VFW NC Post 5466 - Taylorsville

Don’t Let the IRS Take Your Non-Profit Status Away

Posted at 09:59 AM on Sunday, February 5, 2012 by post5466

In the past couple of years, the Internal Revenue Service has taken the “Non-Profit” status away from VFW posts and Auxiliaries for not complying with the financial reporting system that is required by all organizations.

If you lose your “Non-Profit” status, your organization will be subjected to being charged taxes for all of your income and taxes on the property owned by your organization.

If your organization’s annual income is less than $50,000.00, all you have to do is file an annual IRS “postcard” form 990n. This form is filed annually by using the internet reporting system.

If your organization needs assistance in filing the 990n for your organization, your Department Headquarters can and will assist you and even file for you. All that is needed is for you to request it.

Send an e-mail to qm@nc.vfwwebmail.com with your organization’s Employer Identification Number (EIN) and organization’s point of contact information as outlined below. You can "snailmail" the information below to Department Headquarters if you wish.

POC for this information is: Richard C. “Dick” Easingwood, 910-818-2266 or easicrea@earthlink.net

Need: Post/Aux Number, Post/Aux official mailing address, Post EIN/Post POC contact information.

VFW Foundation Announces 2011 Burger King® Unmet Needs Fundraiser

Posted at 01:57 AM on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 by post5466

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation is proud to announce that for the fifth consecutive year, participating Burger King® Restaurants will be raising funds for the VFW’s Unmet Needs Program throughout the month of November through the annual Burger King® Unmet Needs Fundraiser. Over 1,200 Burger King® Restaurants have participated since 2007 and have raised over $1.3 million in support of the program. Burger King® customers are encouraged to donate $1 or more at participating locations across the country as the proceeds will help military families in need pay for essentials such as rent/mortgage, utilities, medical expenses, vehicle repairs and food.

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First Amendment Prevails at Houston VA National Cemetary

Posted at 01:36 AM on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 by post5466

The Veterans of Foreign Wars today(Friday) declared victory in a Federal Lawsuit ( Rainey v VA) filed over allegations of religious hostility and unlawful censorship by the VA and its director of the Houston National Cemetery. 

Federal District Judge Lynn N. Hughes signed a consent decree ordering the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) to lift the ban on prayer and the word "God" at national cemeteries, to revoke national policies hostile to religion, and to reopen the Chapel which identity was previously changed to "meeting facility" at the Houston National Cemetery.  

Texas-based Liberty Institute filed suit on behalf of the VFW over allegations of religious hostility and unlawful censorship by the VA and its director of the Houston National Cemetery. Officials told the VFW they could not have prayer during the burial services of veterans unless the family requested it specifically in writing and submitted the prayer to VA officials for pre-approval.    

"The VFW is grateful that the government has restored the basic tenets recognized in the U.S. Constitution – which guarantees fundamental rights of religious expression and freedom of speech – to patriotic Americans who sacrifice everything to defend it.  This is indeed a victory." said VFW National Commander Richard DeNoyer.

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"This is My VFW" Membership Recruitment Video

Posted at 01:33 PM on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 by post5466

Membership recruitment video shot at the 112th National Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars August 27-September 1, 2011.  Our thanks to all who participated in the production.  Please share this video with all of your friends and veterans on your social networks.  And of course, if you have not yet joined the VFW, click here to join today!

VA News Highlights

Posted at 08:03 AM on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 by post5466

Several headlines from the Department of Veterans Affairs in recent days.  Click the links to read the full stories.

Statement from Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki on the American Jobs Act - Shinseki comments on the proposed Act which includes support for veteran jobs.

VA Announces Expansion of Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it will expand its pilot for the Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record (VLER), which enables sharing of Veterans’ health records.

VA Streamlines Online Applications for Health Benefits Renewal - Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has automated its online Health Benefits Renewal (10-10EZR) form as part of its ongoing effort to streamline access to benefits.

VA Posts Online List of Ships Associated with Presumptive Agent Orange Exposure - Veterans who served aboard U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships operating on the waters of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, may be eligible to receive Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation for 14 medical conditions associated with presumptive exposure to Agent Orange.

