VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS
GENERAL ORDERS
GENERAL ORDERS #6 February 2016
2015-2016 SERIES
VOICE OF DEMOCRACY DISTRICT WINNERS
District 1 – Samuel Youmans – Post 1674, Siloam Springs
District 2 – Elizabeth Crider – Post 7831, Mammoth Springs
District 4 – Sarah Oppenheim – Post 1991, Jonesboro
District 5 Hailey Crowder – Post 7541, Quitman
District 6 Otis Davis – Post 2259, Conway
District 7 – Jeana Lovett, Post 1322, Van Buren
District 9 – Keely Stofer – Post 2278, Hot Springs
District 10 – Jonathan McAllister – Post 2413, El Dorado
District 13 – Jade Adams – Post 2935, North Little Rock
PATRIOTS PEN DISTRICT WINNERS
District 1 – Emily Venters – Post 2952, Springdale
District 2 – Olivia Robinson – Post 10417, Lead Hill
District 4 – Aaron Jolly – Post 1991, Jonesboro
District 5 – Riley Matos – Post 7769, Beebe
District 6 – Emma Elrod – Post 2259, Conway
District 7 – Monica Fisk – Post 1322, Van Buren
District 9 – Courtney Newsom – Post 2586, Malvern
District 10 – Kristina King – Post 8671, Prescott
District 13 Kayla Jones – Post 4548, Jacksonville
MID-WINTER 2016
Please come to the Mid-Winter and celebrate the success of the young men and women being held at the Doubletree, downtown, 501-372-4371, banquet to be held Saturday at 3:30 p.m., guest speaker will be the Commander-in-Chief John A. Biedrzycki, Jr. Please see attached agenda for more details.
COMMANDERS NOTES
Here we are at the start of a new year. Let’s make it the year of recovery and get out there at bring all our EXPIRED members back into our ranks. I know that everyone hates to hear and read about membership, but membership is our lifeline. These EXPIRED members have shown an interest in the Veterans of Foreign Wars at one point in joining now it’s up to us to keep them in the organization. You have all their contact information now we just have to put a little effort in contacting these individuals to get them to renew their membership. So let’s get out there and see how many of these folks we can get back on board. So again let’s make this the year of recovery.
POST & DISTRICT OF THE QUARTER
Post of the Quarter – Post 3031 – Rogers
District of the Quarter – District 1 – Commander Joel Phillips
Commander-in-Chief’s visit
Please find attached an agenda for the visit from the Commander-in-Chief on February 3 – 7, 2016. He will be flying into northwest Arkansas, and traveling for 3 days making it to the final destination of our Mid Winter Convention, please try to make one of the stops on your way to the convention.
Council of Administration’s
The Department Commander is asking for everyone’s assistance with the matter:
IN trying to have the business of the Department run smoothly during the C of A meeting he is requesting the following actions:
If you have any information that needs to be brought before the Department of Arkansas Council of Administrations, at one of t eh meetings please contact your District Commander, in advance, in writing or by email and give them the information. The District Commander will be your voice. However, please be there to answer any questions or further discussion on this topic.
BUDDY POPPY DISPLAY CONTEST
There will be a Buddy Poppy Display Contest at the Mid-Winter Conference at the Doubletree. The theme is “Category 1 – Public Promotion of Poppy Campaign”.
Post entries will be set up for viewing in the hallway outside the meeting space, Friday Feb 5 – Saturday Feb 6, 2016. Please be sure all entries are removed after the banquet on Saturday. Winners will be announced at the awards banquet.
APPOINTMENTS: The following individuals have received appointments to represent Arkansas at the Washington Conference:
Commander Patrick O. Flenniken – Post 2881
Michael Switser – National Legislation Chairman – Post 4548
David Carnahan – Department Legislation Chairman – Post 4548
UPDATE ON COMMANDER CALLAHAN’S PROJECT
Comrades, I just wanted to give you an update on my Commanders Project. As most of you will remember it was to erect a pavilion and fish cleaning station at Tobin VAMCby the lake, in North Little Rock. Our efforts havemet with recurringobstacles, in the form of Government red tape and bureaucracy, butwith the help of Michael Dobbs, Director of Volunteer Services,we are trying to get the existing paviliontransferredfrom the VA to his Department. This will save time and money when this happens. Iregret that I have not kept you better informedand I will keep you updated as I find out more. Thanks for your understanding andindulgencein this matter.
Terry Callahan PDC
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE MEETING
The will be a southern conference meeting held Saturday February 6, 2016, at the conclusion of the Department C of A. Attached is a list of assignments already selected, if anyone is wanting to be involved, or has things to contribute please attend, this is for all both VFW and its Auxiliary’s. . Please attend and help us promote the bet that Arkansas has to offer.
ALL MEMBERS
Department By-Laws and Resolutions: By-Laws and Resolutions for the Department By-Laws MUST be submitted to the State Adjutant NLT 15 April 2015, and shall be typewritten in order for the By-Laws Committee to review and publish them in the May and Junes GO’s for all to review prior to the State Convention. You can hard copy or email them to the State Headquarters.
Web site: The web site is being pulled for the time being and will undergo construction. You will continue to receive hard copy General Orders at the Post and Post Commanders addresses, I will continue to email to the District Commanders. The web site will remain the same www.arkansasvfw.org, however it will become more user friendly as well as password protected for all members. Please be patient.
Attention is directed to Section 213 of the National By-Laws concerning any Post in arrears for any financial obligation to County Council (if applicable), District, Department and National for fees, dues, poppy money, supply money, failing to have the office of the Quartermaster properly bonded in accordance with Section 703, failing to ensure that the Post is properly insured in accordance with Section 709, failing to submit properly completed quarterly Post Trustees Report of Audit, Post Election Report for ensuing year, or other obligations, Shall be deprived of all representation in County Council meetings (if applicable), District, Department and National Conventions. Such representation shall be restored promptly upon proper adjustment of such deficiencies.
TRUSTEES
Trustees shall not be eligible to serve on committees or as officers whose books, records and accounts are audited by the Trustees. Among the duties of the three (3) elected Post Trustees, they shall:
a. At least monthly, review the Monthly Report of Receipts and Expenditures of the Post Quartermaster.
b. Not later that the end of the month following the last day of each quarterly period, at the direction of the Post Commander, properly audit the books and records of the Post Quartermaster, Post Adjutant and any activity, clubroom, holding company or unit sponsored, conducted or operated by , for or on behalf of the Post and submit a Post Trustee Report of Audit to the Department Quartermaster for referral to the Department Inspector.
c. The Report shall be in accordance with and upon such form as may be prescribed by the Adjutant General. The audit shall be signed by the Post Commander and Trustees, who shall, be their signature, certify to the accuracy of the information contained therein.
d. Perform such other duties as may be incident to the office or may from time to time be required by the laws and usages of the organization or awful orders from proper authority.
BY COMMAND OF
Patrick O. Flenniken
State Commander
OFFICIAL
Christine Oldham
State Adjutant