VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF MINNESOTA. GENERAL ORDERS NO. 4 October 1, 2015

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1 VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF MINNESOTA Mail: Rice Street Station, PO Box 17146, St Paul, MN Phone: FAX: GENERAL ORDERS NO. 4 October 1, Membership - thanks to all who have helped so far. But as in the past, the first 60% comes easy... now the work begins. We expect to lose 3 to 4 per cent of our membership to death, moving out of state, etc. In order to insure a membership increase, every member is asked to help recruit new and reinstated members (at least 2,500 needed on or before December 31st). We recommend you take extra time and make personal contact with your unpaid members. The Department has a number of Recruiting tools and Posters to help with this process. Additionally, each District has a number of State Certified Recruiters. 2. The following District meetings are announced: First District October 3 Austin 9:30 AM Joe Mauricio Second District October 3 Madelia 12:30 PM Rick Bugbee Third District October 10 Westbrook 10:00 AM Tom Hanson Fourth District November 21 Cottage Grove 9 AM Duane Hermanson Sixth District October 3 Akeley 1:00 PM Tom Hanson Seventh District October 10 Blaine 10:00 AM Duane Hermanson Eighth District October Cloquet 9:00AM Tom Hanson Ninth District October 10 Barnesville 1:00 PM Rick Bugbee 3. The Pheasant Dinner for most hospitalized Veterans will be in October 2015 at most VA Hospitals and Veterans Homes serving Minnesota Veterans. This year again all birds have to be purchased. (Some dates and facilities are tentative. Please check your local facility for date and time.) 4. The Department Community Service year started April 1, 2015 and runs through March 31, Post Commanders are directed to send in monthly reports for each activity completed during the month. COMMUNITY SERVICE IS WHAT YOU DO FOR OTHERS, NOT WHAT YOU DO FOR YOURSELF OR YOUR POST. A Community Service Report form is included in this mailing. PLEASE USE IT. 5. Need a place to donate your Gambling Funds? See the Lawful Purpose Expenditures list included in this mailing. Make checks payable to the Department of Minnesota, V.F.W., earmarked for one or more of the funds. Your Post Gambling Funds can also be donated to the MN VFW Charitable Association (See enclosed form). 6. Accurate and complete records shall be kept by all persons handling Post funds, including Club Managers, Bingo and Gambling Chairmen. These records MUST be audited by Post Trustees in the same manner and at the same time as Post Quartermaster records. ALL POSTS CONDUCTING GAMBLING ARE REQUIRED TO BE LICENSED BY AND PAY TAX TO THE MINNESOTA GAMBLING CONTROL BOARD. THIS APPLIES TO ALL BINGO AND GAMBLING GAMES BY POSTS, AUXILIARIES AND MOC PUP TENTS. 7. Voice of Democracy information has been distributed to each Post Commander via General Orders, Department Webpage or the National Web Page. Please see that this information gets to your Schools. Post V.O.D. Chairs are urged to work with the Auxiliary Chair and to contact their District Chair for assistance on this program. Posts are reminded to adhere to deadline dates. Post Deadline - November 1 st ; District Deadline - November 15 th ; Department Deadline December 4 th. 8. The various Department Chairmen distributed literature on their programs at the Fall Conference in St Cloud. This information is also included in this mailing for the Chairman of your Post. -OVER- General Orders 1 October 2015

2 9. The 2016 V.F.W. Calendars and labels will be mailed to members of the V.F.W. and Auxiliary. The money will go to support the V.F.W. Claims Office at Ft. Snelling. Please help by donating, so we can help those Veterans that need it. Additional Calendars will be available through Department Headquarters for the $10.00 donation. (These Calendars should not be confused with the Calendar Raffle conducted by the MN VFW Charitable Association.) 10. The Annual Midwinter Conference will be held at the Minneapolis Marriott in Minneapolis, Friday and Saturday, January 22-23, The Conference Banquet will be held Saturday evening. The planned program and other information will be included in the November 1 st General Orders Mailing. 11. Department Headquarters has prepared an Internal Control System for Posts that have acquired a Bingo and/or Gambling License from the Minnesota Gambling Control Board. This approved procedure has been sent to the Commander of the licensed Posts. Any Post applying for a Gambling and/or Bingo License should contact Department Headquarters for a copy of the Internal Control System, as it will need to be included with the license application. 12. NOTE: There shall not be a Post function on the same day that there is a District or Department Function. (Unless approved by the State Commander.) 13. POST RESERVE: Attention is directed to Section 218, Manual of Procedure, which mandates Post Quartermasters to maintain a dues reserve fund to which shall be credited not less than one-half of the Post's part of the current year's (2016) dues paid by each member prior to July 1, 2016, except dues remitted by the Post. No Post Quartermaster shall disburse, nor shall an obligation be incurred against this fund until after July 1, 2016, at which time it shall be transferred to the Post General Fund and be available for expenditure. 14. Attention of Post Commanders is directed to the Commander-in-Chief's decision in response to questions raised concerning alcoholic beverages in the Post meeting room during the Post meeting as set forth below: It is held to be objectionable and contrary to accepted rules of order and proper decorum implicit in the ritual of the Veterans of Foreign Wars to permit alcoholic beverages in the Post meeting room during the Post meeting. Accordingly, the presence, dispensation and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages in the Post meeting room during the Post meeting is completely unacceptable and any such practice known to exist shall be terminated. It is the intent of the Commander-in-Chief's decision regarding this response to include Post, County Council, District and Department meetings, at which it is held to be objectionable. 15. It is asked that any Post hosting a "Candidate Forum or Town Hall Meeting" at their Post please contact Department Headquarters with the date and time of your Forum. 16. It should be noted that due to budgetary constraints for the coming year, the following functions have been reduced or eliminated: A) The Gopher Oversea'r has been reduced to three (3) issues a year. B) The monthly General Orders mailing to Post Commanders are now ed. If a Post Quartermaster has , we will send him/her the General Orders via . C) If a Post does not have , there will be a $35 charge to mail the General Orders. 17. In an attempt to both save money and expedite communications, we are asking for an address for ALL Post Commanders. OFFICIAL: BY ORDER OF: DUANE HERMANSON State Commander Department of Minnesota, V.F.W. Tate Doom Adjutant General Orders 2 October 2015

3 *Please review the attached Flyer About VFW Websites and General Orders Access **Please Save the enclosed List of Important VFW, Auxiliary, and Claims Office Contacts for your records IMPORTANT Post Roster Information- Whenever there are ANY changes to your Post Rosters please notify Department Headquarters and National as Soon as Possible. MORE. Full Page Bulletins in THIS General Orders Midwinter Book Ad Bulletin Midwinter Housing Form Community Service Report Form Website & General Orders Access Important State Contacts List VFW Assoc. Letter Calendar Letter SVA Legislative Fellowship Letter Legislative Talking Points Action Corps Sign-up Sheet Lawful Purpose Bulletin Coloring Book Bulletin Community Service Form Employer of the Year Nomination Form Publications Contest Form Scout of the Year Form Safety Deadline Bulletin Safety Gold Award Master Entry Form VOD & Patriot s Pen Deadlines VOD & Patriot s Pen Chair Roster VOD Scholarship Contest Application VOD POST Report Form VOD & Patriot s Pen Score Sheet Patriot s Pen Contest Application Patriot s Pen POST Report Form Youth Hockey Bulletin Youth Activity Report Form Youth Activity Chairmen Roster GO TO ROSTER CORRECTIONS GENERAL SITE ACCESS: Midwinter Conference: Housing Form Book Advertising Form Other: Community Service Forms PASSWORD ACCESS ON POST RESOURCES : Reports Chairman Books Poppy Order Form Program Entry Forms October 2015 FIRST DISTRICT Post 186: Commander Paul Rugg, nd St E., Wanamingo, MN SECOND DISTRICT District Adjutant: John Anderson, 3966 Mica Trail, Eagan, MN , Post 800: Commander-Ralph Grundmeyer, Post 1803: Commander- William Simonette, Post 9433: Commander- Kris Auge, Post 9607: New Commander- Lawrence W. Janzen, th Ave, Butterfield. MN , SIXTH DISTRICT Post 2747: Changed meeting date- 2 nd Wednesday at 6:30 pm Post 5973: Commander- Roger Stoick; Post 8508: Quartermaster- Philip Koppenberg; PO Box 66 General Orders 3 October 2015

4 ROSTER CORRECTIONS (continued) SEVENTH DISTRICT Post 7051: New Post Address Winpark Drive, New Hope, MN NINTH DISTRICT Post 3817: New Commander- Wendell Sorlien, 232 Circle Hills Dr., Grand Forks, ND 58201, To all VFW Commanders and members our Troops are still on the move. We are still in need of funds to take care of our Warriors and their families. Being a Past Commander myself, I know it is hard to decide where your donations should go, but I assure you, every cent is used in the best way we know how Please consider donating to the Armed Forces Service Center. ARMED FORCES SERVICE CENTER BUDDY POPPY Donations can be sent to: 4300 Glumack Drive- Lt 3693 Mpls.-St Paul International Airport St Paul, MN Remember the Warriors of today are the VFW members of tomorrow The first Buddy Poppy order from Fall Conference is in. The order is for 17,250 Buddy Poppies. I challenge any Post to match or exceed this number! Thank you to everyone that attended one of the very informative Buddy Poppy Seminars at Fall Conference. I trust all Posts are now working on a Poppy Display to enter at your December District meeting. ~Submitted by James E. Rowe, Buddy Poppy Chair Thanks to Rev. Charlene Cobb for giving the Chaplains class this last weekend. It showed those in attendance a more complete picture of what we as chaplains need to do. CHAPLAIN I'll repeat what I said at the class: "If you need prayers or assistance within your District or Post please do not hesitate to contact me". ~Submitted by Len Gudmunson, Department Chaplain General Orders 4 October 2015

