GENERAL ORDERS #5 NOVEMBER 2017

Transcription

1 Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Department of Minnesota GENERAL ORDERS #5 NOVEMBER 2017 "General Orders are to be read at the first meeting following receipt before being filed for reference." 1. PAST DEPARTMENT COMMANDER KOWALSKI: Past Department Commander Stan Kowalski passed away October 20; Stan was the last WWII Veteran to lead the Department of MN and served in with Terri Fenn. Cards of condolence may be sent to his daughter, Stacy Smith, rd Ave NE, Blaine MN TH DISTRICT PRESIDENT JEAN SCHOLAR: It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of District 8 President Jean Scholar on October 15. Jean was from Hoyt Lakes and was serving her second term as District President. Cards of condolence may be sent to her husband, Earl Scholar, 223 Kent Road, Hoyt Lakes MN VETERANS DAY: is November 11. Please take time to thank a veteran today, attend or host a program and educate our community. 4. BIG 10 CONFERENCE: Thank you to everyone that made the Big 10 Conference such a success. Without everyone doing their part, it would not have been possible. Thanks to all who participated in the Membership Skit! N: 990N e-postcards must be filed by November 15. Once you have filed, please send a copy of the acceptance to the Department VFW Auxiliary HQ Office to be placed on file. 6. MEMBERSHIP CARDS: Annual and Life Membership Cards are currently being sent out from National Headquarters. Thank you for your patience as they figure out this new system for the distribution of cards. 7. DUES FOR OFFICERS: Officers (President, Treasurer, and Secretary) must have their dues paid NO LATER THAN December 31 in order to remain in Good Standing so they may continue to hold office. Please don't wait until December to pay your dues; earlier is better. 8. CHRISTMAS AT THE HOSPITALS: Donations for Christmas at the Hospitals should be sent to the Department Office. Please send those donations by December 1 for distribution to the facilities. Each resident of the nine (9) facilities we support receives a $5 monetary gift from the VFW Auxiliary. These gifts are only possible with your generous donations. Please earmark your donation "Christmas at the Hospitals".

2 9. MID-WINTER CONFERENCE: Included in this mailing is the Mid-Winter Conference Housing Form and Banquet Form. Please plan to attend Mid-Winter Conference January in Minneapolis. A new format for our Saturday meeting will be debuted and there will be a lot of learning opportunities for everyone that attends! Keep an eye on future General Orders for more details. 10. OFFICE CLOSED: The Department VFW Auxiliary HQ Office will be closed on Thursday, November 23 so that our employees may enjoy the day with their families and it will reopen on Monday, November VFS/BUDDY POPPY: Remember that your Buddy Poppy Display for Mid-Winter Conference must be entered and judged at your District Contest to be eligible for entry at Mid-Winter. The new Poppy Order form is enclosed. Please be sure to communicate with your Post when your Auxiliary orders Poppies so the Department VFW Office does not receive duplicate orders. 12. AUXILIARY OF THE YEAR: We do not have Auxiliary of the Year this year; this was last year's program. Please discontinue sending quarterly reports to Patches Presfield. 13. MUSICIAN NEEDED: A musician is needed to fill out the remainder of the year for Mid- Winter Conference and Convention. Please contact President Gail if you know of someone who may be interested in this position. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones, may the time you spend together by blessed and may you make memories that will last you a lifetime. Get well wishes to those that have been ill and to those that have lost a loved one, please keep them all in your prayers and memories. "Catch The Dream For Our Veterans" while we keep "Continuing Our Legacy for ALL Veterans and Their Families" By Order of: Attested to: Gail Brekke Department President Marilyn Sheffield Department Secretary

3 DEPARTMENT AND DISTRICT ROSTER ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS November, 2017 Department Department Chaplain and Scholarships Chairman Paige Amundson, Home phone number Past Department President Donna Ouart, 304 E. Juniper Avenue, Frazee, MN District 8 th District District President, Cynthia Slater, th Street, Cloquet, MN Telephone Auxiliaries 9th District Auxiliary Louis J. Hauge, Jr. #7557, Ada Address Change for President Luella Voit, PO Box 67, Ada, MN th District Auxiliary Fridley #363, Fridley Meeting time changed to 6:30 p.m. 6 th District Auxiliaries Sherman A. Yochum #772, Longville Meeting time changed to 7:00 p.m. Long Prairie #1140, Long Prairie Address change for Auxiliary, 715 Commerce Road, Long Prairie, MN Browerville #8391, Browerville Address Change for President Debra Wieshalla, Leisure Drive, Cushing, MN OFFICE CLOSED Thanksgiving Day - Thursday, November 23

