Program & Publicity Resources

We use Adobe Acrobat PDF files to provide electronic access to our National Program tools and resources. You will need to have Adobe Reader software installed to access them. You can download the most recent version of Adobe Reader for free from the Adobe website.

All of our PDFs are tested prior to posting on vfwauxiliary.org. If you have problems with a document, such as a fillable document not displaying the fillable fields, download the document to your computer and open it with Adobe Reader. You will be able to click on the fillable fields and enter information into the spaces provided. 

Quickly reference the VFW Auxiliary’s rules and procedures with the 2020 Podium Edition: Bylaws and Ritual – available online from the VFW Store or by calling 1.833.VFW.VETS. The 2020 Podium Edition contains the Auxiliary’s Bylaws, Booklet of Instruction and Ritual.

Published annually following the National Convention, this must have go-to reference book contains the organization’s most up-to-date rules and regulations. In it you will find the answers to all your questions, from how to run a meeting to guidelines for Auxiliaries, Districts and Departments. Don’t go to a meeting without it!

Changes made from the 2019 Auxiliary Podium Edition are noted by a double underline. Not sure how the changes were made? View and download results of proposed resolutions and revisions from our website here: https://vfwauxiliary.org/national-convention/

Your source for National initiatives and Program awards.

The 2020-2021 National Ambassadors were unable to present Program information in-person due the cancellation of the National Convention; Program presentations are available online.

Officers, Chairmen and members at all levels are welcome – and encouraged – to watch the videos. It’s an opportunity to hear from your National Ambassadors, learn more about our Programs and what’s new this Program Year.

• Americanism Program Presentation
• Auxiliary Community Outreach Program Presentation
• “Buddy”® Poppy & National Home Program Presentation
• Chief of Staff & Extension Program Presentation
• Historian & Media Relations Program Presentation
• Hospital Program Presentation
• Legislative Program Presentation
• Membership Program Presentation
• Mentoring for Leadership Program Presentation
• Scholarships Program Presentation
• Veterans & Family Support Program Presentation
• Youth Activities Program Presentation

• Americanism Award for Auxiliaries No. 1 – Entry Form
• Auxiliary Community Outreach Award No. 1 – Entry Form
• “Buddy”® Poppy & National Home Award for Auxiliaries No. 1 – Entry Form
• “Buddy”® Poppy & National Home Award for Auxiliaries No. 2 – Entry Form
• Extension Award for Members No. 1 – Nomination Form
• Historian & Media Relations Award for Auxiliaries No. 1 – Entry Form
• Hospital Award for Members No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 – Entry Form
• 2020-2021 Outstanding Healthcare Worker of the Year Nomination Form
• 2020-2021 Outstanding Hospital Volunteer Nomination Form
• Hospital Award for Auxiliaries No. 1 – Entry Form
• Legislative Award for Auxiliaries No. 1 – Entry Form
• Membership Member Recruiter Award Form
• Mentoring for Leadership Award for Members No. 1 – Nomination Form
• Mentoring for Leadership Award for Auxiliaries No. 1 – Entry Form
• Scholarships Award for Auxiliaries No. 1 – Entry Form
• Veterans & Family Support Award for Auxiliaries No. 1 – Entry Form
• Veterans & Family Support Award for Auxiliaries No. 2 – Entry Form
• Youth Activities Award for Auxiliaries No. 1 – Entry Form

Family Freedom Festival Tool Kit

• What Is the Family Freedom Festival and What Are We Supposed to Do?
• Steps to Participate and Event Ideas
• Sample Press Release
• Sample Social Media Posts
• Donation Request Letter (Fillable)
• Logo for Web and/or Social Media
• Logo for Printing

Building on the VFW Auxiliary Foundation: 
Guidebooks for Officers, Chairmen and Members

These guides, suggestions and examples are meant to assist all Officers, Chairmen and members on every level to understand their duties according to the National Bylaws, the best practices discovered during the 100-plus year history of the organization and examples of how to handle different positions and expectations.

Flag Education

• Flag Education for Kids
• Flag Exchange Card (Fillable PDF)
• Flag Etiquette at Parades

POW/MIA Recognition

• Missing Man Table Ceremony

Promote Patriotism

• Patriotic Appreciation Citation Option 1 – General (Fillable PDF)
• Patriotic Appreciation Citation Option 2 – General (Fillable PDF)
• Respect for Flag Letter to Schools (Word doc)
• Respect for Flag Citation Option 1 – Sports (Fillable PDF)
• Respect for Flag Citation Option 2 – Sports (Fillable PDF)
• National Anthem/Pledge of Allegiance Bookmarks Option 1
• National Anthem/Pledge of Allegiance Bookmarks Option 2
• America’s Patriotic Days
• Understanding VFW Auxiliary Traditions (PDF)
• Understanding VFW Auxiliary Traditions (video)

