VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF VERMONT PO Box 1248, Montpelier, Vermont 05601 (802) 223-5368 Fax (802) 229-1852 Email: vtadjvfw@gmail.com or vtqmvfw@gmail.com State Website: www.vtvfw.org SERVING OTHERS BEFORE SELF General Orders October 2017 No.4 Comrades Let me start by reminding you all that we have a Council of Administration Meeting on the 14 th of October in Lyndonville. The lunch will be provided at 12 noon and the meeting starts at 1300. For the commanders; remember it is part of your obligation as the commander to have representation at all COA s and district meetings for your district. If you cannot make it then please make sure that either the Senior or Jr. Vice attends, not attending these meeting can be a reason for suspension of your charter. Officers, Duties and Obligations - Attention is called to the National Bylaws, Sections 404 and 504: Which states: ALL Post Commanders throughout the Department shall attend the respective District and Department meetings. In the absence of the Post Commander, the Post Senior Vice Commander, or, in the Senior Vice Commander s absence, the Post Junior Vice Commander may be registered and function as the member of the Convention or meetings. Also Sec 218-Officers and Chairmen, Duties and Obligations. part k): Assure that the Commander or their representative attend all properly called District Conventions or meetings and County Council meetings (if applicable). Now that I have been the bad guy, let me also take this opportunity to say thank you to all my line officers, the Auxiliary President and all the auxiliary members that came to the Champlain Valley Fair on military appreciation day to help pass out buddy poppies. So between that and the challenge I put out to my line officers to match my donation, we raised $882.00 for the Hurricane Relief Fund. Since then many of the posts have sent in some donations toward the fund and I am in hopes the rest of the posts who can will also send in what they can. 1
Commander s Comments (Continued) We will give the finally tally at the COA so you can mail, or bring your checks that day. We will send the check to National the following Monday. I am in hopes that we will be well over $2000.00 which is good for a little state that had to RAISE the money for we don t have a budget for those kinds of tragedies. Also thank you to all the posts who have sent their raffle tickets for the cornhole boards that were in last months G.O s. We had a good time at the Montpelier Post, with a great steak dinner. Post 792 donated a nice check ($600.00) from the steak dinner that was put on by them. So please if you haven t sold your tickets, print them off and sell them and bring the tickets and money to the COA, we will draw the winner that day. One last thing to think and talk about is MEMBERSHIP, MEMBERSHIP, MEMBERSHIP. Everyone s life members have dropped so we now we have to work on retaining our current members and hopefully getting back some of our members that have expired. We need to work hard on our membership for it is the life blood of the organization. We need to find a way to make the younger generation feel like they are welcomed into our post homes. To make sure they feel like belong with us. May everyone enjoy the month of October and we will see you at the COA In Comradeship; Charlie Charles Magnant, Commander Congratulations Comrade PSC Steve Leach who entered his Willy in the special interest class at the Granville NY Car Show. His Willy took 2nd Place!! 2
Note From Sr. Vice Commander Bob Colby: Comrades, another month has gone by and I am looking to raise more money for the VFW National Home for Children. Post 782 just held another fund raising bingo and fish fry for the National Home. We raised $683. I was hoping to see more response from all of the posts. But I am happy with what I got. If you have not donated to our National Home as yet please do so. Our Jr. Vice will be going down there in May to present our offerings. I will be giving an update at our council on the Home. Please try to do a fund raising event for the National Home. Thank you Note From State Jr. Vice Commander Don McCormick: The second annual VFW