4 Minnesota Veterans of Foreign Wars Midwinter Conference January 19-21, 2018 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. NO RESERVATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BY PHONE Name (Please PRINT in Boxes) Address: City: State: Zip: Affiliation: Arrival Date: Phone Departure Date: Sharing room with: Please reserve a: ( ) $95 +tax ( ) $95 +tax ( ) $95 +tax ( ) $95 +tax Room/Bed type: ( ) King ( ) Two Double Beds Parking(Closest): City Center Ramp- $26 weekday/ $19 weekend from 2 pm to 2 pm (Subj. to Change) Find Other Parking Options here: All requests for reservations must be received by December 28, 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 4:00 p.m. All rooms subject to applicable taxes. ~PAYMENT~ 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

5 115Error! th Annual Midwinter Banquet Saturday, January 20, 2018 Minneapolis Marriott City Center MENU: TBD TICKETS: $29.00 Reception: 6:00 P.M. Dinner: 7:00 P.M. Naming of Voice of Democracy & Patriot's Pen State Winners, Donation Challenge Results Send ticket order form and check to: V.F.W. State Headquarters Rice Street Station PO Box St Paul, MN MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Department of MN, V.F.W. NO TICKETS WILL BE MAILED OUT PLEASE PICK THEM UP AT THE REGISTRATION DESK Ticket orders will be stamped with date of receipt and filled in that order. FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. Tickets will bear a table number and orders will be filled as received. Tickets will be reserved under the name of the person designated on the order form. THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP POST AND AUXILIARY DELEGATES TOGETHER IS TO ORDER THE TICKETS AT THE SAME TIME- This goes for V.O.D. Chairmen (at ALL levels), Post Officers, etc. Most Posts and Auxiliaries have followed a practice of purchasing a pair of tickets for their Commander and President as a gesture of appreciation for their efforts during the year. This makes it possible for them to meet with others who have shared similar responsibilities and challenges. Clip and mail Deadline: January 10, 2018 BANQUET RESERVATION Saturday, January 20, 2018 Deadline: January 10, 2018 Please reserve tickets at $29.00 each. Enclosed is Check # for $. NAME: PHONE # POST/AUXILIARY # DISTRICT # CITY: Please list ALL people for this Reservation Up to 10 (Include their positions if applicable) SPECIAL NOTES or DIETARY REQUESTS:

6 VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS - DEPARTMENT OF MINNESOTA MIDWINTER CONFERENCE January 19-21, 2018 TENTATIVE Friday- Sunday Midwinter Schedule as of 10/24/17 FRIDAY JANUARY 19: 1:00-6:00 P.M. Registration and Banquet Tickets 1:00 P.M. Auxiliary Hospital Board Meeting V.F.W. Finance Committee 2:30 P.M. Auxiliary Budget Meeting 2:30-4:30 P.M. Gambling Seminar 3:00 6:00 P.M. Displays & Vendors 3:00-5:00 P.M. Claims Staff Open Office 6:00 P.M. VFW Council Meeting 6:30 P.M. Auxiliary Council Meeting WATCH FOR MORE *News on Donating to the State Commander s & State President s Projects *Special Seminar Sessions *Hands-On Activities *EXPANDED Display & Resource Area *MN VFW Related Special History Display Updates will be in December & January GOs, our website at and in the Winter Gopher Oversea r Issue SATURDAY JANUARY 20: 6:30 A.M. Rise & Shine Workouts TBD (Pre-Registration Friday Recommended) 7:00-9:00 A.M. Register Poppy Displays 8:00 A.M. 3:00 P.M. Registration and Banquet Tickets Displays, Vendors & Health Fair 8:00 A.M. VFW Committee Meetings VFW Finance Committee Youth Activities Veterans Activities Legislative Meeting 9:00-11:30 A.M. Auxiliary Meeting 8:30-11:45 A.M. Seminar & Activity Opportunities 12:00 Noon Past Department President's Luncheon 1:00-3:30 P.M. Seminar & Activity Opportunities 2:00 3:30 P.M. District VOD Winners Party 2:30 P.M. Buddy Poppy Chairmen Meeting Poppy Displays Remain up through Grand Banquet- takedown afterward 4:00 P.M. Church Service 6:00 P.M. District V.O.D. Winners Reception 6:00 P.M. Banquet Reception (Cash Bar) 7:00 P.M. Grand Banquet SUNDAY JANUARY 21: 9:00 A.M. V.F.W. Council of Administration

7 MIDWINTER CONFERENCE SOUVENIR PROGRAM BOOKLET The 2018 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 Ads may be ed to melodymnvfw@vfwmn.us DEADLINE DATE FOR BOOKLET: December 21st, 2017 *Please See Reverse Side for Ad Layout and tips

