Getting the best from your members to increase your membership

WINNING TIPS FROM VFW “ALL AMERICANS” RECRUITING & WINNING TIPS FROM VFW “ALL AMERICANS” I. With every new person you meet ask, “Are you a veteran?” and “Did you serve overseas?” You can immediately establish a common bond and confirm their eligibility. II. Have every member, old and new to complete a list of eligible family members and friends. Often, they have never been asked. III. Always visit a prospective member in person. Calling and writing are great campaign tools, but nothing works better than a handshake and eye-to-eye contact. IV. Always carry an application and a membership brochure. Insist that everyone on your team carry them too. It is hard to recover a lost opportunity. V. Set up recruiting booths at malls, department stores, fairs, special public events and other high traffic areas. Use the videos available through National Headquarters. Plan your display carefully. Be prepared to follow up.

WINNING TIPS FROM VFW “ALL AMERICANS” RECRUITING TIPS WINNING TIPS FROM VFW “ALL AMERICANS” VI. Do not overlook lapsed members. Their circumstances may have changed and they are ready to return. VII. Use the “Shotgun Mailer” as part of your membership campaign (Many All Americans have used it). VIII. Visit other Veteran, Fraternal and Civic Organizations. Let your concern and willingness to help be known and understood by all. IX. Include membership in other programs. For example, while promoting Buddy Poppies – don’t forget to ask, “Are you a Veteran?” and “Did you serve overseas?” X. Membership is more than a reflection of recruiting ability. It also reflects your leadership ability, the quality of your programs and the overall health of the organization.

MEMBERSHIP CONTESTS AND AWARDS DRAWING FOR $50.00: Each Post is to submit the name of each member in the Post who has signed up at least TEN (10) New/Reinstated Members between July 1 and May 31 of current year. The names are to be submitted to the State Membership Chairman by May 31. The drawing will be conducted AT STATE CONVENTION and one will receive $50.00. 80% POST MEMBERSHIP: We will have a drawing at the MID WINTER CONFERENCE for any Post that has reached at least 80% membership. Drawing for five (5) separate Post Commanders can win a life membership in the National Home for Children. TEN (10) MEMBER AWARD: Each individual member who collects the dues of ten (10) members (New, Reinstated, and/or Continuous) will receive a SPECIAL Recognition Pin. Auxiliary members also qualify for this pin by collecting ten (10) VFW members (NOT Auxiliary members.) DEADLINE for qualifying and applying for this pin is MAY 31. NOTE: Membership mailed directly to National by an individual does not count as having been collected by a recruiter. The Post Quartermaster must submit names to STATE MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN.

POST CONTESTS AND AWARDS HALL OF FAME AWARD: Each post reaching 100% in MEMBERSHIP transmitted and received by National Headquarters by December 31 of current year, will receive a SPECIAL Department HALL OF FAME AWARD citation at the Mid-Winter Conference. GOLD CHEVRON AWARDS: To qualify for this award a Post MUST EXCEED its’ Prior year’s membership total for TWO or MORE CONSECUTIVE years. Membership is based on the membership total as of June 30, current year ending total. SPECIAL 100% AWARD: POST COMMANDER reaching 100% in membership by Mid-Winter Conference will receive a 100% award. Post Commanders that are present will also be put into a drawing to win $50.00 and Two (2) Free Banquet Tickets.

POST CONTESTS AND AWARDS NEW MEMBERSHIP AWARDS: one drawing of Posts that sign up 25 to 50 new members will receive $75.00 for the Post Commander for his/her fine work. A Post that signs up 51 or more members will be included in a drawing and that post will receive $100.00. drawings will be held May 31. The State Membership Chairman will report the eligible Posts for the drawing. POST RETENTION AWARD: Posts retaining 85% Continuous as of June 15 will be put into a drawing and one Post will win $100.00. POST LIFE MEMBERSHIP NUMERICAL GAIN: Two Divisions (Largest Numerical Gain) for Life Membership will be awarded at the STATE CONVENTION. LEGACY LIFE RECRUITER POST AWARD: Each Post that recruits THREE Legacy Life Memberships will be put into a drawing for $50.00. LEGACY LIFE RECRUITER DISTRICT AWARD: The District that records the greatest numerical gain in Legacy Life Members will be awarded $50.00 and a special gift from the State Commander.