5 CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION phone We had a Great Fall Conference! Here is an overview of what we addressed in the Citizenship Education Seminar: Fall Conference September 2015 School of Instruction Citizenship & Education (Americanism) 1. Introduction of Chairmen a. Teacher of the year Barry Henriksen b. Citizenship & Education Ed Eibon c. Americanism Auxiliary Chairmen Renee Tessier 2. Barry Henriksen 30min Teacher of the Year Program 3. Ed & Renee 60min Citizenship & Education Americanism a. You are the Point Person as District & Post Chairmen b. Reporting your Activities on the proper Forms c. Community Service d. Patriotism & Citizenship & Education 4. Drawing for those attending class. ~Submitted by Ed Eibon, Citizenship Education Chair Want to help out your fellow veterans? Looking to give back to your local community? Well...then be a post that supports your State of MN Commander's Project! How can you support Dewey and his project this year? Well let me tell you...there are two main means of support: 1. Be a "host post". What does that mean? It means to provide the facility to host an 8 week long Ars Bellum veterans art therapy program! Your post would serve as the classroom for this worthwhile endeavor. It can be either during the week or on weekend days. It would enable you to serve the veterans in your community as they use art therapy to deal with the trauma and wounds of war. We are looking for posts across the state from Rochester to Duluth to Moorhead and everyone in between to step up. COMMANDER S PROJECT 2. Make a donation to the Commander's Project! Got some extra charitable gambling funds to disperse? Commander Hermanson sure could use them for this project. Send a check to Department Headquarters...or better yet...bring it to the mid winter conference and present it to Dewey yourself! Little checks, big checks it doesn't matter. All donations would be greatly appreciated. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at or ctuorila@yahoo.com. Yours in comradeship, General Orders 5 October 2015

6 COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR ~Submitted by Clint Tuorila, Citizenship Education Chair The Fall Conference is done, I would hope most of the post reps could attend the training sessions that the department provided for you. I know I have learned a lot this year about this program and I would hope that every post and auxiliary has also. If you have a problem with the reporting, please contact me or someone at the office for assistance. Some of the things that we covered, for those of you that could not make it, were the filling out of the report form. When the form must be turned in and the other information that is published in the Community Service book for officers. Handouts were also given out at the training, so if you did not make it to St. Cloud and want more dos and don ts on Community Service reporting, please contact me. NOTE: Posts have until November 1st to get any back Community Service reports into me to get credit for turning them in. After that, any late reports will not count toward convention awards. ~Submitted by Rick Bugbee, Department Jr. Vice Commander & Community Service Chair Now is the time to Seek out those Veteran Friendly Employers Employer of the Year Entries are due to Department by February 1, 2015 ~Submitted by Thomas Hanson, Employment Chair The Homeless Veterans Breakout Session at Fall Conference was well attended with 50 chairs full and people standing. Ending Veterans Homelessness is receiving substantial attention from the federal level to the state level to the local level. Your VFW has been at the forefront of this effort, and we are being asked more - because our motto is "No one does more for Veterans. In particular, the leadership of local Posts in Olmsted and Meeker Counties were discussed as models for other Posts in the Department to follow. Leadership at our Posts and Districts, including Auxiliaries, are encouraged to reach out to County Veteran Service Officers and ask what help is needed - including financial, through the Relief Funds, if necessary - to help house homeless veterans and to help precariously housed veterans stay housed. HOMELESS VETERANS Watch this space in next month's General Orders and plan to attend the Homeless Veterans breakout session at Mid-Winter. Please contact me with any questions. ~Submitted by Tommy Johnson, Homeless Veterans Chair HopkinsVFW@gmail.com, Cell General Orders 6 October 2015

7 Good day comrades, Well the Fall Conference has now come to a close. There was a great deal of important business and learning accomplished. I want to thank the office staff and convention team for a job extremely well done. In addition, we had a great turn out for the membership/tech/social media class. I would be remiss if I did not thank Scott H, Tom H, Jarrod M and Lee B for their work in either pulling data for the class or actually helping teach. The three comrades of PLVFW, you never cease to amaze me at your willingness to share your best practices and even failures with our state membership. MEMBERSHIP If you missed the conference, you can get the entire class by going to Facebook and requesting access. The page is MNVFWTECH. I feel the greatest take away is get into your community and interact. Invite new Veteran-friendly organizations into your Post. Use social media to taut the great activities you do and how you support your community through those activities. If we can engage the younger generation through these activities, the membership will come. We just need to try. Data from Memstats as of September 25, Thank you, ~Submitted by Scott Bill, Membership Chair General Orders 7 October 2015

8 Fall is here and it is time to think about our less fortunate Comrades in the Veterans Homes and Hospitals. PHEASANTS FOR HOSPITALIZED VETERANS Last year we served around 1,800 Pheasant dinners in 14 different VA Facilities. The gambling board has given permission to take funds out of your gaming account. Also we can use some funds for improvement of our Comrades wellbeing. Last year we donated to Trolling for Troops, Disabled Veterans Deer and Turkey Hunt, The MOC Venison Feed. Last year only 41 posts donated to this program for helping our less fortunate Comrades. I think we should be able to do better on our donations for this year. Send your donations to: VFW Department of Minnesota Rice St. Station P.O. Box St. Paul, MN Thank you for supporting our Hospitalized Veterans. ~Submitted by Michael H. Pierce, Pheasants For Hospitalized Veterans Chair , Owatonna, MN I hope all of you made it to Fall Conference. I m also hoping all Posts were represented and made it to the Publications seminar. If your Post wasn t able to attend the seminar and would like to enter the publications contest you can contact the Department office or myself at dd2651@aol.com and we ll get the information out to you. Thanks for your participation. PUBLICATIONS I was asked at the Fall Conference Seminar if the Department General Orders could be published in Post Newsletters. I was informed that the Department of MN would prefer that they NOT be published. ~Submitted by Doug Doerfler, Publications Chair General Orders 8 October 2015

9 September 4, Missing Medal of Honor Recipient Identified: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has announced the identification of remains belonging to Marine Corps 1st Lt. Alexander Sandy Bonnyman, 33, of Knoxville, Tenn., who would be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions fighting on the Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands, Nov. 11, He was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 18th Marines Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. His remains, and that of possibly three dozen other Americans, were recovered by History Flight, a Florida-based nonprofit organization that is assisting U.S. government MIA search and recovery efforts through an expanded publicprivate partnership opportunity. The lieutenant will be buried with full military honors on a date and location yet to be determined. Read more at: POW/ MIA September 18, VFW Testifies at Senate Committee Hearing: On Wednesday, the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee held a hearing to discuss pending legislation. VFW Deputy Legislative Director Aleks Morosky testified, offering the VFW's comments. The bills on the agenda covered a wide range of topics including health care, survivors' benefits, and the GI Bill. The Committee also focused on two bills that would create greater VA employee accountability. To read the VFW's full statement and view a webcast of the hearing, visit: 2. House Veterans Affairs Committee Approves Several Bills: On Thursday, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs considered and approved seven bills related to programs and policies affecting the Department of Veterans Affairs. These bills include H.R. 677, which would allow for COLA increases to disability compensation to occur without needed action by Congress. H.R would help end suicide by female veterans. H.R would affect construction at VA by shifting larger projects to the Army Corps of Engineers for management and appointing a special Assistant Inspector General for construction related issues. The VFW will continue to monitor all seven of these bills. For more information on these bills and to watch the hearing, go to: 3. VFW Hosts Eisenhower Memorial Commission: The VFW hosted a meeting on Thursday so the Eisenhower Memorial Commission could update a dozen veteran and military service organizations about the progress of the memorial, which Congress authorized in 1999 as a tribute to the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe during World War II and the 34th President of the United States. Attending the meeting at the VFW Washington Office were the commission chairman, Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.); the finance campaign chairman, retired Sen. Bob Dole (R-Kan.); and the 28th Commandant of the Marine Corps and advisory committee cochairman, retired Gen. P.X. Kelley. The VFW supports the memorial through the passage of resolution 306 at this summer s 116th National Convention in Pittsburgh. 4. Gulf War Vets Needed for Research: The War Related Illness and Injury Study Center at the VA in East Orange, N.J., currently has several research studies focused on Gulf War veterans who deployed to Operation Desert Shield/Storm, as well as non-deployed veterans of the same era. If you are a veteran from the era, or if you have a Gulf War illness and would like to know more about the research, please call or visit their Gulf War Research page at: 5. National POW/MIA Recognition Day: The VFW Washington Office was present at today s National POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremony at the Pentagon, joining VFW Posts across the General Orders 9 October 2015

10 nation in honoring and recognizing the service and sacrifice of almost 140,000 former American prisoners of war and the 83,000 Americans who continue to be listed as missing and unaccounted for from World War II forward. Read how one family continues to suffer the pain of unknowing here: 6. Train Attack Heroes Receive Medals: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Paul Selva presented medals to the three Americans who stopped a radical terrorist on a Paris-bound train last month. At the Thursday ceremony, Airman 1st Class Spencer Stone received the Airman's Medal and Purple Heart Medal, Army National Guard Specialist Alek Skarlatos received the Soldier's Medal, and civilian Anthony Sadler received the Department of Defense Medal for Valor. The Airman s and Soldier s Medals rank ninth in the order of precedence, immediately above the Bronze Star. The Defense Medal for Valor was created soon after 9/11 to recognize government employees and private citizens who perform acts of heroism or sacrifice. The three childhood friends were on vacation Aug. 21 when they subdued, disarmed and hogtied a heavily armed gunman on a train heading from Amsterdam to Paris. France awarded all three Americans the Legion of Merit within days of the attack. After the Pentagon presentation, the three young men met with President Obama in the Oval Office. POW/ MIA (continued) 7. Four MIAs Identified: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has identified the remains belonging to two World War II Marines and two Korean War soldiers. Being returned home for burial with full military honors at a time and date yet to be determined are: - Marine Corps Pfc. James P. Reilly and Cpl. James D. Otto, who were both killed in action on Nov. 20, 1943, while fighting on the Pacific island of Tarawa. They were assigned to Company L, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division. - Army Cpl. Robert E. Meyers, of Franklin County, Pa., was assigned to Company A, 2nd Engineer Combat Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, when he died fighting in North Korea on Dec. 1, Army Cpl. George H. Mason, who was assigned to the 2nd Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Infantry Division, died while fighting in North Korea on Feb. 14, ~Submitted by Dr. Jim Tuorila, POW/MIA Chair Please see the Flyer with the Safety Program Deadlines inside this General Orders. NOTE: There is an all-in-one form that covers all three of the Public Servant Safety Awards. Please feel free to make copies if you have an entrant in each category. SAFETY TEACHER OF THE YEAR Safety Entries are due by January 1 st Bus Driver Entries due March 1 st Watch for Entry Forms in future GOs ~Submitted by Don Nix, Safety Chair As I mentioned last month Teacher of the Year entries are Due February 15 th To your Post But, don't wait. Start working to identify that special teacher now. ~Submitted by Barry Henriksen, Teacher of the Year Chair General Orders 10 October 2015

