VFW Auxiliary E-NewsletterMay 21, 2020

Memorial Day: May 25 (Observed)

Memorial Day - May 25 (Observed) - Memorial Day is a day to honor the men and women who died while serving in America’s armed forces.    We wish you, your families, and fellow VFW and Auxiliary members all the best as you commemorate this day in your community.

Share how your Auxiliary honored and remembered our nation's fallen heroes this year. Email photos and a description to info@vfwauxiliary.org . Your Auxiliary's photos could be shared on the National Organization's Facebook page .

Membership Moment: It's Time to Invite, Include and Invest

The VFW Auxiliary is close to reaching 100% Plus in membership for the third time in five years! We only need 6,500 members to show growth in our organization.

Please join us in making our goal a reality by securing dues for one or more new and/or lapsed members by June 30, 2020. We need help from each Auxiliary and member in the country to make this happen. 

We need less than 6,500 members to reach our goal.  That equals approximately 130 new or rejoined members per

Department or  Less than two (2) members per Auxiliary.

It's time to invite. Recruit a new member today!

VFW Auxiliary Eligibility Wheel

VFW Auxiliary Membership Application

It's time to include and invest . Call, email or send a text to lapsed members and remind them if they:

Don't pay by June 30, they will need to prove eligibility to rejoin the organization.

This will affect their ability to get a Cancer Grant.

Believe they paid, they need to follow up with their Auxiliary Treasurer as there may be an error.

If they do not get a response from the Auxiliary, instruct them to email info@vfwauxiliary.org and we will pass the information to their Department.

Are unemployed due to COVID-19, they may want to reach out to their Auxiliary for assistance with their dues for this year.

Regardless of whether you are a Life or Annual member, your recruitment efforts are needed right now for us to grow our organization.

VFW Auxiliary to Hold One-Day Mini-Convention in Kansas City to Elect and Install National Officers The VFW has cancelled the National Convention and therefore, we, the VFW Auxiliary, will not be conducting business as usual.

Sections 808 and 809A of the VFW Auxiliary Bylaws address the offices of President, Senior-Vice President and Junior-Vice President directly.

In the event of a vacancy in the office of the President:

The Senior-Vice President shall succeed to the title and duties of the President.

The Junior-Vice President shall succeed to the title and duties of the Senior-Vice President.

They shall immediately assume their duties without requiring an installation.

An election shall be held at the next regular meeting for the office of Junior-Vice President and any other office vacated.

Per Section 710 of the VFW Auxiliary Bylaws, the VFW Auxiliary National Council of Administration is responsible for making decisions and representing the body between Conventions.

National President Peggy Haake appointed a committee to make a recommendation to our National Council of Administration on how to handle voting, Resolutions and the Revisions to both the National Bylaws and Ritual.

The National Council of Administration voted to hold a one-day mini-

convention in Kansas City to hold our election and installation.

Please read the letter of intent from National President Peggy Haake .

This letter outlines how voting, election and installation will take place. It also provides information regarding how Resolutions, Bylaws and Ritual Revisions will be handled.

National Program Awards will be announced the week of July 20, 2020.

Detailed information regarding how and what day the awards will be announced will be released Monday, July 6, 2020.

Candidates for National Guard Read about the three candidates for National Guard and their history of service with the organization.

Lois Callahan Arkansas

Janey Feher Kentucky

Janice Holm North Carolina

2020 Official Delegate/Alternate Form Auxiliary and Department Secretaries are now able to enter the names of their elected Delegates and Alternates. Per Executive Order No. 3 of the National President - Governance of Department and National Delegates, names must be

entered into MALTA or received at National Headquarters by June 30, 2020.

Auxiliary and Department Secretaries may provide Delegate and Alternate names one of three ways:

Enter Delegates and Alternates in MALTA. Email Delegate and Alternate names to info@vfwauxiliary.org. If

emailing Delegate and Alternate names, please include VFW Auxiliary number, date of election and name of the Auxiliary President and/or Secretary.

Fax Delegate and Alternate names to 816-931-4753.

Use the National Delegate/Alternate form and be sure you have the member’s Membership ID number. This will help entering go faster.

Your Auxiliary will NOT have its allocated voting strength via alternative voting means unless Delegates and Alternates are entered in MALTA or received at National Headquarters by June 30. You are encouraged to retain a copy of Delegates and Alternates for your records.

Meetings & Elections

Watch this video and hear National Secretary-Treasurer Ann Panteleakos explain the information listed below.

What happens when that “regular business meeting” for the election of officers, etc. cannot be held due to COVID-19?

1. Begin planning ahead now. Call your Officers and ask for their input.

2. Remember to be flexible in your planning.

3. Get the word out about the planned changes to all members of your

Auxiliary whether or not they attend. a. With proper notice given to the members, meeting dates and time may be changed. b.  If your Auxiliary approves, you may conduct a virtual meeting via video or teleconference provided a quorum (5 members) are present/on the video or teleconference.

