SECTION 4 Membership Life Membership Eligibility Membership ...

General InformationNaming of Posts: Posts of Veterans of Foreign Wars usually bear the name of their community or the nameof a deceased Comrade who members want to memorialize. No Post may be named for a living person. Afterthe name of a deceased Comrade has been voted upon and selected, public notice should be withheld untilpermission to use that name has been given by the next of kin. i.e., mother, father, wife, sister, brother, son ordaughter.Getting Qualified Officers: The utmost thought should be given to the selection of officers qualified to serveeffectively and who are willing to do full justice to their offices. Do not fill a Post office simply for the sake of fillingit. Be sure that every Officer picked has the qualifications to exercise the responsibilities his office demands.At the very first meeting of prospective members, it would be well for the Organizer to reads a list of the officesto be filled by election so that all will have given thought to their votes by the time the election takes place.Instituting Officers: The selection of instituting and installing Officers is up to the Department Commander.Usually the Comrade selected as Instituting Officer should be a Department Officer. The Comrade designatedas installing Officer should be at least a Post Commander.Initial Organization: While the By-Laws state that there shall be at least 25 new or reinstated members onthe charter application, this figure is not a maximum. In many communities it should be possible to obtain 50 ormore charter members on the application.Organizer’s Responsibility: It is the responsibility of the Organizer to check every application with the applicant’sproof of eligibility, then to attest, by their signature, to the eligibility of the applicants concerned.What Department Gets: The institution and installation over, the items to be sent to Department Headquartersare: (1) Report of institution in duplicate, this to be found in the kit of the charter supplies; (2) A check madepayable to department for dues and remittance covering National and department dues on all members beingreported; (3) Such other forms and reports as the instituting officer shall require.Where to Now? It is the responsibility of the Department, and District to provide assistance to the new Post.Do not organize a new VFW Post and then feel that your job is done. Several months of follow-up work with thePost is needed to insure that it will prosper and grow.66