National Corrects the 2011-2012 QM Manual on IRS Forms 990

Posted at 04:47 PM on Thursday, July 14, 2011 by post5466

The current QM Manual that National has published on the web was incorrect in the dollar amount for reporting on the IRS Form 990n. National listed $25,000 as the upper amount. The correct amount for 2010 reporting is $50,000. The following is the letter that National will publish:

Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990)

Organizations exempt from income tax under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code are generally required to file Form 990 by the 15^th day of the fifth month following the close of their accounting fiscal year. For the 2010 Tax Year (tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2010), if the organization’s annual gross receipts are normally more than $50,000, the organization must file Form 990 or 990-EZ. Small tax-exempt organizations whose annual gross receipts are normally $50,000 or less are required to electronically submit Form 990-N, also known as the e-Postcard. There is no penalty assessment for late filling the e-Postcard, but an organization that fails to file required information returns for three consecutive years will automatically lose its tax-exempt status. The revocation of the organization’s tax exempt status will not take place until the filing due date of the third year.

Gross receipts are considered to be normally less than $50,000 if the organization:

1. Has been in existence for 1 year or less and received, or donors have pledged to give, $75,000 or less during its first taxable year;

2. Has been in existence between 1 and 3 years and averaged $60,000 or less in gross receipts during each of its first two tax years; and

3. Is at least 3 years old and averaged $50,000 or less in gross receipts for the immediately preceding 3 tax years (including the year for which the calculations are being made).

If annual gross receipts are normally more than $50,000, the organization must file Form 990 or 990-EZ. For the 2010 Tax Year, if an organization has gross receipts less than $200,000 and total assets less than $500,000, it may file form 990-EZ. However, if either gross receipts or total assets are above those limits, Form 990 must be filed.

For purposes of filing requirements, gross receipts include: total contributions; gifts and grants; program service revenue; membership dues and assessments; gross investment income (including interest, dividends, gross rents, and other investment income); gross income from the sale of assets other than inventory; gross income from special fundraising events; gross sales net of return allowances; and any other revenue.

IRS regulations require that all tax-exempt organizations make both their Application for Exemption and 990’s for the last three years available for public inspection at their principal office and provide copies in response to written requests, subject to the payment of reasonable fees. There are substantial penalties for violation of these regulations.

Veterans Crisis Line

Posted at 12:19 PM on Saturday, May 14, 2011 by post5466

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is unique because all of our members have served overseas in a combat zone. Our nation is in debt to all of those who served, and we understand that returning home and reintegrating into society can cause stress in many aspects of life. Because of this, VFW is participating in a campaign with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to increase awareness of the Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255 and Press 1). 

The campaign revolves around the confidential Veterans Crisis Line (formerly the Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline), establishing a unique identity designed to lower the threshold for Veterans and their families to make that critical call for help. 

The line, available 24 hours a day and seven days a week, has answered more than 390,000 calls and has made more than 13,000 life-saving rescues since its launch. 

The campaign is a national outreach effort to increase awareness and use of the confidential Veterans Crisis Line and online chat service, support and promote broader VA suicide prevention efforts, and promote help-seeking behaviors among Veterans.

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Korean Conflict Veterans Honored

Posted at 08:38 AM on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 by post5466

The VFW National Headquarters has launched a concerted effort to honor all Korean Conflict Veterans who were serving at the outbreak of hostilities in the Korean Theater. A Certificate of Service is being issued to all current members who meets this criteria. Pictured below are four members of VFW Post 5466 receiving their certificates from Commander Ginger Annas at a recent gathering. The VFW has recently modified its eligibility requirement to recognize Korean Service since June 1951. If you have received a campaign medal for overseas service; have served 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days in Korea; or have ever received hostile fire or imminent danger pay, then you're eligible to join our ranks. Picture below are L-R Benny Bebber, Wade Childers, Leroy Lackey, and John Deal. Not Pictured are James Friday and Rhoyd Scott.