11 Post Level Assistance The quickest and most effective way to help needy Veterans is at the Post level. Remember, any Post that sells Poppies has a relief fund and that is meant to help needy veterans. Here are some pointers: VETERANS AND MILITARY SUPPORT Do not just believe their story, many fakers out there. Do not provide cash, instead pay bills directly to landlords, auto shops, etc. or purchase gift cards for groceries, clothes, etc. Demand proof of service and hardship. DD214, Military ID, overdue bills, letters from mortgage or landlord, etc. Utilize local Military Family Assistance Centers, they can confirm service records, provide assistance, and information about other assistance being provided. Contact them at When helping Veterans at the Post level, please contact me with any questions? Also report any assistance to my attention so I can properly document and report to National. ~Submitted by Scott Hanson, Veterans and Military Support Chair VOD and Patriots Pen program should be in full swing by now. Please use the Department form for entries. Pass the word that we need to have the VOD speeches on either a CD or Flash Drive before they be sent on to National this year. If you receive a cassette tape that is a winner it should be redone on CD before being sent on to Department. VOICE OF DEMOCRACY/ PATRIOT S PEN You may get Department form by going to and go to VFW Programs page. IMPORTANT DEADLINES November 1 st, Student entries to the Post November 15 th, Completion of Post judging December 6 th, Completion of District judging District winners to Department ASAP Make sure all signatures are Signed and the Entrant s PICTURE is enclosed Don t forget to submit your program reporting forms when forwarding your entries! ~Submitted by Mike Pierce, Voice of Democracy Chair General Orders 11 October 2015

12 WHEN YOU DECIDE WHAT DATES YOU ARE HAVING YOUR ACTIVITY, LET US KNOW SO WE CAN GET IT POSTED IN THE GENERAL ORDERS FOR MAXIMUM PARTICIPATION. IS YOUR POST UP TO HOSTING ONE OF THE NEW ACTIVITIES Archery... Farmington Post #7662 will Host 2016 Bean bag...alexandria Post #936 will Host 2016 Bowling...Mankato Post #950 will host 2016 Cribbage... Open for 2016 and Beyond Fishing...Open for 2015 and Beyond VETERANS ACTIVITIES Golf...Owatonna Post #3723 will host 2016 Horseshoes Fergus Falls Post #612 will host 2016 Military Rifle Match...Open for 2015 and Beyond Pistol comp... Brooklyn Park Post #3915 will host 2016 YOUTH ACTIVITIES Trap shooting Open 2015 and beyond ************************************************************************* NOTE: Contact the Veteran Activities Chairman in your District if you are interested in bidding any of the above events or would like more information on any of the events. ~Submitted by Dan Meyer, Veterans Activities Chair The Youth Committee, with approval of the C of A, awarded the 2017 Hockey to White Bear Lake Post 1782 and 2018 Hockey to Dilworth Post 1223 Baseball for 2017 was awarded to Willmar Post Please contact your District Chairman for further information or Jim Hesselgrave. ********************************************************************* BASEBALL: 2016 Fergus Falls Post #612 HOCKEY: March 18-20, 2016 Moorhead- Dilworth Post #1223 *********************************************************************** NOTE: Contact the Veteran Activities Chairman in your District if you are interested in bidding any of the above events or would like more information on any of the events. ~Submitted by Jim Hesselgrave, Youth Activities Chair General Orders 12 October 2015

13 MIDWINTER CONFERENCE SOUVENIR PROGRAM BOOKLET The 2016 Midwinter Conference will offer Posts a discount for advertising in the Souvenir Program Booklet for the Midwinter Conference. The Booklet will contain pictures of the District Voice of Democracy Winners, listing of the prizes and many other pages of interest. The Booklet will also include the full program for the Midwinter Conference. First come - First served in choosing the page for advertising. The Booklet is an excellent opportunity to advertise your Post or a Candidate for State Office - Be it for VFW, Auxiliary or MOC. ADVERTISING RATES FOR V.F.W. STATE, DISTRICT, AND POSTS FOR THE MIDWINTER BOOK. PAGE SIZE RATES FULL PAGE (5 X 8 ) $ HALF PAGE * $ QUARTER PAGE * $ ALL ADDS MUST BE SCANNER/CAMERA READY. IF THEY ARE NOT YOU WILL BE REQUIERED TO PAY AN ADDITION- AL $10. IF YOU DO NOT, YOUR AD WILL GO IN AS WE RECEIVED IT. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS,PLEASE CALL DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AT MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Department of MN, VFW AND MAIL TO: Dept of Minnesota Veterans of Foreign Wars Rice Street Station PO Box St Paul, MN DEADLINE DATE FOR BOOKLET: December 20th, 2015 *Please See Reverse Side for Ad Layout and tips General Orders 13 October 2015

14 Things you should think about while making an ad!! Is my add layout correct? -A full page is just that: 5 x 8. -For a Half page layout and a Quarter page is at the bottom of this document. How can I guarantee the best Quality for my ad? -Send it to us electronically either in a CD or . -If you send it in hard copy, print your ad in the highest quality setting your printer can go and have it print in a gray scale NOT color. Also try not to fold your ad. -It is always advisable to send us originals not copies. Does my Ad look good in a Gray Scale? -Light colors such as red and yellow do not look good in a gray scale. Are the quality of my ad pictures good? -The higher quality of picture you have the better we can make your ad look. Is my Ad formatted correctly? -We accept Word, Publisher, JPEG and Tiff. Any questions please call Whole Page Ad 7 1/2 x 4 1/2 OR 4 1/2 x 7 1/2 ONLY $125 Half Page Ad 4 1/2 x 3 3/4 Only $75 Quarter Page Ad 2 1/4 X 3 3/4 Only $45 General Orders 14 October 2015

15 Minnesota Veterans of Foreign Wars Midwinter Conference - January 22-23, 2016 Minneapolis Marriott City Center 30 South 7 th Street, Minneapolis, MN You MUST use this form provided by the Department of MN, VFW to receive the special VFW rate. Name (Please PRINT in Boxes) Address: City: State: Zip: Affiliation: Arrival Date: Phone Departure Date: Sharing room with: Please reserve a: ( ) $87 ea. ( ) $87 ea. ( ) $87 ea. ( ) $87 ea. Room/Bed type: ( ) King ( ) Two Double Beds Parking: City Center Ramp- $21 for Thurs. & Sun. and approx. $16 a day for Fri. & Sat. (Subj. to Change) All requests for reservations must be received by December 31, Please include first night's deposit to guarantee your reservation. In the event that a guaranteed reservation is not cancelled prior to 6:00 p.m. on your arrival date, one night's room and tax will be deducted from your deposit or billed through your credit card. Special group rates and accommodations are based on availability. Checkout time is 12:00 noon. Guest rooms will be available after 3:00 p.m. All rooms subject to applicable taxes. PLEASE REMEMBER --- Make your check or money order payable to the Minneapolis Marriott City Center. Please do not send currency. Reservations will be held until 6:00 p.m. unless guaranteed by one night's deposit. Credit Card Type (circle one): Visa Mastercard Discover American Express Card Number: Expiration Date: Signature: Check # for one (1) night made out to the Minneapolis Marriot City Center Money Order for one (1) night made out to the Minneapolis Marriot City Center YES - I would like to receive an confirming my Reservations. My address is: MAIL RESERVATIONS DIRECTLY TO MARRIOTT CITY CENTER! NO RESERVATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BY PHONE General Orders 15 October 2015

16 Department Website & General Orders Access Post Resources 1) Passwords a. Passwords Change every July b. They will be Hardcopy Mailed to Post Commanders c. Commanders may Share it with Post Officers 2) How to Enter the Password a. Enter in All Lowercase with no spaces b. Using the Mouse, Click the Login Button (DO NOT use the Enter Key on your keyboard) c. When the Welcome Box Pops Up- Click the OK Button d. Explore the Resources! Printing Manuals & General Orders 1) General Order Receipt Options a. FREE- & Downloading i. GOs Should be ed out around the 28 th of Each Month- if you don t receive them by the first of the month, please let us know ii. GOs Should be on the Website by the 1 st of the Month b. Hard Copy- $35 Assessment Payable to Department Headquarters July of each Year (If this is not paid by the end of September or 3 months from the time your Post is placed on the Hard Copy List- whichever was first- you will be billed for the $35.) 2) How to Print Economically a. Select Print b. Click on the Properties of Print Preferences Button c. Select i. Color 1. Black & White 2. Gray Scale/Black Cartridge Only ii. Print Quality 1. Fast Draft Receiving General Orders & Tourbleshooting 1. Be sure VFW Staff addresses are in your Contact List/Address Book a. Jim Hesselgrave, State Quartermaster, mnvfw@vfwmn.us b. Tate Doom, State Adjutant, Tatemnvfw@vfwmn.us c. Jeanie Anderson, Bookkeeper, jeaniemnvfw@vfwmn.us d. Melody Shryock, Convention Coordinator/Administrative Assistant, melodymnvfw@vfwmn.us 2. Double check the security level of your junk filters it is possible your system is filtering out our s as they are sent to many people at once and some systems may detect that as SPAM 3. If you don t see the General Orders in your box by the 1 st of the month: a. First, make sure that if your address or internet provider has changed recently make sure that you have contacted Department Headquarters with the new b. Check your Deleted, Junk and Garbage folders for and from us dated between the 23 rd - 31 st or the month c. Search your folders for s from melodymnvfw@vfwmn.us d. Visit the Department Resources Password Protected Page i. Download and Print or Save the General Orders found there (This can be done as a complete file or each individual page can be selected as needed) General Orders 16 October 2015

