Copyright © 2007
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of New Mexico
PO Box 369
Ruidoso, New Mexico 88355
Department Web Site Coorinator - Scott Millar - Post 11999
Under the authority of VFW Department of New Mexico
General Order No. 1 2007 – 2008 Series
TO BE READ TO THE MEMBERSHIP AT THE NEXT POST MEETING AND FILED
1. Having been elected Commander of the Department of New Mexico, Veterans of Foreign Wars of
The United States, I Vincent “B.J.” Lawrence of Post 7686 hereby assumes command.
2. All Previous appointments having expired as of June 30, 2007 are declared null and void.
3. Attention is directed to the Department Training Session (Flying Squadron Meeting) scheduled for
10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 28th, 2007 at VFW Post 401 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
4. Attention is directed at the Council of Administration Meeting that will be held at VFW Post 401 at
3:00 p.m., Saturday, July 28th, 2007. District Commanders are mandated to attend this session.
5. Members of the Budget Committee, (State Commander, State Sr. Vice Commander, State Jr.
Vice Commander, State Judge Advocate, Immediate Past State Commander, and State Quartermaster)
will meet at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 28th, 2007 at VFW Post 401 for a pre-budget meeting.
6. District Commanders, Senior Vice Commanders, and Junior Vice Commanders of the District are
appointed Deputy Inspectors and will ensure each Post in your respective District is Inspected.
State Inspector and Deputy Inspectors: Attention is Directed at Section 709 of the National By-Laws which states that any Post owning or operating a Canteen or Clubroom or other facility must maintain general & liquor liability insurance and must name as additional insured, the Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the U.S. and the Department of New Mexico. Copy of said insurance must be forwarded to VFW Department Headquarters.
7. Attention of Commanders on all levels is directed to Section 703 of the National By-Laws which
requires each officer accountable for funds or property pursuant to any provisions of these By-Laws shall be bonded with any indemnity company as surety in a sum at least equal to the amount of the liquid assets for which, so far as can be anticipated, he or she may be accountable. The Commander of each unit is responsible for the proper and adequate bonding of all accountable officers in his unit.
Any Quartermaster that is handling any Gambling, Games of Chance, Slot Machines, etc. are no longer covered under the Quartermaster Bond! It is necessary to obtain a Bingo/Club Manager Gambling Bond which can be provided through VFW Department Headquarters.
8. Posts failing to send in a Post Election Report will not receive Quartermaster supplies until such time as the report is submitted. Copies must be sent to both National and Department Headquarters. Posts that have not sent in a Post Election Report Form listing the Post Officers for 2007 – 2008, should do so immediately for matter of record and so mailing can be made to the proper Officers.
9. Post Dues Reserve attention is directed to Section 218, Manual of Procedure which requires Post
Quartermasters to maintain a dues reserve fund to which shall be credited not less than one-half of the Post’s part of the current year’s dues paid by each member prior to July 1, including Life Membership per capita taxes received from the National Organization on Life Members. (this does not apply to dues remitted by the Post). Neither disbursements nor obligations will be incurred against this fund until after July 1, at which time it will be transferred to the Post’s General Fund and be available for expenditures.
10. Posts and Districts are directed to forward to Department Headquarters a copy of the minutes taken
at each meeting. It is not necessary to hold the minutes until the next meeting for approval. Any corrections made to the minutes will be reflected in the minutes of the meeting in which the corrections are made.
11. Attention is directed to the State Commanders Membership Goals. It is desired for the Department
of New Mexico to achieve 100% in Membership by the Mid-Winter Conference. With this goal in
mind, the State Commander as created an outline of Membership Goals for the current year. See
State Commanders Membership Goals elsewhere in General Orders.
12. Attention is directed to Post Commanders and Quartermasters that membership transmittals are to
be submitted into VFW National Headquarters at least once a month.
