03/18/2026
Just received this from State Jr. Vice Commander Ken Lange. Can you help us? You don't need to do 15 of you can just get 1 that would be extremely helpful. Need assistance. Please let me know or Dan Gann.
All,
We are currently sitting at 95.21% and need 1,364 to reach 101%. However, some of you know that we are probably going to need to cover an additional 45 (+/-) for obvious reasons. (1,409 needed)
With 103 days remaining and not counting June 30th to allow for processing, the State as a whole will need to join or reinstate 14 members per day. This is a safe number to work from for the additional numbers that may be required.
This is the time of year that we start putting the "full court press" on ..... with current information in the GO's, available funds, new incentives to motivate, relentlessly calling, texting, and emailing the State, District, and Post leadership.
Let's work on some fresh ideas ..... I started the "Race to 25" incentive where any member not already at 25 gets a significant check ($250) if they make 25 prior to the end of June. Just an example, but it definitely helped out.
Each year is the same with the state being good in all national programs except membership. Every Department Commander deserves the opportunity to be an All American Commander, which is a total TEAM effort to achieve.
We seek New Annual and especially New Life Members and obviously reinstate. Make absolutely sure that any and all reinstates are specifically spoken to prior to any OMS updates. (Are they alive? Do they even want to come back, do they like their Post, making sure that their contact information is correct, ??? etc.) Also, when dealing with reinstates, keep a logbook/spreadsheet on each member to help keep their information updated.
We can not just sit back and expect it to happen .... it takes a village!
If anyone has ideas, then please get them to Dan Gann asap so he can get it/them going.
Most Importantly ....... Once we get to 101% + 1 ...... STOP
Pass this information along to your posts and districts. See if they have any new ideas .... we have a lot of really great recruiters in the state, and they may have some fresh ideas.
Happy Hunting!!
Ken Lange
State Jr. Vice Commander
VFW Department of Indiana