17 Two Primary V.F.W. Online Resources BookMark Em! 1) National V.F.W. Website ( a. Program & Event Information b. General Contest Applications for Programs like Voice of Democracy & Teacher of the Year c. National Event Schedules & Calendars d. Member Log-on Section for Program Resource Guides and more i. Need your V.F.W. membership number to establish this e. Quartermaster Resources- Available Only to Quartermasters as named on the Post Roster 2) Department of Minnesota V.F.W. ( a. Information on Veterans Events (Oversea r Online), Gopher Oversea r, Posts in Minnesota, Contact information for Department Headquarters and V.F.W. Claims Office, Information on upcoming Conventions & Conferences, Veterans Help Links, Minnesota V.F.W. Post & District website links and more! b. Post Resources i. Located on the Headquarters Page ii. Accessed through the Post Password iii. Find General Orders, Audit Report, Poppy Report, Community Service Report Standings, Leadership Manuals, Quartermaster and Post Forms, Community Service Forms, Poppy Forms, Chairman Manuals and Chairman Rosters, other forms related to Chairmanships and the Post c. VFW Programs i. Located on the Home Page about halfway down on the right ii. Find General Program information, Youth Activities and Entry Forms 1) Including Community Service Forms, Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen Forms, Scout of the Year info and more d. Calendar i. Accessed from the Home Page ii. Look for the Current Events 1) Contains Dates and Locations for State and National Events, Program Deadlines and District Meetings General Orders 17 October 2015

18 Important Contacts for V.F.W. Members Department of Minnesota, V.F.W. PHONE: FAX: (Please ADD these s to your Contact List) Jim Hesselgrave, Dept. Quartermaster Tate Doom, Adjutant Jeanie Anderson, Secretary/Bookkeeper Melody Shryock, Conventions/Admin. Assist./ Webpage Department MAILING Address Department of Minnesota, Veterans of Foreign Wars Rice Street Station PO Box St Paul, MN Department Physical Address & UPS Department of MN, V.F.W. Veterans Service Building 20 W 12 th Street, B1 St Paul, MN WEBSITE: Community Service Forms (Also available on Post Resources Password Page & in GOs) Youth & Veterans Activities Department Calendar & District Meetings Forms, Reports, General Orders and More (Post Resources Password Page- Post CMDR receives Password via USPS July of each year) Men s Auxiliary Page (Updates, Information & Events) CLAIMS OFFICE PHONE: (See Claims & VA Contact Sheet for more) Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. Membership Stats (Enter or Create your user account- Membership Number is needed and Access Limits apply based on your Officer Position for the current year) Program Information Ladies Auxiliary- Minnesota PHONE: secretary@vfwamn.org WEBSITE: Ladies Auxiliary- National Website General Orders 18 October 2015

19 VFW Store (Manuals, Apparel, Pins, Program Materials and More) WEBSITE: PHONE: CVS Flags (American Made Flag Resource) WEBSITE: PHONE: (Mention Group Code VFWMN when ordering) OTHER RESOURCES Our Post Uses: General Orders 19 October 2015

20 Claims, Benefits & VA Important Contacts MN V.F.W. Claims Office (The VFW has dedicated Service Officers in place to assist with obtaining VA benefits for Veterans & Families- they DO NOT need to be V.F.W. Members for assistance. Help is provided with service connected disability, non-service connected pension for those with wartime service on limited income, survivors benefits, educational benefits, and burial benefits.) PHONE: FAX: STAFF: Jon Gohn, Claims Director Lynette Hakala, Assistant Claims Director, Veterans Benefits Representative Scott Sutherland, Claims Examiner, Claims Examiner Gordy Kirk, VFW Hospital Representative, Minneapolis VAMC ext PHYSICAL LOCATION & MAILING ADDRESS: Veterans Claims Service Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Bldg 1 Federal Drive, Room G900 Saint Paul, MN County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs) WEBSITE: See Attached List of CVSOs (as of 2014) Minnesota Vet Centers (Help with post-war adjustment, PTSD (incl. Military Sexual Trauma), Drug & Alcohol Assessments, Suicide Prevention, provide Mobile Vet Centers, and around the clock confidential call center for Veterans & family members to call about readjustments WARVETS) Brooklyn Park th Ave N., Suite 300 Phone: or Duluth 405 E. Superior St., Suite 160 Phone: or St Paul 550 County Rd. D, Suite 10, New Brighton Phone: or General Orders 20 October 2015

21 Minnesota VA Healthcare WEBSITE: Minneapolis VA Healthcare System (Special Treatment Programs at this Location: Spinal Cord Injury & Rehabilitation, Poly Trauma & Rehabilitation, Traumatic Brain Injury Regional Center) PHONE: or ADDRESS: One Veterans Drive Minneapolis, MN Gordy Kirk, VFW Hospital Representative, Minneapolis VAMC ext St. Cloud VA Healthcare System PHONE: or Albert Lea, MN Albert Lea VA Clinic 1665 West Main Street Albert Lea, MN Phone: (507) ADDRESS: 4801 Veterans Drive St Cloud, MN VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) Chippewa Falls, WI Chippewa Valley VA Clinic 2503 & 2505 County Highway I Chippewa Falls, WI Phone: (715) Fax: (715) Hayward, WI Hayward VA Clinic River's Edge Drive Hayward, WI Phone: (715) Hibbing, MN Hibbing VA Clinic 990 West 41st Street Suite 5 Hibbing, MN Phone: Fax: Mankato, MN Mankato VA Clinic 1961 Premier Drive Suite 330 Mankato, MN Phone: Fax: Maplewood, MN Maplewood VA Clinic 1725 Legacy Parkway, Suite 100 Maplewood, MN Phone: (651) Fax: (651) Ramsey, MN NW Metro VA Clinic 7545 Veterans Drive Ramsey, MN Phone: (612) Rice Lake, WI Rice Lake VA Clinic 2700A College Drive Rice Lake, WI Phone: (715) Rochester, MN Rochester VA Clinic th Street NW Rochester, MN Phone: (507) Fax: (507) Shakopee, MN (opening Summer 2014) Shakopee VA Clinic South Central St James VA Clinic 1212 Heckman Court St James, MN Phone: Fax: Superior, WI Twin Ports VA Clinic 3520 Tower Avenue Superior, WI Phone: (715) Fax: (715) General Orders 21 October 2015

22 2016 VFW Programs Calendar Raffle TO: Post Commanders, Ladies Auxiliary Presidents and Men s Auxiliary Presidents. SUBJECT: 2016 Calendar Raffle Details. The Raffle Calendars are now available and we will begin to distribute them to all Districts and Posts as needed. (Some advance Orders have already been placed. Please use the Raffle Calendar Order Form contained in this letter to order Calendars as needed.) We will be using the District Commanders, the line officers, District Meetings and the Fall Conference to distribute the Calendars to your Post or Auxiliary. Other arrangements can be made on an as needed basis. This is a fund raiser for not only V.F.W. programs, but also for your Post and the Auxiliaries. The calendars may be sold by all members of your Post, Ladies Auxiliary, Men's Auxiliary, Pup Tent, or any volunteers that want to help out. They may be sold to members, friends, businesses, relatives, etc. Virtually anyone who wants to buy a calendar can be part of the raffle. For each calendar sold the selling Post or Auxiliary will receive a $5.00 rebate to be used as they wish within their Post or Auxiliary. Commanders and Presidents, we will need you to control this within the Post or Auxiliary. You do not have to pre-pay for the calendars and you are financially responsible for only the calendars that your Post or Auxiliary have actually sold. (ALL unsold calendars must be turned into the Department Representative at the Midwinter Conference or your District meeting after January 2, Failure to do so will result in your Post being financially responsible for all the calendars ordered.) The first of four (4) drawings will take place in January This drawing will be for January, February and March combined. We would ask that you send the ticket stubs and a SINGLE check for your sold calendars every two to three weeks to this address: VFW Charitable Association ATTN: Treasurer Rice Street Station, P.O. Box St. Paul, MN VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF MINNESOTA RICE STREET STATION PO BOX ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA Web page: Fax: **Please collect donations for your Post or Auxiliary and make out ONE check for all Calendars sold.** Make all checks payable to: VFW Charitable Association ATTN: VFW Programs mnvfw@ vfwmn.us General Orders 22 October 2015

23 Be sure that your Post number is written on the ticket in the space provided. Also, please circle either P (Post), A (Ladies Auxiliary) or M (Men s Auxiliary). You must send the full $20.00 per calendar back to us at the above address and we will send YOU a check (your share) after January 2, 2016 for all the calendars that were sold through your Post or Auxiliary. We feel that this is a great opportunity to enhance our V.F.W. Programs within our organization and for all of our Posts and Auxiliaries to financially help themselves. We feel that this is a great deal with a daily prize ranging from $50.00 to $ and a total of $27, in prizes for the year. The calendars will also make wonderful gifts and stocking stuffers for Christmas. Commanders and Presidents, we hope that you will involve your Post and Auxiliary membership in this program. We feel that this is a no brainer for both the Posts, Auxiliaries, our organization, and our VFW programs as a whole. If you have a Post Home, we can provide flyers for display and if you have a gambling booth you can display the flyers and calendars there to enhance your calendar sales. Thank You! 2016 Raffle Calendar Features: MN Ladies Auxiliary Young American Creative Patriotic Art District Winners Please duplicate this Form and send to: VFW Charitable Association, Rice Street Station, P.O. Box 17146, St. Paul, MN RAFFLE CALENDAR ORDER FORM Post or Auxiliary number located in, Minnesota would like to Order Raffle Calendars. Please deliver these Calendars to: NAME: PHONE NO. ADDRESS: CITY: STATE: ZIP: REMINDER: Raffle Calendars CANNOT be shipped, they must be delivered or Picked up to/by the Post or Auxiliary. General Orders 23 October 2015

