Department of Colorado Veterans of Foreign Wars

2023 - 2024 Membership Program

Fidelity | Fraternity | Philanthropy

 

 

*For the full program (pdf) see attachments below or click here 

Introduction

There are three words that I want to guide us through this year: Fidelity, Fraternity, and Philanthropy. The first, fidelity, is inspired by the Marine Corps Motto “Semper Fidelis” and reminds me of how we open every meeting with the words “let us uphold always the obligations of unselfish comradeship and loyalty to our organization and to the government of the United States of America.”

Likewise, the first purpose of our organization, as stated in our Congressional Charter, is fraternal. Specifically, to “preserve and strengthen comradeship among its members, to assist worthy comrades, to perpetuate the memory and history of our dead, and to assist their surviving spouses and orphans.”

Philanthropy, on the other hand, is the principle that ties everything together. Through our elections we form boards, whereby each Post runs as a philanthropic organization. Our members consistently promote the welfare of others through the generous donation of their time. We also seek and rely upon the philanthropic nature of our supporters through donations and grants.

I believe we will have an excellent year together by keeping these words in your mind as we work our programs to engage with the community, grow our relief funds to assist our comrades in need, and promote our legislative goals to advocate for all veterans and their families. I look forward to working with each and every member to prove that “no one does more for veterans” than the VFW.

Mission

To recruit, retain and mentor a stable membership base that includes all generations of veterans. To cultivate a membership that is well versed in institutional knowledge and is actively involved at all levels of the organization and in the local community. To foster the growth of our strong tradition of service, leadership, and community outreach.

Goals

• Build a strong organization for the future
• Work together to achieve the VFW’s goals.
• Support our communities' veterans and their families

Objectives

• Recruit new and recover unpaid members
• Retain and mentor existing members
• Involve members directly in VFW functions at all levels
• Ensure Posts are financially stable legal entities
• Engage the community in a meaningful way
• Foster stronger relationships between Posts and their Auxiliaries

  

Department of Colorado Membership Recruiting Awards***

Every VFW member and Auxiliary member is eligible for the following rewards
Every new or reinstated member in the VFW or the Auxiliary counts†

Challenge	Award
Recruit 1 New or Reinstate member	Certificate of Appreciation, recruiter's name published in the Colorado Veteran, and an entry in the year-end drawing*
Recruit 5 New or Reinstate members	VFW T-shirt and a chance to win a $50 gift certificate from the VFW Store** Invitation to a COA; subject to the reimbursement policy for District Commanders
Recruit 10 New or Reinstate members	State Commander’s VFW Coin and a chance to win a $100 gift certificate for the VFW Store** Invitation to the 2024 State Convention; subject to the reimbursement policy for District Commanders
Recruit 25 New or Reinstate members	VFW Recruiter Jacket to be presented at first COA following the 2024 State Convention
District Recruiters	The top recruiter, that is not a Post Quartermaster, from each District shall receive an engraved pocket knife
Recruit a Life Member	Chance to Life membership fee reimbursement for the recruit and the recruiter at the 2024 State Convention
All posts reaching 100% membership by June 30, 2024, will receive a 100% membership plaque
* A year-end drawing for a $500 Visa gift card will be held at the 2024 State Convention ** VFW Store gift certificate drawings will be held during Department COAs *** Additional recruiting awards may be offered if the Department earns extra funds from National † In instances when a VFW member recruits for the Auxiliary and vice versa (cross-recruiting)

 

  

Department Membership Classes for 2023 - 2024

Post Membership Classes	District Membership Divisions
Class 1: 1 to 50 members Class 2: 51 to 125 members Class 3: 126 to 225 members Class 4: 226 to 400 members Class 5: 401 + members	Division 1: 5,000 to 14,000 members Division 2: 3,282 to 4,999 members Division 3: 2,172 to 3,281 members Division 4: 1,447 to 2,171 members Division 5: 906 to 1,446 members Division 6: 1 to 905 members
Based on membership as of June 30, 2023