HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MISSOURI
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE U.S., INC
GENERAL ORDERS NO. 8
Series 2011-2012 February 2012
(To be read or distributed at regular Post Meeting and then filed)
1. The 2012 Department Convention will be held at the Holiday Inn Select, Columbia, Missouri, June 7
– June 10, 2012. Hospitality rooms and individual room reservation information will be forthcoming.
2. Post and District Commanders should be reviewing the All-State program and know where you
need to work to meet the requirements. The program has changed this year, so don’t just assume
you know the requirements. Post All-State requirements are listed in the Post Commander and
Quartermaster handbook. The District All-State program is listed in the District School of Instruction
Manual handed out at the May School of Instruction. To qualify, all requirements must be met and
recorded at Department Headquarters by April 30.
Note: National By-Laws require Post and District Incorporations to be approved by the
Commander-in-Chief. If the date approved by the Commander-in-Chief was not noted on your
inspection report or you have not sent a copy of your Incorporation approved by the
Commander-in-Chief to Department Headquarters, you will not be given credit for incorporation
in the All-State program.
3. Post Commanders are reminded that the annual election of Post Officers must be held during the
month of April. Post officers shall be installed in their respective offices prior to the convening of the
Department Convention. Newly installed officers do not assume their duties until the Department
Commander is installed on June 9, 2012.
Note: All election reports are entered on-line by going into the National website. No forms will be
mailed to the Post. Instructions for accessing the National Website were given to all Post
Quartermasters last June or July.
4. Post and District Commanders are reminded that the By-Laws require proof of eligibility
for all Officers being installed to be on file at the Post or in the case of the District, with the
District Adjutant prior to, or within (60) days of installation. District Commanders being installed
must send proof of eligibility to the Department Adjutant for review and filing prior to being
installed as Council members at the State Convention.
5. Men’s Auxiliary election reports will be mailed out by Department Headquarters to Post
Commanders of posts having Men’s Auxiliaries in early April with instructions on distribution. If you have
a Men’s Auxiliary, please inform them of this change. Post Commanders are reminded that the By-
Laws require proof of eligibility for all Men’s Auxiliary Officers being installed to be on file at the
Post prior to, or within (60) days of the installation.
6. All Officers, Post, Post Men’s Auxiliary and District, elected and appointed, must pay their
2013 dues by December 31, 2012. Members not having paid their dues for 2013 by December 31,
General Orders #8, Series 11-12
Olin Parks, State Commander
Page - 2
2012 are declared members not in good standing and will be relieved of office on January 1,
2013.
7. 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 Convention hotel requirements and coordination of the bid
request.
8. Posts are reminded that their support and contributions to our Veteran Service Officer Program is
vital. All Posts that have not made a donation are encouraged to do so now. As stated in the State
Commander Expectations in the Post Commander & Quartermaster Handbook, it is expected that each
post donate at a minimum of $3.00 per member. Funding of this essential program should be a high
priority at your Post. The State Commander asks Posts to be generous and donate from the heart.
Donation to the program is a requirement to qualify for All-State.
9. All Posts should be making plans for a 2012 Spring Buddy Poppy drive. An order blank is
located in the 2011-12 Post Commander and Quartermaster’s Handbook. Poppies must be ordered
through Department Headquarters and paid in advance. Poppies are shipped direct to you from the
factory. A minimum of six weeks should be allowed for receiving your shipment. There is a back-
log at the factory. Posts need to order NOW for their Spring Poppy drive.
10. The 113th VFW National Convention will be held in Reno, Nevada, during the week of July 21 -
25. Convention registration and related information will be mailed from National Headquarters. Pursuant
th
to changes in the By-Laws at the 111 National Convention, the Post is required to register at least one
st
delegate. The Delegate fee for the 1 delegate will be $25. A fee of $10 is due for each additional
delegate. Post Quartermasters, please send in the $25.00 registration fee and register at least one
(1) delegate as soon as you receive the registration forms. Don’t wait until July to send in your
delegate fee.
11. Deadline for receiving articles for the May issue of the Missourian is April 15. Articles should be
sent to the Editor at adj@mo.vfwwebmail.com or Department Headquarters.
12. The following District Meetings for February are announced:
DIST POST # LOCATION DATE TIME REPRESENTATIVE
2 5608 St. James 02-12-12 12:00 noon Phil Pippins
5 30 Blue Springs 02-12-12 2:00 p.m. Olin Parks
6 5649 Concordia 02-12-12 1:30 p.m. Tom Mundell
7 534 Joplin 02-12-12 12:30 p.m. Nancy Cowan
8 3777 Festus 02-12-12 1:00 p.m. Lyle Seelinger
18 3770 Mtn. Grove 02-18-12 10:00 a.m. Phil Pippins
Official: By order of:
Jessie L. Jones Olin Parks
Adjutant Commander