24 VFW, SVA NOW ACCEPTING 2016 LEGISLATIVE FELLOWSHIP APPLICATIONS Opportunity allows 10 student veterans to address issues directly with Congress WASHINGTON (August 24, 2015) The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. and Student Veterans of America (SVA) are seeking student veteran candidates to participate in the 2016 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship program. The fellowship will once again offer 10 selected student veterans the unique opportunity to meet face-to-face with their legislators next spring as part of the VFW National Legislative Conference, as well as additional academic opportunities for fellows to substantively address veterans issues in their communities. Student veterans interested in applying for the 2016 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship must complete an application package that includes an essay proposal on one of four specific legislative issues. The proposal should include a discussion of why the issue is important to the veterans community, and how the fellowship candidate plans to address the issue through community-based advocacy. Selected fellows will then be flown to Washington, D.C., to storm Capitol Hill alongside fellow veterans advocates as part of the 2016 VFW Legislative Conference, Feb. 28-March 3. The VFW is the nation s strongest veterans advocate, which is a legacy we are looking to extend to a new generation of student veteran leaders, said VFW National Commander John A. Biedrzycki Jr., a retired high school history teacher who earned bachelor s and master s degrees from the University of Pittsburgh after serving in the Army from These annual fellowships provide 10 hard-charging student veterans the opportunity to share their passions and concerns on veterans issues directly with our nation s lawmakers, which will help make a difference not only for their generation but for those who will follow. "SVA recognizes the assets and potential that student veterans bring to the table at all levels of the policy discussion, said Will Hubbard, SVA Vice President of Government Affairs. We look forward to continuing our strong relationship with the VFW, with the focus of informing members of Congress on the major successes and opportunities for student veterans, while demonstrating the value and return on investment of the G.I. Bill. VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship opportunities are open to currently-enrolled student veterans at colleges and universities with active SVA chapters. Candidates must also satisfy VFW membership criteria, which can be found here. For the application essay proposal, applicants must select one of the following veterans issues to write about: The effects of budget sequestration on military and veteran programs; Challenges in the transition from military to civilian life; Fostering veteran success in higher education; or Access and accountability in delivering veterans health care. All applications must be submitted by close-of-business Oct. 30, Selected fellows will be notified before Thanksgiving, with a formal announcement of the fellowship class at the SVA National Conference in Orlando, Fla. For full details about the fellowship and to apply, visit: The VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship is another example of the strong collaboration between VFW and SVA that resulted from a memorandum of understanding signed by the two organizations at the SVA National Conference in January To date, the collaboration has resulted in a variety of initiatives such as commissioning VFW Student Veteran Liaisons in every state, establishing the 1 Student Veteran education benefits assistance program, and successfully pushing for in-state tuition for veterans via the 2013 #InState4Vets campaign. -vfw- General Orders 24 October 2015

25 ABOUT THE VFW: The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is a nonprofit veterans service organization comprised of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces. Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is the nation's largest organization of war veterans and its oldest major veterans organization. With more than 1.7 million VFW and Auxiliary members located in more than 6,800 Posts worldwide, NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS. The VFW and its Auxiliaries are dedicated to veterans service, legislative advocacy, and military and community service programs. For more information or to join, visit our website at About Student Veterans of America: SVA is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit coalition of 1,200-plus student veteran organizations representing 440,000 veterans in higher education. SVA's mission is to provide military veterans with the resources, support and advocacy to ease veteran and active military students' transition into higher education and leverage military experience to launch successful careers in high-demand fields. For more information, visit us at and follow us on Contacts: VFW: Ryan Gallucci, rgallucci@vfw.org SVA: Jessica Coscia, jessica.coscia@studentveterans.org General Orders 25 October 2015

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32 VFW AND VFW AUXILIARY LAWFUL PURPOSE EXPENDITURES (LPE) (Parent Donations Approved by the Gambling Control Board) ****************************************************************************************** Project LPE CODE Activities Fund Youth Activities... A-21 Americanism...A-21 Claims Office.A-21 Assistance..... A-21 Armed Forces Service Center Fund. A Commander s Project..A-21 Cancer Endowment and Research Fund... A-21 Court of Honor Fund A-21 Drug Therapy for Elderly..A-1 Drug Therapy for Elderly check made payable to parent....a-21 Handicapped Campership Fund A-21 Heart Scholarship Fund..A-21 Hospital Recreation Fund...A-21 Hospitalized Veterans and Pheasant Dinner Fund A-21 Minneapolis VA Medical Center VAVS Assistance Fund.. A-21 Minnesota Veterans Homes Projects A-21 Miscellaneous Project Fund Salvation Army...A-1 Salvation Army check made payable to parent A-21 Flags for Legislators..A-21 National Emergency Fund (previously Natural Disaster Relief Fund).A-21 National Home Assistance Fund.A-1 National Home Assistance Fund check made payable to Nat l Home Assistance...A-21 National Home Assistance Fund check made payable to parent...a-21 Operation Uplink (check must be endorsed by VFW National Foundation).A-1 VA Hospital - Ely Fishing Trip Fund..A-21 Veterans on the Lake Check made payable to Veterans on the Lake. A-2 Veterans on the Lake check made payable to parent..a-21 VFW Adaptive Softball Fund..A-21 VFW Foundation check made payable to VFW Foundation A-1 VFW Foundation check made payable to parent..a-21 Voice of Democracy Fund.. A-21 War Memorial Fund.A-21 Checks made payable to Dept. of Minnesota VFW, use code A21 Updated September 19, 2014 General Orders 32 October 2015

33 CONTRIBUTIONS TO STATE LEVEL PARENT ORGANIZATIONS Effective May 3, 1993, Minnesota Rule Subp. 5F allows a licensed organization to contribute gambling gross profits to a parent organization at the Minnesota state level provided the following conditions have been met: (1) The parent organization has submitted to the Gambling Control Board a comprehensive list of the lawful purposes for which the parent organization will use the contributions; and (2) the parent organization uses the entire amount of the contributions for one or more of the lawful purposes defined in M.S Subd. 25. The following have been approved under this provision as submitted by the Minnesota state-level organizations of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary. Those lists are included with this article and are also available from the Gambling Control Board. Organizations making contributions under this provision must be certain to complete Schedule C's accurately. The exact name and lawful purpose code assigned to each of these funds must be used on the Schedule C. Any variation in name or code may cause a contribution to be rejected. The Board's compliance staff review approximately 53,000 lawful purpose contributions each month and cannot assume an expenditure is lawful when information is incomplete on the Schedule C. When making a contribution to one of these funds, the contributing organization will not be required to obtain any additional approval from the Gambling Control Board. For those contributions which would require additional documentation (such as form LG503), the contributing Post will not be required to obtain these forms. The state-level of the organization will be responsible for obtaining this additional documentation. Be certain to note on the Schedule C that the contributions are to the STATE LEVEL of the organization. Contributions to local or district level funds are NOT lawful purpose under this rule. * If one check is issued for donations to several programs, attach a listing with the amounts your organization has designated for each of the various approved funds. General Orders 33 October 2015

34 * * * * * RULES FOR V.F.W. COLOR BOOK CONTEST IN SCHOOLS * * * * * 1. Show sample of the color book to grade school principal for the approval to distribute to 1st, 2nd or 3rd graders for the coloring contest. 2. After determining the number of students in the grades suggested by the principal or teachers, immediately order that number of books from VFW State Headquarters, Rice Street Station - PO Box 17146, St. Paul, MN The cost is only $.50 per book, plus postage. 3. After the coloring book contest is approved by the principal and teachers, determine if the Post and/or Auxiliary should provide the judges. We should offer to provide the judges so as not to overburden the teachers. 4. When choosing judges, most likely in your Post, Auxiliary or the local neighborhood, you could find two or three judges who have some knowledge of art or education. Be sure to avoid any conflict - don t choose judges who have students in the grades being judged in the color book contest. 5. FOR PRIZES: 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons now cost a fortune, instead you might consider prizes of silver dollars. Example: $3.00 First prize; $2.00 Second Prize and $1.00 Third Prize. General Orders 34 October 2015

35 DEPARTMENT OF MINNESOTA, V.F.W PROGRAMS MONTHLY REPORT FORM (Reporting Year: April 1 March 31) (Use this form to report each Calendar month s activities.) District # Post/Auxiliary # (One JOINT report per month) REPORT for the calendar month of: PREPARED Phone #: Year: Title: Address: The following Community Activity Projects have been completed during this Calendar month: A. AMERICANISM AND COOPERATION WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS: 1 Organized and Assisted in Fund Drives (March of Dimes, Muscular Dystrophy, etc) Describe Hours # Members: $ Flag Presentation or Education Describe Hours # Members: $ Distribution of Literature Describe Hours # Members: $ P.O.W./M.I.A. Program Describe Hours # Members: $ Loyalty, Memorial Day, Pearl Harbor, Veterans Day Describe Hours # Members: $ Other Americanism Projects Describe CAT A B. SAFETY: 7 Pedestrian Safety Describe Hours # Members: $ Hours # Members Amount 8 9 Drug Awareness Describe Recreational Safety Describe Hours # Members: $ Hours # Members: $ Hours # Members: $ General Orders 35 October 2015

36 10 Highway Safety Describe MONTH YEAR Home and Fire Safety Describe Other Safety Projects Describe Hours # Members: $ Hours # Members: $ CAT B C. AID TO OTHERS: 13 Senior Citizens Describe Hours # Members: $ Hours # Members Amount 14 Members/Family Describe Hours # Members: $ Hours # Members: $ Community Involvement & Recognition Describe Hours # Members: $ Other Aid & Other Projects Describe Hours # Members: $ CAT C Hours # Members Amount D. SCHOOL AND CHURCH ASSISTANCE 17 Volunteerism in School Describe 18 Hours # Members: $ Other School or Church Projects Describe CAT D E. YOUTH 19 Sports Organizations Describe Hours # Members: $ Hours # Members Amount 20 Voice of Democracy Describe Hours # Members: $ Hours # Members: $ General Orders 36 October 2015

37 21 Youth Essay Describe MONTH YEAR 22 Other Describe Hours # Members: $ Hours # Members: $ CAT E Hours # Members Amount SUBTOTALS (Categories A, B, C, D and E) Hours # Members Amount THESE FIGURES SHOULD BE ADDED TO CATEGORY F AND PUT ON PAGE (3) F. HOSPITAL/ BLOOD: 23. (Report Activities for this month only.) DATE PROJECTS & DESCRIPTIONS DONATIONS & SERVICES PINTS OF BLOOD TOTAL HOURS TOTAL MILES # OF MBRS # OF PATIENTS VISITED COLUMN TOTALS: DOLLAR VALUES: To be added to 25, 26 and 27 below. Add Total above to: PLEASE RETURN TO: Revised 3/26/15 X $75 X $.14 $ - $ - Line 27 Line 27 Line 25 Line 27 Line 26 TOTALS FROM CATEGORIES A, B, C, D, E, AND F THE FOLLOWING MUST BE FILLED OUR OR NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN!!!! 25 Number of hours members donated to complete projects on this 26 Total numbers of members actively involved in completing projects 27 Total amount of monies used/donated to complete projects on this Rick Bugbee Community Service Rice Street Station- PO Box St Paul, MN MONTHLY REPORT DEADLINE: This form MUST BE Postmarked by the 20 th day of the following month and into the Department Office no later than the 25 th. General Orders 37 October 2015