Legislation Regarding Veterans Rendering the Hand Salute not in uniform

Posted at 12:23 PM on Friday, April 1, 2011 by post5466

Recently at a baseball game the subject came up regarding recently enacted legislation allowing Veterans and Military members not in uniform rendering the right hand salute during flag presentations and the national anthem. The question was, "hats on or hats off" and did it make a difference what kind of hat? I posed the question to our brothers in the National HQ of the American Legion and the following is the guidance Mike Buss the Legion's expert on flag and flag etiquette sent me. "During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, or during a rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, those present in uniform should render the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute (The law does not mandate removing any head wear when rendering the right hand military salute nor does it specify any particular headwear that can and/or cannot be worn). All other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Citizens of other countries should stand at attention." Basically, Hats on or Hats off..the hand salute is your option Veterans..you earned it !!

VFW 5466 Honors Patriot Pen and Voice of Democracy Winners

Posted at 07:11 PM on Monday, November 15, 2010 by post5466

7^th and 8^th graders participated in the Patriots Pen contest.  Conducted nationwide, this VFW sponsored youth essay competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy with the prospect of winning U.S. savings bonds.  The top 46 national winners all receive at least a $1,000 savings bond. The first-place award is currently a $10,000 savings bond plus an all-expense paid trip to Washington , D.C. for the winner and a parent or guardian. The award for the best written essay on patriotism was presented to T.J. Larson from the 7^th grade and Taylor Mayberry from the 8^th grade.  The awards consisted of a certificate, a backpack and $100 cash prize to each of the Patriots Pen winners.  Larson's and Mayberry’s essays will now compete with other students to determine state winners. Note:  T.J. Larson was not present for the ceremony

The winner of the Voice of Democracy from Alexander Central High School was Evan “Cole” Burgess.  The award was a plaque and a $200 cash prize.  Cole will now go on to the state competition.  The Voice of Democracy competition provides high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors the opportunity to write and record a broadcast script on a patriotic theme, competing for more than $3 million in college scholarships and incentives.  State winners receive an expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., during the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary Community Service Conference in March to enjoy our nation's capital and compete for scholarships ranging between $1,000 and $16,000, with the first place winner receiving a $30,000 scholarship. award

 

Sarah Mayberry receivesVFW Post 5466 Teacher Award for 2010

Posted at 01:40 PM on Wednesday, October 6, 2010 by post5466

 Mrs. Sarah Mayberry, a Fourth Grade Teacher at Ellendale Elementry School stands with members of VFW Post 5466 at the presentation of her 2010 Teacher Award. Sarah is an avid supporter of Veterans Awareness in her school, church and community at large. We are grateful for her contributions and look forward to working with her in the future promoting Veteran awareness and  Patriotic community programs.

Join the VFW

Posted at 10:20 AM on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 by post5466

Why join…. 

 We are all Americans who have served in war time…

We all know the sacrifice…

We all agree we need to look out for our fellow veterans…

We are all patriots…

…oh…and…

We could actually have some fun…

Post 5466 Supports Alexander County Crime Stoppers

Posted at 08:34 PM on Thursday, May 20, 2010 by post5466

VFW Post 5466 Post Commander Ginger Annas presents the Alexander County Crime Stoppers with a check for $500.00 as part of our commitment to serving our county and its citizens. Several members took the day to have lunch, receive a comprehensive briefing on the Crime Stopper Program, and to show support for our Law Enforcement Departments within Alexander County.

 

 

Post 5466 Members Attend Commanders Military Retirement

Posted at 11:10 AM on Thursday, May 20, 2010 by post5466

Several members of VFW Post 5466 recently attend the formal military retirement of their Commander,  LTC Ginger I. Annas at a ceremony held at the Charlotte, NC Air National Guard Base. LTC Annas is retiring after 28 years Commissioned Service having served as a Flight Nurse in numerous overseas locations including, Moldova, Afghanistan, Iraq and Germany. She was presented the Meritorious Service Medal in front of the entire North Carolina Air National Guard contingent on Sunday the 2nd of May. Members were later escorted on a base tour and aboard one of the C-130 Aircraft that LTC Annas served aboard.

VA Information to Aid Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange

Posted at 07:00 AM on Thursday, April 22, 2010 by post5466

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 25, 2010                         

 

VA Proposes Change to Aid Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange

Proposed Regulation Change Adds Illnesses to List of Diseases Subject to Presumptive Service Connection for Herbicide Exposure

 

WASHINGTON – Well over 100,000 Veterans exposed to herbicides while serving in Vietnam and other areas will have an easier path to qualify for disability pay under a proposed regulation published by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that adds three new illnesses to the list of health problems found to be related to Agent Orange and other herbicide exposures.