Per Executive Order of National President Peggy Haake, they do not need to be together in one location. (See the information below on using technology to conduct an Auxiliary meeting.)

c.   A regular business meeting may be postponed (with an alternative meeting date and time set), or it may be completely cancelled. 

4. In the event your Department Convention has been cancelled due to COVID-19, National Headquarters has sent suggested options on how Department Conventions may be held. Once the decision has been determined, the Department will notify its membership and National Headquarters of the time, day, place and manner of the alternative meeting. 

5. Should COVID-19 still be disruptive to our Auxiliary business practices, National Headquarters will issue directives as to how Department Convention business may be conducted.

6. National Headquarters cannot make these decisions for you as the virus' effects differ from state to state. Therefore, it is up the leadership on various levels to plan how the “regular business meetings” for nomination, election, and installation will be held, whether as usual, postponed, held in accordance to Section 210, the sixth major bullet, or cancelled.

Please continue to follow the recommended procedures for dealing with COVID-19, take care of your family and be vigilant for others whose health may already be compromised. 

Using Technology to Conduct an Auxiliary Meeting

There are numerous providers for both teleconferencing and videoconferencing, and we at National Headquarters do not want to endorse one, or tell a Department, District or Auxiliary which to use.

The provider used depends on the technological aptitude of the entity's individual members. For example, Zoom is a popular option, however, the free version doesn't include teleconferencing; it only allows for videoconferencing.

We encourage Auxiliaries, Districts and Departments to review “ Guide to Using Technology to Conduct an Auxiliary Meeting. ” This is available on the Resources page of our website under “Resources for Your Auxiliary.”

If the decision is made to host a virtual meeting:

Inform all members how the meeting will be held (phone, video or both) and if the meeting date and time have or have not changed.

Test the technology with a small group prior to your meeting to ensure it works.

Begin the meeting with a vote that it is approved by the members to meet virtually. Be sure to put the approval in the meeting minutes.          

It's Time to Enter Installation Reports in MALTA! Secretaries at all levels are now able to enter 2020-2021 Installation Reports in MALTA.

Please click the link below to access the following form:

2020-2021 Warrant and Installation Report for Auxiliaries and/or Districts

Should you need assistance entering the Installation Report or filling out the new Installation Report Form, your Department Secretary can help.

Information must be entered into MALTA or emailed/mailed to National Headquarters by Sunday, June 30 provided you are able to hold elections. If unable to hold elections by June 30, your current Officers will remain in office until you are able to elect.

Uniting to Help Feed Veterans During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges for all Americans, including veterans, across the nation. As a result, the demand for food assistance has increased at an alarming rate.

While food insecurity – the lack of access to enough nutritionally adequate foods to live an active and healthy life – is a serious issue impacting one in nine Americans [1] , it is particularly concerning for our nation’s veterans. In fact, research shows that 25 percent of our nation’s total active duty and reserve personnel seek aid from food pantries [2] .

Given this critical need, Humana, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Voluntary Service and Homeless Programs offices within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are mobilizing donors and volunteers for the “Uniting to Combat Hunger” campaign in an effort to help food insecure veterans and their families.

By donating directly to VA medical centers across the country, we are able to take a targeted approach to assist our nation’s service men and women and ensure donations go directly to those who are experiencing food insecurity or are at risk of food insecurity, whether it’s providing food, gift cards to local grocery stores or even basic supplies they need to help them during this difficult time.

While the team’s efforts have helped to provide more than 200,000 meals thus far, Auxiliaries, citizens and organizations are invited to join in this mission by making a monetary donation to a VA medical center near you. Visit vfw.org/UTCHVADonation . Every donation will go a long way to help

veterans in need; even $1 will provide 10 meals.

Now more than ever, it’s important we don’t take anything for granted – including access to food. Let’s work together to ensure no one goes hungry and honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans and their families.

To help achieve the 2020 UTCH goal of providing 500,000 meals, members can:

Discuss and organize a UTCH campaign with your Auxiliary. Visit www.vfw.org/utch for materials and resources.

We can make a meaningful and positive difference. Your involvement directly strikes a knock-out blow against hunger. Questions? Contact the VFW Foundation at 816.968.1124 or foundation@vfw.org . [1] https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/the-united-states [2] https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/in-plain-sight/hungry-heroes-25-percent-military-families-seek-food-aid-n180236

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. We encourage you to explore various online resources available to veterans, service members, their families and caregivers, including:

Give an Hour - This organization provides free mental health services to military members, veterans and their families.

The Campaign to Change Direction  – The goal of the Campaign to Change Direction is to change the culture of mental health in America so that all of those in need receive the care and support they deserve.You are encouraged to know the Five Signs that may mean someone in your life is experiencing emotional pain and what to do next.

One Mind - Co-founded by Patrick Kennedy and currently led by a retired four-star Army General, One Mind is dedicated to benefiting all affected by brain illness and injury. With its current focus on supporting those with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress.

