ALL-STATE COMPETITION
This year the competition for All State winners will be divided into 6 Divisions. Each Division will be awarded 4 All State winning posts provided those division have at least 4 post submissions. Winning posts will be represented by their Commander and Quartermaster to be honored and recognized at the Awards Ceremony, Wednesday evening, June 24, 2010. The Commander will receive a white hat and citation. The Quartermasters will receive a distinguished pin and citation. Additionally, the post commander and quartermaster will receive free banquet tickets for them and their guests to attend the banquet Friday, June 26, 2010. Mileage will be paid to and from the awards event. Posts should consider paying or helping defray the cost of the hotel for their Commander and Quartermaster so that they are afforded the opportunity to represent your post throughout the convention. The divisions are as follows:
DIVISION MEMBERSHIP STRENGTH
1 2 3 4 5 6
750 AND ABOVE 300 - 749 150 - 299 100 - 149 60 - 99 10 - 59
The bar to achieve All State status is, in some aspects, higher than previous years. The standards, however, are not so high as not to be able to achieve this high honor. They simply are those things we should always have been doing, but have become complacent in over the years. It is time we, once again, energize ourselves to make every aspect of the Department of Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars stand above the rest. You may feel begrudged at first, as much of this will seem new and overwhelming. Once you get on a good roll, you will find yourselves full of pride for the accomplishments you have achieved for your Post, District, Department, and the Veterans we all serve. It really is all about SERVICE. At the end of everyday you should ask yourself, "What have I done today to make me feel VFW proud?” You will have an answer far more often than you imagine.
ALL-STATE POST COMMANDER & QUARTERMASTER APPLICATION
POST NAME & NUMBER:_____________________________________________________________________ POST LOCATION:__________________________________________DISTRICT #:__________ COMMANDER’S NAME:______________________________________*SSN________________________________ COMMANDER’S PHONE #:__________________CAP SIZE:_______LIFE MEMBER: YES______ NO_______ QUARTERMASTER’S NAME:______________________________________*SSN____________________________ QUARTERMASTER’S PHONE #:__________________LIFE MEMBER: YES____NO_____
1. Do you plan on attending the State Convention Awards Program AND Banquet? Awards Program: Post Commander __YES __NO Post Quartermaster __YES __NO Banquet: Post Commander __YES __NO Post Quartermaster __YES __NO 2 Attained 100% membership from the PRIOR YEAR TOTAL? YES NO 3 All (4) Post Audits on file at the Department Headquarters? YES NO 4 Post Quartermaster Bond is on file at Department HQ by 08/31/09? YES NO 5 Post Election Report sent to Department HQ s and National by May 7, 2010? YES NO 6 Post IRS Tax Form 990 on file at Department HQ s? YES NO 7 Post entered VOD candidate for District level competition? YES NO 8 If Post did not have a student entry in VOD; donation has been paid to YES NO Department HQ s? 9 Post entered Patriot’s Pen candidate in District level competition? YES NO 10 If Post did not have a Patriot’s Pen entry; donation has been paid to Department YES NO HQ s? 11 Post entered a Teacher candidate in District level competition? YES NO 12 If Post did not have a teacher candidate; donation has been paid to Department YES NO HQ's? 13 Attended District School of Instruction Training? YES NO 14 Post Quartermaster attended Quartermaster Training? YES NO 15 Post Service Officer attended Service Officer Training? YES NO 16 Registered & paid fee for 2010 National Convention? YES NO 17 Registered & paid fee for 2010 State Convention? YES NO 18 Conducted at least 1 membership recruiting drive in your community? YES 19 Attended or were represented by Sr. or Jr. Vice Commander at
N/A
N/A
N/A
NO
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
ALL District Meetings and State Mid-Winter Conference? Submitted the required Action Reports in Citizenship/Education, Community Service, Youth, Scholarship & Recognition, Hospital, and Service Office? Participated in Buddy Poppy Program (Purchased Min. 10 PER MEMBER)? Post supported State Raffle Program? Donated to Service Office Program? Donated to the State Trust Fund? Post actively participated in Gift Card Program? Donated to optional, but highly recommended programs?
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO
Remember, it is your responsibility to ensure that your Post has completed all of the necessary requirements for qualification for this High Award. If you are in doubt about the completion of any of the above requirements, please contact the State Chief-of-Staff or Department Headquarters. Complete the initial requirements early and get them out of the way. Then all you need to do is concentrate on the MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM. The competition bar is high, so the more you accomplish, the better your chances are. Failure to meet the standards will disqualify you from this award.
Please, submit this application to include your worksheet. Only include attachments that clarify any area that requires explanation.
