DEPARTMENT OF ALABAMA
VETERANS OF
FOREIGN WARS
1231 Carmichael
Way
April 1, 2008
1. MEMBERSHIP:
We currently have 19,388 members
reported for 90.37%. We
appreciate your support as we start the “Caring and Serving all Veterans and
Families” membership year for 2007-2008. We need 994 members to reach 95% by April 30, 2008.
2. DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS are directive and are to be read/discussed at the next Post/District meeting and filed for reference.
3 RECORD BOOK (SCRAPBOOK) CONTEST: The Department will recognize the top three (3) Community Activity Posts at the State Convention. Record books are to be in Department Headquarters by April 16, 2008. For additional information see pages 2-39 & 2-40 of the 2007-08 Roster and Programs Book. There is an information sheet that goes inside the front cover page 2-42 of Roster and Programs book.
4 STATE COMMANDERS HOMECOMING: April 25-27, 2008, Dothan, AL. Room reservations, can be made by calling Holiday Inn, 2195 Ross Clark Circle, Dothan, AL 1-334-794-8711.
5 COMMANDERS: Section 218 (a) requires the Post Commander to assure he or his representative attend all properly called district meetings. In the absence of the Post Commander, Section 218 (a) (2) requires that the Sr. Vice Commander represent the commander. Section 218 (a) (4) requires the Jr. Vice Commander to be the representative in the absence of the Commander and Sr. Vice Commander.
6 STATE CONVENTION: will be held at the Birmingham Marriott, 3590 Grandview Parkway, Birmingham, AL 35243 June 5-8, 2008. Room rates are $103.00 plus tax. Reservations must be made prior to May 13, 2008. After May 13, 2008 cut-off date rates will be regular rack rate. Room cancellation date is 48 hours prior to arrival date. For reservations call 1-205-968-3775. Registration fee for the State Convention is $25.00. Registration must be received by May 30, 2008. Anyone sending in a $25.00 registration after May 30, 2008 will have the registration returned unaccepted. NO ON-SITE REGISTRATION.
7 ALL STATE TEAM: The State Commander will select an ALL STATE TEAM based on the performance of each individual post. Prerequisites are listed on page 2-6 and 2-7 of 2007-08 Roster and Program Book. Being 100% will not always make the team.
8 ATTENTION: A thorough program of Post Inspections is
necessary to ensure compliance with National and Department By-Laws and
directives. Department Inspectors and
Deputies shall make every effort to inspect every Post under their cognizance
on an annual basis and correct such discrepancies as may be disclosed.
9. COMMANDERS: The distribution of VFW Buddy Poppies will
be conducted according to the provisions set forth in sections 711 of the
National By-Laws and Manual of Procedure.
Department, District, County Council and Post Commanders should arrange
now for the distribution of Buddy Poppies for the Memorial Day campaign in
their respective areas. All profits
accruing from the distribution of Buddy Poppies shall be used for the relief of
disabled and needy veterans and their dependents.
10. District
Commander of the Month of February 2008 is District 4 Commander Robert
Littrell with 99.07%. CONGRATULATIONS!
11. COMMANDERS: The letter dated October 31, 2000 from the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board waivers the requirement for the Ladies Auxiliary to sign in as a guest with a member sponsor. They have the same rights under the waiver as a member. This does no waive the requirement to have 150 VFW members to hold a Class I retail liquor license. You must have 150 paid VFW members.
12. ATTENTION ALL COMMANDERS: National By-Laws section 213 – ARREARAGES: states that any Post in arrears for National, Department, County Council or District dues, Poppy money, supply money or other financial obligation or failing to have the office of Quartermaster properly bonded in accordance with Section 302, failing to ensure that the Post is properly insured in accordance with Section 709, or failing to submit properly completed quarterly Post Trustees Report of Audit or Post Election Report (election report for 2007-08 officers) shall be deprived of all representation in County Council meetings, District, Department and National conventions. Such representation shall be restored promptly upon proper adjustment of such deficiencies.
13. DEPARTMENT COMMANDERS: State By-Laws Article VI, Section 2 – The Delegate and alternate strength of each Post in the Department shall be based upon one of each for every fifteen (15) members or fraction thereof in good standing thirty (30) days prior to convention and they shall be elected in accordance with the provisions of the National by-Laws.
14. PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR OFFICERS: All Post, Councils and Districts are reminded of the provisions of Section 215, 413, and 514 of the National By-Laws and Manual of Procedure that officers, elected and appointed, shall not be installed or assume the duties of their office until such proof of eligibility has been submitted to the respective Adjutant for review.
15. ELECTION OF POST OFFICERS: The nominations, election, installation and term of office for Post Officers must be in accordance with Section 217 National By-Laws and Manual of Procedure. All Post Elections are to be held during the Month of APRIL.
16. POST ELECTION REPORTS: Election reports are to be sent to National Headquarters IMMEDIATELY after election of officers. DO NOT repeat DO NOT wait until the Post Officers are installed. Posts will be required to indicate if they own or rent a Post Home. PLEASE CHECK THE SPELLING OF NAMES, CURRENT ADDRESSES, CAP SIZE AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS, AS THESE ITEMS ARE VERY IMPORTANT!!!
17. Election Reports will be mailed 1st week in March to all Posts. District Election Reports have been discontinued. Districts only have to notify Department Headquarters who the top three officers are plus Quartermaster
18. ELECTION OF DISTRICT OFFICERS: The nominations, election, installation and term of officer or District Officers must be in accordance with Section 405, 414 and 415 National By-Laws and Manual of Procedure. Section 405 is quoted for your information “Each district shall hold an annual District Convention for the purpose of electing District Officers and for the transaction of business.
19. COMMANDERS: Please notify Headquarters of the physical address of your Post Home or the address of where your regularly scheduled meetings are conducted.
20. ATTENTION: Each District that would like to submit to Department Headquarters newspaper journalists or TV reporters in their District who has written good articles concerning veterans we will give proper recognition to them at the State Convention.
21. NATIONAL CONVENTION: will be held August 16-21, 2008 at Rosen Center Hotel, 9840 International Dr., Orlando, FL 32819. Telephone 1-407-996-9840 or 1-888-221-9425-Fax 1-407-996-3169. Room rates are $115.00 plus 13.5% tax.
22. Special Order No. 229 dated March 7, 2008 in accordance with the provisions of Section 211 of the National By-Laws hereby cancels the charter of Lake Harding Post No. 3212, Riverview, Alabama and the Post declared defunct.
23. Special Order No. 239, dated March 19, 2008 terminated the membership of Tommy D. Hancock, 1400 Pine Level Rd., Brantley, AL 36009, Membership No. 4481850, Opp Post No. 6622, Opp, AL, because of ineligibility.
EDWARD
PRITCHARD
STATE
COMMANDER
OFFICIAL:
JOHN HANCOCK