“This is an important step forward for Vietnam Veterans suffering from these three illnesses,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “These warriors deserve medical care and compensation for health problems they have incurred.”

The regulation follows Shinseki’s October 2009 decision to add the three illnesses to the current list of diseases for which service connection for Vietnam Veterans is presumed.  The illnesses are B cell leukemias, such as hairy cell leukemia; Parkinson’s disease; and ischemic heart disease.

The Secretary’s decision is based on the latest evidence of an association with widely used herbicides such as Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, as determined in an independent study by the Institute of Medicine (IOM).

Even though this is a proposed rule, VA encourages Vietnam Veterans with these three diseases to submit their applications for compensation now so the Agency can begin development of their claims and so they can receive benefits from the date of their applications once the rule becomes final. 

Comments on the proposed rule will be accepted over the next 30 days.   The final regulation will be published after consideration of all comments received.

 

- More -

Proposed Regulations for Agent Presumptives -- 2/2/2/2

 

“We must do better reviews of illnesses that may be connected to service, and we will,” Shinseki added. “Veterans who endure health problems deserve timely decisions based on solid evidence.”

Over 80,000 of the Veterans will have their past claims reviewed and may be eligible for retroactive payment, and all who are not currently eligible for enrollment into the VA healthcare system will become eligible.

During the Vietnam War, the U.S. military used more than 19 million gallons of herbicides for defoliation and crop destruction in the Republic of Vietnam.  Veterans who served in Vietnam anytime during the period beginning January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975, are presumed to have been exposed to herbicides. 

Used in Vietnam to defoliate trees and remove concealment for the enemy, Agent Orange and other herbicides left a legacy of suffering and disability that continues to the present.

The new rule will bring the number of illnesses presumed to be associated with herbicide exposure to 14 and significantly expand the current leukemia definition to include a much broader range of leukemias beyond chronic lymphocytic leukemia previously recognized by VA.

In practical terms, Veterans who served in Vietnam during the war and who have a “presumed” illness don’t have to prove an association between their illnesses and their military service.  This “presumption” simplifies and speeds up the application process for benefits.

Other illnesses previously recognized under VA’s “presumption” rule as being caused by exposure to herbicides during the Vietnam War are:

·  AL Amyloidosis,

·  Acute and Subacute Transient Peripheral Neuropathy,

·  Chloracne or other Acneform Disease consistent with Chloracne,

·  Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, (now being expanded)

·  Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2),

- More -

Proposed Regulations for Agent Presumptives – 3/3/3/3

 

·  Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma,

·  Porphyria Cutanea Tarda,

·  Prostate Cancer,

·  Respiratory Cancers (Cancer of the lung, bronchus, larynx, or trachea), and 

·  Soft Tissue Sarcoma (other than Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, or Mesothelioma).

Additional information about Agent Orange and VA’s services for Veterans exposed to the chemical are available at www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange.

 

#   #   #

National Health Care

Posted at 04:04 PM on Sunday, March 28, 2010 by post5466

Up to the Minute

Posted at 04:03 PM on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 by post5466

Now you can stay on top of all the latest information no matter where you are in the My VFW Network. 


Just look at the bottom of each page in the network.  You'll see a new toolbar which will make navigating around the network much easier.  On the toolbar you can:

• Search the My VFW Network
• Join a chatroom with other network users.
• See how many other users are on the network
• Click on "Network News" and see all the latest news stories from anywhere in the network.
• Keep track of the latest conversations in the VFW Forum.
• Join our My VFW social network.
• See the latest story posted by a random VFW Post.
• Zoom back to the top of the page you are viewing.
• Subscribe to RSS feeds
• Share pages via email, Facebook, Twitter and more.
• Become a fan and join our Facebook community
• and even post to your Twitter account right from the toolbar.

Keeping up to date with the My VFW Network has never been so easy!

VFW WebCOM Department Toolbar Tour

Posted at 10:36 AM on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 by post5466

What is the VFW WebCOM Department Toolbar?  What does it do?  Click the video below for a tour or click here for a larger version.

