VFW WI District 1

Posted at 12:37 PM on Friday, June 20, 2008 by District 1

The VFW Department of Wisconsin Officer Training Institute (O.T.I.), scheduled for July 26, 2008, is now open for pre-registration.

The session, which will take place at the Mead Inn, Wisconsin Rapids, is open to all VFW Members interested in learning the "hows and whys" of VFW policies, programs and procedures.

Chairing the training session will be Bill "Knoot" Knudson, who will also serve as Chief of Staff for the coming year. "Last year's OTI, which employed Power Point presentations and several presenters, was acclaimed one of the best ever", says Knudson. "And we're planning to build on that success. Following the session, we received many constructive suggestions and we have incorporated several of them into this year's program. For example, we have creatred a separate 'break-out' session for Quartermasters to allow us to focus exclusively on issues and policies important to these key post officers." Knudson suggested that Trustees might also want to attend the Quartermaster session, but that the general session will also underscore the often misunderstood role of Trustees in the post. "All Trustees should make it a point to attend OTI. Ideally, if all three Post Trustees came, at least one might be well-advised to sit in on the QM session for better understanding of that side of Post Operations," Knudson explained.

As in the past, there will also be a separate training session for District Commanders.

Attendance at the State OTI will be a key element in the 2008/09 White Hat requirements. In addition to a revamped Power Point presentation, OTI workbooks will also be included. The $20 per person Advance Registration Fee includes training materials. (Registration at the door will be $25) Advance registrations must be in hand at State Headquarters no later than Monday, July 21st.

The O.T.I. takes place the day after the State Council of Administration Meeting, which runs on Friday the 25th. Key committee meetings (Finance, Convention, Veterans Service and VFW News) will be held on Thursday afternoon, July 24th.

"We have purposely done all we can to keep the cost of attendance at a minimum", said Knudson. "While some members travelling a longer distance may want to check in the night before, most attendees will not have to deal with any overnight expense." The sessions run from 8:30am (registration) until 4:00pm. Lunch is on your own. There are numerous fast-food restaurants in the area, as well as restaurants at the hotel.

To register, you may go to the VFW Forms Page under the heading of CONFERENCE & CONVENTION forms or CLICK HERE to directly download the mail-in OTI REGISTRATION FORM.