2016-2017

Membership

Jonathan Cooper Director

1800 S 58th Ct., Apt. 2 Cicero, IL 60804 Cell: (312) 909-8418 Email: [email protected] Post 3940-3 It is my honor and privilege to serve as your State Membership Director for State Commander Dave Stout’s “Veterans United” team for the 2016-2017 year. Our goal is to retain our existing membership as well as increase by encouraging lapsed members to renew their membership and attracting new members. Very simply, our membership IS the Veterans of Foreign Wars! Without our membership, we simply wouldn’t exist as an organization. This great organization exists as the spearhead, point man and gatekeeper for how our Nation’s veterans are treated. It is only through our strength in numbers, represented by our membership rolls that we may continue to remain relevant in the discussions, arguments and fights for proper treatment and representation of our veterans at the local, state and federal government levels. Some of the discussions, arguments and fights are to provide a more comprehensive and streamlined VA claim system; to improve care at our VA facilities; support “service to civilian” transition programs for returning, discharging and retiring veterans; and to protect quality of life programs for all service members, veterans and their families. We are “Veterans United”. Our waning numbers have some believing that we are losing our battle, but we are more relevant now than we have ever been in our history. This is the reason each and every POST and DISTRICT has the obligation to actively seek out and recruit new members and to encourage our lapsed members their voice is important. To continue our stand into the future, our membership numbers have the most important effect. Our relevance goes beyond the political issues of the day. We are responsible to educate our communities about our actions and our history, as well as display our pride locally during ceremonies to bring attention to who we are. Everyone is related to or knows a veteran in your community. Be the lead throughout the year. Put your facilities to good use for your community’s events to show your local presence. Organize a local open house to include a membership promotion. Help your local veterans at the National Guard and Reserve Centers. Visit these places regularly… “adopt a unit”. Represent a welcoming opening door to all veterans in your area.

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Your Post will be attractive if you actively engage your community by participating in the programs reportable on your Community Activities Report Form. If you actively pursue opportunities to engage the public by working your Community Activity Programs, then your Post will become more attractive to eligible members, and they will want to become a part of what you are doing by becoming a member. Your local Post is a tool to generate resources to focus and support the organization’s agenda of supporting veterans and veterans programs. Be a good first impression to everyone who you come into contact with as well as those who come to your Post. To continue what has been said in the past, our membership team is available to support you at every level of the organization to develop your membership program and to help you grow your Post. This is the only way that we will achieve our goal of being “Veterans United”.

State Membership Recruiters Thomas Bailey 708 S. Walnut St. Pontiac, IL 61764 Phone: (815) 842-3102 E-mail: [email protected] Post 886-7

Matthew Willis 202 W. Washington St. Athens, IL 62613 Phone: (217) 741-7493 E-mail: [email protected] Post 6871-10

Student Veterans Liaison Matthew Claussen 10304 N. Ralston Ave. Kansas City, MO 64157 Phone: (816) 695-2061 Email: [email protected] Post 2378-4

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George Foy, Jr. 629 Cambridge Way Bolingbrook, IL 60440 Cell: (630) 926-4026 E-mail: [email protected] Post 9545-18

Student Veterans Liaison Since Student Veterans of America’s founding in 2008, the chapter network has grown from 20 campuses to more than 950 institutions of higher learning in all 50 states. Chapters provide a peer-to-peer support network that empowers veterans to achieve academic success. By being involved with an SVA Chapter and your local VFW Post, you’re strengthening a relationship that helps to ensure a brighter future for veterans. The Student Veteran Liaison is the VFW’s primary person for interacting with Student Veterans of America (SVA) chapters, and other student veterans groups and programs in that territory. The role of the Liaison is to facilitate connections between VFW Posts and student veterans groups, helping to establish mutually beneficial relationships. The Student Veteran Liaison is prepared to: • Increase the level of cooperation between SVA and the VFW to support student veterans on college campuses and in online educational programs worldwide. • Reduce confusion felt by student veterans and their families by setting up clear pathways to local resources and solutions. • Coordinate the efforts of SVA and the VFW to help student veterans succeed in their academic goals and continue to contribute as leaders within the community. • Assist in organizational development for both SVA and the VFW in communities currently underrepresented through crosstraining and cooperation. • Report activity to VFW National Headquarters detailing which student veterans groups and VFW Posts are working together, and what projects they’re working on. Integration: Many veterans seeking higher education may look to be a part of a group with similar interests or seek out peer support. The VFW can provide this while reducing the aura of unintentional alienation felt by some younger veterans. The VFW must work to bring student veterans together with VFW Posts in order to link them to their educational benefits, disseminate information, collaborate on ideas, and increase the VFW’s appeal to younger generations of veterans. These partnerships are mutually beneficial for the Post and the SVA Chapter. Most VFW Posts offer a variety of activities, services and have event/meeting spaces available. Coordination between VFW Post leadership, student veterans groups and similar clubs allows the VFW to improve their image within the local veterans’ community, build relationships and allow for networking, mentorship and recruiting opportunities. Meetings should discuss pertinent issues to student veterans such as VA benefits, employment and training assistance, community and veterans’ service, volunteering opportunities and generally making a difference in the lives of other veterans. Partnerships between VFW Posts and SVA Chapters provide: • Networking opportunities with veteran business owners and community leaders. • Participation in fundraisers that benefit your fellow veterans. • Engagement in relevant community service activities. • Camaraderie among veterans you can relate to. • A welcoming place for student veterans to hang out. • Advocacy on the local, state and national level.