8 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, PDF 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 Submit your completed at via melodymnvfw@vfwmn.us

9 VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF MINNESOTA NEW POPPY ORDER FORM As of 10/1/2017 Date POST/AUXILIARY LOCATION NO. DISTRICT Poppy Department Department of Minnesota, V.F.W. Rice Street Station, P.O. Box St. Paul, MN Please place our order for the following: Buddy Poppies $ per 1,000. $ Poppy cards, $1.00 each (For re-sale to merchants).... $ Poppy coin $1.15 each.. $ Poppy promotion $.30 each $ Poppy promotion $.30 each.... $ "Buddy Poppy" MEMORIAL $6.00 each.... $ Story of the "Buddy $6.50 sold only in pkg of $ TOTAL AMOUNT OF ORDER $ **Poppy wreath price increase as of Oct 1st 2017 Ship the above to: Title Address: (Street No., Rte.No., etc. **NO PO BOX**) (Town and State) (Zip) PLEASE NOTE: Poppy orders are shipped via UPS. To avoid delay, please give a street address or route number. U.P.S. CANNOT DELIVER TO A POST OFFICE BOX. Signed **Important information to fill out on the back. IF you do not complete this information, your order will not be shipped until January 1 st ** Title FOR DEPARTMENT USE ONLY: Date received Date recorded Date shipped Partial shipment Order completed Date Paid/Invoiced Revised January 2017

10 IMPORTANT None of this Material will be included with your order unless requested PLEASE INDICATE HOW MANY, IF ANY, YOU NEED OF THE ITEMS LISTED BELOW. THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THIS PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL. REQUEST ALL YOU NEED, BUT NO MORE THAN YOU WILL USE. POPPY DEPARTMENT Department of Minnesota, V.F.W. Please include the following with our Poppies: QUANTITY ITEM Arm bands "Help for the promotion worker". Hints on how to do a more effective job of promoting Poppies. To help keep cost down please only order what is needed Pledge cards. Receipt books will be furnished automatically at no additional cost with each order of 25 easel-back cards. This receipt can be used by the merchant as proof of a TAX-DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION. Please Fill out the below information. **If you do not fill it out your shipment will be filled after January 1st** When do you need your orders (Circle one) A-Immediately (Ships same day UPS *NO PO BOX*) B-Within in a Month or write in a date below C- After January 1 st (Will ship first in first out) Preferred Delivery method (Circle One 1-Ship via UPS (*NO PO BOX*) 2-Pickup Directly at Department Headquarters **Poppy Cards may be shipped separately** Revised January 2017

11 Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Department of Minnesota Treasurer s Tips November 2017 Thanks to all who attended the classes I led at Fall Conference. We had some great discussions/learning on MALTA, Membership Recruiting and Mentoring! What a wonderful weekend full of information! Thanks to President Gail for the opportunity to teach some classes and spend time with our members. URGENT: 990N epostcard filing must be completed by November 15 for the 2016 tax year. A copy of your acceptance/completion is to be sent to Department for our files. If you are having trouble, please call the IRS Helpline at and let them guide you through. Many are having trouble with their addresses and most often it is just an error in how the address was previously input to the IRS website. Membership cards have begun showing up in mailboxes as National has finally gotten MALTA a little more squared away. Annual and Life Membership cards are being mailed by the National Organization, so please remind your members to be patient as they get this new process up to speed. Thanks to District 5 for hosting MALTA training in Willmar at the end of September. If you have not had a chance to take a MALTA class yet, we have one more scheduled in Crookston for December 9. Please throw all other forms away and only use the forms we are including in this mailing. We prefer you use the forms that we are providing to transmit Membership Dues rather than anything you can get off the National website. PLEASE REMEMBER LIFE AND ANNUAL DUES MUST BE ON SEPARATE CHECKS! Officers (President, Treasurer and Secretary) must have their Membership Dues paid NO LATER THAN December 31 in order to remain in Good Standing, which in turn, allows them to remain in their elected/appointed position. Laurie Dale, Treasurer Department of MN Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary

