Commander's Call
The VFW like any organization needs to maintain and grow its’ membership to prosper and satisfy their core values and mission. The National and State VFW Headquarters often cite two admonitions when the Posts speak of how hard it is to find new members. “New members are out there” and too often when asked why someone has not joined, the answer is “No one asked me to join”.

While I cannot dispute this premise, I do have some observations to share.
1. Most of the WWII and Korean War veterans that are ever going to join have joined. Those WWII and Korean vets who have not joined by now will never join. Most of the Vietnam Veterans who are going to join have already done so.
2. I have come to conclude that the phrase “no one has ever asked me to join” is generally an avoidance or excuse tactic. I would say to these vets, “Why didn’t you ask us”. Many of our most active and involved members are those who sought us out, not us them.
3. The veterans of the current wars are too busy going back into the fray (2nd and third tours) to worry about joining the VFW. How do I know this? I have asked them!

I hope that the VFW will remain strong and active and we can welcome the current warriors when their job is done. Until than, we support them, support their families, and say, “Thank you and God Bless you and the United States of America”.

In the mean time, each member needs to be a recruiter and working to find and recruit that vet who is in our midst that has not yet joined the VFW. He or she can help us as they help themselves.

Back to current members; many “LIFE” members feel they have fulfilled their obligations; they joined the VFW, paid their Life Membership dues, perhaps served as a Post Officer or in an appointed position and were active at one time. This is just not enough. One; the Post receives a few dollars a year from National for each Life Member. Second, with membership come obligations to yourself and your organization. That obligation is not fulfilled with one tour of duty, just as your military service had different tours; your membership in the VFW has different tours of duty. You can serve in another position or in the same position again. At the very least, you need to attend meetings, participate in events and activities, and act as an ambassador and ombudsman. A major duty assignment should be recruitment. In the end, with “Life Membership” come increased obligations and duties, not less.

Annual members may feel they have met their obligation by paying their dues each year. This is just not so. An organization does not survive on membership dues. Organizations thrive, contribute to the community, and support their membership through participation and activity. The annual members has no less obligation then the life member, with the exception that the annual member is perhaps the relief of the life member.

To all members, I cannot state it stronger; Your VFW needs you. You need to step up and be counted. Attend meetings and events; volunteer your time, talents and yes, provide financial support, when able. If each member attended one additional meeting or event, or volunteered an additional hour or two your Post would thrive.

The formula is simple and the outcome understandable. VFW Posts are not failing because they do not have members. They are failing because they do not have active members. Think back to your military service. When one person shirked or failed, the whole unit suffered. It is as simple as that. Without you, your VFW Post suffers. “Lock and Load” it is time to step up and meet your obligation. In the end, you and the VFW will prosper and benefit.

M. L. (Bud) Evered
Post Commander

LOGIN:EDITPAGE |OFFICE