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1st VICE NEWS
Membership Matters Program Report Sheet
14 November 2008 - John Byrum 1st Vice Commander
Department of California Posts and members: As I have been bouncing around ideas for membership, I have come to believe it is YOU, the members and Posts that can make our membership grow. I asked for ideas and received only one. I would like for you to come up with ways to increase our membership, and if it has merit, and comes with a cost (monies) that you think would be worth the investments, please send it to me with the what, how, when, and where's. I realize we may need to invest to make it better and I am currently working on something to present to the Foundation for support. I can't promise money for a project, but I can darn well ask for monitory support for a good idea.
Don't sit back and complain about getting something done, step up and make it happen! I am here to help you try and get support for your ideas, but I can’t help you if you don't present your ideas to me. It’s easy to sit around and talk about who may be right or wrong, but if you are stepping up to the plate to help all veterans it's hard to be wrong.
I will repeat over and over - we can make a BIG difference as members of AMVETS Department of California when we work together with each other and the new AMVETS Service Foundation. It is unfair to think that they won't step up and work hand in hand with us and show that they care about supporting Veterans, when you haven’t even asked them for their support. I hope to have an update soon on some plans.
As mentioned above – I received one suggestion. That was for us to put in the “Voice” and spread this idea around any other way that we can (I e: website, post newsletter, etc). Do you need a gift for the Veteran that has everything? Then why not give a gift of a Membership in AMVETS for their birthday or a holiday? We are approaching the Holiday Season now, so think about it. I just gave my son-in law a lifetime membership for his birthday. If you can’t afford a lifetime membership, why not give an annual membership? Give it a try! Let us all go forward to a bright future
Since I have been ask by some what is going on with AMVETS and the Service Foundation and the rumors that are going around - what about service to veterans? I would like to respond. I can tell you that Veterans are the number one concern and will continue to be served as always with plans in the works to do more for you and them.
I have been very fortunate to have a wonderful project presented to me by Dr. John C. Eastman Dean of Chapman University School of Law, Orange, CA. Dr. Eastman has a plan to help veterans and active duty with free legal services. This would be without a doubt one of the best gifts to our veterans and service members that have and continue to give so much. In less than two days I was able to arrange meetings with key personal from Dept. California AMVETS, Dept. California AMVETS Service Foundation, VA., Military ( a BG), and an AMVETS Service Officer on Veterans Day 2008.
I can assure you that all attending had one goal, to help get the ball rolling for veterans and their needs. I see the Department and the Service Foundation moving forward as one to not only continue service as before but new and improved service to all. With the Service Foundation and you, the Department of California as one, leading the way AMVETS Department of California will step out front in new and better service to veterans and service members alike.
National AMVETS has been made aware of the offer and are looking to see what we do as a state. I have assured them I am confident in the Department of California to work together as one to continue new and bold steps for all.
As we continue moving forward in our quest to increase
Department of California AMVETS membership I would ask that we all play an
active part. Below Membership notes are from AMVETS National and may just be
of interest to you. Would be nice to have a few of you get the gift card.
An
additional award
is also being developed.
HQ is currently designing an
Excellence in Recruiting challenge coin.
This coin
(along with a letter from the National Commander) will be presented to
each and every
member
(not just Green Hats) who recruits
5 or more
new
(not renewals) members each year. The coin will have a different design
each year. Again, the recruitment totals must be verified by the department
executive director and post commanding officer (see attached form). This
award will be in addition to program discussed above - of course anyone who
recruits 25 or more new members automatically receives a challenge coin!
One coin per member per year.
District Commanders - I task you with pushing the Post to work hard on
annual renewals so we don't lose any members. I am confident in all of you
to do your duty and continue to build a larger and more efficient Department
so we can all work together to truly make AMVETS, Department of California a
leader in Veterans helping Veterans.
John Byrum
UPDATE: AMVETS National HQ is planning a new member (annual or life)
recruiting campaign contest called “Green for the Green Hats.” The contest
will
begin Veterans Day and
run through Memorial Day.
The contest is open to “Green Hats” only. Service officers, Department,
District and National Officers are not eligible. For every 25 new (not
renewals) members recruited during the above time period, the member will
receive a
gift card
from either
Bass Pro Shops
or
Home Depot.
For example, if someone recruits 25-49 new members they will receive a $25
card. From 50-74 they will receive a $50 gift card, for 75-99 new members a
$75 gift card and a $100 gift card for 100-124 members, etc. These prizes
are in addition to any state or post contest and in addition to the national
awards presented at the National Convention.
Please note, the post
will be required to track the member and the recruitment totals (a form is
attached). In order to qualify for a prize
the department executive director and the post
commander will have to sign
the attached document attesting to the fact that each of the new members was
recruited by the person whose name has been submitted for a gift card. All
paperwork must be
post marked by June 5
for eligibility purposes.