12 VFW Auxiliary Membership Update Form Rev REQUIRED FIELDS: Member s Current Name Membership ID No. Current Address E mail Address Phone Number ( ) Current Auxiliary # Department of Date of Birth NAME CHANGE Former Name: First Last ADDRESS CHANGE CONTINUOUS ANNUAL DUES (We recommend using the Membership Summary Form for multiple dues payments.) CONVERT TO LIFE MEMBER Life Membership Fee $ Check here if this is a gift. It will be mailed to the Auxiliary Treasurer. Payment Methods: Check: Make check payable to: VFW Auxiliary Credit Card VISA MasterCard Discover Name as it appears on the card: Address associated with the card holder: LIFE MEMBERSHIP FEES Effective 1/1/2017 Attained age at 12/31 of year applying for Life Membership. Through 20 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $69 91 and over $58 Credit Card Number CVV Code (3 digit code shown on back of credit card) Expiration / Month / Year Card Holder s Signature Date ACH (Bank withdrawal) Name of Bank Routing Number Attached voided check HERE (required) Account Number REPLACE MY MEMBER CARD $5 Annual $10 Life NAME CHANGES OR LOST CARD REQUESTS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A CHECK made payable to VFW Auxiliary or complete the payment information above if using a credit card or ACH. Please send directly to National Headquarters at 406 W. 34 th St., 10th Floor, Kansas City, MO DEATH REPORT Date of Death

13 MN VFW AUXILIARY REPORT NUMBER MEMBERSHIP SUMMARY STATE DISTRICT LOCATION AUX. NO. DATE ANNUAL MEMBERS DUES THIS REPORT NEW NATIONAL $ REJOINED. DEPARTMENT $ CONTINUOUS.. TOTAL $ TOTAL ANNUAL MEMBERS (THIS REPORT) DO NOT USE THIS FORM TO REPORT LIFE MEMBERS! I CERTIFY THAT THE ANNUAL MEMBERS IN THIS REPORT HAVE PAID DUES TO 12/31 OF THE MEMBERSHIP YEAR LISTED ABOVE. AUXILIARY TREASURER Last Name (alphabetical) First Name PHONE NUMBER Member ID #

14 MEMBERSHIP/MEMBER TRANSFER APPLICATION PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY Recruited/Recommended by: Recruiter Member ID Auxiliary No. City State Member ID (If already a member) Annual Membership Life Rejoined Previous Member No., Previous Auxiliary Member at Large Life Member at Large in Department of or in National These fields required. Name Date of Birth / / Address Male or Female City State ZIP Phone ( ) E mail POST AFFILIATED: (*Must be a member to the VFW Post affiliated with the Auxiliary to which you are applying.) Relationship to Eligible Veteran* VFW Membership ID NON AFFILIATED: (*Veteran is not a member of the VFW Post affiliated with the Auxiliary to which you are applying.) Relationship to Eligible Veteran* VFW Post (If applicable) LIFE MEMBER TRANSFER, Previous Auxiliary Accepting Treasurer s Signature (Note: Eligibility proof and investigating committee not needed.) Date ANNUAL TRANSFER, Previous Auxiliary Paying or Nonpaying? (check one) ANNUAL TRANSFER CONVERTING TO LIFE, Previous Auxiliary Name of campaign ribbons or medals: Dates of Service: / / to / / Location: (Fill out Life Membership information below.) I attest that I am a citizen of the United States or a U.S. National, and am at least 16 years of age. I further state that I believe in God. I pledge to comply with the National Bylaws of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Auxiliary. I attest I am not eligible for membership in the VFW. I further attest that the above is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, including my stated relationship to the Veteran. Applicant s Signature Date Investigating Committee: 1) 2) 3) Per Section 102 of the National Bylaws. Rejected Election Date / / Obligated Date / / LIFE MEMBERSHIP Check here if this is a gift. Card will be mailed to the Auxiliary Treasurer. Payment: Cash Check Visa Mastercard Life Membership Fee $ Name on credit card Billing address for card Discover LIFE MEMBERSHIP Name of Bank Bank Routing No. Account No. ACH (Bank withdrawl) Attach voided check HERE. (Required) LIFE MEMBERSHIP FEES Effective 1/1/2017 Attained age at 12/31 of year applying for Life Membership. Through 20 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $184 City State ZIP $ $161 Credit Card No $ $132 CVV Code Exp. / $ $86 Signature Date $69 91 and over $58 OBLIGATION In the presence of Almighty God and the members of this organization here assembled, I do of my own free will and accord, solemnly promise that I will never wrong or defraud this organization nor a member thereof nor permit either to be wronged if in my power to prevent it. I will never propose for membership any person not eligible, according to our Bylaws. I further state that I believe in God. I will be faithful to the United States of America, obedient to the laws and loyal to the Flag. Should my membership with this organization cease in any way, I will consider this obligation as binding outside of the organization as though I had remained a member. I do so promise. Signature (Must be signed by all members.) VFW Auxiliary HQ Revised 8/2017

