B.J. Lawrence
has laid down a challenge to all VFW Posts for the month of
November!
From November 1-30, the Post in each membership division that shows the highest increase in New/Reinstated percentage (the N/R% column in MemStats) for the month of November (comparing 11/1 to 11/30) will receive an award of
$500
to be deposited directly in their Post Fund to be used as needed for the Post.
In addition, each Department with a winning Post will receive a matching $500.00 to be deposited into the Department Fund to be used as needed by the Department. If a Department has more than one winning Post, they can receive this award multiple times!
As an additional incentive the Department of Massachusetts will give the post their $500 for winning their division. That's a Total of
$1000.00
Let’s focus our energy on recruiting and retention, let’s “MAKE IT HAPPEN”
1. Members are reminded that their annual membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars has been changed to a 12-month dues structure that started July 1, 2018. The changes to subscription dues to a “DMV” model now allows anyone who becomes a member or renews membership after July 1, 2018, to postpone expiration until the last day of their 12th month. For example, if a new member joins or an existing member renews on July 5, 2018, their dues now expire on July 31, 2019. The annual membership card (effective July 1, 2018) reflects the month and year dues expire.
Current members that are in good standing as of July 1, 2018, have been extended in OMS through the last day of the month when their dues are scheduled to expire. Regardless of the month they renewed, as long as they were in good standing as of July 1, 2018, they now have until the end of the expiration month to renew their dues.
Members that are in good standing but have not renewed for the 2018/19 membership year will see the changes on their digital ID card reflecting the updated month and year when their dues expire. They will have the option to request an updated annual membership card with the change reflecting the expiration month and year.
The purpose of the changes to subscription dues to a “DMV” model was to streamline the process for both the Post and Department Quartermasters to track expiring annual members. No longer will Posts and Departments have to chase annual members’ dues on a daily basis; instead they can see a block of members during a specific month (one, two and three months out), allowing them to formulate a plan to collect dues at one time. This also makes it easier for the Department/District/
Post Sergeant-at-Arms to quickly see if a member is in good standing prior to a meeting.
3. Section 220 of the National Bylaws, “Vacancies and Removal of Elective Officers or Committee Members” states, "Any elective Post officer removed by the Department Commander, by reason of failure to pay current dues or by vote of the Post under the provisions of this section, shall not be eligible to serve in any Post office in the same administrative year in which the officer is removed."
4. For the purpose of establishing continuous membership, a member may reimburse Department and National dues for all delinquent years, provided he was a member in good standing for five (5) consecutive years prior to the delinquency.
5. Attention of Post Commanders is directed to Section 218 of the Manual of Procedure, “Duty of Trustees.” Trustees Report of Audit must be completed in detail at the close of each quarter, one of which ends December 31, 2018. Commanders are reminded that accurate and complete records shall be kept by all persons handling Post funds, including the Club Manager, Bingo Chairman and VFW Riders Groups. These records shall be audited by Post Trustees in the same manner as Post Quartermaster and Adjutant records.
6. A thorough program of Post inspection is necessary to ensure compliance with National and Department Bylaws and directives. District and Department Inspectors to include Assistant Inspectors shall make every effort to inspect every Post under their cognizance on an annual basis and correct such discrepancies as may be disclosed.
7.
POST OFFICERS DUES:
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 215 of the National By-Laws: Post officers who failure to pay current year’s dues will be removed from office and will have forfeited their eligibility to hold any office for the remainder of the administrative year. Please ensure that your officers who are annual members, pay their dues thru 6/30/2019.
9.
POST INCORPORATION
: VFW Posts should take the necessary steps to incorporate under the laws of the state in which the Post is located. Financial responsibility laws, as interpreted by the courts, may cause members of unincorporated Posts to be at risk. Incorporating under the provisions of sections 708 of the National By-Laws and the Manual of Procedure and the laws of the state will provide protection for Post members. Posts are urged to contact their Department Adjutant to obtain the proper forms for incorporating. The Articles of Incorporation must be reviewed by the Commander-in-Chief prior to forwarding them to the proper state authorities. It shall be the responsibility of the Post Commander to ensure full compliance with both sections and to ensure that all state requirements for annual filing, fees, etc.,
10.
POST CANTEENS/CLUB ROOMS:
All Commanders are reminded that section 709, Manual of Procedure - Control of Units, requires that any activity, clubroom, holding company or unit sponsored, conducted or operated by, for or in behalf of a Post, County Council, District or Department shall be at all times under the direct control of such Post, County Council, District or Department and that all money, property or assets of any kind or nature, must be placed in the care and custody of the respective Quartermaster. All Commanders should ensure that all provisions of section 709 are enforced.
11.
