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VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS
DEPARTMENT OF IOWA
NOVEMBER 2017 GENERAL ORDERS No. 5
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1. GENERAL ORDERS: Are to be read at the Post Meeting and posted in your Post.
2. MEMBERSHIP: The Department is at 84.89% as of Oct. 26, 2017. We are in 4th place in the Big Ten and 18th place out of 53 Departments in membership. I believe this is the year we make 100%. Let’s get busy on our recruiting efforts and do not forget the new members you signed up last year and get them to renew their membership. Give them a call and invite them to your next meeting, let them know you still support them and care about them. If you need a copy of the unpaid lists let us know and we will get it to you.
3. VFW DECAL LICENSE PLATE: You may now purchase the decals from the Department of Iowa Headquarters at a cost of $20 for 2 decals (one for front and one for rear license plate) and will then take the decals to your local county tag office and purchase the decal license plate. An order form for the decals will be sent with these General Orders.
Information regarding this decal, including a photo and the contact information, is now available at https://iowadot.gov/mvd/vehicleregistration/vehicleregistration/decals.
4. COMMANDER’S SPECIAL PROJECT LAPEL PINS:
Commander Gruber is continuing the Patriot’s Pen scholarship as his Special Project and has commissioned the above lapel pins be made. Donation of $100 will get you a Gold Level support pin and $50 will get you a Silver Level support lapel pin. VFW Posts or Districts donating $250 to $499 to the project will receive a Silver Level Supporter certificate. VFW Posts or Districts donating $500 or more to the project will receive a Gold Level Supporter plaque.
5. POST ASSESSMENT: The deadline to pay your Post Assessment was Oct. 15, 2017. The Post Assessment for 2017-2018 is $1.00 per member based on last year’s Adjusted Membership total. If your Post achieved 100% in membership by June 30, 2017, your Post does not have to pay the Post assessment. This will be shown on the Status Report block as 100%.
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6. VOICE OF DEMOCRACY AND PATRIOT’S PEN DEADLINES:
*October 31, Student entries to the Post
November 15, Completion of Post judging
December 15, Completion of District judging
January 10, Completion of Department judging
January 15, District participation reports due to Department Chairmen
*January 15, Department winners due to National
*January 31, Department reports due to National
7. VOICE OF DEMOCRACY/PATRIOT’S PEN: The point of contact for the Patriots Pen is VFW Dept. Chairman Brad Whitmore, 3100 E. Titus Ave, Des Moines, IA 50320, 515-537-4355, whitmorecb@aol.com .
The point of contact for the Voice of Democracy programs is VFW Dept. Chairman Travis Holden, 2307 Richland Dr., Des Moines, IA 50317, (515)729-4797, travis712@mchsi.com .
8. SMART/MAHER CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION TEACHER AWARD:
*October 31, 2017, Teacher Nominations to the Post
November 15, Completion of Post judging
December 15, Completion of District judging
January 10, Completion of Department judging
January 15, District participation reports due to Department Chairman
*January 15, Department winners due to National
*January 31, Department reports due to National
9. TEACHER AWARD: The point of contact for the Teacher of the Year programs is VFW Dept. Chairman Don Fisher, 505 Johnson St., Alta, IA 51102, (712)200-1761, cathyfisher1948@hotmail.com.
10. COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES REPORT: Send all Community Activity Reports to Chairman, Danny L. White, 1309 SE University Ave., #207, Waukee, Iowa 50263, PH# 515-369-9096, or email iavfwcars@gmail.com. Please use the new form when reporting your Post activities.
11. DEPARTMENT OF IOWA CHRISTMAS PARTY: The Department Christmas party will be Dec. 16, 2017 at the Des Moines Airport Holiday Inn, 6111 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321. The cost of the meal is $36 per person and the menu is salad, roast turkey, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes & gravy, roll and strawberry swirl cheesecake for dessert. There will be a social hour with a cash bar before the meal. Please send ticket orders along with payment to VFW Iowa, 3601 Beaver Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310. Orders must be received by Dec. 1, 2017.
The Department of Iowa has not reserved any hotel rooms but if you would like to make your own reservations you may call 515-287-2400.
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12. ANNUAL MID- WINTER CONFERENCE: The Forty-Sixth Annual Mid-Winter Conference will be at the Airport Holiday Inn, 6111 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321. Room rates are $99 plus tax a night. The deadline to reserve a room is Jan. 2, 2018. You may call 515-287-2400 to make your reservations. Be sure to let them know you are with the VFW to get the group rate.