13. Posts with a gross income of $25,000.00 or more, (this includes Post Dues Collected, Bingo Funds,
Gaming Funds, etc.) shall file with the Internal Revenue Service a Form 990 and 990-T where
applicable. Forms may be obtained from your local Post Office or Branch Office of the Internal Revenue Service. Failure to File can result in Fines and Penalties. Department Headquarters does not supply 990 forms.
14. Attention is directed to Section 714, Manual of Procedure, Control of Mailing Lists. The names and
addresses of the Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States shall be considered
confidential and shall not be made available for Commercial or Political Use.
15. Attention of Post Commanders is directed to the concern of alcoholic beverages in the Post Meeting
Room during Post, District, and Department Meetings. The presence, dispensation, and / or
consumption of Alcoholic Beverages in the Meeting Room during the above described meetings is
completely unacceptable and any such practice known to exist shall be terminated.
Attention is directed to the operation of Club Rooms, Canteens, Bars, and Game Rooms: They will remain closed during VFW Meetings, District Meetings, and Flying Squadron/Training
Meetings.
16. The National By-Laws provides for only one type of membership; that is active membership. There
are NO provisions in the By-Laws, nor is there any authority or justification for issuance of Club
Membership Cards, Associated Membership Cards, Honorary Membership Cards, Courtesy
Membership Cards or any other special type of cards. Any Post issuing such unauthorized cards, or
conducting club operations open to the general public, endangers its standing with the Internal
Revenue Service as a non-profit organization. Officers signing such unauthorized membership
cards are subject to Disciplinary Action.
17. All mail directed to the Department of New Mexico, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States,
with the exception of mail for the State Service Officer, will be mailed to:
VFW Department of New Mexico
P.O. Box 8411
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87198
The Freight or Shipping Address is:
VFW Department of New Mexico
217 San Pablo, S.E.
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108
18. Attention of Commanders and Officers at all levels is directed to the Ladies Auxiliary: It is the Goal
and Desire of the State Commander for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of New
Mexico and its Ladies Auxiliary to have a productive and successful year. Every attempt should be
made to promote and support harmony and teamwork between the VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary.
Commanders and Officers should not forget nor take for granted all the hard work and effort the
Ladies Auxiliary puts forth in support and assistance to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
19. Attention of Commanders at all levels is directed to action of the National Council of Administration
prohibiting the wearing of VFW sport caps and/or western style caps at VFW meetings in place of
the regulation cap of the VFW official uniform as set forth in Section 803 of the National By-Laws
and Manual of Procedure.
20. Attention of Post Commanders is directed to Section 218, Manual of Procedure, Duty of Trustees.
Trustees Report of Audit must be prepared in detail at the close of each quarter, One of which ended
June 30, 2007.
21. Attention to Section 213 of the National By-Laws provides that any Post in arrears for National,
Department, or District Dues, Poppy Money, Supply Money, Delegate Fees or other financial
obligations or failing to have the office of Quartermaster Bonded, or failing to submit quarterly
Post Trustees Report of Audits or Post Election Reports Shall be deprived of all representation in
District, Department and National Convention.
22. Attention of District and Post Commanders is directed to the National Convention in Kansas City,
Missouri which will be held August 18-23, 2007. In accordance with Section 222 of the National By-
Laws, which provides that each Post shall register, in advance, at least one delegate to the National
Convention by the payment of a fee in the amount of $10.00 for each delegate registered and mailed
to: Quartermaster General, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, National Headquarters, 406
West 34th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
See Reservation Information Elsewhere In General Orders
23. Voice of Democracy Judging on the State level will be Saturday, December 15th, 2007. VFW Posts
will be entitled to advance one First Place Winner from each of the Schools Sponsored by that Post.
Tapes must arrive at Department Headquarters NO LATER than 4:30 p.m., Friday, December 14th,
2007. The 2007-2008 Theme is “MY ROLE IN HONORING AMERICA’S VETERANS”.
24. Patriot’s Pen Essay Judging on the State level will be Saturday, December 15th, 2007. VFW Posts
will be entitled to advance one First Place Winner from each of the Schools Sponsored by that Post.
