05/02/2024
Department of Alabama, VFW
General Order #11: 2023-2024 Series
May 1, 2024
1. MEMBERSHIP: We currently have 10,291 members reporting for 97.45%. We
appreciate your support during the 2023 – 2024 membership year. We need 481 members
to reach 102%.
2. COMMANDERS: Section 218 (a) requires the Post Commander to assure he or his
representative attends all properly called district meetings. In the absence of the Post
Commander, Section 218 (a) 2 requires that the Sr. Vice Commander represent the
Commander. Section 218 (a) 4 requires the Jr. Vice Commander to be the representative
in the absence of the Commander and Sr. Vice Commander.
3. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: The presence, dispensation and/or consumption of
alcoholic beverages during VFW meetings are unacceptable and are prohibited. See
Article X-Rules of Order-Section 1001 paragraph 24.
4. COMMANDER’S POST AND DISTRICT: It is your responsibility to ensure any
change in the officers of the Post and District is sent to State Headquarters immediately
by having your Quartermaster file the updated Election Report located on VFW.org
(OMS). Include Phone and Post Email.
5. COMMANDERS: The distribution of VFW Buddy Poppies will be conducted
according to the provisions set forth in Sections 711 of the National Bylaws and Manual
or Procedure. Department, District, County Council and Post Commanders should
arrange now for the distribution of Buddy Poppies for the Memorial Day campaign in
their respective areas. Memorial Day is a great opportunity to get out and distribute
Buddy Poppies. All profits accruing from the distribution of Buddy Poppies shall be used
for the relief of disabled and needy veterans and their dependents.
6. ATTENTION ALL COMMANDERS: National Bylaws Section 213 –
ARREARAGES: states that any Post in arrears for National, Department, County
Council or District Dues, Poppy money, supply money or other financial obligation or
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, or
failing to submit all properly completed quarterly Post Trustees Report of Audit, IRS
form 990 or a completed Post Election Report (election report for 2024-25 officers) to
include an official Post email address shall be deprived of all representation in County.
Council meetings, District, Department and National Conventions. Such representation
shall be restored promptly upon proper adjustment of such deficiencies.
7. DEPARTMENT COMMANDERS: State Bylaws Article VI, Section 2 – The Delegate
and alternate strength of each Post in the Department shall be based upon one of each for
every thirty (30) members or fraction thereof in good standing as of March 31 and they
shall be elected in accordance with the provisions of the National Bylaws.
8. PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR OFFICERS: All Post,
Councils and Districts are reminded of the provisions of Section 216 (c), 316 (c) and 414.
(c) of the National Bylaws and Manual or Procedure that officers, elected and appointed,
shall not be installed or assume the duties of their office until such proof of eligibility has
been submitted to the respective Adjutant for review.
9. POST ELECTION REPORTS: Election Reports are to be sent to National
Headquarters IMMEDIATELY after the election of officers. DO NOT repeat DO NOT
wait until the Post Officers are installed. PLEASE CHECK THE SPELLING OF
NAMES, CURRENT ADDRESSES, CAP SIZE AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS,
AS THESE ITEMS ARE VERY IMPORTANT!!! PLEASE ENSURE ALL
POSITIONS ARE COMPLETE AND AN OFFICIAL POST EMAIL ADDRESS
MUST BE INCLUDED.
10. ELECTION OF DISTRICT OFFICERS: The nominations, election, installation and
term of office or District Officers must be in accordance with Section 403 & 417.
National Bylaws and Manual of Procedure. Section 403 is quoted for your
information “Each district shall hold an annual District Convention for the purpose of
electing District Officers and for the transaction of business, such convention to be held
not less than the (10) days nor more than seventy-five (75) days prior to the convening
of the Department Convention”.
11. COMMANDERS: Please notify Headquarters of the physical address of your Post
Home of the address of where your regularly scheduled meetings are conducted.
12. STATE CONVENTION: will be held at the Embassy Suites, 300 Tallapoosa St.,
Montgomery, AL 36104 June 7 - 9 2024. Room rates are $144.00 plus tax. Reservations
must be made prior to April 30, 2024. Reserve early since the block may fill up prior to
April 30, 2024. After April 30, 2024, or if the blocked rooms are taken prior cut-off date,
rates will be regular rack rate. Room cancellation date is 48 hours prior to arrival date.
For reservations use the form located at www.vfwal.org and send to Department
Headquarters. REMINDER: YOU MUST BE REGISTERED WITH
DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE BLOCKED
HOTEL RATES.
13. NATIONAL CONVENTION REGISTRATION: Section 222 of the manual of
Procedure requires each post to register, in advance, at least one delegate to the VFW.
National Convention by payment of a fee in the amount of $25.00. Additional registered
delegates are $10.00 each. All advance registrations should be mailed to the VFW.
National Headquarters, 406 West 34th Street, Kansas City, MO 64111, ATTN:
Convention Registration: or you may register on-line by going to www.vfw.org.
14. Alabama VFW Department of Alabama email address is [email protected]
BY ORDER OF:
DANNY SAMPLE
STATE COMMANDER
OFFICIAL:
MATTHEW LAMBERT
STATE ADJUTANT
,Department of Alabama Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
