GENERAL ORDER NO. 9 2007-2008 SERIES

1. MEMBERSHIP: We currently have 19,095 members reported for 89.00%. We appreciate your support as we start the “Caring and Serving all Veterans and Families” membership year for 2007-2008. We need 1,287 members to reach 95% by March 31, 2008.

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

3. 2008 VFW EMPLOYMENT AWARDS PROGRAM: the Washington Office is now accepting nominations for the year 2008 Veterans of Foreign Wars Employment Awards Program. The four (4) Award Categories to be presented are (1) National employment Service Office Award, (2) National employer of the Year Award (greater than 250 employees), (3) National employer of the Year Award (less than 250 employees) and (4) James C. Gates Distinguished Service Award. Nominations must be in Department Headquarters no later than March 30, 2008.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. District Commander of the Month of February 2008 is District 4 Commander Robert Littrell with 95.44%. CONGRATULATIONS!

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR OFFICERS: All Post, Councils and Districts are reminded of the provisions of Section 216 (c), 316 (c) and 414 (c) 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.

16. 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.

17. 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. PLEASE CHECK THE SPELLING OF NAMES, CURRENT ADDRESSES, CAP SIZE AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS, AS THESE ITEMS ARE VERY IMPORTANT!!!

18. Election Reports will be mailed 1^st 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. Posts will be required to indicate if they own or rent a Post Home.

19. 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, such convention to be held not less than the (10) days (May 28, 2008) nor more than seventy-five (75) days (March 24, 2008) prior to the convening of the Department Convention.

20. COMMANDERS: Please notify Headquarters of the physical address of your Post Home or the address of where your regularly scheduled meetings are conducted.

21. 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.

22. Special Order No.169, dated January 29, 2008, hereby orders the membership of Bradley S. Vickers, Membership No. 9542793, be removed from the rolls of Railey-Barnes Post No. 5566, Jacksons Gap, Alabama, and his membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States by reason of ineligibility.

EDWARD PRITCHARD

STATE COMMANDER

OFFICIAL:

JOHN HANCOCK

GENERAL ORDER NO. 9 2007-2008 SERIES

STATE ADJUTANT