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Illinois Membership Program 2016-2017

Dave Stout

State Commander

ILLINOIS MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM 2016-2017 VFW Membership Mission: State, District and Post Leadership must work hand-in-hand to retain and recruit a stable membership base, comprised of all generations of veterans, that is informed and actively involved at all levels of the organization. To ensure this mission, State Headquarters offers technical, logistical and financial resources to make recruiting and retention in the field, a well organized procedure. State and District leaders are the most qualified to prepare and implement our own state VFW programs. We have a responsibility to our membership to take advantage of the many resources available from the National organization. VFW Membership Vision: Ensuring the organization remains a welcoming environment for our overseas conflict veterans, as well as our active duty military service members and their families, for the membership lifespan of today’s Current Conflict Veterans. All our goals must have a starting point and we believe that our membership standings at the end of the previous year is the starting point. Unless we reach that point and then grow from there, we are a dying organization. So, our goal should be our starting point and our following goal should be to surpass that starting point!

OUR GOAL THIS YEAR WILL BE 100% We must maintain and grow these numbers in order to have the power to lobby for veterans rights at the local, state, and national government levels. Remember…There can be no achievement without goals. Everything starts at the Post level and without your commitment our organization cannot live up to our motto “No One Does More For Veterans” All awards will be presented based upon the membership numbers that are posted on the National Membership Report on the morning following the cut-off date given. NO EXCEPTIONS!

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NEW AND RECOVERED MEMBER AWARDS



All individual members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars who sign up: • 5 new or recovered members will receive a VFW Dog Tag. • 15 new or recovered members will be awarded a VFW Coin. • 25 new or recovered members will receive a State Commander’s Padfolio. • 50 new or recovered members will be awarded a State Commander’s Shirt. • 75 new or recovered members will be awarded a State Commander Commemorative Medallion • 100 new or recovered members by June 1, 2017 will be awarded $500 to attend the National Convention in New Orleans, La. This award is not transferable.

POST COMMANDER & QUARTERMASTER AWARD Each Post Commander and Quartermaster whose Post achieves 100 percent in membership by December 31, 2016 will receive a special embroidered State Commander’s Jacket. Forms must be sent to the State Headquarters office by no later than February 15, 2017. Each new Post can receive this award by signing up 50 new members by April 30, 2017.

ALL-STATE POST AWARDS

The 2016-2017 Membership Program is designed so that if a Post qualifies to be All-State, both the commander and quartermaster will be recognized for this achievement because… THIS IS A VFW TEAM EFFORT! The All-State Team of Post Commanders and Post Quartermasters will be made up of Posts who achieve:

100 percent plus 7 in membership Posts must be 100% reported on the X-Sheet. Post must order a minimum of 1000 poppies. THERE WILL BE NO LIMITS ON THE NUMBER OF ALL-STATE AWARDS. EVERY POST CAN BE ALL-STATE. New Posts need to attain 100 members to become All-State.

