Top | Public Relations/Publication Contest | Publication Contest | Web Contest | Safety and Disaster Programs | Blood Donor and Assistance Programs | Blood Assistance Program

PUBLIC RELATIONS/PUBLICATION CONTEST

We are here to serve Veterans. In that regard, we must project a positive image to the public at large. This must be done to maximize our exposure for:

All District and Post officers must ensure that their words and conduct reflect a positive image and official doctrine as enunciated by national and state directives and publications. Whether making a statement through personal initiative or if asked by journalists or the public, one must be aware of the effects of one’s words and conduct. When in doubt, refer to Department personnel. You are an official representative of the VFW when identified as an officer of the VFW.

In an effort to improve communications with the public, the following is advisable:

HOW TO REPORT

All activities should be reported using the Program Reporting (Form 12) either on-line or by submitting to Department Headquarters. 

AWARDS

Awards will be presented as follows unless otherwise noted elsewhere in this guide:

PUBLICATION CONTEST

If your Post or District has a Newsletter and you would like to submit it for the Publication Contest please forward a copy of three (3) issues to the Department Headquarters so that they will be available for judging.

All Publications for judging must be in to Department Headquarters by February 1, 2008. All issues published between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2007, are eligible. Judging will be based on news contents, layout and graphics; and general excellence.

Judging will be categorized by the circulation of the District or Post they represent. For the Publication Contest, District and Posts will be defined as:

District

Post

Awards will be presented in 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for each category.  All national entries must place first in Department-level contests and be forwarded to the Publications Department at National by the State Adjutant/Quartermaster.

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WEB SITE CONTEST

The Department Public Relations Chairman and Committee will select the best Post and District Website from any entries submitted to the Department for consideration. The winners will be presented plaques at the State Convention.

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SAFETY AND BLOODDISASTER PROGRAMS

The Safety Programs of the Veteran of Foreign Wars continues to provide and promote programs designed to safeguard our communities. This long-standing commitment to safety has grown through the years to include every possible program or event associated with safeguarding people. Be creative and develop a safety activity and REPORT all accomplishments on the Program Reporting Form-12

The six basic categories in the National Program are as follows:

RECOGNITION/OTHER: A program to bring public recognition to the people of the community who spend their work day protecting the lives and property. Recognizing the heroism/or safety achievements of individuals in the community. This category may be used to report an activity that does not fit any of the above categories.

HOW TO REPORT

All Safety/Disaster activities should be reported using the Program Reporting (Form 12) either on-line or by submitting to Department Headquarters.

Important! — To qualify for awards a Post must send a copy of the Program Reporting (Form 12) to the Department Chairman with all applicable attachments.

Please note that enrollment in the Disaster fund is not a reportable activity under Community Service. Reportable activities include Disaster training, CPR/First Aid classes, providing assistance during a disaster, or setting up a disaster relief site equipped to house veterans and their families for at least a twenty-four (24) hour period in case of a major disaster.

AWARDS

Awards will be presented as follows unless otherwise noted elsewhere in this guide:

IMPORTANT CHANGES TO THIS PROGRAM PLEASE READ

Our Disaster Program has been revised to ensure that we can maintain a Disaster fund within the Department of California. The Disaster Benefit Program is an optional program for Posts. This program should not be considered an insurance carrier or company. The primary purpose of our program is to make certain that members of our Posts will still be able to obtain up to $1,000.00 emergency relief assistance in case property is lost due to a fire, flood or other disaster. Contributed funds are still a vital part of the program and will be utilized as they have in the past “as a service to our veterans.”

COVERAGE

Once the Post is enrolled, all members in good standing within the Post shall receive up to $1,000.00 as emergency relief upon approval of their application by the Department of California and Department Chairman.

ENROLLMENT

Enrollment period shall be July 1 through September 30 of each year. After September 30, your Post will not be enrolled and any Claim submitted will be denied.

New Posts and Auxiliaries will automatically be enrolled in the State Disaster Program for the remainder of the current fiscal year at no cost.

To enroll, a Post must submit $25.00 within the dates specified above along with a completed Disaster Enrollment Form (Form-7c) which can be found within this guidebook Make checks out to Disaster Fund, Department of California.

DISASTER GUIDELINES

Any person receiving funds from the Disaster Fund must be a paid up member in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of California.

To qualify for a Disaster claim, a member’s recruitment date has to be at least 90 days prior to placing a claim. A person who is qualified to receive Disaster aid is the owner of his home and is living in it at the time of disaster. A valid claim on a members home must first be substantiated by a Post Commander or Chairman who will investigate this to be true, then give this information to the Safety/Disaster Chairman, who will then determine the amount of such claim, not to exceed $1,000.00.

NOW HEAR THIS

The Disaster Fund shall be used to help the VFW members and under no circumstances shall be used for landlords who have suffered a loss to rental property or for losses incurred by a business or businesses owned by a member of the VFW.

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BLOOD DONOR AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Many generous Americans, nationwide have been donating blood to ensure a sustained and a secure blood supply for all Americans.

Together with the Red Cross, these heroes are ensuring that the safest possible blood is readily available whenever and wherever needed - for the military, for other blood centers in America and for all 5,000 of America's hospitals.

We all expect blood to be there for us, but barely a fraction of those that can give, do. Yet sooner or later, virtually all of us will face the time of vulnerability when we will need blood; and that time is all too often unexpected. From its beginnings the American Red Cross has formed a community of service, of generous, strong and decent people bound by beliefs bound by themselves. The honor, spirit, and resources of the American people comes forth with neighbors helping neighbors in need; during floods, fires, storms, and also for deeply personal and major disasters that require a gift of blood.