U.S. MAIL ADDRESS: VFW, DEPARTMENT OF WISCONSIN P.O. BOX 1623 MADISON, WI 53701-1623 OR
Complete your Application and Worksheet on line and submit to: ChiefofStaff@wivfwWebCom.com. DEADLINE IS MAY 12, 2010 TO STATE HEADQUARTERS (NO EXCEPTIONS) *NOTE: Your Social Security Number (SSN) is required by National for tax purposes only.
YEAR 2009-2010
ALL-STATE AWARD FOR POST COMMANDER AND QUARTERMASTER REQUIREMENTS Attain 100% or greater in membership from the prior year. Attend all District meetings Attend State Mid-Winter conference Attend District School of Instruction Quartermaster attends Quartermaster Training Service Officer attends Service Office Training Attends Recruiter Training Conducts at least 1 (feet on the ground) community recruiting campaign for new and reinstate members. Enter a candidate in VOD Competition or pay required donation Enter a candidate in Patriot’s Pen Competition or pay required donation Enter a candidate in Teacher of the Year Competition or pay required donation Submit Action Reports in Citizenship/Education, Youth, Scholarship & Recognition, Community Service, Hospital, and Service Officer Reports (Service Officer Reports are monthly). Participate in the Buddy Poppy Program (Purchase a minimum of 10 poppies per member) Actively participates in the State Raffle Program. Actively participate in the Gift Card Program. Donate to the State Trust Fund Donate to Service Office Program Donate to at least 3 optional (but highly recommended) programs Complete and submit, on time, all post administrative requirements: Post Quartermaster Bond (NLT 08/30/09) Post Election Report sent to Department headquarters and National (NLT 05/07/10) Post IRS Tax Form 990 on file at Department Headquarters. Register and pay fee for 2010 National Conventions. Register and pay fee for 2010 State Convention
YEAR 2009-2010 ALL-STATE AWARD FOR POST COMMANDER AND QUARTERMASTER WORKSHEET (PLEASE, COMPLETE THIS FORM AND SUBMIT WITH ALL-STATE Application) 1. Attend the District School of Instruction (July/August/September 2009). Name Post Attendees:_____________________________________________________________ 2. Attain Post Membership of 100% or greater from the PRIOR YEAR TOTAL: Membership as of June 30, 2009_________Membership as of May 1, 2010_________ 3. Submit (4) Quarterly Audits to the Department HQ s Apr 1-Jun 30, 2009: Date submitted _______________ Jul 1-Sep 30, 2009: Date submitted _______________ Oct 1-Dec 31, 2009: Date submitted _______________ Jan 1-Mar 31, 2010: Date submitted _______________ 4. Submit the 2010-2011 Post Election Report. Sent a copy to both Department HQ s and National by May 7, 2010. Date submitted: _________________________ 5. 100% Reported in the following Department Programs: • Citizenship/Education. • Community Service. • Youth Development, Scholarship & Recognition. • Hospital. • Military Services and Veteran Assistance • Service Officer Reporting Participate in the following Department Programs: Buddy Poppy Program Purchase (Min. of 10 per member in your post).
Date poppies ordered: __________________ Number ordered: ____________
Post participates & supports State Raffle Program. Post sold tickets ___YES ___NO (Select 1 answer). Post Quartermaster Bond is on file at Department HQ s (NLT 8/31/09). Date submitted: _________________________ Submit a current year IRS TAX Form 990 to the Department HQ s. Date submitted: _________________________ Register delegate(s) & pay fee for 2010 National Convention. Date submitted: _________________________ Register delegate(s) & pay fee for 2010 State Convention. Date submitted: _________________________ 7. Donate to the following Department Programs: ALL DONATION CHECKS MUST BE SENT TO DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AND EARMARKED FOR THE SPECIFIC FUNDS THAT ARE OUTLINED BELOW. Donate to State Trust Fund. Date and amount donated: ________________________________________ Donate to Service Office Program Date and amount donated: ________________________________________
Post Participated in Gift Card Program. ___YES ___NO Donate to Voice of Democracy (Only, if Post does not have a candidate). Donate to Patriot’s Pen (Only, if Post does not have a candidate). Donate to Teacher of the Year (Only, if Post does not have a candidate). Optional (but highly recommended) Donations for additional credit: Donate to PAC. Donate to Union Grove Veterans Home. Donate to King Veterans Home. Donate to State Hospital Fund. Donate to Bobby Nelson Christmas Fund. Donate to Emergency & Disaster Fund. Donate to Frank Brown Scholarship Fund. Donate to the National Home/Eaton Rapids Cottage Fund. Donate to Military Services Attend or be represented at ALL District and Department Meetings and Training sessions. (Representation must be either Commander, Sr. Vice, or Jr. Vice in order to receive proper credit for District meetings. Training sessions for Quartermaster and Service Officer must be attended by those elected to that position to receive proper credit). District School of Instruction attended by: __________________________________ Fall District meeting attended by: __________________________________________ Winter District meeting attended by: _______________________________________ Mid-Winter State Conference attended by: __________________________________ Spring District meeting attended by: _______________________________________ Quartermaster Training attended by: _______________________________________ Service Officer Training attended by: _______________________________________ NOTES:
*** Credit for Voice of Democracy, Patriot’s Pen, and Teacher of the Year will be given provided your Post enters a candidate for each program in your District Competition. If your Post is unable to have a student and/or teacher entry, your Post will be given credit provided it makes a contribution to the State Voice of Democracy Fund and the Patriot’s Pen Fund. Donations for these 3 programs by Division is as follows: Division 1 donation level = a minimum of $150.00 Division 2 donation level = a minimum of $125.00 Division 3 donation level = a minimum of $100.00 Division 4 donation level = a minimum of $75.00 Division 5 donation level = a minimum of $50.00 Division 6 donation level = a minimum of $25.00
DEADLINE IS MAY 12, 2010 TO STATE HEADQUARTERS (NO EXCEPTIONS)
ALL-STATE DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCIL COMMANDER APPLICATION
ALL-STATE WORKSHEET MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE DISTRICT OR COUNTY COUNCIL COMMANDER AND SUBMITTED WITH THEIR ALL-STATE PACKET/MANUAL TO THE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS BY MAY 12, 2010.
DISTRICT # OR COUNTY COUNCIL NAME:______________________________________________________ COMMANDER’S NAME:_______________________________________*SSN_______________________________ COMMANDER’S PHONE #:__________________CAP SIZE:_______LIFE MEMBER: YES______ NO_______ (Circle YES or NO):
1 2
Have you registered and paid for the 2010 State Convention? Attained 100% membership from the PRIOR YEAR TOTAL? Membership as of June 30, 2009_________Membership as of May 1, 2010_________ All (4) District or County Council audits are on file at the Dept. HQ s? District or County Council Election Report sent to State HQ and National by May 7, 2010? Conducted District School of Instruction? Hosted a Quartermaster trainer to a District/County Council meeting? Hosted a Service Officer to train at a District/County Council meeting? Hosted a National Recruiter to train at a District/County Council meeting? All Posts have been inspected by December 31, 2009 (100%)? Attended all Council of Administration Meetings? Attended King Day? Attended Mid-Winter Conference? Conducted at least (3) District or County Council Meetings? Promoted and supported the State Raffle Program? Promoted and supported the Gift Card Program? Promoted and supported the State Trust Fund? Promote and supported the Service Office Program?
YES YES
NO NO
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO
NOTE: County Council Commanders are not required to attend Council of Administration meetings unless ordered in from the Dept. HQ s for specific reasons. The (4) County Council Commanders are not part of the Department Council of Administration.
DEADLINE IS MAY 12, 2010 TO STATE HEADQUARTERS (NO EXCEPTIONS) *NOTE: Your Social Security Number (SSN) is required by National for tax purposes only.
YEAR 2009-2010 ALL-STATE AWARD FOR DISTRICT/COUNTY COUNCIL COMMANDER REQUIREMENTS
Attain 100% or greater in membership from the prior year. Schedule and conduct 3 District meetings Conduct School of Instruction Host Quartermaster Training at a District/County Council Meeting Host Service Office Training at a District/County Council Meeting Host a National Recruiter to conduct Recruiter Training at a District/County Council Meeting Submit Action Reports in Citizenship/Education, Youth, Scholarship & Recognition, Community Service, Hospital, and Service Officer Reports. Actively participates in the State Raffle Program to extent possible. Actively participate in the Gift Card Program to extent possible. Actively promotes and participates in Trust Fund donations to extent possible. Actively promotes and participates in Service Office Program to extent possible. Be 100% Reported in the following Department Programs for your District/County: Citizenship/Education, Community Service & Safety, Youth Development, Scholarship & Recognition, Hospital, Service Office. Complete and submit, on time, all post administrative requirements: a. Send all Post Inspection Reports to Department Headquarters (NLT 12/31/09) b. Send District/County Council Election Report sent to Department Headquarters and National (NLT 05/07/10) c. Register and pay fee for 2010 State Convention
Only include attachments that clarify any area that requires explanation.
U.S. MAIL ADDRESS: VFW, DEPARTMENT OF WISCONSIN P.O. BOX 1623 MADISON, WI 53701-1623 OR
Complete your Application and Worksheet on line and submit to: ChiefofStaff@wivfwWebCom.com.
Same Deadline applies.
