Department and Nationals Certificates of Recognition: These certificates are to recognize VFW and Auxiliary members deserving of Department of Hawaii recognition because of their achievements. This includes Committee Chairpersons and outstanding volunteers who have achieved or surpassed their goals. Program Committee Chairs, Post Commanders, or Department Leadership may recommend people for this award. Deadline for these awards is March 01, 2026.

To be eligible for any award:

1. The award criteria must be met on or before the Department's specified deadline as outlined in this membership plan.

2. Membership numbers must be visible on National's website (Memstats) on or before the Department's contest deadline.

Note: To ensure proper credit, please remember to include your name and VFW ID/member number on all Membership Application Forms for every member you recruit.

RECRUITING AWARDS:

Top Recruiter Award: Member who obtained the highest combined overall recruiting numbers for New Reinstated and Life members in the Department will receive a plaque, $200.00 or other recognition determined by the State Commander and State Membership team. Top Recruiters must recruit a minimum of 40 new or reinstated members of which 10 must be new members.

Fast Start Recruiter Award: Any member recruiting 10 new or reinstated members by December 31, 2025, will receive $100.00.

Department Recruiting Team Shirt: Any member who recruits 4 new members on Oahu or 3 new members on American Samoa, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, and Hawaii – recruiting 3 new members, by June 1, 2026.

State Convention Meals: A member who recruits 10 new or reinstated members by June 1, 2026, will receive $75.00 toward the Department Convention meal package. A minimum of 3 new members must be recruited for the $75.00 award. A member who recruits 20 new or reinstated members by June 1, 2026, will receive $150.00 toward the Department Convention meal package. A minimum of 6 new members must be recruited for the $150.00 award. Any member who recruits 30 or more new or reinstated members by June 1, 2026, will receive the Department Convention meal package at no cost. For a no cost meal package a minimum of 10 new members must be recruited. NO Cash Alternative will be awarded.

National Convention Recruiting Award: One (1) Round Trip Air Ticket, Hotel room and $500 for expenses for travel to the VFW National Convention in Reno, Nevada on July 24-30 2026 will be awarded. To win, for each New/Reinstated Member you recruit your name will be entered in the drawing. Deadline for this award June 14, 2026, with the drawing held at the State Convention, the Aloha Banquet Night on Saturday night. Award may be transferred to a deserving Post member. NO Cash Alternative will be awarded.

MEMBERSHIP/RECRUITING/DONATIONS GUIDANCE:

This membership program has been designed to recognize and award you for promoting membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars. When recruiting at any Department organized event or location; all donations will be forwarded to the Department QM. Donations will be used for the Department Outreach Programs and/or as the Department Commander directs. When a Post is recruiting alone all donations received will be kept in the Post and Post QM will report the amount

Department of Hawaii 2025-2026 All-State

Program, Awards and All-American Summary

to the post membership. If Buddy Poppies are given out and donations are received, donations must be deposited in the Post Relief Fund and only used for only the purposes designated in the National Bylaws.

1. Membership goal of 101%+ is the National VFW goal for the Post.

2. Add 2+ life members.

3. Increase Legacy Life membership either by upgraded to a higher level or as a new legacy life member.

4. Recruit 5 new members.

5. Conduct a minimum of two (2) Membership Recruiting events.

Department Commander will publish incentives throughout the year to ensure we reach our membership goals for the year.

The Department Commander will notify the COA of any changes and reserves the right to modify requirements.

a. Post 100% Membership by December 31, 2025 (Must have 2 new members) 500 points

b. Post 101% Membership by May 13, 2026 (Must have 2 new members) 300 points*

c. Commander’s Project-Conduct a fundraiser for the Hawaii House. 500 points

a. Posts must report on the Programs Dashboard quarterly 50 points per quarter

(July-Sept, Oct-Dec, Jan-March, and April-June) 200 points*

b. Post sponsor a Day of Service Program in the Month of May - The annual 500 points*

VFW Day of Service kicks off on the first Saturday of May 2026. That date marks

the start of veteran-led community service projects to take place throughout the month.

VFW Day of Service events are community service focused, so whatever Day of Service

volunteers identify as a community need and their work to meet it qualifies. The goal is

for these events to be in addition to your regular plans, as well as something that fellow

veterans can be invited to take part. "Buddy” ® Poppy, recruiting and events which only

raise monetary donations do not qualify as a Day of Service event.

