Community service is a pillar in the VFW's mission to serve our veteran community, their families and impact our local areas in a positive way. Each year, a community service program is designed for Posts and Districts to use as a guideline to better serve their home towns. We believe our service did not end when we took off our uniforms from military service.
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COMMUNITY SERVICE
2023-2024 COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAM
Reaching out into our communities is vital to our organization, developing relationships with community leaders, media, school faculty and local civic groups can greatly assist each post in achieving the VFW mission. Each post is expected to engage in and report Community Service projects. All projects will be reported using the Department Activity Report form, using the guidelines set forth by the Activities Evaluation Director. The Program reporting period is May 1, 2023 through April 30, 2024
Post Division Awards
Three (3) awards will be given in each division for the most credited reports using the April 30, 2024 Department Activities Reports. These Post Divisions, based on membership, apply to all Department of Michigan Programs and are as follows:
DIVISION I 10-65
DIVISION II 66-125
DIVISION III 126-225
DIVISION IV 226 & OVER
Post Special Project Award
Although the Post Special Project Award Program is no longer a National Program, it will continue to be recognized as a Department Program for All State Program recognition. If your Post, County Council or District conducted a special project that you think should be recognized by Department, we would like to hear from you. To be considered your entry must include the following:
1) Entry Form (click on link below), signed by the District Commander and the Department Community Service Director. This form must be the first page in your 3-ring binder. It is imperative that this form be completed accurately and legible.
2) Copy of the minutes of the VFW meeting at which the project was authorized.
3) Signed statement from the Commander summarizing the impact of the project.
4) Photos (limit of twenty) of the activity.
5) Newspaper clippings featuring the project.
6) Letters of congratulations/recognition from civic land local leaders.
7) Copy of the budget/expense sheet
8) Narrative telling how the project was planned and executed and its impact on the
community.
Judging is conducted solely on the basis of the information indicated above. Points are awarded for each element and points will be deducted for missing items. All documentation must be limited to one 3-ring binder. It is highly recommended that all documents, photos, newspaper articles etc. be placed in document protectors. The Department will recognize all Posts, County Councils and Districts that engage in unique, extraordinary community service projects that go above and beyond what is expected. These projects will be judged by a panel of 3 Department Officers to select a Department winner. Projects must be executed and nominated within the 12 months preceding Department judging. Entries must be postmarked to the Department Community Service Director by APRIL 30, 2024. All Post Special Project Binders will be returned when judging has been completed. Post Special Project Award Entry Form
Each Post that submits a qualified entry will receive ten (10) points toward All State Honors for each Special Project submitted. All entries receive a Community Service Citation. The Post submitting the entry, selected as the Department winner, will receive an additional fifteen (15) All State points.
Fred C. Hall Memorial Award for Community Service
There will no longer be a Post Special Project application for the Fred C. Hall Award for Community Service. Each year on July 1, the National Programs Office will determine the top Community Service Posts in each Conference, based off their community service reporting and total impact (Dollars Donated + Volunteer Hours + Mileage = Total Impact) from July 1 to June 30 the previous year. The winning Post receives a plaque at the VFW National Convention and a $1,000 service scholarship for community projects. The Post Commander (or designated representative) and a guest will receive round-trip air fare, hotel accommodations for 5 nights and a $599 stipend to receive the award at the National Convention.
New Member Community Service Volunteer of the Year Award
The Department will recognize a "New Member Community Service Volunteer of the Year". A new member for the purpose of this award is any VFW member in good standing who has been a member of the VFW for less than two (2) years. (A VFW member who has been a member of your Post for less than two (2) years but has been a member of the VFW for two (2) years or more, is not eligible for this award). Each Post is asked to nominate at least one (1) new VFW member for this award, using the entry form found at the link below. Post nominations will be submitted using the guidelines established by the Department of Michigan Community Services Director, described below. Deadline for submission to the Department Community Service Director is April 1, 2024. District Commanders will establish the deadlines for Post Commanders to submit their nominations to them.