13. ANNUAL MID- WINTER LUNCHEON: The cost of tickets for the Mid-Winter Luncheon will be $27 per person. The meal will be: Thick Cut Roast Beef, Snowflake Mashed Potatoes with Gravy, Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots & Pearl Onions, Fresh Baked Rolls and butter, Tossed Salad with Ranch Dressing, Cheesecake with Blueberry or Strawberry Topping and a beverage. Please send order form on the last page of the General Orders, along with payment, to VFW Iowa Headquarters, 3601 Beaver Ave., Des Moines, IA 50310. Deadline for orders is January 12, 2018.
14. 2018 REVISED PODIUM EDITION - BY-LAWS, MANUAL OF PROCEDURE AND RITUAL: The podium edition of the Congressional Charter, By-Laws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual, which reflect the amendments adopted by the 118th VFW National Convention, effective August 25, 2017, are in stock and can be purchased through the VFW Store at http://www.vfwstore.org/products/22690 or you may order from the Store Catalog or by calling 1-800-821-2606. The cost is $7.25 plus shipping.
15 ELECTION DAY: November 7th is Election Day. Please study all the facts and examine each candidate as to what they are going to do for Veterans. This affects all of us so consider who you should vote for carefully.
16. VETERANS DAY DINNER: The annual Veterans Day dinner at the Meskwaki Casino Hotel in Tama, Iowa will be Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, from 11 am until 2 pm. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
17. THANKSGIVING DAY: Thursday, November 23rd 2017 is Thanksgiving Day. Please remember home bound Veterans during this Holiday and visit veterans in your local nursing homes.
18. VETERANS IN THE CLASSROOM MONTH IN NOVEMBER: VFW and VFW Auxiliary members are encouraged to volunteer in their schools to talk about their military and home front experiences to students. Invite your local military recruiter to join you to talk about military service today. Additional information can be found in the 2017–18 VFW Community Activities and Citizenship Education VFW Chairman’s Guide. Simply visit www.vfw.org and LOG IN (or create an account if you do not have one.) After logging in, you’ll be redirected to the "My VFW” page where you will click on VFW Training & Support and then Community Service, Youth Scholarships & Activities where you’ll have access to the "CHAIRMAN GUIDES.” Participate in this activity as part of "National Veterans Awareness” week, November 5-11, as designated by Congress.
19. CHECKS SENT TO DEPARTMENT (STATE) HQ’s: When forwarding your checks to VFW State Headquarters, please make it out to "VFW Iowa” and indicate what the check is to be used for: Hospital Fund, VOD Fund, Disaster Fund, etc. in the MEMO section at the bottom left of the check.
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20. QUARTERMASTER BOND: The Bond was due before September 1, 2017. All bonds for 2016-2017 have expired as of August 31, 2017. The cost of the bond has changed. THE RATE UP TO AND INCLUDING $25,000 IS $6.00 PER THOUSAND. THE RATE FOR $26,000 AND UP IS $5.00 PER THOUSAND. THE RATE FOR $251,000 AND UP IS $2.00 PER THOUSAND.
IF YOU ARE BONDED LOCALLY PLEASE SEND PROOF OF BOND TO VFW IOWA, 3601 BEAVER AVE, DES MOINES, IA 50310.
21. DEPARTMENT ROSTER BOOK: The Roster book has been sent electronically this year to Post, District & Department officers and is password protected. The password to access the information was sent in a separate email. If a Post, District or Department officer would like a hard copy they are available for $5. Due to privacy laws the roster book cannot be emailed or sold to everyone, only officers of the Post, District and Department.
22. VFW DEPARTMENT OF IOWA BRICK FUNDRAISER: Join us in becoming a part of our history & help us raise money for the VFW Department of Iowa. Your engraved brick purchase can be a lasting memorial for a family member or friend, used to advertise your business name, or used to list your family’s name as a donor. The bricks are $50 each and an order form will be sent with these General Orders. You may also find the form on the VFW Iowa website at www.vfwiowa.org . The bricks will be placed from the side walk to the flag poles and around the flag pole area in front of the VFW Iowa Headquarters building.
23. IOWA STATE FAIR BOOTH: We are asking Posts or individuals to donate to this great cause. For the posts or auxiliaries willing to donate, please send your checks to Department of Iowa Attn: Jerry Black, QM, 3601 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310. We are the only Veterans Organization there and it is great public relations and lets everyone know that "No One Does More For Veterans” than the VFW.
24. GENERAL ORDERS: In order to cut postage costs, General Orders will be sent via email. Please supply Headquarters with your Email address for receiving General Orders. Please send your email address, Post number and name to Headquarters at vfwiowa@qwestoffice.net and we will add you to the list.
25. VFW NATIONAL HOME: If you are making donations for Iowa Cottage at the VFW National Home, please make checks payable to VFW Iowa and be sure it is earmarked for the Iowa Cottage.