MEMBERSHIP
The toughest job of the VFW is membership. When times were good, they were very, very good. Our WWII and Korean War vets filled the ranks and membership came with relative ease. Not the case today. Our older members are passing away at rapid rates. Our military has only reduced in size over the years. We lost nearly a whole generation of eligible veterans. Our own complacency has compounded the membership dilemma we are currently facing. It is a new day! This year will mark a new and aggressive method of recruiting all over the state. No post will be immune to the 2009-2010 Membership program. The Department along with National and State recruiters will take a proactive approach in assisting Districts/County Councils and Posts with the training and tools they need to conduct successful recruiting drives in their communities/areas. The Department will do their part by providing a jump start program through booking booths at several County Fairs between July and September 2009. The National and State recruiters will do their part by providing oversight to those fairs and training sessions at District meetings. They will not get up and give a short speech about how you just have to get out there and get those members. That is simple lip service and does nothing to really help the posts. Their training will include how to approach potential members and how to seal the deal in getting those eligible to join with the tools available to every post. They will teach posts how to use those tools to make recruiting easier and more successful. The District/County Council Commanders will do their part by providing constant communications with Post Commanders to ensure those Post Commanders are giving genuine effort to recruiting for their post. They will provide lists of names to posts of eligible people for re-instate as provided to them from Department. They will seek assistance for any posts that ask. District Commanders should plan at least 1 District level recruiting canvas during their year if posts are not showing good results by Mid-Winter. Posts will do their part by attending the recruiter training at either the OTI or when scheduled at their District meeting and by giving their best effort at recruiting in their communities. They will not make a few telephone calls and consider that the total sum of their membership drive. They will conduct at least 1 physical membership drive in their community. This can be done in conjunction with a Buddy Poppy Promotion or a scheduled event your post has such as a Brat Fry, Steak Feed, etc... A door-to-door drive will reap the best results, but is the most difficult to do. You may be quite surprised at the number of folks living around you who are eligible to join! They will seek assistance when they need it. They will work the lists that are provided them by the District Commanders. They will – NOT – give – up. We all became members because we believed in philosophies and programs of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and are proud to be members of such an elite organization. The programs this organization has to offer sell us easily as a premier organization. You must become familiar with the VFW programs. While older veterans are more interested in VFW National veteran services, our younger veterans seem to perk up on legislation, military assistance, and employment. Target your approach to best fit the age of the veteran you are talking to. Focus on what your post has to offer them as well. If your post has nothing to offer, it might be a good time to find something! What will not sell us is a negative attitude and a refusal to try. It is time we own our responsibilities to our post, our district, and our department where membership is concerned.
MEMBERSHIP AWARDS PROGRAM POST MEMBERSHIP COMPETITION
This year you were asked what you wanted if you won a Post Membership award. Some responses were out of the budget range, but some were not! The Membership Awards Program is NOT to be confused with the All-State Program. This is a separate program that rewards Posts who excel in gaining new and reinstated members. The prizes are big and the expectation is high.
THE STANDARD:
Divisions 1 and 2 must have added 25 new and/or reinstated members to their post membership roles. Divisions 2 and 4 must have added 15 new and/or reinstated members to their post membership roles. Divisions 5 and 6 must have added 8 new and/or reinstated members to their post membership roles.
THE DEADLINE: JUNE 15, 2010 THE PRIZE:
Any Post who meets or exceeds the standard will be eligible to win a Laptop Computer or the VFW National Quartermaster software program (initial program only).
7 Laptop Computers and 3 Quartermaster software programs will be purchased.
• • The posts who meet or exceed the standard with the highest numbers of new/reinstated members will have first pick until only laptop computers are available. If more than 10 posts become available, all posts that exceed the standard will win the prizes based on highest new/reinstated numbers. The remaining posts will be placed in a drawing for the remaining prizes. All Posts who meet or exceed the standard will also receive a Certificate of Achievement.
•
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP COMPETITION
Those individuals who work exceptionally hard on membership should reap exceptional notice and reward. This competition will be divided into two (2) groups. Certified National Recruiter of the Year Award and VFW Member of the Year Award.
Certified National Recruiter of the Year Award
• • The Certified National Recruiter who recruits the greatest number on new/reinstated members will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement and a $250.00 cash award. All Certified National Recruiters who exceed their requirement of 20 will receive a Certificate of Achievement.
Individual Membership Award
• Any Member of this Department who is not a Certified National Recruiter is eligible to win. The single member who recruits the highest number of new/reinstated members will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement and $750.00 toward attendance of the 2010 National Convention in Indianapolis, IN. All individuals who recruit 20 or more new/reinstated members will receive a Certificate of Achievement.
•