Virtual VFW Post Project

[Guest]

[Adj816]

I admit I know nothing about the 'at-large' posts, but it seems to me that they could transition to an online existence without much difficulty.

[dmh1566]

I'm sure many at-large members would join an online post and it would get hem involved with the organizaion. I think it would also have a significant impact on retention rates for at-large members and members that relocate often due to their continued military service. Their own post that they can visit from anywhere in the world...

I admit I know nothing about the 'at-large' posts, but it seems to me that they could transition to an online existence without much difficulty.

[shark31768]

Very good points guys, and if they were to hold an office it wouldn't be too difficult for them because the post is right here plus if they were deployed they could recruit guys from their unit and even have their own meetings to catch his guys up over there with what our guys are doing here not to mention his unit would be adopted by this post and also at the same time get training on the works at the post level so when they get out or retire they can transfer to a hometown post and have a few notches under their belt when they walk through the door. If this were to kick off we would still want to encourage  local post membership for those that have no knowledge of what to do or where to go when they first join. With that said that is why i think this would be an excellent idea.

[shark31768]

I was just thinking also guys that if we had this up and running national could look in and monitor whats going on at our level without having to travel or wait for snail mail everything is right here.

[Chris Weber 5468]

It would be interesting to see if a virtual post would do in the various programs. I guess it would be virtual students in Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen, Virtual Teachers, Virtual Poppies, and Virtual Veterans to render aid to. With no real base of operation, where would Home be to conduct the programs or is it to be a do nothing post.

[shark31768]

Chris these are issues were trying to work out thats why we need all the feedback we can get we are open to all aspects good and bad here and welcome all opinions so we can try and address them before we take it to national. I don't see this happening overnight, not even a month or two and those that want this have alot of work ahead. We are only at the idea stages and would like to see if it can go further. Anyone that reads this please give us your opinions. We would also like see what a few national officers might think. We will not be a do nothing post and one of my biggest thoughts on this would be a training aid for members before they go to a brick and mortar post. Feel free to join us this wed. and give us your insight.

[speisk]

If I have been following this thread correctly, it began as an offshoot of the "under 40" thread and the general consensus there was the poor condition, reception,  administration, and disappointment of various posts that young members faced.  As was also discussed, it is a problem that is recognized at all levels without a clear solution.

I believe there are two courses of action here.  Either you take the "puritan" approach or take the "pilgrim" approach.  The puritan approach says that you try to fix the issue from within without causing a split.  The pilgrim approach says you break away and start anew.

As I have stated before, peristence and determination are key to making things happen at your local VFW post.  If anyone is so upset with their post that they feel that they need to create a virtual post, then it forces me to ask the fundamental question:  Just what are you doing in the VFW?  Now I don't mean this as some generalization.  I mean, just what do you expect to accomplish?  Are you participating because there is a program you wish to be a part of?  Are you there because you see problems with administration?  Are you there because you want to support your fellow veterans?  I really cannot understand how creating a virtual post answers any of these questions.

Most meetings are attended by no more than 15 members (at least that is what I read here).  If you truly want to make something happen, all you need is one person to second your motion and 6 or 7 to vote in your favor.  This is old fashioned lobbying and it works.

The notion that a virtual post can solve our problems I think is naive.  In fact, I am more concerned with membership preferring to be detached from the organization rather than the all important face time and comraderie that comes from meeting together regardless of our differences.

Second, recognizing the problem is a start, but requires some strong leadership at district, department, and national to correct.  Just how effective are post inspections?  I would expect that anyone in a leadership position higher than post would take the role seriously enough to make the right choices and not be so conerned how others will perceive your actions.  (I'm starting to sound like a politician).

While I am not saying that a virtual post shouldn't happen, I am saying that this sort of venture really needs to be examined more closely.  Even the newer organizations such as Veterans of Modern Warfare, and Student Veterans Association have regualrly scheduled meetings and meeting places.  They use technology to assist them in their efforts rather than as a replacement to, for lack of a better term, more traditional methods of governance.

[shark31768]

Excellent questions, yes we did start this as an offshoot from the 40 and under thread but we are not at all limiting this to that group we want everyone of all ages and eras to participate and yes alot of us had bad experences at a local post and this could be an alternative but by all means not what this is totally about. This is a mixture of all the different reasons combined catering to the member that might not live close to a post or from other reasons such as i said before. I would also like to see this as a training aid for new members that for example are deployed and can also be an active member on the net and even at a recruiting standpoint. Probably most members that would join wouldn't have even stepped in the door of their first post but when they do they will know what is expected and not just young vets but all vets mainly new vets these are just some of my thoughts as to help get this off the ground. We are looking for ways to be an active post here and some programs will be impossible but does every post participate in every program that is avalible? All and all this is mainly geared toward retention.

[RCJP2070]

Speisk-

To answer your question directly:

Due to my extraordinary youth (age 36), profound inexperience in life (Army infantry officer, 2x combat tours) and lack of understanding about "how things work" (Masters Degree in Business, executive at an investment bank, former business owner) my post has no interest in listening to any of my crazy ideas (let's have a color guard, let's establish a budget, let's put on a dinner for Blue Star families).

If that's the what the VFW should be to you... then perhaps you're right, I do not belong.

[dmh1566]

I think that a "virtual post" has the potential to support a variety of VFW-related efforts. I also think a "virtual post" has the potential to serve and support a wide range of military veterans.

