2023-2024 MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM
The Following program will be short and sweet.
We are not rewriting the book; we are moving this Department forward. My goal
as Membership Chairman is to make the Department of Hawaii the envy of all
other Departments. Commander Schaedel has assembled a team that has what it
takes to lead this Department into the future. We will grow our numbers by
creating a product that sells itself to new members and shows our existing
members that we truly appreciate them. Post Membership Chairman Each Post is responsible for naming ONEindividual that best represent the VFW in that Post. Post Membership Chairman
are charged with being the first line of contact within the community for new
and prospective members. Duties: · Research and schedule membership table
opportunities on their own or with guidance from the Department Membership
Chairman. · Establish lines of communication between Department
Membership Chairman, Post Commanders, and Community representatives. · Seek out community outreach opportunities. · Build and maintain relationships with
businesses, schools, municipal agents…etc. ·Report all activities to Department Membership Chairman. Post Mentors Each Post shall nominate at least ONE member
that best represents their post to new and current members. Post Mentors
must meet the following criteria: · Good communication skills. · Welcoming and encouraging
attitude. · Knowledge of VFW programs. · Willingness to receive calls from new members
and MLT’s. New Member Timeline 2 week – Call to ensure member has received
their ID. Yes – Congratulate and invite them to the
next meeting so you can formally induct them. No – Confirm that it is on
the way and check back within 5 days. 1 Month – Inquire if the member has visited the
Post. Yes – Ask how their visit went. Do they have any
feedback about the Post? Let them know about volunteer
opportunities. No – Ask if there is a day that you can
personally meet up. Highlight a few upcoming events. 6 Months – Ensure that the member is
receiving the Post newsletter, followed Post social media. 1 Year – Ask what they thought of their first
year in the VFW. REMIND them that they are UNIQUE, DIFFERENT, and SPECIAL
and that they have a place in the VFW. REMIND them of their renewal date.
Outline the benefits of becoming a LIFE member and the ways that it can be
purchased. Membership PUSH Four times a year the Posts and Posts will be
encouraged by the Chairman to hold a membership drive or activity. These
activities should not require spending at the Post or Post level. Please reach
out to the Membership Chairman if you have any questions or
concerns. Patriots Day Push (Sep 11) – Patriots Day
weekend. Reach out in your community to see if there are any Patriots Day
activities planned. A great opportunity would be to present the colors at a
high school football game. Use this opportunity to recruit new members as
well as renew interest in the Post. Veterans Day Push – Veterans Day weekend. Local
media will want to run stories about Veterans in their communities.
Contact them first! Participate in parades in any way possible. Contact local recruiters
and see if you can talk to new recruits. They are our future. Christmas Push – Encourage families to purchase
Life Memberships or Legacy Memberships for the Veterans in their lives.
See if there is a Toy for Tots drive in your area. Ask if you can host or seek donations
on their behalf. Spring Push – Finish the year strong, conduct
wellness checks of your membership, Ask and provide assistance as
required. Review unpaid lists contact
these members and find out why they did not renew their membership. Please be aware that all of the above activities
can and should also be reported in your Quarterly Activities Report. Membership Program Awards . All membership and recruiting
awards are included in the All-State Program. All Membership Awards are derived from the
numbers coming from the National Membership MemStats and or records
retained by our National Membership Department in Kansas City. In order
to receive recruiter credit, you MUST put your NAME and VFW MEMBERSHIP ID
NUMBER on the membership application form. It is crucial the POST QUARTERMASTER
include the recruiter information when transmitting ALL MEMBERS, NEW and
REINSTATED, to the National Membership Department. It is the responsibility
of the RECRUITER and POST QUARTMASTER to ensure this is done. Norbert Enos, Chairman