26. FORMS 990 & 990T: Attention of Post Quartermasters is directed to the requirement of timely filing of Internal Revenue Form 990 and 990 T, where applicable. Forms may be secured from your local Post Office or branch office of the Internal Revenue Service.
If your Post has a yearly gross income of $50,000 or more, you are REQUIRED to file an IRS form 990 each year. All income must be accounted for when filing of a 990 is required; this includes dues, dinners, bingo, raffles, or other income of the Post.
If you operate a Post Canteen and/or Post dinners open to the public then you must report Post income from non-members on a 990T form if your income from other than members exceeds $1,000, this is considered as unrelated income and you are liable for taxes. If you are in doubt you are urged to contact a professional tax person.
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27. FORM 990N: Posts whose gross income is less than $50,000 are REQUIRED to file an electronic notice, form 990N, also known as an E-Postcard with the IRS annually. The website is https://sa.www4.irs.gov/epostcard/. If you have any questions, please visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov/eo. If you cannot find the information you need, you may call the IRS toll free number at 877-829-5500.
28. INSPECTIONS: District Commanders your attention is directed to Section 517 of the
Manual of Procedure, which states that each Post shall be inspected at least once during the year. Please make sure all the Posts in your District are inspected and report them in a timely manner rather that accumulating reports for 100% mailing. Please send completed Reports to State Inspector Travis Holden, 2307 Richland Dr., Des Moines, IA 50317. Please send white copy only.
29. 119th NATIONAL CONVENTION: The Veterans of Foreign Wars 119th National Convention will be held in Kansas City, Missouri on July 21-25, 2018. Let’s have a large turnout for Iowa as this Convention is not that far away. There will be more information in January and February General Orders.
30. VETERANS & MILITARY SUPPORT PROGRAM: For questions or concerns about connecting with Iowa Military Units, Adopt A Unit, Uplink Phone Calling, Unmet Needs (soldier/military assistance), Post Donor Cards, and MAP Grants for your Post/Auxiliary, contact VMSP Chairman Pat Stark at vfw.patstark@gmail.com or 641-780-9929. Please consider making a donation to Veterans & Military Support Program today.
Regarding Operation Uplink, contact Uplink Chairman Pat Stark if you request a phone card for a hospitalized veteran who is in any hospital or nursing home other than one of the VAMF’s.
31. BUDDY POPPIES: Place your orders EARLY, AT LEAST 90 DAYS IN ADVANCE OF YOUR DISTRIBUTION DATE. Every Post should be able to receive donations for at least 1,000 Poppies, which is also a requirement for All State Award. Buddy Poppy prices for 500 poppies are $72.50 and 1,000 are $145. Many Posts are not sending their orders in early enough to receive them prior to their scheduled date. GET THEM IN AT LEAST 90 DAYS IN ADVANCE OF YOUR DISTRIBUTION DATE.
32. DEFECTIVE BUDDY POPPIES: For adjustment purposes, it is necessary to report all quality problems and shortages concerning the buddy poppies to Quentin Carroll (816) 968-1155 or BuddyPoppy@vfw.org, in the VFW Programs Department, within 30 days of receiving the order.
After receiving your poppy order, you will need to check it as soon as possible for defective poppies and any shortages. After 30 days, no adjustments will be made.
If a Post fails to report that they haven’t received their Buddy Poppy order within 90 days from the date of the invoice to their Department Headquarters, they will not be replaced.
33. MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Department Christmas Party will be Dec. 16, 2017 at the Des Moines Airport Holiday Inn, 6111 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321. To make your own reservations you may call 515-287-2400.
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2018 VFW Iowa Mid-Winter Conference will be Jan. 20 - 21, 2018 at the Holiday Inn Des Moines Airport, 6111 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321.
Department of Iowa 97th Annual State Convention will be June 7 - 10, 2018 at the Holiday Inn Des Moines Airport, 6111 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321. Room rates will be $99 plus tax.
By Order of:
Jake Gruber
Department Commander
VFW Department of Iowa
OFFICIAL: Jerry Black
State Adjutant-Quartermaster
VFW Department of Iowa
JG/jb
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PLEASE DETACH AND RETURN ORDER FORM WITH PAYMENT
ORDER FORM FOR LUNCHEON TICKETS
FOR 2018 MID-WINTER CONFERENCE
The Luncheon is at 12:00 noon at the Airport Holiday Inn, 6111 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321, on January 20, 2018. The cost will be $27 per person. Reservations need to be in to VFW Iowa Headquarters, 3601 Beaver Ave., Des Moines, IA 50310, by January 12, 2018. Make checks payable to VFW Iowa.
HOW MANY WILL ATTEND ________ AMOUNT OF THE CHECK ________________
NAME _______________________________________________________________
ADDRESS ____________________________________________________________
(YOU MAY MAKE COPIES OF THIS FORM)