The All-State Program runs through June 15, 2017. To receive All-State Awards at State Convention, the deadline for completion of All-State Criteria is April 30, 2017. All-State Post Commanders will receive: All-State Commander’s Cap Distinguished Service Lapel Pin All-State Post Quartermasters will receive: All-State Quartermaster’s Cap Distinguished Service Lapel Pin -16-

LIFE MEMBERSHIP LIFE MEMBERSHIP FEE SCHEDULE Age On December 31 One-Time Payment 11 Month Payment Plan Through 30 $425 $38.64 31 – 40 $410 $37.27 41 – 50 $375 $34.09 51 – 60 $335 $30.45 61 – 70 $290 $26.36 71 – 80 $225 $20.45 Over 81 $170 $15.45 Life Membership Installment Plan Terms and Conditions: The VFW Life Membership Installment Plan allows any VFW member/applicant to purchase a life membership by making an initial payment of $45.00 and (11) monthly payments. The member will be issued an annual membership card at the time of enrollment. The member may elect to receive a monthly statement by mail or may set up a payment profile to make the monthly payment automatically using a credit/debit card or bank account. A payoff amount will be printed on each monthly invoice, allowing the member the option to pay in full. A permanent life membership card will be issued upon the completion of payments. The Life Membership fee is determined from the schedule using the applicant’s age on December 31 of the year in which the application is submitted. Delinquencies will be handled as follows: Up to 30 Days Up to 120 Days Over 120 Days

DELINQUENCY PENALTIES Continue to bill Delinquency can be corrected through a makeup payment or the plan end date may be pushed forward. Member is dropped from the installment plan, all payments made to date, are applied to future year’s dues.

LEGACY LIFE MEMBERSHIP Legacy Life Membership enables current life members to leave a lasting mark on this great organization by helping to ensure that “No One Does More for Veterans.” Legacy Life Memberships in the Veterans of Foreign Wars help support the Post, the State and the Organization. Member Benefits Include: Plated, engraved life membership card, lapel pin, hat pin, distinctive Emblem & Supply Line for Legacy Life Members, Emblem & Supply Discounts - for personal use only, depending on the level of endowment - framed certificate, increased level of no-cost AD&D insurance, recognition on internet and annual reports, recognition at kiosks at the Memorial Building in Washington, DC and the museum at National Headquarters, as well as other benefits depending on the level of endowment. There are three levels of memberships with payment plans available and benefits to the Posts:

Bronze Silver Gold

TOTAL

4 PAYMENTS OF

$400 $800 $1,200

$100 $200 $300 -17-

ANNUAL POST ENDOWMENT $6 $12 $18

LEGACY LIFE MEMBERSHIP POST AWARD The Post having the largest increase in Legacy Life Memberships with a minimum of 3 new Legacy Life Memberships by April 30, 2017 will receive a $100 credit for the Illinois Emblem & Supply Store.

DISTRICT COMMANDER AWARD

District Commanders who are 100% in membership by March 15, 2017 will be awarded a $1,500 cash award.

ALL-STATE DISTRICT AWARD Districts must be 100% in membership to achieve All-State status. The All-State Program runs through June 15, 2017. To receive All-State Awards at State Convention, the deadline for completion of All-State Criteria is April 30, 2017 All-State District Commanders will receive: All-State District Commanders Cap Distinguished Service Lapel Pin

CRAMER-SODEN AWARD The 100% District Commander who has the highest numerical increase in membership from their 2015-2016 year to 2016-2017 year will receive a prestigious plaque noting their achievement, sponsored by our fellow Illinois Past Commanders-in-Chief, George R. Cramer and the late Ray R. Soden. The deadline for the Cramer-Soden Award is April 30, 2017.

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CLEAR THE WAY National Membership Program 2016-2017

Brian J. Duffy

Commander-in-Chief

NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM 2016-2017 Membership Vision To show continued growth and thrive through the dedication and involvement of members at all levels of the organization. Membership Mission Recruit, retain, and mentor a stable membership base, including all generations of veterans, which is well-versed in institutional knowledge and actively involved at all levels of the organization. Introduction For the past several years, the VFW has been relatively successful in recruiting members aged 39 and younger. The only way to make this success permanent is to retain those members, recover past members, and recruit new members. We must improve the way we communicate with our members at all levels of the organization. Does your Post, District, State or Department have a newsletter, email, or an outreach team that visits fellow members? In many cases, we have lost touch with our members. We need to know who they are and what their needs are. Let’s get back to basics—our first priority is taking care of our members and the veteran community as a whole. Membership Goals 1. Build a strong organization for the future. 2. Work together to achieve the VFW’s goals. The VFW National Headquarters staff is here to assist in coordinating programs, developing new membership initiatives and building awareness among our membership and the entire veteran community.

