The applicable fee from the effective life membership fee schedule will be determined using the applicant’s attained age as of December 31st of the current calendar year in which the application is submitted, regardless of actual date of birth.
DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATIONS
The Department has worked very hard to ensure that All members are getting communications in a timely manner. We have the VFWMA.org Web site, Department Newspaper (Published & Electronic), General Orders, Email directly from the State Adjutant and Email from our Communications team through Constant Contact. However, we are still getting members who are saying they are not getting communications.
We have provided all Posts and Districts an email account (Postxxx@vfwma.org or Districtxx@vfwma.org ) through Go Daddy that must be used in addition to any other emails you are using. If you have given your Personal or separate Post/District email address to the Adjutant and the Communications team you should be receiving at least two (2) of the same emails from different sources. Please share this information with your Post members so they can get on the mailing lists if interested. If you have questions or need assistance with getting email contact PSC Eric Segundo at esegundo@vfwma.org or adjutant@vfwma.org .
VFW NATIONAL CONVENTION HOUSING
122nd National Convention housing will officially open March 19, 2021. Housing reservation information will be located on the convention website accessed through the main VFW website at vfw.org/convention. The convention website will also have general convention information including the registration form and links to other convention related information for Baltimore, MD, July 31 – Aug. 5, 2021, 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 W. 34th Street, Kansas City, MO 64111, ATTN: Convention Registration or you may register online by going to vfw.org.
ORDERS
1. Post Elections: Attention is directed to Section 217 of the National Bylaws and the Manual of Procedure covering the nomination, election and installation of Post Officers. Nominations of Post Officers shall open in March and remain open until the Post is ready to vote. Post officers shall be elected in April. The order of nominations and elections shall be Commander, Senior Vice Commander, Junior Vice Commander, Quartermaster, Chaplain and Trustee(s). Post-Election Reports should be submitted immediately using the online Membership System (OMS) or they can complete the form and return directly to National Headquarters immediately following the election of Post Officers but not later than June 1, 2021.
PLEASE BE ADVISED: ALL NOMINATIONS ARE DONE IN MARCH AT THE POST LEVEL WITH ALL ELECTIONS HELD IN APRIL. INSTALLATIONS ARE DONE PRIOR TO THE DEPARTMENT CONVENTION BUT THE OFFICERS CANNOT ASSUME DUTIES BEFORE THE NEW DEPARTMENT COMMANDER IS INSTALLED.
2. District Elections: 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. Pursuant to Section 417 of the National Manual of Procedure, 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.
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Organizations exempt from income tax under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code are generally required to file Form 990 by the 15th day of the fifth month following the close of their accounting fiscal year. For the current IRS requirements (beginning on or after January 1), if the organization’s annual gross receipts are normally more than $50,000, the organization must file Form 990 or 990-EZ. Small tax-exempt organizations whose annual gross receipts are normally $50,000 or less are required to electronically submit Form 990-Nalso known as the e-Postcard. There is no penalty assessment for late filling the e-Postcard, but an organization that fails to file required information returns for three consecutive years will automatically lose its tax-exempt status. The revocation of the organization’s tax-exempt status will not take place until the filing due date of the third year.
If you have any questions concerning the Form 990 contact the Department office.
4. Post Inspections: Section 518 provides that the Department Inspector shall require that each Post be inspected in accordance with Department and National guidelines. The purpose of the inspection is to assure that the Post operates in a manner that supports the purposes set forth in the Congressional Charter, complies with the By-Laws, preserves the financial integrity of the Post and protects the interest of the member. Every Post is expected to be inspected at least once each year. It will also be a requirement for All State. It is the duty of the District Inspector to notify the Post Commander, Quartermaster, Adjutant and Trustees of the date and time that the inspection is scheduled. The inspector should allow you enough time to prepare for the visit. The Post inspection will go a lot smoother if it is conducted at some time other than a Post meeting night. If, for any reason, a Post cannot be inspected thoroughly, a report stating the facts must be submitted. It is the responsibility of the Post Quartermaster and Post Adjutant to provide the records necessary to complete the duties of Inspector. When the inspection of a Post is completed, the Post Inspection Form will be made out in triplicate. The yellow copy will be mailed to the Post Commander and a copy should be retained for your files.
***ALL POSTS ARE TO BE INSPECTED BY ORDER OF THE STATE COMMANDER ***
5. 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, District or Department shall be at all times under the direct control of such Post, 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.
6. 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.
7. Scout of the Year: Scout of the year entries were due to the Post on March 1st. Post entries are due to the Department Scouting chairperson, State QM John Larney, by April 1, 2021. Let’s make sure we recognize the young men and women in our communities.