Student Essays must arrive at Department Headquarters NO LATER than 4:30 p.m., Friday, December
14th, 2007. The 2007-2008 Theme is “WHY I AM AN AMERICAN PATRIOT”.
25. Attention is directed to the VFW Mid-Winter Conference to be held on February 16th & 17th, 2008.
Bids are now being accepted. Please submit with all required & qualifying criteria.
26. Attention is directed to the Citizenship Education Teacher Award Judging for K-5, 6-8, & 9-12 at
VFW Department Headquarters on Saturday, December 15th, 2007. Post entries must arrive at VFW
Department Headquarters NO LATER than 4:30 p.m., Friday, December 14th, 2007.
27. Attention is directed to the judging of the Community Activities Record Books on Saturday May
3rd, 2008 at VFW Department Headquarters. Books must arrive at Department Headquarters NO
LATER than 4:30 p.m., Friday May 2nd, 2008. SEE “OFFICIAL ENTRY” FORM ELSEWHERE
in General Orders.
28. Attention is directed to the Judging of the ALL STATE TEAM of Post and District Commanders at
VFW Department Headquarters on Saturday May 3rd, 2008. The Commanders Manual (which in the
past had been issued by National Headquarters to Post Commanders) and the Loyalty
Day Book will NO LONGER be a requirement for selection of the All-State team, however;
Commanders must be 100% in membership to be eligible for ALL STATE TEAM selection.
See criteria and points system for the All-State Team elsewhere in the General Orders.
29. Post and District Commanders, Adjutants, and Quartermasters are reminded of the requirements of
Section 216 (c), 414 (c), and 515 (d) of the National By-Laws with regard to proof of eligibility for
all newly elected and appointed officers. Elected and Appointed officers shall not be Installed or
assume the duties of their office until proof of eligibility has been submitted and Properly
Reviewed. Failure or refusal to submit proof of eligibility within sixty (60) days of election or
appointment shall result in the office being declared vacant.
30. Attention is directed to the State Commanders Homecoming to be held on Saturday October 6th,
2007. The Homecoming will be held at Post 7686 in Alamogordo.
31. Attention is directed at the Council of Administration Meeting that will be held at VFW Post 7686
at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, October 6th, 2007. District Commanders are mandated to attend this
session.
32. Attention is directed to all Posts, that it is never to early to establish a “GET OUT THE VOTE”
program. Prepare in advance for future Elections. Refer to your Citizenship Education Program
Chairman’s book for ideas on what to do, or contact the State “Get out the Vote” Chairman.
33. Attention is directed to the Official Order Request Form for “BUDDY POPPIES”. Now is the
time to start preparing for your Buddy Poppy Campaign. Place your orders now and start earning
your points for “All-State Commander & Quartermasters”. SEE REQUEST FORM
ELSEWHERE IN GENERAL ORDERS.
34. Attention is directed to the “All-State Team of Post & District Commanders” program 2007-
2008: Five (5) Post Commanders will be chosen. One from each of the five (5) divisions listed.
Division I: 1-100 Members
Division II: 101-250 Members
Division III: 251-450 Members
Division IV: 451-650 Members
Division V: 651-2000 Members
One (1) District Commander will be chosen for the All-State Team of Commanders. See
Criteria elsewhere in General Orders.
35. Attention is directed to “Membership Drives”. All Posts are encouraged to conduct at least one (1)
Membership Drive per quarter. Membership Drives are conducted to assist in the Promotion,
Retention, and Recruiting of New, Continuous, Re-Instated, and Life Members. Every effort should be
made to increase the number of members within the Department. Contact Department Line Officers
or the Department Membership Chairman for assistance with your membership programs.