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RECRUITING BENCHMARKS FOR 2016-2017 • • • •

Recruit new and recover unpaid members Retain existing membership Increase life membership Increase legacy life membership

RETENTION DEFINED Although retention is not a prerequisite for the All-American program, it is extremely important to understand how retention is derived and the important role retention plays in accomplishing growth. The number of paid annual members in your Post on July 1 is your ensuing year’s “prior year total.” One more new or recovered member is required to make up for each prior year annual member the Post fails to retain. Your Post retention is derived from six types of payment components based on your prior year total of annual members: • A prior year annual member pays his or her annual membership dues. • A prior year annual member pays the life membership installment fee. • A prior year annual member pays for life membership dues. • A prior year annual member transfers to another Post and pays his or her annual membership dues. • A prior year annual member transfers to another Post and pays the life membership installment fee. • A prior year annual member transfers to another Post and pays life membership dues.

LIFE MEMBERSHIP AMNESTY All Life Members who are reported deceased between July 1, 2016 and Aug. 31, 2016, will be removed from the Post rolls and the Post’s prior year membership count will be adjusted accordingly.

RECRUITING AWARDS • For signing up 5 members: 5 Member Pin • For signing up 10 members: 10 Member Pin • For signing up 15 members: 15 Member Pin • For signing up 25 members: Commander-in-Chief membership coin & citation • For signing up 50 members: National aide-de-camp cap and citation • For signing up 75 members: VFW leather travel bag • For signing up 100 members: Century cap and citation • For signing up 175 members: Commemorative medallion set

EARLY BIRD AWARD - D.C. LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE The top three Post commanders and quartermasters and the top two District commanders in each division on Jan. 1, 2017, will be awarded: • A $1,000 stipend to be used toward attending the VFW Legislative Conference, Washington D.C.

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POST COMMANDER & QUARTERMASTER NEW AND RECOVERED MEMBER AWARD The top 10 Post commanders and quartermasters in each division who report more than 50 new and recovered annual members by Jan. 1, 2017, will each be awarded: • A distinctive leather zippered Padfolio.

KANSAS CITY SPREE The top two Post commanders and the top two District commanders in each divisions who achieve 100% membership by April 1, 2017, along with their spouse or guest, will be awarded: • Round-trip airfare to Kansas City, Mo, from the airport nearest the awardee’s home. • A fun-filled weekend that may include but is not limited to - touring, shopping, and a complete tour of the VFW National Headquarters.

100% POST, DISTRICT AND DEPARTMENT

A distinctive streamer will be awarded to every Post, District and State/Department that achieves 100% or greater in membership before July 1, 2017.

100% COMMANDER DRAWING Each Post and District commander that exceeds 100% in membership by July 1, 2017, will be placed in a drawing. 20 post commanders and 12 district commanders will be drawn to receive: • A $1,000 stipend to be used toward attending the VFW National Convention.

LEGACY LIFE MEMBERSHIP ACQUISITION Each Post that achieves the designated benchmarks of 25, 50 and 75 Legacy Life Members will be awarded: • A Legacy Society Post Proclamation. Each Post that achieves the distinctive benchmark of 100 Legacy Life Members by July 1, 2017, Commander or post representative will be awarded: • A $1,000 stipend to be used toward attending the VFW National Convention. • Reserved seating at the VFW National Convention joint opening session. • Legacy Society Post Proclamation.

ELITE RECRUITER AWARD Any VFW member who signs up 250 or more new and/or recovered annual members by July 1, 2017, will be awarded: • A $1,000 stipend to be used toward attending the VFW National Convention. • Distinctive cap, citation, and name badge.

RECRUITER OF THE YEAR The VFW member who signs up the greatest number of new and/or recovered annual members greater than 250 by July 1, 2017, will be awarded: • A $1,000 stipend to be used toward attending the VFW National Convention. • Reserved seating at the VFW National Convention joint opening session. • Distinctive cap, citation, and name badge. • Commander-in-Chief’s Crystal Eagle.

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ALL-AMERICAN PROGRAM The All-American leadership program exists to recognize exceptional leadership, authentic accomplishment in membership growth and VFW core programs.

