September General Orders
Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at
09:33 PM
by Missouri
HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MISSOURI
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE U.S., INC
GENERAL ORDERS NO. 3
Series 08 - 09 September, 2008
(To be read at a regular Post meeting and filed)
1. The next meeting of the Council of Administration will be held at the St. Louis Airport Marriott, St. Louis, on Saturday, September 20, 2008, beginning at 8:00 a.m. All members of the Council, as well as Committees and Chairpersons should make every effort to attend and be prepared to report in accordance with the agenda which will be provided prior to the meeting. Room reservations must be made through the hotel by calling 1-314-423-9700, no later than August 28, 2008. A flat rate of $89.00 (plus tax) has been given to the VFW. Please be sure to tell the reservationist that you are with the Missouri VFW State Homecoming group to receive this rate.
2. The 2008 Big 10 Conference will be hosted by the Department of Missouri, 17 October 2008, in St Louis Missouri. Advertisement information on the conference is attached to these General Orders. The information booklet is located on the Weblog in its entirety.
3. The annual trip to the National Home in Eaton Rapids, Michigan is scheduled for October 23 - 26, 2008. A registration form and other information are attached to these General Orders.
4. All posts are now required to file a Federal Income Tax return. NO EXCEPTIONS! Posts may obtain forms 990EZ, 990 and/or 990T from any IRS Office or “On Line” at
http://www.irs.gov. Posts with a year end of 30 June must file with the IRS prior to 15 November 2008. If your gross income (from all sources) is less than $25,000.00 per year, you will file form 990N “On Line” from now on. Go on line to the IRS site,
http://www.epostcard.form99.org/ and follow the three (3) steps to sign up and file. If you need assistance, call the State Quartermaster at 800-903-3370, pin number 00.
5. Numerous By-Law Changes were passed at the National Convention placing the District Commander in line as the first step in the administrative disciplinary procedure at the Post. All Posts are encouraged to purchase the 2008-2009 edition of the National By-Laws and Manual of Procedures when they become available in October.
6. Resolution #436, requesting the upgrade of the Combat Action Ribbon for Navy and Marine Corp personnel to a Combat Action Medal was passed by the National Convention. Resolution #436 was submitted by District #7 and approved at the Department Convention.
7. All inspection reports should be mailed directly to the Department Inspector, Jim Gill, 7798 Co. Rd. 407, Fulton, MO 65251. If a Deputy Inspector wishes to claim mileage for travel in connection with the inspections, he must submit his voucher to the Department Inspector for approval.
8. National POW/MIA Observance Day is September 19, 2008. Your Post should make every effort to hold a ceremony in recognition of our POW/MIA’s.
9. All Posts are encouraged to have some form of program on September 29 to celebrate the founding of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Information with suggested ideas were provided to all Posts with the Post Commander and Quartermaster Handbook and Membership program mailing.
10. The 2009 Membership campaign is now underway. All 2008 members are urged to renew as soon as possible. Dues Reminder Notices were mailed by National Headquarters to all 2008 members during the later part of June. The next dues reminder notice will be mailed in September.
11. The National By-Laws and the Missouri All-State Program require the Post Commander or a Post Representative attend all meetings called by the District Commander. Post Commanders should familiarize themselves with Article II sec. 218 – Officers: Duties and Obligations and ensure they are meeting their Obligations.
12. Reminder to Post and Districts. The Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen Scholarship program urgently needs your support. Ten Patriot's Pen scholarships and one Voice of Democracy scholarship expired with the completion of the February 2008 Award Banquet. If your Post or Ladies Auxiliary would be interested in (co)sponsoring a scholarship, please forward $500.00 to Department Headquarters prior to September 30, 2008. Payments will be accepted in full amount or monthly installments. A total of $500.00 must be received by September 30, 2008, for the 2009 Scholarship Program. Scholarships will be paid out over a five year period to district winners. Scholarship sponsor's name(s) will be listed in the banquet program each year. Letters were mailed to Posts that had scholarship funds expire in 2008.
Those Posts, if renewing their scholarship, may comply with the amount stated in the original letter or the above changes.
13. The deadline for articles to be submitted into Department for the VFW Missourian has been extended to September 5, 2008. Email: Adj@mo.vfwwebmail.com; fax: 1-573-636-2664; mail: P.O. Box 26, Jefferson City, MO 65102.
14. All Posts, District Commanders, Chairman and Line Officers should have received a copy of the 2008-09 Post Commander and Quartermaster Handbook and Post Membership Program booklet provided by State Headquarters. Post Commanders are encouraged to make this information available to the Post Officers and membership.