“Buddy”® Poppy

• “Buddy”® Poppy Chairman’s Guide
• VFW National Convention “Buddy”® Poppy Display Contest Rules
• “Buddy”® Poppy Story Cards (print using Avery 5371 or equivalent)
• The Veterans Behind the “Buddy”® Poppy Video (8 minutes)
• The Veterans Behind the “Buddy”® Poppy Article (from the September 2015 issue of VFW Auxiliary Magazine)
• “Buddy”® Poppy information (VFW website)

VFW National Home for Children

• VFW National Home for Children
• National Home Helpline

Extension Materials

• Why Having an Auxiliary Can Boost Your Post (Unaffiliated Post presentation – PowerPoint)
• Why Having an Auxiliary Can Boost Your Post (PDF)
• Top Ten Reasons for Your Post to Have an Auxiliary
• 5 Essentials of An Auxiliary Card
• Starting a New Auxiliary Card

Healthy Auxiliary Tool Kit

• VFW Auxiliary Sample Meeting Agenda
• Auxiliary Meeting Checklist (for the Auxiliary President)
• Healthy Communication Phone/Text Tree
• R U Healthy Checklist – Auxiliary To-Dos and Deadlines
• VFW Auxiliary Meeting Challenges & Solutions
• VFW Auxiliary Member Questionnaire
• VFW Auxiliary Health Certificate

Official Visit Communication

• District Official Visit of Auxiliary Notice
• Guidelines for District President of Auxiliary Official Visit
• Guidelines for the Auxiliary President for Official Visit by District President
• VFW Auxiliary Official Inspection by District President/Inspecting Officer Report Form

Good Job Awards

• VFW Auxiliary Good Job Award Option 1 (Full Page, Fillable PDF)
• VFW Auxiliary Good Job Award Option 2 (Full Page, Fillable PDF)
• VFW Auxiliary Good Job Card Side 1 (Business Card Size, Printable Template)
• VFW Auxiliary Good Job Card Side 2 Option 1 (Business Card Size, Printable Template)
• VFW Auxiliary Good Job Card Side 2 Option 2 (Business Card Size, Printable Template)

Volunteer

• VFW Auxiliary Hospital Program Guide (Does NOT include VAVS)
• Veterans Administration Voluntary Service
  • VAVS Participation Guide
  • VAVS Volunteer Form (Fillable)
  • Types of VAVS Volunteers

Hospital Volunteer Recruitment 

• Volunteer Recruitment Flyers
  • Option A
  • Option B
  • Option C
  • Option D

Volunteer Awards

• Graphic of VFW Auxiliary Hospital Volunteer Service Pins
• Application for VFW Auxiliary Hospital Volunteer Service Pin & Bar Guards (For Members Only)
• Application for VFW Auxiliary Recruiting Charm (For Members and Non-Members)
• Application for Sponsored Volunteer Pins (For Non-Members)
• Hospital Volunteer Appreciation Certificate Option 1 (Fillable PDF)
• Hospital Volunteer Appreciation Certificate Option 2 (Fillable PDF)

Veterans Voices Writing Project

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Research & Development
Visit this site for information and printable fact sheets of key areas being studied by VA researchers.

VA Welcome Kit

Auxiliary Legislative Tools and Resources

• VFW Auxiliary Involvement in Elections and Political Activities
• I Vote in Honor of a Veteran (To print, use Avery 5163 Labels or equivalent.)
  • “I Vote in Honor of a Veteran” Sticker Template A
  • “I Vote in Honor of a Veteran” Sticker Template B
• VFW Auxiliary Guide to the Legislative Process
• VFW Auxiliary Guide to Contacting Your Legislators

Action Corps Weekly

• Learn about Action Corps
• Action Corps Weekly Sign-Up Sheet for Sign-Up Drives (Excel)
• Action Corps Weekly Sign-Up Sheet for Sign-Up Drives (PDF)
• Action Corps Weekly Sign-Up Sheet for Sign-Up Drives (Word)
• VFW Action Corps Weekly – CLICK HERE to sign up for this e-mail update

VFW Legislative Resources

• VFW Washington Office
• VFW Legislative Priorities
• VFW 2020 Priority Goals
• VFW’s National Legislative Service
• VFW Fact Sheet (updated June 2020)
• VFW Checkpoint Newsletter
• Veterans Vote Brochure

Legislative Websites

• The White House
• U.S. House of Representatives
• U.S. Senate
• National Archives – Legislative Branch: The Center for Legislative Archives

Membership Forms and Applications

• VFW Auxiliary Brochure Order Form (Fillable PDF)
• Member Change/Update Form – Revised August 2018 (Fillable PDF)
• VFW Auxiliary Membership/Member Transfer Application – Revised August 2020 (Fillable PDF)