36. Attention is directed to all District Commanders. In addition to the Annual District Convention, each
District shall hold at least one (1) regular meeting each year for the purpose of Promoting Schools of
Instruction for Post Officers and for the discussion of problems affecting the welfare of members of
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. (as prescribed in the Manual of Procedure,
Article IV Districts; Section 406)
37. Attention is directed to changing or cancellation of District Meetings: Districts changing and or
cancelling District Meetings shall be responsible for the expense incurred by any Line Officer
scheduled to attend such meeting. This will occur because of a failure by the District to notify
Department Headquarters or the Line Officer him/her self within seven (7) days of the scheduled
meeting.
38. Attention is directed to the Commander-in-Chiefs Homecoming to be held in East Brunswick, New
Jersey on September 13-16, 2007.
39. Attention is directed to the National President’s Homecoming to be held in Seattle, Washington on
September 20-23, 2007.
41. Attention is directed to the State President’s (Patricia Phistry) Homecoming to be held at Post 10124
in Las Cruces on Saturday, October 20th, 2007.
42. Requests for the State Commander or other Line Officers to attend or be a guest speaker at your
respective functions must be sent Directly to VFW Department Headquarters.
43. ATTENTION IS DIRECTED TO OFFICIAL “ORDER REQUEST” FORM FOR: Podium
Editions, Service Officer Guide Books and Buddy Poppies. If you place an order, Department will
send an invoice at the time of receiving and shipping orders. SEE FORM ELSEWHERE IN THE
GENERAL ORDERS.
44. Attention is directed to the “Post Registered Agent”. This individual shall be the Post Quartermaster.
Anyone else serving as the “Post Registered Agent” is in direct violation of the National By-Laws.
45. Attention is directed to the change of Post Officers with “New Mexico Alcohol and Gaming” and
the “State Gaming Control Board”. Now is the time for submitting and making the necessary
changes. Call and request the necessary forms to do so. New Mexico State Laws mandate these
changes will be made yearly. Not doing so, you are in violation of State Laws.
46. No member in good standing, attending a Post or District Meeting will be deprived of making an
Audible Recording of any and all proceedings as long as the member has notified the Officer
conducting the meeting of his/her intentions to record such proceedings.
47. Attention is directed to Insufficient Checks received at VFW Department Headquarters: There will
be a service charge of $25.00 by VFW Department Headquarters. In addition to this, any charges
VFW Department Headquarters incurs from the bank will also be added. Repayment of Insufficient
Checks will be in the form of Cash, Money Order, or a Bank Certified Cashiers Check.
48. Attention is directed to “BLUE STAR PROGRAMS”. All Posts are encouraged to conduct Blue
Star Programs within their respective communities. Blue Star posters can be purchased directly from
Department Headquarters at a cost of $25.00 per 50. Contact Department Headquarters for assistance
if you need help in conducting this program.
49. Attention is directed to the National By-Laws Article VII miscellaneous provisions Section 709.
Any Post owning and or operating, directly or by reason of a holding company or other entity
substantially controlled by the Post or its members, a canteen, clubroom or other facility
available to members or guests must maintain general liability insurance, including, if
necessary or appropriate, liquor liability insurance. Such insurance must be of a type and
amount sufficient to protect the Post. This insurance must name as additional insured, the
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and the Department in which such Post is
located.
50. Attention is directed to the Commander-in-Chiefs decision to re-implement the National Boy Scout /
ROTC programs. All Posts are encouraged to conduct programs to benefit the Boy Scouts and ROTC.
Please contact the Department Boy Scout / ROTC Chairman for assistance with these programs.
51. Attention is directed to the Western Conference which will be held November 2-4, 2007 in Reno,
Nevada.
52. Attention is directed to the Fall Legislative Committee Meeting to be held in Washington DC, on
September 8-12, 2007.
53. Attention is directed to the National Legislative Conference to be held in Washington DC, March 2-5,
2008 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.