15. Posts that have alcohol consumed on their premises (sold or given away), the following section of the National By-Laws and Manual of Procedure apply! Any Post not in compliance is subject to suspension. Sec. 709 - Control of Units “Any Post owning and/or operating, directly or by reason of a holding company or other entity substantially controlled by the Post or its members, a canteen, clubroom or other facility available to members or guests must maintain general
liability insurance, including, if necessary or appropriate, liquor liability insurance. Such insurance must be of a type and amount sufficient to protect the Post and must name, as additional insured’s, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and the Department in which such Post is located.”
16. Anyone requesting a Department Officer to attend a function must submit a written request to Department Headquarters at least 45 days prior to the date of the function.
17. The following District meetings are announced for the month of September. ALL DISTRICT MEETINGS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH INSTRUCTIONS PASSED OUT AT THE DISTRICT SCHOOL OF INSTRUCTION. NO EXCEPTIONS!
DIST POST # LOCATION DATE TIME REPRESENTATIVE
11 6137 St. Louis 09-23-08 7:30 p.m. None
12 4223 Lemay 09-08-08 7:00 p.m. Tom Hartman
Official: By Order Of:
Jessie L. Jones Tom Hartman
Adjutant Commander
Printable version on left under Dept Links titled "Sept Gen Orders"
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August General Orders
Friday, July 25, 2008 at
09:54 PM
by Missouri
HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MISSOURI
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE U.S., INC
GENERAL ORDERS NO. 2
Series 08 - 09 August 2008
(To be read at a regular Post meeting and filed)
1. The next meeting of the Council of Administration will be held at the St. Louis Airport Marriott, St. Louis, on Saturday, September 20, 2008, beginning at 8:00 a.m. All members of the Council, as well as Committees and Chairpersons should make every effort to attend and be prepared to report in accordance with the agenda which will be provided prior to the meeting. Room reservations must be made through the hotel by calling 1-314-423-9700 no later than August 28, 2008. A flat rate of $89.00 (plus tax) has been given to the VFW. Please be sure to tell the reservationist that you are with the Missouri VFW State Homecoming group to receive this rate. Banquet reservations must be made in advance on the attached reservation form. Please mail the form to Department Headquarters, P.O. Box 26, Jefferson City, MO 65102.
2. The 2008 Big 10 Conference will be hosted by the Department of Missouri, 17 October 2008, in St Louis Missouri. Advertisement information on the conference is attached to these General Orders. The information booklet is located on the weblog in its entirety.
3. The annual trip to the National Home in Eaton Rapids, Michigan is scheduled for October 23 - 26, 2008. A registration form and other information are attached to these General Orders.
4. Posts that have not registered at least one (1) delegate to the National Convention should do so immediately. Section 222, Manual of Procedure, mandates each Post to register one (1) delegate to each National Convention. Failure to do so will be in violation of Section 213--Arrearages, By-Laws. The registration fee is $10.00 and should be mailed to: 109th National Convention, 406 West 34th Street, Kansas City MO 64111.
5. All posts are now required to file a Federal Income Tax return. NO EXCEPTIONS! Posts may obtain forms 990EZ, 990 and/or 990T from any IRS Office or “On Line” at http://www.irs.gov. Posts with a year end of 30 June must file with the IRS prior to 15 November 2008. If your gross income (from all sources) is less than $25,000.00 per year, you will file form 990N “On Line” from now on. Go on line to the IRS site, http://www.epostcard.form99.org/ and follow the three (3) steps to sign up and file. If you need assistance, call the State Quartermaster at 800-903-3370, pin number 00.
6. Article VII sec. 704 of the National By-Laws and Manual of Procedures establishes the requirement for all Posts to establish and maintain a Relief Fund. Expenditures from the relief fund shall be as prescribed in section 704 of the Manual of Procedures. Expenditures authorized include donations to Veteran Service, National Home and support of the National Guard and their families. Audit Reports received at Department Headquarters indicate that many Posts may not be meeting this requirement. All Posts are to review their accounting practices and ensure they are meeting this requirement.
7. All inspection reports should be mailed directly to the Department Inspector, Jim Gill, 7798 Co. Rd. 407, Fulton, MO 65251. If a Deputy Inspector wishes to claim mileage for travel in connection with the inspections, he must submit his voucher to the Department Inspector for approval.
8. Commander Tom Hartman, Line Officers, and staff at Department Headquarters wish to congratulate the following Post Commanders on earning the unique status of All American Post Commander to James D. Atkinson, Shell Knob Post 2203; John S. Holton, Parkville Post 7356 and James Lorenz, Maxville Post 2593. Thank you for your hard work and dedication.
9. The 2009 Membership campaign is now underway. All 2008 members are urged to renew as soon as possible. Dues Reminder Notices were mailed by National Headquarters to all 2008 members during the latter part of June. The next dues reminder notice will be mailed in September.