15 Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Department of Minnesota VETERANS & FAMILY SUPPORT Bulletin #5 November 2017 November is dedicated to recognizing the military family and a month long celebration. This inaugural Military Family Month is for honoring their commitment and contribution in their support of our military and the nation. What events does your Post and Auxiliary have planned? Are you incorporating all of the Auxiliary programs to help recognize these military families? Are you ready for the Department of Minnesota challenge? Minnesota Auxiliaries and Districts, I challenge each of you to share what you have planned or have done during the month of November! Military Family Month Challenge: Each day during November, write a post and socialize what your Auxiliary is doing to celebrate the Military Family to the Facebook or Dept of MN VFW Auxiliary. If you need help with getting material added to the page, please reach out to me or our Computer Advisor, Dave Scofield, by sending an to: dave.scofield@outlook.com. Here are several events and ideas for the Military Family Month: Patriotic Scavenger Hunt Red, White, & Blue Party or Celebration Host a movie night at the Post Home Turkey Trot 5K Walk/Run or Obstacle Course Themed or Holiday Party (Luau/Thanksgiving) Spaghetti Dinner and/or Ice Cream Social Gumbo & Games Night Certificates of appreciation or thank you notes

16 The Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship is in the midst of their fundraising campaign. The final day of fundraising ends November 11, Visit a local Sport Clips location and support this effort under the VFW Veterans and Military Support Programs. This scholarship helps aid heroes in achieving their educational goals by removing some of the financial strain on their family. 600 Veterans apply each semester. 125 scholarships are awarded for a total of $500,000 per semester. The goal is for the VFW and Auxiliary to help double the $1,000,000 raised annually by Sport Clips nationwide. For more information, visit the VFW Auxiliary Veterans and Family Support link ( Thank you for your participation at the Fall Conference seminars and workshops, as well as stopping by the booth displays. One of the questions during both of the Buddy Poppy workshops was, Who makes the Buddy Poppy? Poppies are no longer made by hospitalized Veterans in MN. For more information, contact VFW Buddy Poppy Chair, Roy Bressler at Mid-Winter Conference Buddy Poppy Display Theme: Military Family Legacy What inspires the military family? What does a military family look like? Poppy Displays must be judged at the District level before the Department Mid-Winter Conference. Record the total poppies used and number of hours spent and include with the finished display. Veterans and Family Support, through special recognition of the military family, will ensure a successful year by Continuing Our Legacy For ALL Veterans and Their Families as we work to Catch the Dream for Our Veterans. Francesca Bill, Chairman 4882 Woodcrest Rd. White Bear Lake, MN Phone: frankiebill@msn.com

17 Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Department of Minnesota AMERICANISM NOVEMBER BULLETIN #5 Brothers & Sisters, Have you planned your Auxiliary FAMILY FREEDOM FESTIVAL? Steps to Participate: Step 1: Auxiliaries hosting a Family Freedom Festival will set a date and identify a primary point of contact and this to Megan Zinn-Sanchez at mzinn-sanchez@vfwauxiliary.org at least one month prior to their event. Step 2: Plan your Auxiliary s Family Freedom Festival. See Sample event ideas on website. Your Auxiliary is encouraged to combine two or more event ideas to increase attendance at your event. Step 3: Prepare for and market the event by downloading and using the sample publicity tools provided behind Member Login at VFW Auxiliary Family Freedom Festival Logo Sample Social Media Posts Sample Family Freedom Festival Press Release Fill out the Brochure Order Form and receive Membership Brochures, Facts Leaflets and Young American Creative Patriotic Art Brochures at no charge from VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters. Offer Patriot s Pen, Voice of Democracy and other VFW brochures available for download at or may be purchased from the VFW Store at or by calling Step 4: Host your Auxiliary s Family Freedom Festival and share photos from your event on Facebook using the hashtags #AuxiliariesinAction and #FamilyFreedomFestival. Step 5: After the event, Megan Zinn-Sanchez photos and information about the event, including the number of adult and youth attendees, and volunteers. Please copy your Festival Flyer and Press Release of your Event and mail to me at address below. Those Auxiliaries hosting an event will be put into a drawing for a special gift from me. The Tool Kit pages are also on our MN VFW Auxiliary website under Forms. National Americanism Ambassador, Diana Rudeen, asks us to : Promote Patriotism by celebrating America s Patriotic Days. Teach respect and proper care for the U.S. Flag. o Flag Education for Kids o Federal Flag Code Bring attention to Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action by hosting POW/MIA ceremonies to both educate the public and honor these special veterans. o Missing Man Table Ceremony Our MN Americanism School Contests for grades K-5 have a deadline of Nov 20 th, 2017 on the local level. Each Auxiliary must send 1 st, 2 nd & 3 rd Place Winners of each grade level: (K &1 / 2 &3 / 4 & 5) to your Dist Chairman by 11/30. Call your Dist President to get the Dist Chrmn info. Districts must choose their 1 st and 2 nd Place Winners to be sent onto Dept Chrmn by 12/15 at the address below. See the Department Program Book or our MN VFWA website for more details. In Patriotism, Carol Kratz / MN Dept Americanism Chairman ckratz2003@comast.net Ph Cottage Ave. White Bear Lake MN 55110

