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PUBLIC
RELATIONS/PUBLICATION CONTEST
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Department Chairman |
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Ray Fairbanks
12768 Cypress Avenue
Victorville, CA 92395
Phone: (760) 245-4503
Fax: (760) 843-3503
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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:
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Veterans for their
awareness of our programs |
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The public for their
help, support and goodwill |
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Our elected representatives at
every level for their legislative response to Veterans’ issues, problems
and ongoing entitlements |
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:
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Establish a public
relations officer and/or committee at the District and Post levels |
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Schedule periodic news releases
in advance of patriotic holidays |
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Promote Post/District events
through public service announcements (radio/TV) and community
organizations, e.g., churches, clubs |
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Join with other neighborhood
groups to sponsor local events |
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Visit schools, hospitals.
nursing homes. etc. VFW attire to encourage veterans and others who are
ill or incapacitated |
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HOW TO REPORT
All activities should be reported
using the Program Reporting (Form 12) either on-line or by submitting to
Department Headquarters.
Important!
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To qualify for awards a Post
must send a copy of the Program
Reporting (Form 12) to the Department Chairman with all applicable
attachments. |
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AWARDS
Awards will be presented as
follows unless otherwise noted elsewhere in this guide:
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1st, 2nd and 3rd overall (Post &
District) will be awarded a plaque, based on Chairman recommendation. |
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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
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Large (9,000 or more) |
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Medium (8,999
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3,000) |
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Small (2,999 or less) |
Post
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Large (750 or more) |
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Medium (250
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749) |
 | Small (249 or less) |
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
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Department Chairman |
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Denis Wells
1159 2nd Street
Livingston, CA 95334
Phone: (209) 394-2059
Fax: (209) 394-9199
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District Chairman |
| Tim Sprague
(619) 944-2670 |
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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:
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HIGHWAY SAFETY:
Any activity intended to improve individual
driving skills and awareness or activities associated with improving
safety on our roadways. |
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PEDESTRIAN
SAFETY: Any worthwhile
activity intended to improve individual awareness and visibility or
non-motorized vehicle riding skills, awareness and responsibility. |
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RECREATIONAL SAFETY:
Any organized activity associated with improving
the skills and responsibilities of those individuals engage in a
recreational activity. |
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HOME/FIRE SAFETY:
Activities designed to promote and inform
individuals within the community about protecting their homes, possessions
and lives are reportable. |
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DRUG AWARENESS: Any
program designed to inform and protect your community from the influence
of substance abuse. |
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.
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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!
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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.
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AWARDS
Awards will be presented as
follows unless otherwise noted elsewhere in this guide:
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1st, 2nd and 3rd overall (Post &
District) will be awarded a plaque, based on Chairman recommendation. |
Any
Post or District donating $250.00 or more to the Disaster 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 Safety/Disaster
Program. A District must have 100% participation in this program to be
considered for this award. |
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Broken pipes, household
accidents, or minor damages to personal property not due to a major
catastrophic event are not eligible for filing a claim under the Disaster
Program. |
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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.
After any disaster, fire, flood, or
earthquake, a mandatory cut-off date will be established. The aforementioned
starts from the 1st day after the event and extends for thirty (30)
days thereafter. This time limit may be extended at the discretion of the
State Commander and the Safety/Disaster Chairman. |
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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.
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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.
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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:
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1st, 2nd and 3rd overall
(Post & District) will be awarded a plaque, based on Chairman
recommendation. |
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.
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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.
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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.
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CLAIMS
 | No claims over six-months old will be
acted upon. |
 | District Chairman will promote the Program
to all Posts/Auxiliaries. They will not issue blood for claims. All claims
will be processed and State Chairman or Area Chairman will handle Blood
Replacement only. |
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LAW ENFORCEMENT,
FIREFIGHTER & EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN PROGRAMS
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Department Chairman |
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George Coleman
2653
Dawes Street
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Phone: (916) 363-2910
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District Chairman |
Earle Johnson
(619) 778-5515 |
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.
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DEADLINE FOR
SUBMISSION TO DEPARTMENT IS NOVEMBER 1, 2007
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AWARDS
 | Each Post submitting a scrapbook will
receive a State citation. |
 | The Department of California’s first place
winner will receive the Law Enforcement, Firefighter, or Emergency Medical
Technician (EMT) Awards at our VFW State Convention’s Banquet. The
recipients will receive two (2) banquet tickets, two (2) nights lodging,
and a $500.00 monetary award. The recipients will also be our State’s
nominees for the National Gold Medal Awards in one of the three
categories. (Note: National will notify Nominees if they are judged as
winners of these awards.) |
 | The District and Post Law Enforcement/EMT
Chairpersons whose entries are judged the winners in the State will
receive commendation plaques. |
 | Every Post that submits a scrapbook will
receive 5 points towards All-State. |
 | If a District or Post does not submit a
scrapbook, the Post/District can still receive “Points” by reporting
activities under recognition on (Forrn-12). Present a certificate or
plaque to an eligible individual police officer, police department,
firefighter, fire agency, EMT or Emergency Service Provider. The report
must state the name, agency. date of presentation. You must report what
you do. |
 | A “Example scrapbook” shall be posted on
the Department of California website. |
 | Every Post and or District is to notify
this committee with information about every Law Enforcement Officer,
Firefighter or EMT that is killed in the line of duty. Every fallen public
servant reported to Department will be honored at the Department
Convention. By doing so the Department of California and all of its
Posts/Districts therein will demonstrate that Public Servants are
appreciated and respected by members of the VFWDepartment of California. |
(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.
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CRITERIA FOR ALL
NATIONAL GOLD MEDAL AWARDS
Candidates must have demonstrated:
 | Recognition by their colleagues or those
they serve. It is suggested that candidates have experience, training,
accomplishments, citations, community service. |
 | Consistent excellence in the performance
of their duties. Documentation is the key, such as awards, letters,
newspaper coverage, TV coverage etc. |
 | Consistent dedication to their official
responsibilities over a period of years and continuous growth in
responsibilities and skills within their profession. |
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.
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DOCUMENTATION
REQUIRED FOR ALL CANDIDATES
 | Nomination letter containing the
candidate’s name, title, address, telephone and identifying the award for
which the individual should be considered. |
 | One page resume of the candidate’s overall
background, |
 | One page resume of the candidate’s
background in their field. |
 | One page listing of the candidate’s
accomplishment and awards in their field. |
 | Color passport size photograph (preferably
a head shot) of the candidate. |
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NOMINATION
Post Chairmen should send the scrapbook to
Department Headquarters to arrive no later than November 1, 2007 This is
very important. The Department Committee members can help improve the
scrapbook but we need time in which to help YOU! Submit as early as
possible. |
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