Membership: Keep it Up, America! You're Doing Great!

Joyce Bilyeu
2015-2016 National Membership Ambassador

WAY TO GO AMERICA:  We are less than three percent (3%) away from breaking a 22 year membership record of being 100%. We still have 3 months to go and I know with your continued dedication to the growth of this organization we will go beyond that goal. You have clearly sent the message to the world that our organization, and especially our veterans, matter; that our veterans did not give up on us and we DO NOT intend to give up on them. Just keep moving forward and remember that there is “No Excuse…….Just Recruit for “Our Veterans Now and Forever.”

NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP WEEK IS APRIL 10-16: You should have plans in place on what your Department will be doing to promote membership during this special week. Make sure to go to the National VFW Auxiliary website to print out all the UPDATED membership materials and resources that you might need to help with your recruiting and retention efforts.  Work with your Department’s National Certified Recruiter Trainer to assist with your recruitment efforts.

CONGRATULATIONS:  To each Department who has reached the 95% or greater milestone. Your Department will receive $500 for your recruitment efforts.

I personally thank you for your commitment to keeping your pledge in growing our organization.  In addition, congratulations go out to ALL Departments. You are all doing amazing and I know that we are all going to cross that (100% in membership) finish line together, united, as one team, working to grow our organization in order to serve our veterans and their families.

Our next milestone is to be 100+% by May 31, 2016 in order to receive $1,000 for your Department. I know all 51 Departments will earn this award.

100+% in Membership by May 31, 2016               Award = $1,000

101+ % in Membership by June 30, 2016                 $500 Bonus Award

MALE MEMBERSHIP:  So far you have all recruited nearly 16,000 males into our organization. The Department of Pennsylvania is leading the way with a total of 2,502 male members recruited. I am confident that by June 30^th, you will have recruited more than 20,000 men into our organization. 

IMPORTANT REMINDER:  If continuous members’ dues are NOT paid in full by June 30^th they are no longer a member of our organization. They will need to reapply and will lose any prior years of membership that they had with the VFW Auxiliary. This is something we DO NOT want to happen. Please call those members and see what can be done to keep them current. We need all the members we can to help support our veterans and their families.

AWARDS:

·         Membership Week Promotion Award:  Remember that there is an award to the Department Membership Chairman in each membership group for the best promotion of National Membership Week. Please send me your information in order to receive recognition.

·         Symbol of Service Award:  One person will receive this very special award for the most new members recruited by May 31, 2016. Don’t forget to send in the necessary forms stating how many members you have recruited. The award will be presented at the 2016 VFW Auxiliary National Convention.

·         National Membership Achievement Award:  This is for the recruitment of 20 or more NEW members by April 30, 2016. Forms are due to National Headquarters by May 31, 2016.

·         “No Excuse…I Recruit Pin”: This for the recruitment of 5 or more NEW members. Forms are due at National Headquarters by May 31, 2016.

GREATEST AWARD OF ALL:  This award is about having the satisfaction of knowing that you are a part of something much greater than money or material things. It is about the satisfaction of knowing that YOU are making a difference in the lives of veterans and their families. It’s about being a part of an organization nearly 500,000 members strong who share a common goal of serving veterans, their families and our communities.

Remember: No Excuse…..Just Recruit!