38 Rev. 9/28/15 The Employer of the Year Award is given each year in recognition to employers whose policies and achievements in hiring, promoting, and training of veterans, with special emphasis on disabled veterans, is outstanding. ELIGIBILITY: Any individual, corporation or agency with an exceptional record of employing veterans. NOMINATIONS: Any individual may nominate a candidate for this award. The Department will select one candidate to honor in each of the subcategories. Deadline is February 1, 2016 for nominees to reach Department Headquarters. CATEGORIES: Employers with less than 250 total employees (SMALL) Employers with more than 250 total employees private sector(large) Employers with more than 250 total employees who are federal contractors (LARGE) PROCEDURE: Recommendations should include a statement detailing the exceptional character of the nominees' accomplishments in providing employment services to veterans Recommendations must include, but not limited to: Nominees name Business address City State Zip Name and telephone number of a contact Type of business Total number employees Percentage who are veterans % Total number of veterans Percentage who are disabled veterans % Total number of non-veterans Percentage who are non-veterans % Total number of disabled veterans Number hired last year Percentage of new hired veterans % Number of veterans hired Percentage of disabled Veterans % Number of disabled veterans hired Percentage of non-veterans % Number of non-veterans hired Does the employers' regulations/policies provide preference for veterans in: Recruiting Placement Promotion (Indicate yes or no and include a paragraph of explanation) Retirement Policy: Is military service credited in retirement computation? The date the company was established and the average employees in the past five years Is the business seasonal? (If yes, indicate if full or part time employees) On a separate sheet describe employer's policy on employment and advancement of veterans and attach a copy of the policy. Explain why you believe this nominee should receive the annual "Minnesota Veterans of Foreign Wars Employer of the Year" award. NOTE: Except as required above, do not submit still film, movie film, filmed spots, tape recordings, transcripts, records, drawings, diagram, meeting programs, books or other material that does not support the requested information. Submitted by: Address: Date: General Orders 38 October 2015

39 ANNUAL PUBLICATIONS CONTEST DEPARTMENT OF MINNESOTA VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES For more information on the Post and District Publications Contest: contact, Department Publications and Public Relations Chair. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post and District Publications Contest recognizes excellence in Post and District publications. Entries will be judged on content, design, pictures and graphics (where relevant), and overall quality. Awards will be presented to the winners at the Department Convention and will include a Sweepstakes Award to the best overall publication. Any Minnesota VFW Post or District that regularly publishes a newspaper or newsletter for its members may enter. Awards will be presented for first, second, and honorable mention, if judged applicable, to the winners. Entries will be judged by Membership Category - 99 and less; ; and 180 or more. If your Post has a web site, it must be recognized by the Department of Minnesota and listed as such in the Department's list of Posts. The web site should be easy to access, please keep it up to date as well as informative for your members. We will be searching through the web sites from time to time throughout the year. Please submit your entries early. Deadline is March 1, Send your two (2) best issues, printed between January, 2014 and December, Place your entry in a 9 X 12 envelope and clearly identify it by writing Publications Contest on the outside. Include your return address and enclose the completed form below. MAIL TO: Douglas Doerfler, Chair Department of Minnesota, V.F.W. Publications and Public Relations Rice St Station - PO Box St Paul, MN Entries will NOT be returned, and the judges decisions will be final *************************************************************************************************************** ENCLOSE THIS FORM WITH YOUR POST/DISTRICT ENTRY! POST/DISTRICT # COMMANDER S NAME ADDRESS Phone EDITOR S NAME ADDRESS Phone NAME OF PUBLICATION How many times published annually CATEGORIES: POSTS: SMALL (99 or Fewer) MEDIUM ( ) LARGE (180 or more) DISTRICTS: SMALL (1,299 or less) MEDIUM (1,300-2,099) Membership total LARGE (2,100 or more) General Orders 39 October 2015

40 General Orders 40 October 2015 VFW DEPARTMENT (STATE) SCOUTING CHAIRMAN PHONE: SPONSORING VFW POST POST NUMBER: ADDRESS: POST COMMANDER'S SIGNATURE: DISTRICT CERTIFICATION IF APPLICABLE, CHECK WITH THE VFW DEPARTMENT (STATE) SCOUTING CHAIRMAN DISTRICT #: DISTRICT CDR.: DEPARTMENT CERTIFICATION MUST BE COMPLETED BY DEPT (STATE) VFW SCOUT- ING CHAIRMAN OR DEPT. COMMANDER DEPARTMENT: SUBMITTED BY: SIGNATURE: Scout of the Year Program VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS Veterans of Foreign Wars Kansas City, Missouri Revised 4/2015 Scout of the Year Program VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS

41 WHAT IS THE SCOUT OF THE YEAR PROGRAM? Annually, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States awards three individuals who are: Eagle Scouts, Girl Scout Gold Award recipients, Venture Summit Award recipients and/or Sea Scout Quartermasters who have risen above their peers in exemplifying the qualities of that rank. Awards are as follows: General Orders 41 October 2015 $5,000 1st place scholarship $3,000 2nd place scholarship $1,000 3rd place scholarship AM I ELIGIBLE? To be eligible for the award, the candidate must: Be a registered, active member of a Boy or Girl Scout Troop, Venturing Crew or Sea Scout Ship. Be the recipient of the Eagle Scout Award, Girl Scouts Gold Award, Venture Summit Award or Sea Scout Quartermaster Award. Have demonstrated exemplary citizenship in school, Scouting and community. Have reached his or her 15th birthday and be enrolled in high school at the time of selection. Applicants still in high school who reach their 18th birthday during the nomination year remain eligible if otherwise qualified. A Scout may enter through only one VFW Post. A local Post can be identified by zip code at WHAT ARE THE DEADLINES? Deadline for entry to VFW Post is March 1st. One candidate with full entry criteria must be submitted by a VFW Post to the next level of judging by April 1st. The VFW Department (State) Scouting chairman can provide this information. The Department winner must be selected and submitted by their Department (State) Scouting chairman to the National VFW organization by May 1st. Questions should be directed to Nelda Clifton at or ed to nclifton@vfw.org. WHAT DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED? The following documentation should be submitted: Photograph of the Scout must be attached to this form. The Scout must appear in correct, complete uniform for their current rank. Recommended size 3" x 5". High School Participation Record a single page, one sided resume of the candidate s high school activities indicating academic achievements, offices held, honors received and significant participation in other activities. Scouting Record maximum of three pages, one side only, listing of all Scouting participation beginning with Cub Scouts or Brownies - years of participation, unit numbers and sponsors. Also include when Eagle, Summit or Quartermaster Award was received and Palms. Identify leadership positions held at all levels, participation in Scouting activities (jamborees, Order of the Arrow conferences, etc.) and the candidate s Eagle Scout, Girl Scout Gold Award, Venture Summit or Sea Scout Quartermaster Project. Community Service Record a single page, one sided resume listing participation in community and religious service organizations (excluding Scouting and school), noting leadership positions held and any recognition received. Letters of Recommendation maximum of five letters, two pages each will be judged. The five letters must include one from a school, a community member and a Scout leader. The two additional letters should be from members of the local community who have special knowledge of the candidate s abilities/accomplishments. Completed Entry Form submitted to a local VFW Post. Local Posts can be identified by zip code at WHO MAKES UP THE VFW SCOUTING TEAM? The backbone of Scouting in the VFW is the VFW Scouting Team. These VFW members are deeply involved in Scouting, most with decades of experience. Appointed by their Department Commander, they are responsible for promoting Scouting in their state. They are available to encourage Posts to sponsor units, support units and individual Scout projects. They should be the Department s expert on all phases of Scouting. Many Departments have multiple members of the VFW Scouting Team, but every Department should have at least one individual to promote the values of Scouting to youth and to the VFW itself. For more information on the VFW Scouting Team call or nclifton@vfw.org. Official Entry Form VFW Scout of the Year Program MUST BE COMPLETED BY EACH CONTESTANT and submitted DIRECTLY TO A VFW POST IN YOUR COMMUNITY. Name: First, M.I., Last Address City, State, Zip ( ) Home Phone Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy) Scout Troop Number SCOUT/VENTURE CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing information is accurate and if I am the winner, I will make myself available to receive the award at a presentation ceremony as designated by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Scout/Venture Signature Date (mm/dd/yyyy) UNIT LEADER'S CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the above-named Scout/Venture is an active member of our unit and the information supplied by the candidate is accurate to the best of my knowledge. Unit Leader's Signature Date (mm/dd/yyyy) PARENT'S CONSENT I hereby certify that all information on this application is correct. I willingly submit this name for consideration as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States' Scout of the Year. If this individual is selected as the winner, I will ensure that he/she is allowed to attend a presentation ceremony as designed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Father, Mother or Guardian Signature Date (mm/dd/yyyy)

42 Department of Minnesota - Veterans of Foreign Wars Department Chairman: Don Nix For Questions Contact: VFW Headquarters at Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Gold Award NEW All-in-One Form- Feel free to make multiple copies if entering candidates in each category Entries go Directly to Department (Not Districts) Entries due by JANUARY 1st J. Edgar Hoover Gold Award Law Enforcement NEW All-in-One Form- Feel free to make multiple copies if entering candidates in each category Entries go Directly to Department (Not Districts) Entries due by JANUARY 1st Firefighter Gold Award NEW All-in-One Form- Feel free to make multiple copies if entering candidates in each category Entries go Directly to Department (Not Districts) Entries due by JANUARY 1st Bus Driver of the Year Award Entries go Directly to Department (Not Districts) Entries due by MARCH 1st Traveling Safety Award Include completed form with Annual Community Service Book Entries go Directly to Department with the CS Book Entries of Community Service Books Due by APRIL 19th After Judging has been Completed: Winning Entrants and the Post & District will be NOTIFIED IN WRITING (Please allow at least 3-5 weeks after the Entry Deadline if you have not heard by then, their Entrant may not have won) Winners will be invited to the JUNE STATE CONVENTION BANQUET to receive their Award The invitation will include a Banquet Ticket for the Winner & a Guest Additional Banquet tickets would be the responsibility of the Winner or Sponsoring Post It is suggested that the Sponsoring Post and/or their District consider providing the Winner with possible Travel Expenses Obtaining Forms: ALL Forms are available several times a year in the General Orders AND to Posts online through Department Website For District & Post Commanders, Quartermasters through Department Website These forms (and many others) are on the Headquarters Page under "Post Resources" Password Protected Page If nothing else, call Department for copies Finding Candidates: Watch the News and Newspapers Contact local Public Services, School Bus Companies Etc. Be Creative- There is probably someone deserving in nearly every community Conducting & Recording Safety Programs Don't forget about other safety programs like Fire, Internet Safety, Drug Safety and more Take pictures & keep records of any programs, announcements and events you conduct or help with These should be kept and used in your Monthly Reports AND in your Annual Community Service Book Safety Program and Activity Ideas Available at Child ID Kit, Fire Prevention, Home Security, Safety Tip Cards General Orders 42 October 2015