18 Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Department of Minnesota CHIEF OF STAFF/EXTENSION NOVEMBER BULLETIN #5 This month I would like to hit on some things that come up from time to time and can easily be answered if we check our National Bylaws and Ritual. The 2018 Podium Edition of the Bylaws and Ritual is available from the VFW Store for $7.25 per copy (quantity discounts available). You can also get the ebook versions from Amazon or Barnes & Noble for $5.80. At least one copy should be ordered every year so that the auxiliary has the most current information; it is a small investment in order to have this valuable data at your fingertips. ***All Section and page numbers referenced are from the 2018 Podium Edition of the National Bylaws and Ritual. The below are excerpts, please take time to read each section completely. Video Conferencing: Section 210 (page 30) states: Video Conferencing or teleconferencing is permitted for members unable to attend the meeting provided a quorum is present at the meeting site. Standing Rules: Section 211 (page 30) Auxiliaries, Districts and Departments may establish Standing Rules to provide for specified operations, activities, events, expenses and disbursements between meetings provided such rules do not conflict with the National or Department Bylaws. Standing Rules may be amended, modified, or rescinded at any meeting If prior notice is given, the vote is by majority vote of those members present. If previous notice is not given, the vote is by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those members present. Standing Rules become effective immediately. Term of Office: Section 807 (page 69) states: An Officer elected or appointed and installed into office shall continue to hold office for the period of which elected or appointed provided they comply with the duties of their office and remain a member in good standing with dues paid in the Auxiliary of which they are an Officer. Resignations: Section 809 (page 69) states: Resignations are effective when issued. Verbal resignations are binding.

19 Vacancy in Office: Section 809A (page 69/70) states: In the event of a vacancy in the office of the President the Senior Vice-President shall at once succeed to the title and duties of such office. The Junior Vice-President shall succeed to the title and duties of the Senior Vice-President. They shall immediately assume their duties without requiring an installation. An election shall be held at the next regular meeting for the office of Junior Vice-President. If the Senior Vice-President or Junior Vice-President chooses not to succeed to the next higher office, they should resign. Meeting Etiquette: Section 902 (page93) states: Audio/Video Recording Individual members cannot record any portion of any Auxiliary meeting without prior knowledge of the body. Smoking To include but not limited to tobacco products, e-cigarettes, etc., is not allowed during an Auxiliary meeting. Alcoholic Beverages No alcoholic beverages will be permitted during Auxiliary meetings. Control of Mailing Lists: Section 911 (page 95) The names and addresses of the members of the Auxiliary shall be considered confidential and shall not be made available for commercial or political use. Nothing in this Section shall be construed as prohibiting the Auxiliary from soliciting its membership in support of the activities duly authorized and organized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Our National Chief of Staff Jane Ziebarth, reminds us to embrace our differences and work toward our common goal: Helping Veterans! Jane reminds us that as we experience the fall season, it brings to mind the following comparisons: The temperature can be cool in the morning and warm up by the afternoon, just as it may take time for members to warm up to a new idea. Some days we feel the warmth of excitement over an accomplishment, and then there might be a day when you feel cold because things didn t quire go as you planned. We may experience an interruption to our day by a rain shower, snow, or heavy winds, just as you may come across a member in which you don t exactly click with. However, your day may be brightened by the warmth of sunshine as you embrace the smile of a friend or veteran. Driving down the road you may see a beautiful landscape, similar to members you see volunteering at an Auxiliary or Post event. Laurie Dale, Chief of Staff Department of MN VFW Auxiliary lakyllodale@yahoo.com

