GENERAL ORDER NO. 5 2007-2008 SERIES

1. MEMBERSHIP: We currently have 16,181 members reported for 75.42%. We appreciate your support as we start the “Caring and Service all Veterans and Families” membership year for 2007-2008. We need 2,055 members to reach 85% by November 30, 2007.

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

3. NOTE: MIDWINTER CONFERENCE: is scheduled for January 24-27, 2008 at the Huntsville Marriot, 5 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, Alabama. For Room reservations call 1-256-830-2222 or fax 1-256-830-1336. Room rates are $82.00 + tax. Reservations must be made prior to January 2, 2008 cut-off date. Registration fee is $40.00 and you must register by January 11, 2008. After this date registration will be $50.00 if seating is available. NO ON-SITE REGISTRATION.

4. 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.

5. ATTENTION COMMANDERS: Your attention is directed to action of the National council of administration prohibition the wearing of baseball type caps and/or western style hats at any VFW 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. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. POST COMMANDERS AND QUARTERMASTER: New 2008 Podium addition of Manual of Procedure and Congressional Charter and By-Laws are now available at Department Headquarters at a cost of $10.00 each.

12. District Commander of the Month of October 2007 is District 2 Commander Frank Rhodes with 81.99%. CONGRATULATIONS!

13. Special Order No. 100 dated October 18, 2007, terminated the membership of Harold L. Crabtree, 5787 Lee Road, Valley, Alabama 36854 Membership No. 9446823, Lake Harding Post No. 3212, Valley, Alabama because of ineligibility.

14. Special Order No.109, dated October 24, 2007, approved the Disciplinary Action sentence of TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP from the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States of Charles D. Davis, Membership No. 678755, Whorton-Dykes Post No. 2760, Gadsden, Alabama, and ordered the execution thereof.

BY ORDER OF:

EDWARD PRITCHARD

STATE COMMANDER

OFFICIAL:

JOHN HANCOCK

STATE ADJUTANT