POST RELIEF FUND:
Sections 219 and 704 of the Manual of Procedure outline the various things for which the Post Relief Fund can be used. A few years ago, the phrase, “To foster true patriotism through historical and educational programs,” was added to this section. This allows the Post to use the relief funds for the Voice of Democracy program or other Americanism programs that are educational. This does not include Post building projects, hall remodeling, color guard uniforms or any other expenditure that does not follow these guidelines.
12.
SPECIAL PROJECT:
The Commander’s Special Project this year is: “The Massachusetts VFW Foundation Inc. The foundation’s mission is to support the core programs of the Massachusetts VFW. The MA VFW Foundation is a tax-exempt 501C (3) nonprofit organization. All donations should be made to: Massachusetts VFW Foundation Inc. 24 Beacon Street Room 546-1 State House, Boston, MA 02133. Memo Line: CDR Special Project.
13.
VETERANS IN THE CLASSROOM MONTH IN NOVEMBER:
VFW and VFW Auxiliary members are encouraged to volunteer in their schools to talk about their military and home front experiences to students. Invite your local military recruiter to join you to talk about military service today. Additional information can be found in the 2018–19 VFW Community Activities and Citizenship Education VFW Chairman’s Guide.
14.
VFW FOUNDATION NOW TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR THE REGULAR & POST/VFW AUXILIARY COMMUNITY SUPPORT GRANTS:
Applications are now being accepted for the VFW Foundation Regular and Post/VFW Auxiliary Community Support Grants. VFW community service projects are extremely important and shouldn’t be hindered by budgetary limitations. In an effort to help VFW Posts and Auxiliaries succeed in serving their communities, the VFW Foundation – the official 501(c) (3) charity of the VFW – established the VFW Foundation Post/VFW Auxiliary Community Support Grant to help fund local community service projects. Qualifications for the grant have been updated. Please visit the website at
https://www.vfw.org/grants
for details. Available to any VFW Post or VFW Auxiliary in good standing, a VFW Foundation Post/VFW Auxiliary Community Support Grant will provide up to $1,000 for performing important and needed qualifying outreach projects in your community! With an easy and streamlined application process, Post and VFW Auxiliaries can expect to receive a decision within thirty (30) days of the application submission. Grants ranging from $1,000 - $15,000 will be awarded the VFW Foundation Regular Grant for activities that directly support veterans, active duty military personnel and their families. Requests displaying innovation in service delivery, unique program design that addresses an under-served need and the likelihood of sustainability after the grant period ends will be given special consideration. To review the qualifications of these grants and apply, go to the “Post Grants” page on the VFW website at
https://www.vfw.org/grants
and click on the link provided. VFW Foundation grant funds must be expended within nine (9) months of the award date which coincides with the time frame expected for project completion. A final report documenting how the funds were used is required by July 1, 2018. For questions, please contact Jason Couch, Grants Coordinator, by email at
jcouch@vfw.org
or phone at (816) 968-1174.
17. The distribution of VFW “Buddy”® Poppies will be conducted according to the provisions set forth in Sections 711 of the National Bylaws and Manual of Procedure. Department, District, County Council and Post Commanders should arrange now for the distribution of “Buddy”® Poppies for the Memorial Day campaign in their respective areas. All profits accruing from the distribution of “Buddy”® Poppies shall be used in accordance with Sections 219 and 704 of the Manual of Procedure.
18. Recent changes to the VFW National Bylaws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual establish that
Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised
shall be the parliamentary authority on procedural matters not governed by VFW Bylaws and Manual of Procedure. Newly revised
Robert’s Rules of Order
is readily available at local book stores and online retailers such as Barnes & Noble and Amazon.
19.
Mark your Calendar.
The Veterans Day Ceremony at the Borne Cemetery will take place on November 4
th
beginning at 1PM with line up for the parade at 12:30PM.
The Eastern Conference will take place 16-18 November 2018 at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center located at 1657 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA 01701. For more information contact Bill LeBeau at (617) 727-2612.
The Auxiliary will host their annual Spaghetti Dinner and Auction fund raiser on Sunday December 2
nd
beginning at 12PM at the Plymouth Post 1822.
The Canton Hospital Christmas Party will be held on Monday December 10
th
from 6:30PM – 9PM. Donations are being accepted and can be sent to
VFW Department of Massachusetts
24 Beacon Street
State House
Suite 546-1
Boston, MA 02133
Please write Canton Christmas Party on the memo line.
The Voice of Democracy, Patriot Pen and Teacher Award Banquet will be held on Sunday January 27
th
starting at 1PM at the Double Tree, Leominster
Keith M. Jackson
Department Commander
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Together We Can Build A Stronger VFW!
#vfwstrong