PatientsLikeMe - With more than 400,000 members, PatientsLikeMe is a network that improves lives and a real-time research platform that advances medicine. Patients use the network to track and share their own experiences, and connect with others who have the same disease or condition.

Elizabeth Dole Foundation - Founded after witnessing firsthand the challenges facing the loved ones who care for our wounded warriors, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation raises public awareness, drives research, champions policy and helps uplift American military caregivers and their families. 

Veterans Crisis Line  – The Veterans Crisis Line connects veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. Veterans and their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Support for deaf and hard of hearing individuals is available.

Objective Zero - Objective Zero is the first mobile app to instantly and anonymously connect veterans, their families and caregivers to suicide prevention resources and a support network of their peers, mental health professionals and trained volunteers via voice, video and text.

VFW Auxiliary Announces 2020 Continuing Education Scholarship Winners The VFW Auxiliary is proud to announce our 2019-2020 Continuing Education Scholarship winners. Four $1,000 Scholarships have been awarded, one in each of the four Auxiliary Conferences. Learn more about the winners .   Established in 2005, the Continuing Education Scholarship assists members and their immediate family members (spouse, son or daughter) who wish to further their education by pursuing a college degree or career direction at a vocational/technical school.    Visit our website for information. Applications for the 2020-2021 contest will be accepted from July 1, 2020 - February 15, 2021.

Big Ten Conference Katana Valle-Sloane  

Life Member, VFW Auxiliary 2492 Imlay City, Michigan

Eastern Conference Danielle Barger  

Daughter of Lisa Barger Life Member, VFW Auxiliary 5579

Gibbstown, New Jersey

Southern Conference Katrina Duff 

Life Member, VFW Auxiliary 8947 Mineral, Virginia

Western Conference Samantha Grist  

Daughter of Valerie DiDomenico Grist

Life Member, VFW Auxiliary 3928 Benicia, California

Patriotic Art and Illustrating America Contest

Deadlines Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the deadline for Department winners of the Young American Creative Patriotic Art and Illustrating America contests to be received at National Headquarters has been changed to June 5, 2020.

We empower each Department to determine if the deadlines for the 2019-2020 Young American Creative Patriotic Art and Illustrating America contests shall be changed in their Department and if so, to what date they will be changed.

If a Department chooses to change any of the deadlines, it is up to Department leadership to inform each Auxiliary and District within the Department of the revised deadlines.

Student art entry deadline for submission to local Auxiliaries. Local VFW Auxiliary and District judging complete. Department judging complete.

If a student is unable to submit their entry due to COVID-19:

If the student is not currently in grade 12 (Patriotic Art) or grade 8 (Illustrating America), the student may enter their artwork in the 2020-2021 contest. The contest rule stating the artwork must be completed during the 2020-2021 school year will be waived.

If the student is currently in grade 12 (Patriotic Art) or grade 8 (Illustrating America) they will be unable to participate in these contests.

June 5, 2020 will be the deadline for VFW Auxiliary Department winners to be received at VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters.

Celebrate America's Freedom at the VFW National Home for Children

Join incoming National President Sandi Onstwedder in her home state of Michigan for the eighth Celebrating America’s Freedom Event!

Attendees will celebrate America in Eaton Rapids, Michigan on Friday, September 11 at the VFW National Home for Children , a wonderful community that has 95 years of history helping families of active-duty military personnel, veterans, and relatives of VFW and VFW Auxiliary members find peace and new beginnings during difficult times.

Attendees are invited to experience the 600-acre campus and meet National Ambassadors who will be stationed among the Home’s 42 single-family homes.

Visit https://vfwauxiliary.org/celebrating-americas-freedom for more information. 

You may attend this event on your own, however, lunch and/or transportation will not be provided unless you have registered for this event. Registration and payment accepted online through  MALTA  or mail the  registration form and payment to VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters. No refunds. Online and mail-in registration form and payment must be received by August 21, 2020 . Those received after that date will not be accepted.

Shop the VFW Store for Items to Show Your Auxiliary Pride!

All these items are in stock now and ready to ship from the VFW Store:

Stay in touch with friends and family – send them a note in the mail! The VFW Store has a variety of notecards in stock.

Keep a journal for your mental health! Check out this Auxiliary notebook. (Item 1651)

These Auxiliary tumblers keep your drinks cold and safe! Available in rugged plastic (Item 3128) and stainless steel. (Item 3142)

Take this backpack on your next nature hike. (Item 1690)

Remember, your purchase supports veterans, military service members and their families. Thank you for your support!

Member Benefits

Member Benefits

The VFW Auxiliary is pleased to offer our members access to one of the nation’s largest network of money-saving products and services in the insurance and benefits industry. 

     VFW Store

Connect with us!

www.vfwauxiliary.org

info@vfwauxiliary.org

VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters | 406 W. 34th St., 10th Fl., Kansas City, MO 64111

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