54. Attention is directed to previous “State Commander Membership Quotas”. For the 2007 – 2008
term, the State Commander will NOT require a 30% quota of last years membership totals due by the
middle of August. Instead, the State Commander has created a list of “Membership Goals” and asks
those Commanders on all levels work hard and make every attempt to obtain 100 % in Membership
by the Mid-Winter Conference.
55. Attention is directed to the practice of the use of TOBACCO products during Flying Squadron, Mid- Winter Conference and State Convention functions. In an effort to promote good health and a comfortable atmosphere for ALL members and guests at these functions, smoking and the use of tobacco products will be prohibited during all Meetings and Banquets associated with Flying Squadron, Mid-Winter Conference, and State Convention.
56. Attention is directed to the “Operation Uplink” program. The State Commander recognizes that operation uplink phone cards are a valuable tool in helping our service members keep in touch with their loved ones, especially since the events of September 11, 2001. In an effort to promote and support the operation uplink program, the State Commander has mandated that each Post donates a minimum of Ten Dollars ($ 10.00) to the Operation Uplink Program.
NOTE: All Commanders and Members who require Operation Uplink Phone Cards must make the requests directly to the State Operation Uplink Chairman. National Headquarters will only issue Operation Uplink Phone Cards to the Department Chairman.
57. Attention is directed to the State Commanders Community Activities Awards Program. All Posts submitting a Community Activities Book will be eligible to compete for a special Department Community Activity Award Plaque. There will be one First-Place plaque awarded in each Department Membership Division. Entry books must be submitted to Department Headquarters no later than Friday, May 2nd, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. See Community Activities Record Book Entry Form elsewhere in General Orders.
58. Attention is directed to the Dress Code for VFW Meetings and Functions. In an effort to clarify any confusion, the State Commander has asked that all Commanders and Council-of Administration members adhere to the following standards of dress:
Business Dress will be slacks, coat or blazer, shirt and tie. A blue blazer and gray slacks is preferred but can be substituted with a business suit.
Casual Dress will be slacks or “docker” type pants with a VFW apparel, pullover shirt.
All instruction of dress for meetings and functions will be given as either Business Dress or Casual Dress. There will No Longer be a requirement of White Dinner Jackets and Black Slacks at Banquets.
59. The following appointments for the 2007-2008 term are hereby announced:
Adjutant:
Dave Fouse, Post 7686, Alamogordo, N.M.
Chief of Staff:
Tyrone M. Benson, Post 7686, Alamogordo, N.M.
Inspector:
David Wimmer, Post 7686, Alamogordo, N.M.
Service Officer:
James Andrews, Post 401, Albuquerque, N.M.
Service Officer Secretary:
Martha Martinez
Newspaper Editor:
B.J. Lawrence, Post 7686, Alamogordo, N.M.
Department Photographers:
Darrell H. Angel, Post 10124, Las Cruces, N.M.
Dave Fouse, Post 7686, Alamogordo, N.M.
Tammy Wolford, Post 1477 Auxiliary, Deming, NM
Historian:
Tammy Lawrence, Post 7686 Auxiliary, Alamogordo, N.M.
State / National Legislative Officer:
Michael Gallegos, Post 5890, Rio Rancho, N.M.
Officer of the Day:
Johnny Holguin, Post 4384, Anthony, NM
Public Relations Officer:
Vincent “B.J.” Lawrence, Post 7686, Alamogordo, N.M.
Ladies Auxiliary Liaison:
Janis Wimmer, Post 7686 Auxiliary, Alamogordo, N.M.
Men’s Auxiliary Liaison:
State Junior Vice Commander
Membership Chairman: State Junior Vice Commander
Deputy: Districts 1 & 2: Abe Saiz, Post 614, Aztec, N.M.
Deputy: Districts 3 & 4: Roger Miller, Post 6917, Las Cruces, N.M.
Deputy: Districts 5 & 6: Arcenio Garduno, Post 1547, Las Vegas, N.M.
