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PUBLIC RELATIONS/PUBLICATION CONTEST

 

Department Chairman

John G. Lowe
1510 J St., Suite 110
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 449-8850
Fax: (916) 449-8832
lowe@vfwca.org
 

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

 

HOW TO REPORT

All activities should be reported on-line via the Department website under Communit Service at http://www.vfwca.org/membertools/programform12rpt.html or by submitting a report (Form-12) to the Department Public Relation/Publication Contest Chairman.

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

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.

 

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, 2009. All issues published between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008, 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 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 (250 749)

bulletSmall (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 BLOOD DISASTER PROGRAMS

 
 
 
Department Chairman
Terry Vernon
1209 Symphony Way
Modesto, CA 95351
(209) 529-7980
Fax: (209) 538-0209
terryvernon@charter.net
District Chairman
Doug Carrington
(619) 443-0932
 
 
 

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.

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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 activities should be reported on-line via the Department website under Safety and Recognition at http://www.vfwca.org/membertools/programform12rpt.html or by submitting a report (Form-12) to the Department Safety and Recognition Chairman.

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.

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:

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1st, 2nd and 3rd overall (Post & District) will be awarded a plaque, based on Chairman recommendation.

 

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IMPORTANT CHANGES TO THIS PROGRAM PLEASE READ

Our Disaster Fund and Blood Assistance funds have been combined into a Member Assistance Fund which is designed to provide certain benefits to our members. The primary purpose of fund is to provide our member's assistance of up to $1,000.00 emergency relief assistance in case property is lost due to a fire, flood or other disaster and reimbursement for costs associated with blood replacement.

 

COVERAGE

Each member of a Post is already enrolled; all members in good standing within the Post shall receive up to $1,000.00 as emergency disaster relief upon approval of their application by the Department of California.

 

DISASTER GUIDELINES

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Any person receiving funds from the Assistance Fund must be a member in good standing in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of California.

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To qualify for an Assistance Fund 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 Assistance 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 submit the claim to Department Headquarters, 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 Assistance Program.

 

 

NOW HEAR THIS

The Assistance 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/Recognition 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.

 

BLOOD ASSISTANCE

This program should not be considered an insurance carrier or company. Our Blood Assistance Program has been revised to make certain that members of our Posts will be able to obtain a reimbursement for blood costs that are not covered by any private insurance carrier.

 

COVERAGE

Each member of a Post is already enrolled; all members in good standing and their immediate family members residing in the VFW Member's home are eligible 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 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.

 

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 be signed by the Post Commander or Quartermaster, 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 (1 for 1, 2 for 1 or 3 for 1) of blood used.

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

No claims ove six-months old will be acted upon.

 

HOW TO REPORT

All activities should be reported on-line via the Department website under Safety and Recognition at http://www.vfwca.org/membertools/programform12rpt.html or by submitting a report (Form-12) to the Department Safety and Recognition Chairman.

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

A plaque will be awarded for the most outstanding Post and District Blood Donor/Assistance Program as determined by the chairman.

 

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LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIREFIGHTER & EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN PROGRAMS

 
Department Chairman
William Pollard
35105 Sierra View Rd
Aqua Dulce, CA 91390
(661) 269-1951
sptdacres@antelecom.net
District Chairman
Lou Chiodo
(619) 992-0469

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 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.

Additional material are available from VFW Emblem and Supply, or by visiting www.vfwdepartmentresources.org

 

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION TO POST IS OCTOBER 1, 2008

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION TO DEPARTMENT IS NOVEMBER 1, 2008

 

AWARDS

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1st, 2nd and 3rd overall (Post and District) will be awarded a plaque, based on chairman recommendation.

bulletEach Post submitting a scrapbook will receive a State citation.
bulletThe Department of California’s first place winner will receive the Law Enforcement, Firefighter, or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Awards at our VFW Mid-Winter Conference.  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.)
bulletThe District and Post Law Enforcement/EMT Chairpersons whose entries are judged the winners in the State will receive commendation plaques.

NOTE: 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.

 

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.

Emergency Medical Technician

Any individual, who actively gives emergency medical treatment, provides rescue service or civil disaster assistance as a member of any public or volunteer company organized to give emergency medical care, provide rescue and civil disaster assistance to our nation's citizens.

 

CRITERIA FOR ALL NATIONAL GOLD MEDAL AWARDS

Candidates must have demonstrated:

bulletRecognition by their colleagues or those they serve. It is suggested that candidates have experience, training, accomplishments, citations, community service.
bulletConsistent excellence in the performance of their duties. Documentation is the key, such as awards, letters, newspaper coverage, TV coverage etc.
bulletConsistent 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.

 

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR ALL CANDIDATES

bulletNomination letter containing the candidate’s name, title, address, telephone and identifying the award for which the individual should be considered.
bulletOne page resume of the candidate’s overall background,
bulletOne page resume of the candidate’s background in their field.
bulletOne page listing of the candidate’s accomplishment and awards in their field.
bulletColor passport size photograph (preferably a head shot) of the candidate.

 

NOMINATION

Post Chairmen should send the scrapbook to Department Headquarters to arrive no later than November 1, 2008 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.

 

HOW TO REPORT

All activities should be reported on-line via the Department website under Safety and Recognition at http://www.vfwca.org/membertools/programform12rpt.html or by submitting a report (Form-12) to the Department LE/FF/EMT Chairman.

If a District or Post does not submit a scrapbook, the Post/District can still report your activities under Safety & Recognition on (Form-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.

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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