ALL-AMERICAN POST CRITERIA To achieve All-American status, Posts must:

• • • •

Designated a 2016-2017 All-State Post Greater than 50 members on July 1, 2017 Membership greater than 100% Finish in the top 35 posts in your respective division

ALL-AMERICAN POST LEADERSHIP AWARD All-American Posts will receive: • Acknowledgment in VFW Magazine • Framed All-American Post citation • All-American Post streamer • All-American citation - Commander • All-American name badge - Commander • All-American cap - Commander - *Quartermaster may purchase cap • All-American lapel pin - Commander - *Quartermaster may purchase pin • The top five Commanders in each division will also receive: o A $1,000 stipend to be used toward attending the VFW National Convention. o Reserved seating at the VFW National Convention joint opening session.

ALL-AMERICAN DISTRICT CRITERIA To achieve All-American status, Districts must:

• • •

Designated a 2016-2017 All-State District Membership greater than 100% Finish in the top 15 Districts in your division

ALL-AMERICAN DISTRICT LEADERSHIP AWARD • All-American District streamer • All-American District citation - Commander • All-American name badge - Commander • All-American cap - Commander - *Quartermaster may purchase cap • All-American lapel pin - Commander - *Quartermaster may purchase pin • The top two District Commanders in each division will also receive: o A $1,000 stipend to be used toward attending the VFW National Convention. o Reserved seating at the VFW National Convention joint opening session.

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ALL-AMERICAN DEPARTMENT CRITERIA • Membership must be greater than 100% • One new post or increase the membership of three posts of 50 members or less to over 50 members by July 1, 2017 • Mail, fax or e-mail a list of State/Department, District and Post 2016-2017 All-State commanders to the National Membership Department, must be received on or before July 1, 2017 National Legislative Service • Complete National Legislative Service chairman quarterly reports • Monthly National Legislative Service committee member/chairman reports must be submitted to National Legislative Service in Washington, D.C. National Veterans Services • Must have a State/Department service officer and submit his or her name and contact information to National Veterans Services in Washington, D.C. by July 31, 2016 • Monthly National Veterans Services committee member/chairman reports must be submitted to National Veterans Services in Washington, D.C. Programs • Voice of Democracy - An entry advanced to national judging • Patriot’s Pen - An entry advanced to national judging • National Citizenship Education Teacher Award – submit an entry in all three categories (K-5, 6-8, 9-12) and entries must advance to national judging • Veterans & Military Support Programs – Must complete a State/Department fundraiser and proceeds must be donated to: Veterans & Military Support Programs, Kansas City, MO • Student Veterans of America (SVA) o Select a state/department SVA liaison, and submit their contact information to the VFW Programs Department, Attn: Lynn Rolf III, no later than July 31, 2016. o Complete three (3) or more SVA events spanning at least two of the three semesters (fall, spring and summer) and submit each of the three (3) or more activity reports to the VFW National Programs Department, Attn: Lynn Rolf III, no later than June 30, 2017. Event defined: A planned public or social occasion.

ALL-AMERICAN DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP AWARD

• • • • • • •

All-American Department streamer All-American Department citation - Commander All-American name badge - Commander All-American cap - Commander - *Quartermaster may purchase cap All-American lapel pin - Commander - *Quartermaster may purchase pin $1,000 stipend to be used toward attending the VFW National Convention Reserved seating at the VFW National Convention joint opening session

CONFERENCE MEMBERSHIP AWARD The state/department leading each conference will be entrusted with the conference membership colors for the following year. Transfer of colors will occur at each subsequent National Convention. -23-

ALL-AMERICAN POST DIVISIONS & TOTAL MEMBERSHIP Division 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Total Membership 750 And up! 356 749 246 355 185 245 143 184 112 142 88 111 68 87 51 67 1 50

Min. Qualifying % 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Top 35 Posts in each division eligible

ALL-AMERICAN DISTRICT DIVISIONS & TOTAL MEMBERSHIP Division 1 2 3 4 5 6

Total Membership 5,000 14,000 3,282 4,999 2,172 3,281 1,447 2,171 906 1,446 1 905

Min. Qualifying % 100 100 100 100 100 100

Top 15 Districts in each division eligible IMPORTANT NOTES • To receive stipends, awardees must be in attendance at designated events • Only one National paid stipend per event (national convention, legislative conference, etc.) • All awards are non-transferable

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