Deputy: Districts 7 & 8: Cathy Brock, Post 3274, Hobbs, N.M.
Americanism Chairman:
Sid Turner, Post 3280, Clovis, N.M.
Buddy Poppy Chairman:
William Festing, Post 3277, Carlsbad, N.M.
Community Activities Chairman:
Gordon Lam, Post 3015, Clovis, N.M.
Employment Officer:
John Thornton, Post 7686, Alamogordo, N.M.
Get Out The Vote Program Chairman:
Earl Diggs, Post 3277, Carlsbad, N.M.
Homeless Veterans Chairman:
Ron Marshall, Post 401, Albuquerque, N.M.
Hospital Chairman:
David Wimmer, Post 7686, Alamogordo, N.M.
Life Membership Chairman:
State Junior Vice Commander
Loyalty Day Chairman:
Daniel Griego, Post 1793, Raton, N.M.
National Home for Children Chairman:
Rita Stubblefield, Post 3274, Hobbs, N.M.
National Education Teacher Award Chairman:
Don Teweleit, Post 7686, Alamogordo, N.M.
Operation Uplink Phone Card Chairman:
Allan Kuchinsky, Post 7686, Alamogordo, N.M.
Political Action Committee Chairman:
Eloy Howard, Post 614, Aztec, N.M.
Patriot’s Pen Essay Program Chairman:
R.G. La France, Sr., Post 6917, Las Cruces, N.M.
POW / MIA Chairman:
Joe Gomez, Post 3242, Las Cruces, N.M.
Safety Chairman:
Joe Ford, Post 401, Albuquerque, N.M.
Youth Activities Chairman:
Felix Coca, Post 2951, Santa Fe, N.M.
VAVS Representative (Albuquerque):
Cathy Brock, Post 3274, Hobbs, N.M.
VAVS Deputy Representative (Albuquerque):
Daniel Espinosa, Post 401, Albuquerque, N.M.
Voice of Democracy Chairman:
R.G. La France, Sr., Post 6917, Las Cruces, N.M.
Budget Committee Chairman:
Dave Fouse, State Quartermaster, Post 7686, Alamogordo, N.M.
Budget Committee Members:
B.J. Lawrence, State Commander, Post 7686, Alamogordo, N.M.
Gordon Lam, State Senior Vice Commander, Post 3015, Clovis, N.M.
State Junior Vice Commander
State Judge Advocate
V. Leon Morris, Immediate Past State Commander, Post 3280, Clovis, N.M.
Veterans Service Committee:
Vincent “B.J.” Lawrence, Post 7686, Alamogordo, N.M.
V. Leon Morris, Post 3280, Clovis, N.M.
George Martinez, Post 1131, Mora, N.M.
Orlo Parker, Post 7686, Alamogordo, N.M.
Jesus Gonzales, Post 4384, Anthony, N.M.
National / State
Military Assistance Program (MAP) Chairman:
John Tucker, Post 8874, Los Alamos, N.M.
Deputy: Tyrone M. Benson, Post 7686, Alamogordo, N.M.
Military Initiative Program (MIP) Chairman:
John Tucker, VFW Post 8874, Los Alamos, N.M.
Deputy: Tyrone M. Benson, Post 7686, Alamogordo, N.M.
Woman Veterans Advisory Committee:
Chairman: Charlotte Atso, Post 614, Aztec, N.M.
Cathy Brock, Post 3274, Hobbs, N.M.
Donna Millar, Post 11999, Cloudcroft, N.M.
BY ORDER OF:
Vincent “B.J.” Lawrence
Vincent “B.J.” Lawrence
STATE COMMANDER
ATTESTED BY:
_____________________________
Dave Fouse
STATE ADJUTANT
Copyright © 2007
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of New Mexico
PO Box 369
Ruidoso, New Mexico 88355
Department Web Site Coorinator - Scott Millar - Post 11999
Under the authority of VFW Department of New Mexico