43 V.F.W (Safety) Gold Medal Award Guidelines **Nomination Deadline: January 1, 2016** V.F.W. J. EDGAR HOOVER GOLD MEDAL AWARD-Law Enforcement A Law Enforcement Officer is as a Municipal Police Officers, County Sheriffs, County Deputy Sheriffs, Highway Patrol Officers, Secret Service Personnel, FBI Agents, and Treasury Department The J. Edgar Hoover Gold Medal Award is presented so that those brave and honest men and women in the field of Law Enforcement might know that their dedication and goodwill are appreciated. And, we also hope; that by making such an award, those who would subvert the law and order of our land, might know and learn that their rights and privileges are also protected by those they so harshly criticize. The criteria: 1. Contribution to the preservation and perpetuation of the ideals of law and justice upon which our government is based; 2. Recognition by his colleagues of his service, whether that service be one of quiet dedication or one of achieving wide publicity, to the best and highest interest of the Nation, his community and law and order; 3. Unswerving loyalty to, and active performance in, the defense and security of the nation against its foes, within and without; 4. Dedication to his official responsibilities over a period of years and continuous growth in his responsibility and experience, not only in the fields of law enforcement, but in those fields which encompass the community, the state and the nation, and those fields of human relationship. V.F.W. FIREFIGHTER GOLD MEDAL AWARD The Firefighter Gold Medal Award is presented so that those brave and honest men and women in the field of firefighting might know that their dedication and good will are appreciated. And, we also hope, that by making such an award, our fellow citizens will be reminded of the special efforts and sacrifices made by this nation's many firemen. The criteria: 1. Recognition by colleagues of their service, whether that service be one of quiet dedication or one achieving wide publicity, to the best and highest interest of the nation and the community; 2. Unswerving loyalty to, and active performance in, the defense, safety and security of the nation's citizens; on a full-time or a volunteer basis; 3. Dedication to their official responsibilities over a period of years and continuous growth in responsibility and experience, not only in fields within fire safety but in those fields which safeguard the community, the state and the nation. V.F.W. EMERGENCY TECHNICIAN GOLD MEDAL AWARD The Emergency Medical Technician Gold Medal Award is presented so that those brave and honest men and women in the field of emergency service might know that their dedication and good will are appreciated. And, we also hope, that by making such an award, our fellow citizens will be reminded of the special efforts and sacrifices made by this nation's many emergency medical technicians. The criteria: 1. Recognition by colleagues of their service, whether that service be one of quiet dedication or one achieving wide publicity, to the best and highest interest of the nation and the community; 2. Unswerving loyalty to, and active performance in, the defense, safety and security of the nation's citizens; on a full-time or a volunteer basis; 3. Dedication to their official responsibilities over a period of years and continuous growth in responsibility and experience, not only in fields within fire or emergency safety but in those fields which safeguard the community, the state and the nation. The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, in presenting the above awards to the Public Safety Community, appreciates the fact that there are many members of the community throughout the nation who meet these rigorous standards. It is our hope that by granting this distinguished award, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States will call national attention not only to the dedicated services of the recipient, but to all those other deserving who share the attributes and accomplishments for which the Gold Medal Award represents. **See Reverse Side for Nomination Form** General Orders 43 October 2015

44 NOMINEE INFORMATION SHEET V.F.W. DEPARTMENT OF Name of Nominee Title of Nominee PHOTO OF NOMINEE Gold Award Nominating for (circle one): V.F.W. J. EDGAR HOOVER V.F.W. FIREFIGHTER V.F.W. EMERGENCY TECHNICIAN Address of Nominee City, State and Zip Phone Nominated by Whom: Post #: Contact Phone: RESUME OF NOMINEE'S BACKGROUND: (Attach required documentation) RESUME OF NOMINEE'S BACKGROUND IN THE ABOVE CIRCLED WORK: (Attach required documentation) NOMINEES'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN THE ABOVE CIRCLED FIELD: Send completed form, resumes and photograph to: (Attach required documentation) Don Nix, Safety Chairman Department of Minnesota, V.F.W. Rice Street Station - PO Box St. Paul, MN MUST BE IN DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS BEFORE January 1, General Orders 44 October 2015

45 ESSAY CONTESTS!! VOICE OF DEMOCRACY PATRIOT S PEN TO: All Post and District Chairman Use this checklist to ready your Post for successful Youth Essay programs. Dates To Remember November 1st CDs, Scripts & Pictures due to Post November 15th CDs Packets & Pictures due to District December 4th CD, Packet & Picture due to Department December 7th January 18th Department Judging PROGRAM CHECKLIST 1. All eligible schools contacted and involved in the program. 2. All materials have been ordered and on hand at the school. 3. Cost of this program approved a the Post meeting. 4. In-school contacts made and follow-up planned. At Fall Conference, in the GOs and on our website we supply Minnesota Entry application forms for Chairmen to use to assist them in reporting requirements. Please use them. Voice of Democracy Theme: My Vision for America Patriot s Pen Theme: What Freedom Means to Me 1st PLACE - $2,000 2nd PLACE - $1,000 3rd PLACE - $600 4th PLACE - $500 The five (5) Runner-ups will each receive $ Teachers of the first 4 place winners will receive $ st PLACE - $250 2nd PLACE - $200 3rd PLACE - $100 1st Place winner (and their Sponsoring Post & District) will be notified by Department and invited to share their speech at the Midwinter Banquet Michael Pierce, Department Chairman Marilyn Sheffield, Auxiliary Chairman General Orders 45 October 2015

46 Roster - Voice of Democracy/ Patriot's Pen District Title First Middle Last Name Address 1 City State Zip Phone Number Post State Voice of Democracy Michael H Pierce 2015 La Casa Ln SE Owatonna MN Voice of Democracy Michael H Pierce 2015 La Casa Ln SE Owatonna MN Voice of Democracy Wilbert E Burdorf 1121 N Franklin St New Ulm MN Voice of Democracy Edward J Lozinski 402 N Jackson St Minneota MN Voice of Democracy Barry E Henriksen 459 Coyote Trl Circle Pines MN Voice of Democracy Robert G Friesen PO Box 76 Starbuck MN Voice of Democracy Gerald J Hovanes 306 Division St Sauk Rapids MN Voice of Democracy Lawrence C Rundle 8801 Madison St NE Blaine MN General Orders 46 October Voice of Democracy Daniel G Marshall PO Box 535 Coleraine MN Voice of Democracy Richard B Gabe Co Hwy 20 Detroit Lakes MN Monday, September 28, 2015 Page 1 of 1

47 OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM VOICE OF DEMOCRACY COMPETITION MUST BE COMPLETED BY ALL ENTRANTS SUBMIT WITH CD, COPY OF SPEECH & **STUDENT PHOTO** Name: First, M.I., Last Address City, State, Zip ( ) Home Phone Date of Birth (day, month, year) Grade in School Name of teacher School Name, City, State TO BE COMPLETED BY STUDENT AND STUDENT S PARENT/GUARDIAN First Name You d Like on Your Badge Jacket Size (XS,S, M, L, XL, XXL) Parent/Guardian Printed Name & Signature Date ( ) Parent/Guardian s Daytime Phone Parent/Guardian s THEME "My Vision for America" THE RULES Who can enter? The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12, who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or in an overseas U.S. military/civilian dependent school. Foreign exchange students, students over age 20 and previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners are ineligible. What do I need to enter? Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or 5 seconds) essay on this year s theme onto a CD or flash drive. Label your CD or flash drive, neatly typed essay and a picture with your name and complete the entry form. Provide these four items to your school/group competition or your local VFW Post for judging. All recordings must be in your own voice (hearing or speech impaired students should contact the Voice of Democracy National Office at (816) for special instructions), without music, special effects or background sounds. Songs and poetry are not acceptable. You may not provide anything in the essay or recording that will identify you in any way. You may enter only one Voice of Democracy competition per year. Where do I submit my entry? To advance to the next level, all entries must be judged at the VFW Post level. The only exception is where schools/classes/ youth groups have large numbers of students and wish to conduct their own competition, submitting one winner for each 15 students to the local VFW Post competition. Individual students may submit their entry directly to the local VFW Post provided they have not competed at a school/class competition. VFW Post winners compete at the VFW District level. District winners compete at the VFW Department (state) level. Department winners receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to compete at the VFW National level. All winners must begin at the Post level. What is the deadline for my entry? All entries competing at the Post level must be in the hands of that VFW Post by midnight, Nov. 1, 2015 It is the responsibility of the student to meet this deadline by submitting their entry to the proper location. To identify a sponsoring Post in your area, Contact the Department MN VFW at WHAT ARE THE JUDGING CRITERIA? Originality is worth 30 points: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest Content is worth 35 points: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to another. Delivery is worth 35 Points: Speak in a clear and credible manner. OVER General Orders 47 October 2015