10. The National By-Laws and the Missouri All-State Program require the Post Commander or a Post Representative attend all meetings called by the District Commander. Post Commanders should familiarize themselves with Article II sec. 218 – Officers: Duties and Obligations and ensure they are meeting their Obligations.
11. Reminder to Posts and Districts. The Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen Scholarship program urgently needs your support. Ten Patriot's Pen scholarships and one Voice of Democracy scholarship expired with the completion of the February 2008 Awards Banquet. If your Post or Ladies Auxiliary would be interested in (co)sponsoring a scholarship, please forward $500.00 to Department Headquarters prior to September 30, 2008. Payments will be accepted in full amount or monthly installments. A total of $500.00 must be received by September 30, 2008, for the 2009 Scholarship Program. Scholarships will be paid out over a five year period to district winners. Scholarship sponsor's name(s) will be listed in the banquet program each year. Letters were mailed to Posts that had scholarship funds expire in 2008. Those Posts, if renewing their scholarship, may comply with the amount stated in the original letter or the above changes.
12. The deadline for articles to be submitted into Department for the VFW Missourian is August 15, 2008. Email: adj@mo.vfwwebmail.com; fax: 1-573-636-2664; mail: P.O. Box 26, Jefferson City, MO 65102.
13. The 2008-09 Post Commander and Quartermaster Handbook and Post Membership Program booklet provided by State Headquarters is in the process of being printed. They will be mailed to all Post Commanders and Quartermasters as soon as they are received.
14. In addition to appointments listed in the July General Orders, Don Pinckard has been appointed Assistant Chief of Staff. This was inadvertently missed in the July General Orders.
15. When requesting a Department Officer to attend any function, a written request must be submitted to Department Headquarters at least 45 days prior to the date of the function.
16. The following District meetings are announced for the month of August. ALL DISTRICT MEETINGS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH INSTRUCTIONS PASSED OUT AT THE DISTRICT SCHOOL OF INSTRUCTION. NO EXCEPTIONS!
DIST POST # LOCATION DATE TIME REPRESENTATIVE
3 12053 Amazonia 08-10-08 1:00 p.m. Bob Wonnell
5 7900 Kansas City 08-03-08 2:00 p.m. Bob Wonnell
6 4409 Harrisonville 08-03-08 12:00 p.m. Joe Lundy
7 5525 Stockton 08-10-08 12:30 p.m. Tom Hartman
9 2657 Fulton 08-10-08 1:00 p.m. Jessie Jones
12 6274 Ballwin 08-10-08 1:00 p.m. Joe Lundy
14 9638 Galmey 08-10-08 12:30 p.m. Paul Connors
18 3770 Mountain Grove 08-02-08 10:00 a.m. Tom Hartman
Please note: All Department Officers will be attending the National Convention in Orlando,
Florida, August 16 – 21, 2008.
Official: By Order Of:
Jessie L. Jones Tom Hartman
Department Adjutant Commander
For a printable version of the August General Orders Click HERE
For an Invitation to the Dept Commander and Dept President Testimonial Dinner click HERE
For information about the National Home Pilgrimage click HERE
For information about the Big 10 ad click HERE
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Dept of Missouri March General Orders
Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at
12:49 PM
by Missouri
HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MISSOURI
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE U.S. INC.
GENERAL ORDERS NO 9
Series 2007-2008 March 2008
(To be read at a regular Post meeting and filed)
1. The 88th Annual Convention of the Department of Missouri Veterans of Foreign Wars will be held at the Holiday Inn Select Executive Center, Columbia, Missouri, June 19 – 22, 2008. All Headquarters will be located in the Holiday Inn Select. Individual room reservations must be made directly with the Holiday Inn by filling out and mailing a room reservation form. The cut off date is May 19, 2008. The room rate will be $89.95 + tax of $12.33 per night. The hotel will not accept phone reservations and requires a minimum of three (3) nights stay. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS. Separate hospitality room and individual room reservations for the Holiday Inn Select are attached. For persons not able to commit to the three night stay requirement, a block of rooms has been reserved at the Baymont Inn & Suites for $59.00 plus tax, phone number 573-445-1899. The Baymont Inn group code is VFW ’08. A
block of rooms has also been reserved at Days Inn for $59.99 plus tax, phone number 573-445-8511. The Days Inn group code is VFWS. The cut off date for both overflow hotel reservations is May 19, 2008. Please call Baymont Inn and Days Inn directly to make personal reservations.
2. Post Commanders are reminded that nominations for Post Officers should occur in March and the annual election of Post Officers must take place during April. The Post Commander-elect will select the installing officer who holds or has held a rank at least as high as that of Post Commander. Post Officers shall be installed in their respective offices prior to the convening of the Department Convention. Newly installed District and Post Officers do not assume their duties until the Department Commander is installed on June 22, 2008. As soon as officers have been elected, the Commander-elect should select his Installing Officer.
