| Team Chair | Team Co-Chair |
|---|---|
| Barb Koehn 749 CR 244 Hallettsville, Texas 77964 361-772-7498 bkoehn5418@yahoo.com | Carol Brietzke PO Box 311033 New Braunfels, Texas 78131 210-860-9575 cbrietl997@aol.com |
VFW Auxiliary membership is the backbone of our organization. Without our members, we would not have our work force to serve our veterans and their families. Our veterans have sacrificed so much to protect our freedoms, some of them gave their ultimate sacrifice never to return home to their families. As an organization, we have the responsibility to remember, honor, and respect our veterans forever. Without membership, we cannot fulfill our obligations.
Many organizations, like ours are struggling with growth and retention and hopefully, this year we can correct that. Our goal for the state of Texas is 100% PLUS. We are going to be focusing on the PLUS because we are going to achieve our goal like our mascot, the bald eagle, soaring to new heights. Our friendly bald eagle is named “Spirit of Freedom” who has that determined, passionate, and patriotic look to get the job done.
Brothers and sisters, our members are the heart of our organization. We are the ones putting countless hours of our time, energy and financial assistance to help our State and National Programs to succeed and for our Organization to exist. So together we can all soar to high places and bring new friends and family to join the VFW Auxiliary. “Honor, Courage, Commitment for Our Veterans” will always be prevalent in our Membership Program while “Honoring Our Mission to Serve Veterans”.
Membership in the VFW Auxiliary is an excellent way to show our support of America’s veterans. Remember, three important words- Invite, Include, and Invest. When we invite new members, be sure they feel welcome by assigning a sponsor out of your Auxiliary to sit with them, answer any questions they might have, and explain the ritual as the meeting is opened.
Embrace every new member with love and caring, get them involved in the activities of your Auxiliary and perhaps they would like to participate in some of National and State programs. If we do not make our new members feel needed, you might not see them again attending the meetings.
Challenge your Auxiliary members to look at the eligibility wheel to see if any family members and friends can become prospective members. Talk to individuals at church, your coworkers, at school functions, and at Post functions to name a few. There are countless other places you can ask people to join. Always carry that eligibility wheel and the VFW Auxiliary application with you at all times, just in case, you have someone who wants to join.
There are so many resources you can utilize to help you with your membership by logging into Malta. Use social media which is quite effective in communicating to the public and keeping them informed about the Auxiliary events. Put an article in the newspaper informing what events the VFW Auxiliary is having, how they can become members if they qualify, and reasons why we belong to the VFW Auxiliary. “Adopt” a Member from your Auxiliary who is unable to pay their dues due to a financial hardship or being in the nursing home.
Every Auxiliary should have a Membership Chairman with at least 4 other people to assist the chairman r with membership. More individuals helping allows for everyone to have a part in reaching 100% sooner and faster. Remember, you can use phone calls, emails, letters/postcards, face to face conversations and
social media to remind members of their dues. Social media via television, radio, newspaper, Facebook, and fliers can also be used to promote membership.
REMINDERS
- July – Send out dues’ notices
- October – Reminder of dues
- November – Reminder of dues
- December – Telephone calls made to those that have not paid. Any member who has not paid their dues by January 1, 2021 is not in good standing
GOAL – 100% PLUS
MEMBERSHIP AWARD
District Presidents: Transmittal walk at State Training – $30.00 cash award to District President who brings in the most continuous transmittals, including new members and new Life Memberships (Must be verified by Department Treasury).
AUXILIARY AWARDS
One established auxiliary in each membership division securing the largest number of “NEW” members from July 1, 2020- March 31, 2021 will receive $50.00 cash award at the Department Convention.
One “New” Auxiliary in each membership division instituted since last Department Convention (July l, 2020) making greatest gain in Membership will receive a $50.00 cash award at the Department Convention.
One established Auxiliary in each membership division that reaches 100% plus by December 15, 2020 will receive a $25.00 cash award if it is in Department office before the above deadline.
Special invitation to the ” Spirit of Freedom Membership Celebration” at Mid-Winter will be sent to each Auxiliary President and their Membership Chairman when the Auxiliary reaches 100% December 15, 2020. No substitutions.
DISTRICT AWARDS
The first three District Presidents to reach 100% plus by December 15, 2020 of his/her Membership Quota will receive:
First place $100.00 Second Place $ 75.00 Third Place $ 50.00
Special Invitation to the “Spirit of Freedom Membership Celebration” at Mid-Winter will be sent to District President and District Membership Chairman when they reach 95% by December 15, 2020. No substitutions.
STATEWIDE PROJECT
The Auxiliary member that recruits the greatest number of new members from July 1, 2020 – through May 31, 2021, will be presented with a cash award of $75.00 at State Convention. In the case of a tie, there will be a drawing.
The Auxiliary member that recruits the most new Life Members from July 1, 2020 through May 31, 2021 will receive a cash prize of$75.00 at State Convention. In case of a tie there will be a drawing.
Remember, the “Spirit of Freedom”, our eagle mascot soars to new heights as will our membership.
Goal – 100% Plus
“Honor, Courage, Commitment for our Veterans”
“Honoring Our Mission to Serve Veterans”
