VIRTUAL WOULD SAVE THE DAY

[ZAP44]

For the better part of a year I’ve believed organizations such as the VFW were missing the boat not offering an alternative to Brick and Mortar posts by using the internet.  My belief was backed by two official VFW reports that indicated many potential members’ desired membership via the internet in a virtual post and my own discussions with younger members.  But lately I’ve come to believe that it will not make any huge difference.  My change in opinion is based on working the vitual post project here at VFWWebCOM, VFWWebCOM’s own stats, MyVetwork and the American Legion George Washington DC Virtual Post One.   The following to me indicates the lack of interest in participation isn’t just within the home town brick and mortar world.

1.    VFWWebCOM has 1846 registered members.  Sounds like virtual has a real possibility until you see only 474 have ever posted a single post.   When you consider many of those posting and all of the top 10 posters belong to brick and mortar posts where is those advocating a virtual post?

2.   Many weeks were put into the virtual post project with about 20 forum members showing interest.  But when it came down to meetings only 3 or 4 ever showed or contributed.  This was after forum postings and PM’s about the meetings were sent alerting those that had showed interest.  And those that showed belong to the brick and mortar posts and are not likely to join a virtual or ePost.

3.   MyVetwork and MyVFWWebCOM launched at about the same time.  MyVetwork has the official support of the VFW, American Legion Auxiliary and AMVETS.   The VFW has been pushing it as I got an e-mail from Department asking that we encourage our post members to join.  And this month’s VFW magazine also has an article about it.  It appears they now have 464 registered members.  MyVFWWebCOM without any official sanction has 485 members.  So official or unofficial neither appears to be the next MySpace. 

4.   Some younger veterans working at American Legion National wanted a virtual post and were given DC post 1.  They set up the website, blogs, screen to transfer in etc etc etc.  But nothing works.  You can’t transfer in…the screen doesn’t work.  The blogs are loaded with porn.  e-mails and phone calls to post adjutant and 1stvice at AL national haven’t corrected anything.  It’s a disaster. 

I guess those of us who thought virtual would save the day need to think again.

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[IJK3770]

Excellent, well thought out.  Now to wait and see if anyone else has any other thoughts on the subject.
Cheerily
IJK

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[RCJP2070]

Well, consider this... that 474 is about 25% of the "membership" of this board.  If my post had 25% of our members contribute, we'd be high on the hog.

As for the meetings, I think the technology was a bit much. I don't even own a headset.  I'm not  a gamer.  I didn;t say anything because I figured you guys would charge through.  PErhaps I should have said something.  I did log in once or twice.

However, keep in mind, with 4 of 20 participating, you had 20% attendance - that beats most posts!!!!

Don;t give up.  I want to keep the idea going.  We're definitely on to something.

Here's a thought/goal for you: What will the VFW be like in 25 years?

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[dmh1566]

I'd still be willing to become an active member of a virtual post once my time in Iraq is finished.

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[RCJP2070]

If you want, you could stay there, just to see if the virtual thing works out!  That could be fun! ;-D

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[dmh1566]

How about the Virgin Islands or Australia instead? hah

If you want, you could stay there, just to see if the virtual thing works out!  That could be fun! ;-D

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[Loadtoad]

I feel your pain ZAP, however, I do feel that this is coming.  The more I dive into the virtual world, the more I hear refrence to the topics we have been discussing.  I know that the DAV and American Legion have invested some time and money into projects such as the sim "Second Life"  This is not a meeting place yet but if you listen closely to the chatter in the background of some of the online gathering places of younger Vets, you will find that they are talking about the same stuff we have been.  I genuinely believe that it is coming.  Not today, not tomorow.  But it is coming.  We need to be patient and not throw away our ideas.  If we at least maintain our stance that this is needed, when the planets and stars are all in alignment, we will be ready.

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[Sea Dog]

Comrades,

Since I've transferred into my current Post a over two years ago I've been very active in the Post's programs from renovation of the canteen, serving as Adjutant and currently Adjutant/Quartermaster.  I believe it is important to have human contact but virtual, to me is also important but as media/information sharing outlet it will never replace the human element.

When I joined the Post, I asked the question why don't we have a Post website?  My relies were all negative from it cost too much to who cares about the internet and so on.  So I asked if I build one and pay for it will you go for it? The Post agreed to this idea.  Now they couldn't live without it.  If I don't get the webpage updated the day after a Post event I get emails and phone calls wanting to know why?

But a virtual Post?  I wonder.

Regards,
Sea Dog

PS If you want to see the page I'll post the address if requested.

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[IJK3770]

Sea Dog,
    Please go ahead and post the address.  The forums here are part of the VFW WebCom network which has built a free weblog for each VFW post across the organization.  You haven't said which post/state you are from or I would post the address to yours.  You could take a look at my post weblog at www.vfwwebcom.org/mo/post3770.
Cheerily
IJK

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[Sea Dog]

Sea Dog here,

I'm a life member of Post 2728 in Winchester, KY  our post site address is vfwpost2728.org.

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[IJK3770]

Seadog,
  Here is the address to the free webcom network weblog that your post has.
www.vfwwebcom.org/ky/post2728
All it needs is for someone in your post to start maintaining it and add post relevant information in addition to the information the blogmasters put on it.
Cheerily
IJK

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[IJK3770]

Seadog,
  I went and took a look at your post website that you left the address for and it is one of the better ones I have seen.  I have to commend your post for its website.  It looks like someone actually keeps it updated unlike so many of the post websites across the nation.
Cheerily
IJK

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[Sea Dog]

Thank you  I just finished updated the VOD and PP info for 2009.   I'll check out the webcom site you suggested.

Thanks,
Sea Dog

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[RCJP2070]

Definitely one of the best Post Web sites around.  Somebody put some TLC into it.

Our Post Commander just unilaterally decided not to fund our Web site, and it was taken down.  Very sad.

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[IJK3770]

RCJP2070,
    You can claim and start using the "free" one provided to your post by the VFW WebCom Network.  Private Message me if interested and I can provide the details.
Cheerily
IJK

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