About this Site and Network

Posted at 12:46 AM on Thursday, August 28, 2008 by post5466

Welcome to Departments of the Veterans of Foreign Wars' VFW WebCOM Network. This Network is comprised of close to 10,000 pre-built, established sites for each of the 54 state and international Departments, their Districts and all 8,500 VFW Posts. 

In support of the Network, we have added Department toolbars, a video-sharing platform, instant WebCHAT, a Membership Forum and pre-built 31,000 VFW Department-specific Officer e-mail accounts which are transferable to the next person filling the position. E-commerce storefronts for each post, online calendars, online forms and much more are in the works.

Each Department, District and Post now has an integrated internal and external communications system at their disposal for consideration of universal deployment in support of existing and planned communication protocols.

All identified product and services are provided at zero cost to the organization with the understanding that costs are to be covered through a revenue sharing agreements through the Departments. The organization retains 100% control of all branding, 100% editorial control of your message on all levels of the Network and final approval authority on all sonsorship and e-commerce opportunities. If the Network should fail to generate enough revenue to cover our service and product-provider partners' cost of doing business, there is no cost liability to organization.

The Network has not been formally recognized by the National level of the organization at this time but is being aggressively rolled out through the eight VFW Departments of North Carolina, Virginia, Missouri, New Hampshire, Alabama, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Several other Departments are in various stages of consideration and implementation.

The network provides the organization the ability to push a button and broadcast, or syndicate, the same piece of information, whether it’s text, pictures, video or audio, across every site.  Departments also have the ability to push a button and accomplish the same thing across just the District and Post sites within their Department. Most importantly it enables a VFW Post or District to directly manage and publish information to the Internet for their local community and their organization as a whole.

Over 5 years in the making and built with the oversight and to the specifications of VFW Department and Post leadership and membership, its objectives are to foster:

• More efficient organizational communication to your members and potential members.
• More efficient organizational communication to your communities.
• More efficient organizational communication to your legislators.
• Generate revenue and resources for the organization.
  

While you are here take a moment to take a closer look at how you can support these efforts.

1) Do you have a website or a weblog that you could add a link to a local VFW or State site?  Do you have a few minutes to write about us and let people know what we are doing?

You can find a list of the 54 VFW Departments here:
 http://vfwwebcom.org/departments

You can find a local VFW Post close to you here:
http://vfwwebcom.org/postdirectory

2) If you are a VFW Member or Supporter, you can download your Department toolbar. The toolbar has lots of neat features; all the RSS (syndication) feeds for every site in the Network run through them, keeping you instantly connected to all the information moving through the Network.

You can go here to download your toolbar:
http://vfwwebcom.org/toolbars/

3) If you are a VFW Member or Supporter, you can join the conversations in the VFW Membership Forum and instant WebCHAT. There’s lots of good information and opportunities to meet new friends there.

You can go to the Forum here:
http://www.vfwwebcom.org/forum

4) If you are a VFW Member or Supporter, you can view and start sharing videos at VFW WebCOM Video Network.

You can check out the videos here:
http://video.vfwwebcom.org/

5) If you are a VFW Member or Supporter, do you know of a business that may be interested in supporting your local VFW Posts or Department by sponsoring their site?  Prices start at $2.00 a day for one site and scale from there with opportunities to Sponsor all sites in a Department.  (At this time advertising and e-commerce opportunities are only available for the eight aforementioned Departments.)

You can go here to browse sponsorship opportunities:
http://www.admemex.com/vfwwebcom/

The invitation is open for all Posts and Districts to claim their VFW WebCOM Network site. If your Post or District already has a web presence this would be a great way to expand it. If your Post or District does not have a web presence this is a no cost way for you to establish one and start sharing with the world what your Post does in the community and Organization and if your Post is in a Departmental Partner Network you could even generate revenue with it...up to and even beyond $3,000.00 per year.

Go here to test drive how easy it is to manage. It's our Demo site, it works the same way yours would:
http://vfwwebcom.org/Demo/

As you can see, there's plenty to see and do on the VFW WebCOM Network with more still to come.  We thank you for stopping by and invite you back regularly to support and stay connected with your Veterans of Foreign Wars.