Membership Program Award Forms

• 2020-2021 Member Recruiter Award Form (Fillable PDF)

Membership Recruitment & Retention Tools

Click here for Membership Recruitment & Retention Tools, including:

• Membership Engagement Packet
• Membership Moments (A collection of tips, tools and techniques that can be used to recruit, retain and engage Auxiliary members. Please share these handouts at your Auxiliary meetings and trainings.)
• VFW Auxiliary Eligibility Wheel Graphic
• Just One Card
• Strengthening Auxiliaries Calendar
• VFW Auxiliary Facts Leaflet
• Recruitment Booth Pointers
• 8 Ways You Can Help Veterans Card
• Member Benefits One-Sheeter
• “Join Us” Poster (17 x 11)
• Press Releases
• Door Hangers
• Social Media Shareables

Mentoring

• VFW Auxiliary Mentoring Guide: Relationship Building for the Future
• VFW Auxiliary Acronyms and Common Terminology
• Welcome to the VFW Auxiliary Card Front Option 1 (Printable Template)
• Welcome to the VFW Auxiliary Card Front Option 2 (Printable Template)
• Welcome to the VFW Auxiliary Card Back (Printable Template)

General Scholarship Contest Information

• Scholarships At-A-Glance
• Sample Social Media Posts for VFW Auxiliary and VFW Scholarships

Continuing Education

• Continuing Education Scholarship Brochure – includes Application (Fillable PDF)
• Continuing Education Scholarship Application (Fillable PDF)
• Continuing Education Flyer Option A
• Continuing Education Flyer Option B

Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest

• VFW Auxiliary Brochure Order Form (Fillable PDF)
• Young American Creative Patriotic Art Brochure and Application (Updated July 2020)
• Patriotic Art Judging Scoresheet (Updated December 2019)
• Release of Artwork for Patriotic Art Contest
• Patriotic Art Contest Media Release for Local Auxiliaries (Word doc)
• Patriotic Art Contest Media Release to Announce Winner – Local and Department Level (Word doc)
• Patriotic Art Contest Poster (11 x 8.5)
• Patriotic Art Contest Poster (14 x 11)
• Patriotic Art Helpful Hints (Updated December 2019)

Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy

• Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen Chairmen’s Manual
• 2020-2021 Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen Public Service Announcement (PSA)

Patriot’s Pen

• 2020-2021 Patriot’s Pen Entry Form and Brochure
• Patriot’s Pen Judging Scoresheet
• 2020-2021 Patriot’s Pen Press Release to Announce Program
• 2020-2021 Patriot’s Pen Press Release to Announce Winners

Voice of Democracy

• 2020-2021 Voice of Democracy Entry Form and Brochure
• Voice of Democracy Judging Scoresheet
• Voice of Democracy Press Release to Announce Program (Fillable)
• Voice of Democracy Press Release to Announce Winners (Fillable)

Youth Contests

Get Excited for the Red, White and Blue!

• Get Excited for the Red, White and Blue! contest information and application (Fillable PDF)
• Get Excited for the Red, White and Blue! Judging Scoresheet
• Get Excited for the Red, White and Blue! Media Release to Announce Contest – (Word doc)
• Get Excited for the Red, White and Blue! Media Release to Announce Winner – Department Level (Word doc)
• Get Excited for the Red, White and Blue! Social Media Posts
• Contest Flyer Option A
• Contest Flyer Option B
• Contest Flyer Option C

Illustrating America

• Illustrating America contest information and application (Fillable PDF)
• Illustrating America Judging Scoresheet

Patriotism through Literacy

• Suggested Book List

Youth Recognition

• Patriotic Youth Award Option 1 (Fillable PDF)
• Patriotic Youth Award Option 2 (Fillable PDF)
• Patriotic Youth Award Option 3 (Fillable PDF)
• Youth Groups Supporting Our Veterans Citation Application (Fillable PDF) – Updated December 2019
• Random Act of Patriotism (R.A.P.) Card (Printable Template – To print, use Avery 5371 Labels or equivalent.)
• Random Act of Patriotism (R.A.P.) Coin

Working with Youth

• 10 Tips for Working with Youth

Miscellaneous Resources

• VFW Auxiliary Cancer Grant Application
• Guide to Using Technology to Conduct an Auxiliary Meeting
• VFW Auxiliary Website Solutions Program Grant Application
  • VFW Auxiliary Website Solutions Program Flyer
  • VFW Auxiliary Website Solutions Program FAQ
• VFW Foundation Grant Information and Application
• VFW Foundation Auxiliary Pass-Through Donation Form
• VFW Development – Auxiliary Resource Website for Departments

Auxiliary Secretary Resources

• Tips for the Auxiliary Secretary (updated October 2019)

Auxiliary Treasurer Resources

• VFW Auxiliary Treasurer’s Guide
• 990 e-Postcard User Guide from the IRS (PDF)