Membership: Set Goals – Earn Awards – Help the VFW Auxiliary Grow

Set Goals – Earn Awards – Help the VFW Auxiliary Grow

A new year is upon us! The new year brings hope and a sense of a new beginning. Lots of people like to start the year off by setting a goal for themselves. Let’s start this year off with setting some personal membership goals.

Members: Did you know that there are membership awards you can earn for yourself just by signing up new and/or rejoined members? Check out all the great awards below, set a goal and get out there and start asking folks to join this wonderful organization.

1. Five Member Pin to each VFW and VFW Auxiliary member who recruits five (5) new and/or rejoined members to the VFW Auxiliary from July 1, 2020 through May 31, 2021*. Official form required; available at vfwauxiliary.org/resources. Due to National Headquarters by June 10, 2021. Pin will be mailed directly to the member.
2. National President’s Coin to each VFW and VFW Auxiliary member who recruits ten (10) new and/or rejoined members to the VFW Auxiliary from July 1, 2020 through May 31, 2021*. Official form required; available at vfwauxiliary.org/resources. Due to National Headquarters by June 10, 2021. Coin will be mailed directly to the member.
3. National Membership Achievement Award to each VFW or VFW Auxiliary member who recruits twenty (20) new and/or rejoined members to the VFW Auxiliary from July 1, 2020 through May 31, 2021*. Official form required; available at vfwauxiliary.org/resources. Due to National Headquarters by June 10, 2021. Award will be presented at the 2021 National Convention in Baltimore, Maryland or mailed directly to the member.
4. Special VFW Auxiliary Member Drawing for each VFW Auxiliary member who recruits five (5) new and/or rejoined members to the VFW Auxiliary from July 1, 2020 through May 31, 2021*. For every five (5) new and/or rejoined members recruited, your name will be entered in a drawing for one of three $100 VFW Store gift certificates. Official form must be completed, postmarked and mailed to National Headquarters, or emailed to info@vfwauxiliary.org by June 10, 2021. Award will be presented at the 2021 National Convention in Baltimore, Maryland or mailed directly to the member.

You may be saying to yourself that these awards are great but how do I go about signing up new members? Everyone can be a successful recruiter! Here are some pointers from some of our Department Membership Chairmen:

• Post the Eligibility Wheel in your canteen. – Jill Wilson, Indiana
• Hand out a business card with contact information. – Sherie Crosby, Alaska
• Follow up! Most likely, the first time you talk to someone new about the organization, that person will not be ready to commit. It’s important to ask for their contact information and then follow up within a week. – Kathie Okolski, California and Vicki Luebbe, Nebraska
• Be aware of what your Auxiliary does. Know the basics of each Program. Give examples of how members can get involved and see if you can match potential/new members’ interests to your Auxiliary opportunities. Share the reason you joined, like “to honor my…”. Wear things that invite questions about our organization. Talk with people – remembering to listen for their interests – during your everyday activities. – Belinda Baragona, Georgia
• Promote in local newspapers, wear Auxiliary clothing, make flyers, promote on an Auxiliary Facebook page. – Jeanette Henry, Iowa
• All Auxiliary members should be carrying a new member application in their car, purse or wallet. – Rebecca Pellechi, Washington
• When I invite someone to join my local VFW Auxiliary, I always say we have something for everyone. Whether you are retired and have a lot of time to give, or a working person with family obligations, you can still help our organization to grow and help our veterans. That can often spark their interest. – Faith Elford, Wisconsin

Always have recruitment of new members in the back of your mind so that the organization will grow, and always continue “Honoring our Mission to Serve Veterans.”