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 need to be completed with every position properly accounted for. Submission of incomplete or fraudulent election reports may lead to administrative action. Some things to watch out for;
Multiple Offices having the same contact information or using the Post as a contact.
Members who are listed as officers who are deceased or incapacitated.
Election reports containing out of service phone numbers, addresses, emails or other such information.
Election reports are legal documents and are to be treated as such.
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. If your post does not do your elections this way, they are not in compliance with the National Bylaws. You should take steps now to correct that.
2.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.
3. 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 ***
4. 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 on 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. Any time a post wants to sell property or lease land use, the bylaws must be followed to protect the sale.
5. Websites and Information Resources: The Department and National have websites set up to help with all aspects of running posts and participating in programs. These websites contain information for duties of officers, rules and procedures for fundraising, programs. Membership recruitment tools, medias which can be used by posts to help spread the word and many other items are also available at these websites.
6. Training: The Department is committed to providing training throughout the year utilizing in person sessions and ZOOM sessions. We will notify all Districts of the dates as they are scheduled and will provide training materials as needed. Some of the topics and sessions will be for Quartermasters and other Post Officers, how to run a post, how to run programs, social media utilization. Stay tuned for further information
7. Every Post chartered by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States will be expected to participate in the following programs during the 2021-22 year: Voice of Democracy, Patriots Pen, “Buddy”® Poppy and Veterans and Military Support Programs. Additionally, it is necessary that all Post and Department Commanders comply with all provisions of the National Bylaws and the Manual of Procedure and Ritual.
8. U.S. Army ARDEC has issued guidance on the operation and maintenance of the M1 Garand. The manual can be found in the VFW Training & Support section at vfw.org or you can visit the M1 Garand Associated Website: m1garandtraining.com.
9. Attention of all members is directed to Section 901 of the National Bylaws, “Discipline of Members.” Members who have committed offenses recognized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States may be subject to disciplinary action. Members are reminded that acts of Sexual Harassment, Racial or Sexual Discrimination, and all other conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline or conduct determined to be unbecoming of a member will not be condoned. In general, harassment and discrimination consists of any form of verbal, non-verbal, or physical conduct that is sufficiently severe and/or pervasive enough to have the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment or otherwise interfering with another’s ability to participate in VFW events. All members will be treated with dignity and respect.