A DAY TO CHANGE DIRECTION is on October 28, 2017. We lose 20 veterans a day to suicide. In a 2014 VA report, the total suicide rate in the U.S. among male veterans was 37.2 per 100,000 and the suicide rate for women veterans was 19 per 100,000. The Vermont Veteran s Suicide Data Sheet that was released in 2016 showed that in 2014 there were 24 Vermont Veteran Suicides. This is 24 too many. We need to help our fellow veterans and give them a direction to go if they are having a hard time in dealing with problems or coping with life. If you know someone that is at immediate risk for suicide, contact the Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, text to 838255, or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat. I am urging all Post Commanders to host a DAY TO CHANGE DIRECTION on October 28, 2017 which highlights the five signs of mental health awareness of veterans. Step by step resources and ideas can be found at http://ww.changedirection.org/vfw-service-project/ and https://www.vfw.org/assistance/mentalwellness.vfw RIDERS: For all that are interested in the VFW RIDERS, there will a short meeting after Council of Administration on October 14, 2017 at the Lyndonville Post. I have received all the documents to be filled out so that we can be recognized by our National Organization. Don McCormick, Jr Vice Commander Serving together Sr. Vice Commander Bob Colby MEMBERSHIP, (Note composed by Dept. Adj. as instructed by the Dept. CMDR) Comrades the Comander has instructed me to FORMALLY request that all Line Officers, District Officers and Post Commanders or an alternate to attend the upcoming Membership Training. Our Nat l HQ is sending Associate Director Tara Arteaga to conduct the training for both Dept.(s) of Vermont and New Hampshire. The Training is from 0930-1430, (Lunch included) Saturday November 4th at the Soldiers Memorial Bldg., 31 N. Park St., Leananon NH 03766 Following is a note from Comrade Arteaga: Rick Butler just spoke with the Vermont Commander who was unaware that the class has been approved. I wanted to make sure that all the line officers for both states were aware that I am coming and putting on a class on Membership in the VFW. This class will highlight recruiting, tools and resources we have to offer, and general Membership information. I can guarantee you will learn something you didn t know before about the VFW! Please make sure you get the information out to your members, so we can have a high attendance. I am very much looking forward to coming out and meeting you all! Tara Fajardo Arteaga 3
LEGACY LIFE MEMBERSHIP (AKA Comrade Leach s Page) Comrades-are you a VFW Life Member and if you have loads of love or tremendous pride in your Post and/ or do you think of your Post as your second home? Then you should think about joining as a VFW Legacy Life member so your Post and Department will get a check in your name for eternity after you have answered the final call. The cost can be paid in 4 quarterly payments or in one lump sum. There are many other advantages to becoming a Legacy Life member, one of which is the cost is tax deductible. Presently Vermont has 33 Legacy life Members as of now. Our new goal is to add (6) new legacy members this year for our Commander. That would be two from each District. A Bronze costs $400, Silver is $800 and a Gold membership is $1200. These can be paid either in one lump sum or 4 equal payments over a year. I am a Bronze Legacy member and am proud that after I answer the final call, Robert L. Johnson VFW Post 771 and Department of Vermont will get a check in my name for eternity and that my name will remain on the Legacy Life Member Roll displayed at each National convention for eternity. If you want more info contact me. Thank you and hope you join us 33 who have already joined. Steve Leach Chairman VFW Veterans & Military Support Programs Comrades, Veterans and Military Support programs are a core National VFW program to help and assist our military members and their Families. Each Post should contribute by sending check to Department of Vermont and memo check V & MS Programs. Any Post giving $100 or more gets a certificate from National; any Post giving $250 