GENERAL ORDER NO. 4 2007-2008 SERIES

1. MEMBERSHIP: We currently have 15,701 members reported for 73.18%. We appreciate your support as we start the “Caring and Service all Veterans and Families” membership year for 2007-2008. We need 1,462 members to reach 80% by October 31, 2007.

2. DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS are directive and are to be read/discussed at the next Post/District meeting and filed for reference.

3. NATIONAL VETERANS DAY IN BIRMINGHAM: This year since November 11^th is on a Sunday, we must move our parade to Monday November 12^th. Our Award Dinner will be Sunday Evening November 11^th and the World Peace Luncheon will be on November 12^th. Award Dinner Tickets are $23.00 each and World Peace Luncheon Tickets are $21.00 each.

4. QUARTERMASTER BONDS: Quartermaster Bonds are due in August each year. The bond covers from September 1^st thru August 31^s^t. It is the duty of the Post Commander to see that the Post is properly bonded. Post Adjutants should submit their request for Post insurance directly to Tallman Insurance Agency at VFW National Headquarters, 406 West 34^th Street – Suite 806, Kansas City, MO 64111 or contact an agency in your community. Please forward declaration page to Department showing amount of bond and policy dates.

5. DISPOSAL OF POST PROPERTY: Section 709 National By-Laws require any Post desiring to sell or mortgage its property must give notice of the meeting to consider the sale or mortgage to each member of the Post and to the Department Commander ten (10) days prior to the meeting and the sale or mortgage must be approved by two-thirds vote of those members present and voting at the meeting.

6. 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.

7. ATTENTION COMMANDERS: Your attention is directed to action of the National Council of Administration prohibiting the wearing of baseball type caps and/or western style hats at any VFW meeting.

8. COMMANDERS: Section 218 (a) requires the Post Commander to assure that he or his representative attend all properly called District Conventions or meetings and County Council meetings. In the absence of the Post Commander Section 218 (a) 2 requires that the Senior Vice Commander represent the Commander. Section 218 (a) (3) requires the Junior Vice Commander to be the representative in the absence of the Commander and Senior Vice Commander.

9. COMMANDERS: you are requested to insure that all members realize and understand that any conduct unbecoming during State Conferences and Conventions where the State or District has contracted with any Hotel or other business is subject to the National By-Laws and Manual of Procedure. Any and all complaints should be submitted either in writing or delivered directly to the Convention Committee Chairman or State Adjutant. The Convention Committee Chairman submits a report to the Hotel Management on all complaints received during the contracted period. Members, going directly to the hotel staff is not conductive to Good of the Order and will not be tolerated.

10. COMMANDERS: are reminded that any member or guest barred from a Post for violation of By-Laws and/or conduct unbecoming will be allowed to attend all regular scheduled or special called post membership meetings. They may arrive fifteen (15) minutes before scheduled meeting and must leave immediately following close of meeting. They may not purchase any type beverage and entering upon the property at any other time subjects them to arrest for trespassing on VFW property.

11. COMMANDERS: The Department Council of Administration has wavered the first year’s dues on any new first time member (this does not apply to re-instated members). This should be of great assistance to the local Posts and Districts in recruiting new members. All you have to do is fill out the required information and indicate which Post the individual will be a member of. Send the application to the State Adjutant/Quartermaster who will verify that the individual is not a re-instate or continuous member. If he qualifies for the program the Adjutant/Quartermaster will forward the application and required dues amount to National.

12. GENERAL ORDER: Post Commander and Quartermaster with largest percentage increase of new, or reinstate members will be invited to dinner with State Commander and National Representative at Fall Conference in Decatur.

13. District Commander with largest percentage increase of new or reinstate members by October 31st will receive VFW Jacket at the Mid-Winter Conference.

14. Any member who wants their name on the list for National Appointment must have ten new or reinstate members by October 31, 2007.

15. GOLD MEDAL AWARDS PROGRAM: Includes LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF THE YEAR: FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAL OF THE YEAR awards. Complete application and required information must be in Department Headquarters by NOVEMBER 1, 2007. Forms are located on pages 2-61, 2-63 and 2-65 of the 2007-08 Roster and Programs Book.

16. VFW HONORS AMERICA’S TEACHERS DURING 2007-08 PROGRAM YEAR: The VFW wants to recognize the nation’s top elementary, junior high and senior high school teachers who teach citizenship education topics regularly and promote America’s history, traditions and institutions effectively throughout the State with the VFW National Citizenship Education Teachers Award. Nominations can be submitted by, fellow teachers, supervisors or other interested individuals. Self-nominations are not eligible. Deadline materials should be in Department Headquarters December 1, 2007.

17. VOICE OF DEMOCRACY: All material pertaining to the District Winner must be in Department Headquarters by December 28, 2007. The following items must be sent to Department Headquarters: Winners tape, official entry form, typed copy of script. The District must send in the District Participation report along with the list of Post in numerical order that participated. The report form is located on page 2-46 of the 2007-08 Roster and Program Book.

18. PATRIOTS PEN: All material pertaining to the District Winner must be Department Headquarters by December 28, 2007. Required information is located on pages 2-49 and 2-50 (District form) in the 2007-08 Roster and Program Book.

19. POST DUES RESERVE: Attention is directed to Section 218, Manual of Procedure, which mandates Post Quartermasters to maintain a dues reserve fund to which shall be credited no less than one-half of the Post’s part of the current years (2007) dues paid by each member prior to July 1, 2008; except dues remitted by the post. No Quartermaster shall disburse, nor shall an obligation be incurred against this fund until after July 1, 2008, at which time it shall be transferred to the Post General Fund and be available for expenditure.

20. ADMISSION FEES: National By-Laws and Manual of Procedure Section 104 requires that the Post Quartermaster transmit to Department Headquarters $1.00 for each new member transmitted during this year.

21. ATTENTION POST COMMANDERS: ASCAP/BMI LICENSE FEE: Public Law 97-366 exempts non-profit veterans organizations that meet the following requirements: (1) the function wherein live music is performed must be limited to VFW and Ladies Auxiliary members and their bona-fide guest and not open to the general public, (2) All profit after paying reasonable cost of producing the performance, must be used for charitable purposes. Post shall maintain records that will substantiate their claim to exemption as a non-profit organization and should immediately notify ASCAP or BMI representative if they receive invoices for license fee.

22. IRS FORMS 990 AND 990T’S: All Post Commanders and Quartermasters are reminded that they must withhold taxes on all employees and report income on all employees. Anyone performing (band, etc.) or contract labor must be provided a 1099 each year. Posts that are required to submit IRS Form 990/990T must do so by November 15, 2007.

23. District Commander of the Month of September 2007 is District 2 Commander Frank Rhodes with 78.61%. CONGRATULATIONS!

24. Special Order No. 10 dated September 11, 2007, approving the Disciplinary Action sentence of TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP from the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States of Larry E. Standridge, Life Membership No. 9475221, Smith-Leonard Post No. 4572, Wetumpka, Alabama, and ordering the execution thereof.

25. Special Order No. 11 dated September 11, 2007, approving the Disciplinary Action sentence of TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP from the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the of the United States of Robert L. Locklin, Life Membership No. 1475956, Whorton-Dykes Post No. 2760, Gadsden, Alabama, and ordering the execution thereof.

BY ORDER OF:

EDWARD PRITCHARD

STATE COMMANDER

OFFICIAL:

JOHN HANCOCK

STATE ADJUTANT