3. National Headquarters has mailed a Report of Election of Post Officers to each Post
Quartermaster on record. As soon as possible after the Post election, but within one (1) week, this form should be completed in its entirety and mailed in accordance with instructions on the form. You can access the Department website at (www.vfwmo.org); go to “Forms & Reports”, select “Post Election Report” and fill in the form online and print it for distribution. National has recently added an online election report that can be completed and submitted to National as well. Instructions for completing the form are included in the information packet received from National. Which ever method is used, fill in the data, submit to National (on National website only) or print and mail to National HQ and Dept HQ, and print a copy for your files. DO NOT wait until after the installation to complete and submit or mail this form. Failure to submit the report results in the Post not receiving their 2008-2009 membership supplies as well as important correspondence for Post Officers. MAKE SURE YOU MAIL A COPY TO DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS. (Note: If you use the form on the vfwmo website, it must be printed and mailed. There is no option for electronic submission).
4. Pursuant to Article II, Section 222, paragraph (d), subparagraph 4 of the National By-Laws and Manual of Procedure, all posts are required to register in advance and pay for at least one delegate to the National Convention whether or not any member(s) from the Post attends the convention. The registration form will be included with the mailing of the Post Election Report by National Headquarters. This form is not on the Web Site as it requires a $10.00 payment with it. The form and payment should be mailed to National Headquarters. Failure to pay National Delegate fees will result in your charter being placed on suspension by National.
5. Delegates and alternates to the District Convention are elected at a regular meeting of the Post held not less than thirty (30) days prior to the District Convention at which District Officers are to be elected; one (1) delegate and one (1) alternate for each fifteen (15) members or a fraction thereof in good standing in the Post at the time of election.
6. Delegates to the Department Convention are elected at a meeting of the Post held not less than thirty (30) days prior to the Department Convention; one (1) delegate and one (1) alternate for each ten (10) members or a fraction thereof in good standing in the Post. All membership reports processed in National Headquarters on or before May 15, 2008 will be considered in determining delegate strength. The delegate fee is required whether or not someone from the post will be attending the Department Convention as prescribed in Article IX, Section 2 of the Department By-Laws. Failure to pay delegate fees will result in your post not being allowed to vote at the Department Convention.
7. All Districts will hold a District Convention not less than ten (10) or more than sixty (60) days prior to the Department Convention for the purpose of electing District Officers and the transaction of District business. Blank Reports of Election will be mailed to the incumbent District Commanders prior to the Convention by Department HQ. Post commanders are reminded that the by-laws require the Post Commander or a representative attend District Conventions.
8. All Posts should start making plans for a 2008 Spring Buddy Poppy drive. An order blank is located in the “gold” 2007-2008 Post Commander and Quartermaster’s Handbook that should have been received by each Post Commander & Quartermaster in August. Poppies must be ordered through Department Headquarters and paid in advance.
9. Department Chairmen are reminded that any reports to be included with the monthly distribution of the General Orders must be received in Department Headquarters by the 20th of the month.
10. The deadline for submitting bids for the 2011 Department Convention is March 15, 2008, as prescribed by the Department By-laws. Any Post or group of Posts wishing to submit a bid should contact Department Headquarters for the necessary forms.
11. The deadline for submitting Commander’s Score Sheets for All State judging is April 30, 2008 to Department Headquarters. If you are 100% in membership and meeting your other requirements, you need to submit your Score Sheet NOW. The judging will take place on May 1, 2008
12. All Posts are reminded that they have to renew their Incorporation papers annually with the Secretary of State’s Office, in Jefferson City, unless they have a benevolent incorporation. Please check with the Secretary of State’s office to see if yours is current. Their phone number is 573-751-2379.
13. The 2008 Big 10 Conference will be hosted by the Department of Missouri, 17 October 2008, in St Louis Missouri. Complete information on the conference will be sent separately.
14. The February issue of the Missourian is posted on the website at www.vfwmo.org and the webcom at www.vfwwebcom.org/Missouri.
15. The following District Meetings for the month of March are announced:
DIST POST # Location DATE TIME REPRESENTATIVE
11 6137 St. Louis 03-24-08 7:30 p.m. Tom Hartman
12 5468 Eureka 03-10-08 7:00 p.m. Dave Morgan
16. All Department Officers and Committee Members will be attending Community Service - Legislative conference in Washington, D.C. March 1 thru 5, 2008.
Official: By Order of:
Jessie L. Jones Jerry Jones
Adjutant State Commander
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Posts. (See attached listing of Posts missing election reports). Fax a copy of your election report to 1-573- 636-2664 or mail a copy to PO Box 26, Jefferson City, MO. 65102. The original should be sent to National HQ at 406 W. 34th St., Kansas City, MO 64111. Contact Department if you need a blank form, 1-888-276-8609