or more will also get a Vermont Marble plaque from Department of Vermont. The Post giving the most $$$ wins the State trophy to display for 1 year. VFW Post 6471 Manchester has the trophy for this year. Comrades every penny you give goes to the Troops and or Families; there are no Admin costs with these 4 programs, Operation Uplink, UnMet Needs, Scholarships for Heroes and Military Assistance Program. For more info. On these programs please consult the National Veterans of Foreign Wars Website @ www.vfw.org Comrades the 2017 VFW Christmas Party for residents of the Vermont Veterans Home will be Sunday December 17, 2017 1:30 PM till complete. Please donate to this wonderful and memorable day for the 135 or so residents. Please try to come visit with the residents and see our Vermont Veterans Home in person. The residents cherish the gifts, music and company for many weeks after. Send your donations payable to: Department of VT VFW and memo check VT Veterans Home Xmas. On behalf of the residents I thank you in advance for your monetary donations and the Vermont VFW Auxiliaries donations of a gift per resident makes this a even more special day that certainly fits the motto of No One Does More For Veterans! Thank you comrades, Steve Leach-VT VFW VT Veterans Home Chair Note from Denis Backus, VAVS Chair: If any post wants to donate to the veterans day service day refreshments, please send them to veterans services at the VA instead of sending it to Marie Bushy. Also services will be at noon starting with laying of the wreath outside then going inside to building 44. Also the VA Christmas party will be Dec 9, 10:30-2 in 1 south day room, send donations to Dept. QM % va xmas party. 4
1. 2. Post Commanders: Attention is called to the provisions of Section 703 of the National By-Laws which require that each officer accountable for funds or property pursuant to any provision of these By-Laws shall be bonded with an indemnity company as surety in a sum at least equal to the amount of the liquid assets for which, so far as can be anticipated, he may be accountable. The bond premium shall be paid from the funds of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Department, District, County Council or Post, as the case may be, to which each officer is accountable. The bonds of such accountable officers, in amount and as to surety, shall be approved by their respective units and held by their respective Commanders. The Commander of each unit shall be responsible for the proper and adequate bonding of all accountable officers in his unit. 3. Sec. 210-Surrender of Charter. A Post may surrender its charter in accordance with the procedures herein set forth as follows: a) A motion to consider surrendering a Post charter shall be made and approved at a stated meeting of the Post. If approved, the Post Commander shall immediately provide to the Department Commander a list describing all assets and liabilities of the Post. a) A Post may then, after at least twenty (20) days written notice to the Dept. Commander, District Commander and members of the Post, vote to surrender the charter upon a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and voting at a stated meeting. C) The Dept. Commander shall be notified immediately after the meeting, in writing, of the outcome of the voted to surrender the charter of a Post. If approved, the Dept. Commander shall within thirty (30) days, request that the Commander-in-Chief cancel the charter. Pending such cancellation the Post shall not dispose of any assets. 4. Adjutants Note: School is upon us. Now is the time to get hold of your local school guidance counselors to get them information out about our Student Scholarship Programs. For those of you who were sleeping at the Department leadership course, (or didn t attend) remember Nat l also change the date for the Teacher of the Year to October 31st along with the Patriot Pen and VOD programs. Have been getting frequent emails about posting events through mass email. CMDR Magnant brought up a good point, if you don t have a Post Facebook page, get one and also send the info to our Dept. Facebook page and make sure all your FB friends friend the Dept. Facebook page. Vermontveteransofforeign wars is the facebook page and mail events and info to: cpclodgo@gmail.com to post. 5. IRS AND VFW AWARD MONIES. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires that any recipient that receives more than a $599 award should receive a Form 1099 identifying the proceeds as taxable. This will include the VFW programs Patriot s Pen and Smart/ Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award. 5
