What are the minimum standards for a VFW post? What are the bare-minimum requirements for a post to avoid negative attention?
In short: don’t break the rules or the law; hold monthly meetings with a quorum; don’t owe money and pay all VFW fees; submit stuff before deadlines; hold elections and submit election reports; get the QM bonded; get insurance; submit the Trustee reports; submit 990s and incorporation; and have bylaws.
DETAILS:
- Posts shall be governed by governmental law, the Congressional Charter and Bylaws of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, the Bylaws of the Department, orders issued by authority of the National Convention, National Council of Administration, the Commander-in-Chief, the Department Convention, Department Council of Administration and the Department Commander. Resolutions adopted by the National Convention are held to be lawful orders.
- Posts shall hold at least one regular meeting each month. Failure to comply can result in immediate revocation of the Post Charter notwithstanding the provisions of Section 211 of the Manual of Procedure (Sec. 203).
- Posts shall have at least five members in good standing at a meeting to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business (Sec. 203).
- Posts will pay, in accordance with its Department Bylaws, a delegate registration fee for each and every delegate to which the Post shall be entitled (Sec. 222).
- Each Post will pay, in advance, a National Convention registration fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) which shall entitle the Post to a packet of convention information and materials and one identified registered delegate for the National Convention (Sec. 222).
- Posts will not be in arrears for any financial obligations to district, department, or national [district dues, etc.].
- Posts shall elect the Commander, Senior Vice Commander, Junior Vice Commander, Quartermaster, and three Trustees. The Commander shall appoint an Adjutant, Chaplain, and Service Officer.
- Post officers and chairmen will fulfill their proscribed duties and obligations as detailed in Sec. 218 (minutes, records retention, etc.).
- Posts will have the office of Quartermaster properly bonded in accordance with Section 703 [before Aug. 30]
- Posts with a facility will be properly insured in accordance with Section 709
- Posts will submit properly completed quarterly Post Trustees Report of Audit [no later than the end of the month following the last day of each quarterly period]
- Posts will submit a Post Election Report for the ensuing year [before June 1]
- Posts will submit other obligations, specifically the State of Connecticut Incorporation, Annual Report.
- Posts will submit other obligations, specifically the IRS Form 990 annually.
- Posts shall adopt Bylaws. Bylaws approved by a Post shall be forwarded as provided in the Manual of Procedure prior to becoming effective (Sec. 202).
WORKS CITED
2023 Podium Edition: Congressional Charter, Bylaws, Manual of Procedure, Ritual. Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, 20 Aug. 2022.
Sec. 213–Arrearages, Deficiencies and Omissions. Any Post in arrears for any financial obligations to County Council (if applicable), District, Department and National for fees, dues, poppy money, supply money, failing to have the office of Quartermaster properly bonded in accordance with Section 703, failing to ensure that the Post is properly insured in accordance with Section 709, failing to submit properly completed quarterly Post Trustees Report of Audit, Post Election Report for the ensuing year, or other obligations, shall be deprived of all representation in County Council and District meetings; County Council, District, Department and National Conventions. Such representation shall be restored promptly upon proper adjustment of such deficiencies.