OTHER AWARDS COMMANDER’S CHALLENGE: Twice a year the State Commander will announce a Membership challenge for Posts to participate in. The winners in the 4 divisions will receive their Registration paid and two (2) Banquet Tickets for the Midwinter Conference and State Convention. POST RETENTION: Although retention is not a prerequisite for the All-American program, it is REQUIREMENT for ALL STATE TEAM! It is also extremely important to understand how retention is derived and the important role retention plays in accomplishing growth. The number of paid annual members in your Post on July 1 is your ensuing year’s “prior year total.” One more new or recovered member is required to make up for each prior year annual member the Post fails to retain. Your Post retention is derived from six types of payment components based on your prior year total of annual members: A prior year annual member pays his or her annual membership dues. A prior year annual member pays the life membership installment fee. A prior year annual member pays for life membership dues. A prior year annual member transfers to another Post and pays his or her annual membership dues. A prior year annual member transfers to another Post and pays the life membership installment fee. A prior year annual member transfers to another Post and pays life membership dues. ***POST must have 75% retention to be eligible for the ALL STATE TEAM!***

All American Requirements All American Post Leadership Criteria: Membership Greater than 100% Finish in top 25 in your division that meet the following criteria Voice of Democracy – minimum of one entry advance to district judging (Any Post can donate $75 to National in lieu of entry**see bottom of page) Patriot Pen – minimum of one entry advanced to District judging (Any Post can donate $75 to National in lieu of entry**see bottom of page) National Citizenship Education Teachers Award – submit an entry in all three categories (k-5, 6-8, 9-12) advanced to District judging (Any Post can donate $75 to National in lieu of entry**see bottom of page) Buddy Poppy – must purchase Buddy Poppies Hold a fundraiser with proceeds going to Veterans & Military Support Programs Services, minimum $100 (**see bottom of page) National Veterans Service – Appoint a Post Service Officer ** Donations will be made to the following link: https//VFWPrograms.formstack.com/forms/vfw_programs_donation

All American Requirements All American District Leadership Criteria: Membership Greater than 100% Finish in top 10 Districts in your division that meet the following criteria Voice of Democracy – minimum of one entry advance to Department judging (Any Post can donate $75 to National in lieu of entry**see bottom of page) Patriot Pen – minimum of one entry advanced to Department judging (Any Post can donate $75 to National in lieu of entry**see bottom of page) National Citizenship Education Teachers Award – submit an entry in all three categories (k-5, 6-8, 9-12) advanced to Department judging (Any Post can donate $75 to National in lieu of entry**see bottom of page) ** Donations will be made to the following link: https//VFWPrograms.formstack.com/forms/vfw_programs_donation

All American Requirements All American Department Leadership Criteria: Membership Greater than 100% Must conduct two Membership recruiting events prior to May 1. 2020. A report of these events must be submitted to the Membership Department. Hold a Commander’s Round-Up* prior to Jan 1, 2020 with a report submitted to the Membership Department. One new post or increase the membership of three posts of 50 members or less to over 50 members by July 1, 2020. National Legislative Service: Monthly National Legislative Service committee reports submitted to National Legislative Service in Washington, DC. National Veterans Services: Must have a State/Department service officer and submit his or her name and contact information to National veterans Services in Washington, DC by July 31, 2019 Monthly activity report from Department Service Officer or designated NVS Committee member to NVS in Washington, DC Programs: Voice of Democracy – an entry advanced to National Judging Patriots Pen – an entry advanced to National Judging VMS Programs – Must complete a State/Department fundraiser and proceeds donated to VMS, Kansas City ** Donations will be made to the following link: https//VFWPrograms.formstack.com/forms/vfw_programs_donation

New Divisions for Post Division Total Membership Qualifying Percentage # Eligible 1 951+ Over 100% 25 2 750-950 Over 100% 25 3 356-749 Over 100% 25 4 246-355 Over 100% 25 5 185-245 Over 100% 25 6 143-184 Over 100% 25 7 112-142 Over 100% 25 8 88-111 Over 100% 25 9 68-87 Over 100% 25 10 51-67 Over 100% 25 11 1-50 Over 100% 25

Divisions for District Division Total Membership Qualifying Percentage # Eligible 1 5000-14000 Over 100% 10 2 3282-4999 Over 100% 10 3 2172-3281 Over 100% 10 4 1447-2171 Over 100% 10 5 906-1446 Over 100% 10 6 1-905 Over 100% 10