Every Post will receive five (5) All State points for submission of their first nomination for this award and one (1) All State point for each additional nomination submitted. To ensure that All State points are received, Post Commanders are encouraged to forward info copies of the nomination forms submitted, directly to the Department Community Service Director, Joseph L. Tebor. These may be sent by email to cs@vfwmi.org or joe.tebor@gmail.com or mailed to 9941 Garvett Street, Livonia, MI 48150-3297.
Each District will select a District winner from among the Post submissions. District Commanders will establish the procedures for selecting their District winner; for example, the District Commander may select the winner, let a committee select the winner or have a committee pick the top three (3) or (4) candidates from which the District Commander will select a winner. The Post that submitted the winning entry in each District will receive an additional five (5) All State points.
District Commanders will sign and date the nomination forms, check the yes or no box to indicate whether or not the entry was the winning entry from their District and forward all nomination forms, and the required narratives, to the State Community Service Director. One (1) entry, from among the twelve (12) District winners, will then be selected as the Department of Michigan New Member Community Service Volunteer of the Year. The Post that submitted the winning entry at Department level will receive an additional five (5) All State points. The Department winner will be appropriately and publicly recognized at the State Convention in June.
New Member Community Service Volunteer of the Year Award Nomination Form
National Outstanding Community Service Post Award
Each Department will have an Outstanding Community Service Post (OCSP) winner based on Total Impact (Dollars Donated+ Volunteer Hours + Mileage = Total Impact). National Programs Office will select the Department winner based on end of year reports on July 1 (from July 1 to June 30 the previous Year National will select one Post from each Department to receive the National Outstanding Community Service Post Award at the VFW National Convention. The award includes a plaque inscribed with the name of the VFW Post and its Auxiliary (if applicable), a $599 stipend to cover part of the Post Representative's expenses to National Convention, publication of the Post's name in the Convention program booklet and a street sign identifying this national award for the Post to put up in their community.
Department Outstanding Community Service Post Awards
The Department will recognize three (3) additional Posts meeting the below criteria as "Outstanding Community Service" Posts. Selection for this award is based on the April 30 Activities Report.
The selection criteria for this award is as follows:
1. Must be 100% reported in Community Activities
2. Must be 100% reported in Hospital
3. Must be 100% reported in Youth Activities
4. Must be 100% reported in Drug and Safety
5. Must actively support and participate in Voice of Democracy/Patriot Pen/Teacher of the Year Programs
6. Must participate in the Buddy Poppy Program
7. Demonstrate an active involvement in the community
8. Must support the Commander's Special Project with donations
9. Other criteria as may be determined by the Department Commander
Special Community Service Projects
Commander's Special Project
This year’s Commander's Special Project is Cancer. One (1) All State point will be awarded for each $25 or $1 per member donation to the Commander's Special Project. Donations must go through Department of Michigan VFW earmarked for Commander's Special Project, Cancer, to receive points toward All-State Honors.
Gold Star Mothers Program
Gold Star Mothers is composed of American mothers who lost a son or daughter during any war, hostile conflict or while in service to our country. Gold Star Mothers serve an important role in our VA healthcare system.
The Commander suggests supporting Gold Star Mothers though financial contributions which can be made from the Post Relief Fund. Donations must be made through the Department of Michigan VFW earmarked Gold Star Mothers to receive points toward All-State Honors. One (1) point for each $25 or $1 per member donated to the Gold Star Mothers.
BLUE STAR MOTHERS
Blue Star Mothers are composed of mothers that have a son or daughter serving in the Military today. The Commander suggests that we start working more with this organization by offering our Posts as meetings places for these mothers and helping them to send items to their loved ones.
The Department Community Service Committee is dedicated to provide you with the support and encouragement your Post/District needs for a successful year.
Community Service Director
Joseph L. Tebor
9941 Garvett Street
Livonia, MI 48150-3297
734-377-8329
Email: cs@vfwmi.org or joe.tebor@gmail.com