Post participation in the following programs:

a. Voice of Democracy contest entry 500 points*

b. Patriots Pen Essay contest entry 500 points*

c. Buddy Poppy – Purchase a minimum of at least 500 500 points*

d. Post adopts at least one Military, Scouting or Youth Military Unit 500 points

e. Social media – Create or maintain a website or Facebook Page 500 points

4. DONATIONS:

(All donations must be made through Department except VMS)

a. Department Outreach ($50.00 minimum) 500 points

b. Veterans & Military Support ($125.00 minimum, must be made on Department of Hawaii 2025-2026 All-State Program, Awards and All-American Summary Programs Dashboard) 500 points*

c. National Home for Children ($250.00 minimum) (Must designate Hawaii House as beneficiary)

500 points*

d. Annual Department Fundraiser – four books of 3 by Post ($100.00) 500 points

e. National/Department Conventions ($100 minimum) 500 points

f. Disasters – National and/or Hawaii ($100 minimum) 500 points

a. Bond – form completed and paid to Dept. HQs by September 1, 2025 500 points*

b. Bond received at Dept. HQs after September 1, 2025 50 points*

c. Admission Fee: Paid to Department 300 points*

d. Proof of Federal Income Tax filed Submitted to Department 500 points*

e. Proof of DCCA license registration Submitted to Department 500 points*

f. Quarterly Audit; submitted to Dept. within 30 days after quarter ends. 1,000 pts/qtr*

g. Audit Report submitted 45 days or more after quarter ends 50 points/qtr

June 30th; Sept. 30th; Dec. 31st and March 31st.

*Denotes required for All-State

The Top Commanders and Quartermasters will receive a cap, pin, or an appropriate award. Posts not in contention for All State Awards will be considered for other Departmental Awards, based on each Post total score which is evaluated by the Department Leadership. Posts must be over 100% +1 in membership, be in good standing, and submit entries to Department for Voice of Democracy, and Patriots Pen programs. Posts are also evaluated on the whole Post concept for the membership year 2025-2026. May 13, 2026, is the cutoff date for All-State Award consideration. Any Post In arrears is not eligible for All-State recognition. The Post must be in good standing which includes as a minimum current with trustee reports, officers bonded, Post bylaws and Articles of Incorporation (submitted to National), State and National Delegate Fees Paid, all Line Officers Proof of Eligibility submitted to Department, required insurance, Post Inspection completed, IRS 990 filed, and DCCA current.

VFW NATIONAL ALL- AMERICAN PROGRAM REQUIREMENT RECAP: The All-American Program is designed to encourage excellence above and beyond the standard for membership. It is not meant to be awarded to Posts, Districts, or Departments that achieve the bare minimum – it is there to designate the elite, the best of the best. For additional information refer to the All-American Program booklet on the website.

All-American Post Criteria

All Posts who have met the following criteria as of June 30th, 2026 will be named as All-American Posts:

- At least 101% in membership, based on adjusted prior year totals.

- Must have a Post election report submitted and be in good standing.

- Must meet the following Program Participation Criteria by January 31, 2026:

o Voice of Democracy – minimum of one entry advanced to Department judging (Overseas Posts may donate $125 to National in lieu of entry)

o Patriot’s Pen – minimum of one entry advanced to Department judging (Overseas Posts may donate $125 to National in lieu of entry)

Department of Hawaii 2025-2026 All-State

Program, Awards and All-American Summary

o Donate to Veterans & Military Support Programs Services, minimum of $125.

- A Post must submit a community service report quarterly to their department for submission to the All-American Dashboard. The quarters are July-Sept, Oct-Dec, Jan-March, and April-June. One of these community service activities must be for a VFW Day of Service event held during the month of May and registered at todaysvfw.org/day-of-service/ no later than June 1. Learn more about Day of Service at todaysvfw.org/.

- Must purchase a minimum of 500 Buddy Poppies.

All Posts that meet these requirements will be designated as All-American Posts and will receive an All-American Post Streamer, a Post Home Citation, and will be recognized in the VFW Magazine.

All-American Post Award

The top FIFTEEN (15) Posts in each membership division will be allowed to walk across the stage at the National Convention and will receive in addition to the above: All-American Post Citation, All-American Commander’s Citation, All-American Name Badge (commander), All- American Cap (commander), All-American lapel pin (commander).

Commanders of Posts that do not finish in the top 15, as well as Quartermasters, Adjutants, and Post Members of an All-American Post will be allowed to purchase All-American caps from the VFW Store.

The top five Post Commanders in each membership division will also receive five nights hotel stay at the National Convention.

Additional Notes:

• No more than one stipend may be given to an individual for a specific event.

• VMS donations must be made through the dashboard; all other donations must be made through the Department Quartermaster.

This document serves to outline the key aspects of the 2025-2026 Membership Program.

Please refer all questions to the Membership Committee, State Adjutant and/or State Commander for clarification.

Approved by:

Jason Seal

Department of Hawaii

State Commander, 2025-2026

George Barlett

Department of Hawaii

State Adjutant, 2025-2026