20 Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Department of Minnesota HOSPITAL Bulletin #5 - November 2017 Thank you to all of you for attending the Hospital meeting at Fall Conference. I hope you received a lot of helpful information. Thanks to everyone that brought a basket or an item for the basket raffle. Your support of the Hospital Program is so appreciated by every Veteran we help. Don t forget to make your Christmas at the Hospital donation. These funds are used to give a $5 gift to every veteran in the nine facilities we support. Please send the donation to the Department office by December 1 st. Veterans Day Check with your local VA facility and/or nursing home to find out if they will be hosting a recognition event. Gather a group of Auxiliary members and volunteer to help, offer to help set-up, escort patients and CLC residents to the event area, and serve food if included in the function. Call your local nursing homes and speak with the Activity Directors to find out if veterans reside in their homes. If so, are they planning to recognize the military service of those veterans on or about Veterans Day? If so, offer to help with it. If not, offer to hold one. Don t forget non-veterans in the local nursing homes. They may not be veterans, but could very well be the family member of a veteran. Let s be sure to give them the opportunity to honor or remember their veteran, too. Definition of a Veteran A Veteran is someone who, at one point in his/her life, wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America for an amount Up to and including my life". Don t have anything to do on Thanksgiving? Take a walk through the halls of your local VA facility or a local nursing home. Stop to visit, spend a few minutes to visit or just to say Hi! It is a great way to spend a couple of hours! Karen Haugen Department Hospital Chairman th St S. Moorhead, MN karenhaugen@midco.net Catch the Dream for Our Veterans by Continuing our legacy for all veterans and their families

21 Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Department of Minnesota LEGISLATIVE Bulletin #5 - November 2017 This is a BLOG from our National Legislative Chair Carmelita M. Jones Protect TRICARE! The VFW believes that, in order to recruit and retain a professional, all-volunteer force, the United States must keep its promises to previous generations of service members. These promises include a modest stipend immediately upon retirement and affordable, accessible health care. It has recently come to our attention that the Defense Health Agency (DHA) is preparing to implement a fixed fee co-payment schedule for TRICARE Select, which is calculated to equal approximately 15 or 20 percent of the average allowable charge for certain categories of care, such as $27 for a primary care visit. Such a change does a disservice to beneficiaries who reside in markets where health care is more affordable. Additionally, these new fee schedules directly conflict with instructions in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, which grandfathered current retirees and military families from cost share increases. CALL TO ACTION: To support the VFW s efforts to protect TRICARE, please make comments on the Federal Registry concerning the pending rule change. To do so, take the following actions: Visit 1. Copy and paste the following paragraph into the text block: a. As a veterans advocate, I urge the Department of Defense not to implement these cost share increases for current retirees and military families. The planned fix-priced fee schedule is based on national average health care costs and would create barriers to access for TRICARE beneficiaries who already struggle to cover the cost of their needed health care. In order to recruit and retain a professional, all-volunteer force, the United States must keep its promises to previous generations of warriors. These promises include a modest stipend immediately upon retirement and affordable, accessible health care. 2. Type in your first and last name into the correct boxes and click Submit. 2. Call your Members of Congress and ask that they stop the Department of Defense from implementing this change: You can find the contact info for your Member of Congress by: Going to and entering your ZIP code. Clicking Info under the member s name and selecting the Contact tab for their phone number. Use the same narrative and rationale in the paragraph above. Read it to the Staffer who answers the phone. Please disseminate this information to all VFW Auxiliary members by posting it on your Department websites, Facebook pages (both Department and personal). You can also contact your local newspapers and ask them to publish this as a Letter to the Editor. In addition, reach out to local veterans service organizations (VSOs) where you live. Let Congress know that we will not stand by quietly as they continue to break the promises made to our active-duty military and our veterans! If you have any questions or need any help with how to get involved, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me. Department of Minnesota Chair Tracy McReynolds Trosbacka@yahoo.com