6. Upcoming District Meeting Dates: District 1: October 15, 2017 Post 1332, Bennington 1200 Lunch: 1300 Meeting 7. Council of Administration Dates: October 14 2017 Post 10038 Lyndonville 1200 Lunch: 1300 Meeting January 20, 2018 Post 7823, Middlebury 1200 Lunch; 1300 Meeting April 21, 2018 Post 771, Springfield 1200 Lunch; 1300 Meeting 8. Eastern States Conference, Portland Me, October 27-29, 2017 9. DUES NOTICE SCHEDULE: Annual members will receive a mailed renewal notice five months, three months, and one month prior to their subscription end date. Annual members with a valid email address will also receive an emailed renewal notice six months, four months, and two months prior to their subscription end date. Annual members will receive a mailed lapsed notice one, three, and five months following their subscription end date. 10. Upcoming standown: I would like all our posts in the state to take a hard look around your area for any homeless veterans, or veterans at risk. Reach out to your local police stations, churches, fire departments. The Barre VFW along with the council that they have formed are having a stand down for the homeless on Sept 30 th at the Barre Auditorium. They have worked hard with many hours of planning and preparing for this. Let s help by looking and bringing any veterans that we may know that has these needs. There will be clothes, socks, shoes, hot food, hot showers, barbers etc. for these vets. Picture Left: National Convention July, 2017, New Orleans La. Dept. Vermont Line Officers, including PSC Mike Choquette greeting General Dick Cody, L/M of Montpelier Post 792, in the green room behind the stage right before he was to receive the Americanism Award. Gen. Cody was the 31st Vice Chief of Staff for the U.S.Army from June 24,2004-July 31,2008 OFFICIAL: Donald P. Dockter Donald P. Dockter State Adjutant Charles A. Magnant Charles A. Magnant State Commander 6
Adjusted N/R Prior Post Dst Life New Reinst Cont Total prior yr Percent Div City LM Annual Retention 648 1 141 0 0 37 178 256 69.53% 3 RUTLAND 1 108 35.19% 765 1 7 0 0 2 9 12 75.00% 10 HANCOCK 0 4 50.00% 771 1 276 0 0 8 284 312 91.02% 3 SPRINGFIELD 0 25 28.00% 1034 1 228 2 0 23 253 306 82.67% 3 BRATTLEBORO 0 69 36.23% 1332 1 255 1 0 7 263 284 92.60% 3 BENNINGTON 0 19 42.11% 2571 1 216 0 0 22 238 287 82.92% WHITE RIVER 3 JCT 0 59 38.98% 6471 1 180 1 0 26 207 282 73.40% 3 MANCHESTER 0 96 30.21% 8284 1 43 0 0 1 44 38 115.78% 10 CASTLETON 0 8 12.50% DIST 1 1 1346 4 0 126 1476 1777 83.06% 1 % 758 2 173 1 1 26 201 264 76.13% 3 SAINT ALBANS 0 89 32.58% 778 2 168 9 0 92 269 275 97.81% 3 SWANTON 0 117 81.20% 782 2 268 9 0 69 346 375 92.26% 2 BURLINGTON 0 114 60.53% 1767 2 60 2 0 12 74 100 74.00% 7 WINOOSKI 0 41 26.83% 6689 2 210 1 0 12 223 260 85.76% ESSEX JUNC- 3 TION 0 44 31.82% 7823 2 123 2 1 20 146 193 75.64% 4 MIDDLEBURY 1 63 31.75% 10854 2 27 0 0 9 36 57 63.15% 9 GRAND ISLE 0 29 34.48% DIST 2 2 1029 24 2 240 1295 1524 84.97% 1 % 790 3 155 5 0 41 201 262 76.71% 3 BARRE 0 109 23.85% 792 3 344 0 0 34 378 437 86.49% 2 MONTPELIER 0 83 45.78% 793 3 94 0 0 12 106 142 74.64% SAINT 6 JOHNSBURY 0 44 27.27% 798 3 115 5 5 38 163 167 97.60% 5 NEWPORT 0 50 48.00% 2309 3 30 0 0 4 34 38 89.47% 10 ISLAND POND 0 18 22.22% 7779 3 100 2 0 5 107 130 82.30% 6 HYDE PARK 0 27 22.22% 8451 3 20 1 0 2 23 24 95.83% 10 CHELSEA 0 5 40.00% 9653 3 258 0 0 8 266 280 95.00% 3 MORRISVILLE 0 19 47.37% 10038 3 233 0 0 0 233 247 94.33% 3 LYNDONVILLE 0 5 40.00% DIST 3 3 1349 13 5 144 1511 1727 87.49% 0 % 15047 99 233 1 0 21 255 370 68.91% 2 MAL 3 % 0 99 233 1 0 21 255 370 68.91% 3 % 0 255 3957 42 7 531 4537 5398 84.04% 5 % DEPARTMENT MEMSTATS AS OF 9/28/2017 NOT ALL BAD/NOT ALL GOOD GO AFTER THOSE RETENTION RATES IT WILL MAKE YOUR RECRUITING LIFE MUCH EASIER 7
8