Info for Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award Program Department Chairman

In July of 2018, I was appointed the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award Program Chairperson for the Department of Connecticut. In an effort to help my fellow VFW comrades, I hope to document the process to make it easier.

1. Get appointed. 
2. Go to VFW.org and download the PDFs including the chairman guide
3. Get a big 3-ring notebook and some page protectors.
4. Realize the program progresses in three large steps: Promotion, Supervision, Completion
   1. Promotion:
      1. Learn about the program.
      2. Market the program.
         1. Mailed Flyers
         2. Social Media
         3. Email
         4. Get applications from VFW programs 
      3. Communicate with district commanders
         1. Make email and phone list
         2. Make one Post email with attachments
         3. Call each commander to verify they got email
         4. Explain they can just forward the email to their district chairperson
         5. Ask that they CC you when they send the email
            1. That is so you can automatically get the chair’s email
      4. Communicate with district chairpersons
         1. Make email and phone list
         2. Call each chairperson to verify they got the email
         3. Explain that they can just forward the email to their post chairpersons
   2. Supervision:
      1. Communicate consistently with chairpersons
      2. Communicate less frequently with district commanders
      3. Send emails with suggestions, information, or motivation

Still working on the program….