County Council and Post Commanders should arrange now for the distribution of Buddy Poppies in their respective areas.
In the ongoing effort to provide as much assistance as possible to those serving in the military, we recommend that proceeds or portions from this year’s annual poppy distribution be designated for the purpose of providing VFW support to our military. Posts and Departments now have the opportunity to assist qualified military personnel through the VFW Veterans and Military Support Programs.
In keeping with the intent of Sections 219(a)(c) and 704(a)(c) of the Manual of Procedure “Relief Fund,” this year’s poppy campaign can play a direct role in demonstrating to those who are charged with protecting and defending our way of life that we appreciate and value their sacrifice.
March Council of Administration (CoA):
Will be held on March 16th at Pepperell Post 3291 located at 55 Leighton St, Pepperell, MA 01463 at 10:30.
Convention Corporation Meeting
: Will be held on March 16th at the DoubleTree by Hilton Leominster located on 99 Erdman Way, Leominster, MA 01453.
Newspaper:
The deadline for the next paper edition of the Department Newspaper is April 15th. All State Officer are required to submit an article, all District Commanders are required to submit a minimum of two pictures with caption (event and who is in the photo). Any post that wants to submit a photo is highly encouraged. Please send articles and photos to PSC Eric Segundo at
esegundo@vfwma.org
.
District Meetings:
All District Commanders are reminded that if a District meeting is cancelled due to inclement weather, they are to immediately notify the Department Representative, the State Adjutant and their respective Posts Commanders.
WE do not want anyone to have an accident due to inclement weather.
Trustees Report of Audit
: Attention of Post Commanders is directed to Section 218 (a)(11) of the National Manual of Procedure, Officers: Duties and Obligations. Trustees Report of Audit must be prepared in detail within thirty (30) days from the end of each quarter, one of which ends March 31.
Dates to Remember:
2-7 March - Legislative Conference Washington, DC
8-10 March - Commander in Chief Visit to Massachusetts
9 March - Commander in Chief Banquet, the Crystal Room, Milford, MA
16 March - Council of Administration, Pepperell Post 3291 10:30AM
17 March - Holyoke St Patrick Day Parade
23 March - Dilboy Post Grand Reopening Post 529 Somerville
24 March – Auxiliary Pre-Convention Jamboree, Dedham Post 2017
7 April – Auxiliary President Banquet, Northhampton Elks at 12 PM
Candidates for Department High Office 2019-2020:
Department Commander - Jeff Najarian, Post 1788
Department Sr. Vice Commander - Russell Jobe Post 6538
Department Jr. Vice Commander - Doug Wood Post 6539
Department Quartermaster - John Larney Post 1526
Department Chaplain - Fr. Joseph J. Gallick Post 697
Department Judge Advocate - Michael Raymond Post 2498
Department Surgeon - James Morrissey Post 3264
Department Surgeon - Christine Tron Post 545
District Meetings:
10 March
District 18 Meeting,
Post 529
10:00 AM
10 March
District 10 Meeting,
Post 2359
10:30 AM
11 March
District 12 Meeting
Post 697
7:30 PM
17 March
District 6 Meeting
Post 2547
1:00 PM
17 March
District 9 Meeting
Post 12079
1 PM
17 March
District 8 Meeting
Post 1497
2 PM
17 March
District 11 Meeting
Post 3439
2 PM
24 March
District 5 Meeting
Post 864
10 AM
24 March
District 15 Meeting
Post 1027
10:30 AM
8 April
District 12 Meeting
Post 6258
7:30 PM
I wish you and your family good health and happiness with many blessings and Thank you all for continued support
////Original Signed////
Keith M. Jackson
State Commander
Together We Can Build a Stronger VFW!