Granted we won't be able to operate a canteen but we'd have meetings that could be accessed from anywhere in the world. From there we could share ideas, plan our activities and conduct other post business.

You might be surprised by the number of companies that conduct business via the internet. I guess a "virtual post" could be a "do nothing post" just as easily as a some of the traditional posts I've been to. I guess only time will tell...

"Virtual veterans"...that kind of has a ring to it. Thanks for your input, please feel free to continue sharing your ideas and comments!

It would be interesting to see if a virtual post would do in the various programs. I guess it would be virtual students in Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen, Virtual Teachers, Virtual Poppies, and Virtual Veterans to render aid to. With no real base of operation, where would Home be to conduct the programs or is it to be a do nothing post.

[dmh1566]

For your reading pleasure --

Non-Profits: Plenty of Web Resources, But How Much Success?
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/non-profits_web_resources_success_stories.php

Non-Profits Web Tool Kit
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/non-profits_web_tool_kit.php

ASD Non-Profit Organization Website Package Solution
http://www.ajiboye.com/non-profit-organization-website-package-solution.asd

InfoGrasp Advantage: web-based software to organize your non profit organization.
http://www.infograsp.com/

A completely web-based/virtual veteran's organization
http://www.iava.org/


This project is something new to the VFW but its not something new to the modern world. If you happen to find any interesting sites or articles on this topic please be sure to post them.

[speisk]

To RCJP2020 -

I'm a little confused by your response to me on this thread.  I get the impression that you are a little miffed at my comments.  Why?  Do you really think my comments implied that we should let things lie as they are and not buck the system??  You're completely wrong if you do.  I am the member that thumps his chest every meeting to right the wrongs, implement essential programs, and put us on a course for the 21st century AND be inclusive to ALL combat veterans.

I appreciate your qualifications.  I'm 38, former officer in the Army with 16 years, college graduate, business leader, community leader, church leader, and I can keep going...
I'm willing to take this off line if you wish.  E-mail me.

I'm sorry you disagree with my position on virtual posts.  I  simply believe we can fix things from the inside out and we don't need a new forum to do it.  And since this thread is to get opinions from all sides in order to make informed decisions on the future of our organization I provided it.

I have only been a member of the VFW since 2006, so I know about "inexperience, youth, and lack of understanding."  Believe me, I've had the membership staring me down when I stood to speak up on issues.

I'm not sure how to answer your comment.  Are you looking for suggestions?  Let me know.

[shark31768]

I would like to add that this wed. is not just for those supporting this but for all members so that we can get everyones opinion. So if you support this tell us why and if you oppose this tell us why we shouldn't. I would like to remind everyone we are just seeing if this could benefit the V.F.W. as a whole. Again this is about retention of younger vets but by all means not limited just to them.

[Chris Weber 5468]

2008 By Laws Sec. 107--Transfers.
A member may transfer from one Post to another Post as prescribed in Section 107 of the Manual of Procedure and a signed Member Declaration.
In the event that a transfer to another Post or Member-at-Large has been effected and it is subsequently determined that the conditions of the Member Declaration have not been satisfied, then the Department Commander, with respect to transfers within the Department, or the Commander-in-Chief, with respect to transfers between Departments, may revoke, suspend or cancel such transfers.
2008 Manual of Procedures Sec. 107 – Transfers.
A member may transfer from one Post to another Post provided the following conditions are met:
1) completion of the application as prescribed in Section 102 of the Manual of
Procedure
2) signing a Member Declaration
3) acceptance by the Post
With respect to transfers from a Post to Department Member-at-Large, it is the National Organization’s and/or the Department Headquarters’ responsibility to ensure the above mentioned conditions have been met.
MEMBER DECLARATION
“I hereby certify that it is my desire to transfer and/or reinstate my membership. I further certify that I am not indebted to my former Post, be it through oral or written commitment or otherwise, and that, to the best of my knowledge, no written charges have been preferred against me by my former Post and I understand that any such indebtedness or charge which may be disclosed any time hereafter will render this transfer null and void.”
Members transferring should surrender their membership card to the Quartermaster of the accepting Post.

With these rules in place, during the investigation process of a transferring member, the recieving post can learn of the transferree. We have a comrade who tried to  transfer to another District and they hesitated in recieving him. Good move. You Must Check Them Out!!!

[Troy in KC]

I don't know where my last post went, so I will try this again.

I have drafted a concept for at-large posts. This is in no way an official working document from VFW National HQ. It is just a suggestion from me as a member and as a part of VFW National Membership. If anyone would like a copy, please send me an email at tdanderson@vfw.org and include an email that I can reply to with an attachment. Please ask only if you are willing to provide constructive criticism or review.

I am not posting it on this forum for the following reasons:

-Anything I post could be misperceived as being "official" from VFW National. That is not the case.

-I do not want to put a blueprint out there for another veteran organization prior to VFW members getting a look at it.

-I would like feedback from interested parties. This is not a how-to proposal, but is meant to describe in broad terms what the concept would entail, different ways that it could work, and what risks/mitigations would be a part of this. Ultimately, VFW members would make this work or fail, so any resulting by-laws and procedures would be drafted to provide only essential limitations (and guidelines). Individuals can innovate faster than groups and we don't want to stifle that.

Thanks
Troy