48 OFFICIAL RULES FOR STUDENTS ADVANCING TO NATIONAL LEVEL If selected as a first-place state winner, I have the consent of my parent/guardian and school to attend the Voice of Democracy National Finals in Washington, D.C. from February 27 through March 2, 2016 as a guest of the VFW National Organization. I understand that state winners who do not attend as stated above will forfeit all rights to compete in the National Finals and will be replaced by their state s second place winner. In the event my CD is selected for entry into the National Voice of Democracy Competition, I do hereby for myself, for my heirs, executors, administrators and assignees; waive, release and discharge all rights and claims which I have or which may hereafter accrue against the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) and/or the several Departments (state organizations) of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and their respective officers, agents, successors and assigns from any damages which may be sustained by me in connection with my participation in or association with the VFW Voice of Democracy Competition and/or arising out of my travel to and during the Competition. In the event of sickness, accident or injury in connection with the Competition, I consent to and accept the services of a duly licensed medical, surgical or dental specialist selected on my behalf and for such treatments, as they may deem necessary. I understand that VFW will not be liable for such treatment. I further understand that the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States retains non-exclusive rights to use my tape, essay and likeness in the promotion and execution of the organization s programs and activities. I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE RULES (ABOVE) I certify that I am the sole author of the enclosed audio/essay entry and that I have only entered the competition once. I understand that if it is found that I have entered any other Post s competition, I face elimination from the competition and will return any and all prizes or incentives awarded. Signature of Student Participant Date TO BE COMPLETED BY THE VFW/AUXILIARY POST Due to District By November 15, 2015 I certify that this student is an authorized entry in our VFW Post Level Voice of Democracy Competition. Post Commander s/chairman s Signature Post # Ladies Auxiliary President s/chairman s Signature Post Address City, State, Zip No. of students participating No. of winners advanced to District Amt. of Post/Aux. scholarship awards $ Amt. of Post/Aux. additional expenses (banquet, pins, etc.) $ Post Chairman: Be sure to include a recorded copy of the speech, typed copy of the speech and a **PICTURE** of the student. TO BE COMPLETED BY THE VFW/AUXILIARY DISTRICT Due to Department By December 4, 2015 I certify that the student named in the previous section is the duly selected winner of the Voice of Democracy Contest District Competition and is our sole entry into the Department finals. District Chairman s Signature Dist. # Date District Winner will be Informed Address City, State, Zip ( ) Phone District Chairmen: Be sure that you have received a recorded copy of the speech, typed copy of the speech and a **PICTURE** of the student. TO BE COMPLETED BY THE VFW DEPARTMENT CHAIRMAN I certify that the student named in the previous section is the duly selected first-place winner of the Voice of Democracy Department Competition, is our sole entry into the National Judging and will attend the National Finals in Washington, D.C. The winner has been will be (check one) notified that they are the first place Department winner on January 15, Note: National Headquarters will contact your winner after this date to make travel arrangements for them to be in Washington, D.C. Department Chairman s Signature ( ) ( ) Daytime Phone Fax General Orders 48 October 2015

49 VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF MINNESOTA POST VOICE OF DEMOCRACY REPORTING FORM Please submit this form to your District Chairman even if you do not sponsor the Voice of Democracy Contest this year. DISTRICT NO. DATE POST/AUXILIARY NO. CITY Post Membership 6/30/15 Aux. membership 6/30/15 Sponsored jointly by Post & Aux.? YES or NO -- If NO, who did sponsor? Name of Voice of Democracy Chairmen: Post Address City/Zip Auxiliary Address City/Zip SCHOOLS SPONSORED: LOCATION: # OF ENTRANTS Total number of tapes judged? Were Post and/or Auxiliary awards presented? Please list awards and values: 1 st Place 4 th Place 2 nd Place 5 th Place 3 rd Place Amount spent for the following: Trophies, pins, medals, etc. $ Dinners, judging expenses, teacher awards $ Total cost for program $ What news media was contacted concerning this program? Radio Stations TV Stations Newspapers Other Signed: (Post Chairman) Signed: (Auxiliary Chairman) Signed:, Cmdr. Signed:, Pres. MOST IMPORTANT!! Please complete this form in addition to the Official Entry form submitted with your tape. It must be in the hands of your District Chairman no later than NOVEMBER 15, 2015 names and addresses listed on the back of this form. General Orders 49 October 2015

50 General Orders 50 October 2015

51 OFFICIAL STUDENT ENTRY FORM PATRIOT S PEN COMPETITION MUST BE COMPLETED BY ALL ENTRANTS **Please include a photo of the student** Name: First, M.I., Last Address City, State, Zip ( ) Home Phone Date of Birth (day, month, year) Grade in School Essay Word Count School Name, City, State Print Parent s Name(s) Print Teacher s Name I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE CONTEST RULES Signature of Student Participant Date Theme: What Freedom Means to Me What are the rules? Students in 6th, 7th and 8th Grade may enter Essay length: typewri en words. You must write your own essay. All essays should be typewri en in English with no color or graphics and cannot be less than 300 words or greater than 400 words in length. (Essays under or over these word amounts will be eliminated.) Every word is counted regardless of length. The essay tle (theme) or added footnotes do not contribute to the word count. Deadline: The completed essay, entry form, and picture of student must be in the hands of the VFW Post Chairman by midnight Nov. 1, In no way may contestants iden fy themselves within their essay. Do not put your name on your essay. The entry form is your essay s cover sheet. Secure the Official Student Entry Form with a staple or other fastener on top of your essay. Essays must be wri en exclusively for this compe on. Use of the same essay for other compe ons will result in disqualifica on. Contestants are allowed to enter only once (one Post compe on). Contestants found in viola on of this rule will face elimina on from the compe on and will be required to return any and all prize money awarded or received. The essay must be a contestant s original work and a product of the contestant s own thinking. The approach to the Patriot s Pen theme should be posi ve and clearly focused. Poetry is not acceptable. Quota ons may be used sparingly if plainly iden fied wherever used. A contestant s teacher, counselor or parent may check the essay for punctua on, grammar and/or spelling, but the content must remain the contestant s. Contestants will be judged on the basis of their essay alone and are not required to present the essay orally. All essays become the property of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The VFW retains non exclusive rights to use your essay and likeness in the promo on and execu on of the organiza on s programs and ac vi es. Note: All entries must be submi ed to a VFW Post compe on. If you have difficulty iden fying a sponsoring Post in your area, call the VFW Department of Minnesota: (651) or e mail: mnvfw@vfwmn.us General Orders 51 October OVER-

52 TO BE COMPLETED BY THE VFW/AUXILIARY POST Due to District By Nov 15, 2015 I certify that this student is an authorized entry in our VFW Post Level Patriot s Pen Competition. Post Commander s/chairman s Signature Post # Ladies Auxiliary President s/chairman s Signature Post Address City, State, Zip No. of students participating No. of winners advanced to District Amt. Of Post/Aux. awards and bonds $ Amt. of Post/Aux. additional expenses (banquet, pins, etc.) $ Post Chairmen: Please be sure to include a written copy of the winning entrants speech and a PICTURE of the entrant when you forward it to the District Chairman. TO BE COMPLETED BY THE VFW/AUXILIARY DISTRICT Due to Dept. By Dec 4, 2015 I certify that the student named in the previous section is the duly selected winner of the Patriot s Pen Essay Contest District Competition and is our sole entry into the Department finals. District Chairman s Signature Dist # Date District Winner will be Informed Address City, State Zip ( ) Phone District Chairmen: Please be sure to include a written copy of the winning entrants speech and a PICTURE of the entrant when you forward it to the District Chairman. TO BE COMPLETED BY THE VFW DEPARTMENT CHAIRMAN I certify that the student named in the previous section is the duly selected winner of the Patriot s Pen Essay Contest Department Competition and is our sole entry into the National judging. Department Chairman s Signature ( ) ( ) Daytime Phone Fax The winner will be notified that they are the first place Department winner on. Note: National Headquarters will contact your winner after this date to notify them of their national placement. General Orders 52 October 2015

53 VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF MINNESOTA POST PATRIOT S PEN REPORTING FORM Please submit this form to your District Chairman even if you do not sponsor the Voice of Democracy Contest this year. DISTRICT NO. DATE POST/AUXILIARY NO. CITY Post Membership 6/30/15 Aux. membership 6/30/15 Sponsored jointly by Post & Aux.? YES or NO -- If NO, who did sponsor? Name of Voice of Democracy Chairmen: Post Address City/Zip Auxiliary Address City/Zip SCHOOLS SPONSORED: LOCATION: # OF ENTRANTS Total number of tapes judged? Were Post and/or Auxiliary awards presented? Please list awards and values: 1 st Place 4 th Place 2 nd Place 5 th Place 3 rd Place Amount spent for the following: Trophies, pins, medals, etc. $ Dinners, judging expenses, teacher awards $ Total cost for program $ What news media was contacted concerning this program? Radio Stations TV Stations Newspapers Other Signed: (Post Chairman) Signed: (Auxiliary Chairman) Signed:, Cmdr. Signed:, Pres. MOST IMPORTANT!! Please complete this form in addition to the Official Entry form submitted with your tape. It must be in the hands of your District Chairman no later than NOVEMBER 15, 2015 names and addresses listed on the back of this form. General Orders 53 October 2015

54 Connec ng With Our Communi es. Youth Ac vi es is Part of that Connec vity. Sponsor Youth Hockey!!! By Jim Hesselgrave, State VFW Youth Ac vi es Chairman Dear Comrades, During the month of September, we started contac ng every Youth Hockey Associa on in the State of Minnesota In par cular, we contacted every Youth Hockey Associa on with an A Bantam Hockey Team. We asked them to respond and offered them the opportunity to be part of the State VFW Bantam A Hockey Program. Within hours, we started ge ng replies to our s. Within two days, we had received a twentyfive percent (25%) return on our contacts and they are s ll pouring in. In recent years, our involvement in Youth Hockey has dwindled! Some might say So what, who cares. Some mes, we forget about our past. We don t study History. So, let s refresh our memories: A. Minnesota, is a HOCKEY STATE!!! B. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (Department of Minnesota), started organized Youth Hockey in C. The Minnesota Amateur Hockey Associa on (MAHA and now MYHA) got its beginnings from the model created by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. D. It was those early VFW Pioneers like Stan Ostby that put Youth Hockey on the map in Minnesota. E. For years, VFW Hockey was the only organized sport in town and un l the early 1990s, VFW Bantam Hockey was a stand alone Youth Program totally run by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. We need to get back to those days! The Veterans of Foreign Wars needs to again take the lead in sponsoring Youth Hockey (especially Bantam A Hockey)! We need to put the le ers VFW on every Bantam A Hockey Jersey in the State of Minnesota! We have started that process. We have contacted every Youth Hockey Associa on in the State of Minnesota. They know, that the Veterans of Foreign Wars sponsors A Bantam Hockey! NOW, each and every VFW Post in Minnesota, NEEDS TO CONNECT with the Youth Hockey Associa on in their Community And finish the Job!!! Get Involved with the Program. Volunteer to Help. AND, Sponsor a Hockey Team! ITS COMMUNITY SERVICE AND IT S THE RIGHT THING TO DO!!!! If you need help with this process, please contact Jim Hesselgrave, State VFW Hockey Chairman at THANK YOU!!!! General Orders 54 October 2015