To find out where you can donate visit www.givelife.org  or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE, 1 -800-448-3543.

HOW TO REPORT

All activities should be reported using the Program Reporting Form 12 either on-line or by submitting to Department Headquarters.

Important! — To qualify for awards a Post must send a copy of the Program Reporting Form 12 to the Department Chairman with all applicable attachments.

AWARDS

It shall be the responsibility of the Post and or Auxiliary Blood Program Chairman to see that a record is maintained of all donors and how many pints they have donated for the year and that a letter is sent to the State Chairman no later than March 31, 2008 for such citations as may be needed. A letter to the State Chairman for recognition of accomplishment for an individual person promoting the Program will also be accepted.

Awards will be presented as follows unless otherwise noted elsewhere in this guide:

 Any Post or District donating $250.00 or more to the Blood Assistance Fund will receive a plaque at the State Convention. Additionally a plaque will be awarded to the most outstanding District and District Chairman in the Blood Donor Program. A District must have 100% participation in this program to be considered for this award.

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BLOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The State Blood Program is an optional program for Posts. This program should not be considered an insurance carrier or company. Our Blood Assistance Program has been revised to coincide with new blood bank policies and to ensure that we can maintain a Blood Assistance Benefit Program within the Department of California VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary. The primary purpose of our program is to make certain that members of our Posts and Auxiliaries will still be able to obtain a reimbursement for blood costs that are not covered by any private insurance carrier.

COVERAGE

Once enrolled the benefit shall be available to All Post and Ladies Auxiliary members, Men’s Auxiliary members, if applicable, including all the members of the immediate household.

The Blood Assistance Program is also limited to paid up members of the Post and or Auxiliary and their immediate family members residing in the VFW or Auxiliary member’s home. A member or dependent is entitled to receive the cost equivalent of a total of ten (10) pints of blood in each fiscal year (July 1 through June 30).

There will be no benefits for any member who joins the VFW or Auxiliary for the purpose of placing a burden on the VFW or has a pre-existing hemophilia condition.

BENEFIT

The equivalent cost of up to ten (10) pints of blood that has been used due to illness or accident. not covered by any other health, accident or blood replacement insurance.

ENROLLMENT

Enrollment period shall be July 1 through September 30 of each year. After September 30, your Post will not he enrolled and any Claim submitted will be denied.

New Posts and Auxiliaries will automatically be enrolled in the State Blood Assistance Program for the remainder of the current fiscal year at no cost.

To enroll, a Post must submit $20.00 within the dates specified above along with a completed Blood Assistance Program Application for Membership (Form-1)

BLOOD REPLACEMENT GENERAL INFORMATION

Complete a Blood Assistance Claim Form (Form-2), All information required is to be furnished or the request will be returned to sender for compliance. A final hospital or blood bank bill or statement, or copy of same, showing the amount of blood used, not covered by other insurance or paid for by other means MUST accompany the request. A letter from the insurance carrier must also be submitted to show that insurance does not cover the replacement. All requests must he signed by the Post Commander or Quartermaster, or Auxiliary President or Treasurer, whichever applies, confirming year and date dues were paid by person for which blood replacement is being requested. There is a limit of ten (10) pints per year to any recipient, This includes the payment of processing fee (I for 1,2 for 1 or 3 for 1) of blood used.

Blood replacements will not be used for paying bills (any type) except where blood is used, I.E., shots for blood disorder.

PROCESSING FEES

Processing Fees will be paid in cash when the blood bank or hospital issuing the blood will not accept blood as a replacement. Processing fees must be shown on the hospital bill or blood bank bill as such and will show if blood replacement is 1 for 1, 2 for 1 or 3 for 1, payment to hospital or blood bank only. VFW will only pay the processing fee to a maximum of ten (10) pints of blood.

CLAIMS

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LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIREFIGHTER & EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN PROGRAMS

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States realizes that duties performed in the fields of law enforcement and emergency services, whether carried out in public view with the ensuing public acclaim, or performed in ways which gain little public recognition, are both exemplary and of great value to the nation.

Refer to page 62 in the National VFW Programs Chairman’s Guide for helpful tips and ideas in recognition programs All Posts and Districts are encouraged to publicize this program in the local media.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION TO DEPARTMENT IS NOVEMBER 1, 2007

AWARDS

(NOTE: If a District or Post cannot get a candidate for a scrapbook, you can still report your activities under Recognition on (Forrn-12) by presenting a certificate or plaque to an eligible individual, police department, fire department, sub-station, etc., but YOU MUST REPORT IT!)

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NATIONAL GOLD MEDAL AWARDS FOR PUBLIC SERVANTS

Each year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars selects a law enforcement officer, firefighter and emergency medical technician (EMT) to receive VFW National Gold Medal Awards. The presentation of these awards is made at the VFW National Convention in August. Post Chairmen are encouraged to submit a candidate for these awards to their Department Headquarters by November 1. The Department must select a single candidate for each award and submit those to VFW National Headquarters by December 1. Eligible candidates for each award are as follows

Law Enforcement

Any individual who serves in a municipal, county, state or federal unit tasked with enforcement of the laws pertaining to their area of responsibility. This award does not apply to individuals employed by private companies or security services.

Firefighters

Any individual who actively fights fires as a member of any public or volunteer company organized to fight fires and give      assistance to our nation’s citizens.

CRITERIA FOR ALL NATIONAL GOLD MEDAL AWARDS

Candidates must have demonstrated:

Comrades pick a person with a record of impressive service over several years. A rookie officer is not going to beat out a veteran officer for the National Award. Find the very best in your Community.

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR ALL CANDIDATES

NOMINATION

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