HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MISSOURI
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE U.S., INC
GENERAL ORDERS NO. 7
(To be read or distributed at a regular Post meeting and filed)
Series 2011 - 2012 January 2012
1. The next meeting of the Council of Administration will be held at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson
City, on Saturday, February 4, 2012, starting promptly at 8.00 a.m. Council meetings are open to the
membership and members are encouraged to attend. All members of the Council, as well as Committee
Chairmen should make every effort to attend. The highlight of the February meeting will be our annual
Voice of Democracy Award Banquet. State winners in the Voice of Democracy, Patriots Pen, and
Teachers Award programs will be honored. Workshops are scheduled to be conducted during the
weekend. The schedule of events and additional information will be posted on the Weblog at
http://vfwmo.org as soon as finalized. Hotel reservations may be made by calling 573-635-1234, or 800-
338-8088. When making your reservations, please be sure to tell them you are with the VFW. Cut off
for hotel reservations is January 3, 2012.
2. All 2011 membership cards, with the exception of Life Membership cards, expire at midnight on
December 31, 2011. Members who have not yet renewed for 2012 are urged to do so without further
delay. Membership program totals have improved somewhat, but could stand much more. The
payment of 2012 dues by all delinquent 2011 members would give a big boost to this important program.
Congratulations to the Posts that have obtained 100% of their membership quota. 100% Membership
Shirts will be presented at the February C of A if received by that time.
3. Post and District Commanders should assure that only members in good standing are present at
Post and District meetings. Officers are reminded that they cannot perform the duties of their office if
they are not in good standing for 2012 and Posts shall declare the office vacated. Officers not in good
standing for 2012 shall relinquish their office and may not hold an office in the Post for the
remainder of the VFW year. Be sure to verify the status of your officers at the January meeting.
The vacancy shall be filled at the January meeting.
4. Post All-State requirements must be met by April 30, 2012, to qualify for All-State. Posts and
Districts should review All-State Requirements for this year and ensure they are meeting the
requirements. The Post All-State Program is on page 27 of the Post Commander and Quartermaster
Handbook. District All-State requirements were given out at the May School of Instruction.
5. All Posts should start making plans for a 2012 Spring Buddy Poppy drive. One of the most
important duties of a District and Post Commander is the appointment of a capable Buddy Poppy
Chairman who can be trusted to get the job done. If a Buddy Poppy Chairman has not been appointed,
please do so immediately. An order blank is located in the Post Commander and Quartermaster’s
Handbook that was given to each Post Commander & Quartermaster. Poppies must be ordered through
Department Headquarters and paid in advance. Get your order in NOW. Due to a shortage of workers
who assemble poppies, the factory still has a backlogg. Be sure to allow at least six (6) weeks for
delivery. National Headquarters has informed us they will fill orders as soon as possible.
General Orders #7, Series 11-12
Olin Parks, State Commander
Page - 2
6. The deadline for submitting bids for the 2015 Department Convention is March 15, 2012, as
prescribed by the Department By-Laws. Any Post or group of Posts wishing to submit a bid should
contact Department Headquarters for the necessary forms.
7. Posts must have adequate DRAM (Liquor Liability) Insurance pursuant to National By-Laws Section
709. Any Post owning and/or operating, directly or by reason of a holding company or other entity
substantially controlled by the Post or its members, a canteen, clubroom or other facility available to
members or guests must maintain general liability insurance, including, if necessary or appropriate,
liquor liability insurance. Such insurance must be of a type and amount sufficient to protect the Post and
must name, as additional insureds, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Department in which such
Post is located. A copy of Post Insurance must be forwarded to the State Adjutant when renewed.
8. Post Commanders and Trustees are reminded that the By-Laws require an audit be submitted to
Department Headquarters at the end of each Quarter. The Quarterly Audit Report for the period ending
December 31, 2011, is due at Department Headquarters NOT LATER THAN JANUARY 31, 2012.
9. Post Service Officers are reminded to report all Post Service Officer events and/or Veterans
Benefits Fair activities to their District Veterans Service Information Officer. Reports should include the
number of Veterans served, number of Veterans Service Officer referrals sent to St. Louis, and the
number of new or reinstated members that the activity generated. District Veterans Service Officers
must compile this information and report it to the Department VSIO on a monthly basis.
10. The next issue of the Missourian is scheduled to be posted in mid–February to hi-lite the Voice of
Democracy Banquet. Please submit articles to the Department Adjutant by January 30, 2012. Articles
may be submitted via email to: adj@mo.vfwwebmail.com
11. The following District Meetings for January 2012 are announced:
DIST POST # LOCATION DATE TIME REPRESENTATIVE
1 4398 Richmond 01-14-12 11:00 a.m. Phil Pippins
3 4043 Liberty 01-21-12 11:00 a.m. Olin Parks
9 6133 Owensville 01-08-12 12:00 noon Olin Parks
12 4105 Florissant 01-14-12 1:00 p.m. None
14 3404 Springfield 01-15-12 12:30 p.m. Phil Pippins
15 3838 Cape Girardeau 01-29-12 12:00 noon Olin Parks
17 2446 Hannibal 01-15-12 1:00 p.m. Lyle Seelinger
12. To each Member of the Department of Missouri, it is our wish that you have a Happy and
Prosperous New Year.
Official: By order of:
Jessie L. Jones Olin Parks
Adjutant Commander