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24 Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Department of Minnesota SCHOLARSHIPS NOVEMBER BULLETIN # 5 CATCH THE DREAM FOR OUR VETERANS WHILE WE KEEP CONTINUING OUR LEGACY FOR ALL VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES. NATIONAL PRESDIENT DEE GUILLORY AND MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT PRESIDENT GAIL USE VERY POWERFUL WORDS AS THEIR THEMES THIS YEAR. GREAT ADVICE FROM TWO PRETTY AWESOME WOMEN. WE CAN SURELY HELP OUR YOUTH TO THE CATCH THE DREAM FOR OUR VETERANS WITH THIS PROGRAM BY GETTING INTO OUR SCHOOLS AND TALKING TO OUR YOUTH AND PROMOTING THE SCHOLARSHIPS ALL YEAR LONG. WE CAN ALSO HELP TO CONTINUE OUR LEGACY FOR ALL VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES BY PROMOTING THE CONTINUING EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP AND MARCELLA ARNOLD NURSING SCHOLARSHIP FOR THOSE WHO ARE GOING ON TO FURTHER THEIR EDUCATION IN THEIR ADULT YEARS. LIKE I SAID, THESE LADIES ARE PRETTY SMART! I HAVE BEEN GOING CRAZY MAKING SURE THAT I HAD EVERYTHING DONE FOR FALL CONFERENCE, MADE CONTACT WITH MY NATIONAL AMBASSADOR, MADE SURE MY DISTRICT CHAIRMEN HAD ALL THE PAPERWORK THEY NEEDED FOR THE YEAR, GETTING MY DISPLAY BOARDS READY. THEN IT HIT ME AT TWO AM ONE MORNING.I HADN'T FIGURED OUT THE YEAR END AWARDS FOR OUR AUXILIARIES. SO THE NEXT DAY I GOT THEM ALL FIGURED OUT. THANK GOODNESS FOR INSOMNIA, HUH!!!!! THE NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAM CONSISTS OF VOICE OF DEMOCRACY, PATRIOT'S PEN, CREATIVE PATRIOTIC ART CONTEST, CONTINUING EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP, AND, ALSO, THE MARCELLA ARNOLD NURSING SCHOLARSHIP (MINNESOTA SCHOLARSHIP). MAKE SURE TO REPORT ALL YOUR ACTIVITES ON YOUR YEAR END REPORT. ALSO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE SENDING IN THE CORRECT INFORMATION. THE AWARDS WILL BE AS FOLLOWS (1 ST PLACE $10.00, 2 ND PLACE $5.00) 1. MOST PATRIOT'S PEN ENTRIES SUBMITTED TO YOUR POST. 2. MOST VOICE OF DEMOCRACY ENTRIES SUBMITTED TO YOUR POST. 3. MOST CREATIVE PATRIOTIC ART ENTRIES SUBMITTED TO YOUR AUXILIARY. 4. BEST CREATIVE WAY TO GET PATRIOT'S PEN, VOICE OF DEMOCRACY AND CREATIVE PATRIOTIC ART CONTESTS IN TO A SCHOOL FOR THE FIRST TIME 5. BEST CREATIVE WAY TO PROMOTE CONTINUING EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP 6. BEST CREATIVE WAY TO PROMOTE MARCELLA ARNOLD SCHOLARSHIP 7. THE DISTRICT CHAIRMAN WHO HAS THE BEST COMMUNICATION WITH ME THIS YEAR WILL RECEIVE $10.00 EACH MONTH IN THE GENERAL ORDERS I WILL TRY TO FOCUS ON THE SCHOLARSHIP THAT IS COMING UP IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY OF THE SCHOLARSHIPS PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME AND I WILL MAKE SURE WE FIND YOU THE ANSWERS. PAIGE AMUNDSON NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS CHAIRMAN ST AVE SOUTH, WHEATON, MN HOME, CELL

25 Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Department of Minnesota YOUTH ACTIVITIES NOVEMBER BULLETIN #5 Thank you all who attended my session at Fall Conference and for those who stopped by my booth after! I hope you all found the information helpful and will take the folders back to your Auxiliaries to share the information. I had some of the new R.A.P. cards that I had printed out and laminated. If you are wanting to make some of these at your Auxiliary, you can go out to and then click on WHAT WE DO and then once that page opens, click on ACCESS TO PROGRAM RESOURCES HERE and it will bring up the page that has all the National Program Resources. You will need to scroll down to Youth Activities and then you will see the document Random Act of Patriotism (R.A.P.) Card (printable template). Be sure to print or stick a label on the back with your Auxiliary s information so that when the youth bring these home to their parents the adults will know where it came from! Have a Veterans Day Event honoring the Veterans in your community? Ask the youth to come out and volunteer at it and recognize them with a R.A.P. card! Youth Recognition is important and three of the goals this year focus on this! One of the goals that focus on this are the R.A.P cards, which are explained above and were in last month s general orders. The other two items of recognition are Patriotic Youth Award and the Youth Groups Supporting Our Veterans Citation Application. Patriotic Youth Award is new this year! These marvelous citations are a tremendous way to recognize individual youth for their efforts and service projects honoring our veterans and assisting active duty military and their families. There are three different versions of this that are available to you for free online and you can download and print it yourself. It will be found in the same area noted above as the R.A.P. cards. Have a Veterans Day Event honoring the Veterans in your community? Ask the youth to come out and volunteer at it and recognize them with this Award! Be sure to get pictures as well! The Youth Groups Supporting Our Veterans Citations are a great way to engage with the youth groups in your community. The form to get one of these citations is online where the R.A.P and Patriotic Youth Awards are located. This citation is free from National Headquarters but must be requested using the form online. The activities the Youth Groups do that supported the Veterans must be between July March and the form is due to National by April 10 th In the past, these forms have been underutilized so I am encouraging each Auxiliary in the Department of MN to complete one of these this year! Get with the Scout leaders, Church Youth Group Leaders and see what they can do for our Veterans and then don t forget to recognize them! Continuing our legacy for ALL veterans and their families Ashley Punches Department of MN Youth Activities Chairman ashley.punches@gmail.com

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