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Team NORA – No One Rides Alone Farm and Ranch ReportChief of Staff Donna VentolaRemind Auxiliaries to complete the questionnaire and Auxiliaries to be ready for their VisitPresidents, please remember to remind your members to fill out the 3 R questionnaire and send it back to you. The summary is due to me by Jan. 31stThe official visit to the Auxiliaries by the District President is necessary to see if they are in good working order, ask questions or have concerns, and have communication with all members on current events, program projects.On the Department’s new website— -- under Chief of Staff, on this page, you will find a section on Official Visit Communication. There you will see many resources to help you with your visit, from samples of notification letters for your visit, to suggested talking points from District President to the Auxiliary. Another resource is The Official Visit Guidelines and Expectations, which talks about the preparation and duties for both the District President and the Auxiliary President on:Prior to Official VisitBeing preparedMeeting room (room set up)Agenda and GavelBooks for both the Secretary and TreasurerProgram reportsAfter the meeting Presidents, this is one tool that will guide you to have a smooth visit at your meeting. These resources are at your disposal, so please take advantage of it.Also, on this resource page is : District Meeting Introduction listDistrict Official Visit Report Form Team NORA – No One Rides Alone Farm and Ranch ReportAmericanismChairman Vickie RippeRecognize and Honor Blue Star, Gold Star, Silver Star, and White Star Families Recognize families by holding a social, article in the newspaper, dinner, or patriotic ceremony.Blue Star Families can display a flag or banner that is officially defined as a white field with a red border, with a blue star for each family member serving in the United States Armed Forces during any period of war or hostilities. ? Gold Star Families can display a flag or banner with a gold star (with a blue edge) that represents a family member who died during military operations. Silver Star Families can display a flag or banner with a silver star that represents a family member who was injured, wounded, or became ill in combat. White Star Families had a family member who served in the military and lost their life to suicide. This service banner has yet to be approved by the Secretary of Defense. Community Flag Education. Our Flag is a living symbol of national pride and the freedoms we hold dear. We need to reach out to our communities and teach others about our Flag’s history, respect for our Flag, Flag etiquette, and how to properly retire the Flag. Ways to do this include:Recognize businesses and individuals in your community who display the Flag. Host a Flag exchange or Flag retirement at your Post Home. Provide a community flag disposal receptacle to collect worn Flags.Team NORA – No One Rides AloneFarm and Ranch ReportAuxiliary Community OutreachChairman Kim HarneyAny questions on any of the following – call or email Kim Harney at 520-226-6363 or emma32680@Webpage – Please continue to use the webpage. If your District is holding events, please send them in so they can go on the calendar. I am still looking for pictures of Auxiliary events or Community Outreach projects.Pin Points – The Department newsletter comes out the first of each month. If you have an email in MALTA, you should be getting this. When a new member signs up, their email is being put on the email list for Pin Points so please let them know. If you are not getting Pin Points but would like to please let me know.PAR – Continue to send in your Auxiliary’s PAR. You can send it quarterly or monthly. Try to send it in by the end of the next month. For example, September’s information needs to be in by the end of October. This gives you time to collect data at your monthly munity Outreach – Keep thinking outside the box with your volunteer work. Remember that this is for volunteer work that we would not count under any other program. If you donated to the White Mountain Apache Tribe, it can be counted as a project for this program. Don’t forget to send in your project report forms when your Auxiliary completes a Community Outreach Project.Team NORA – No One Rides AloneFarm and Ranch ReportBuddy Poppy/VFW National HomeChairman Connie Hargreaves“Buddy” Poppy, the flower of remembrance, they gave, will you? Honor the dead by helping the Living”!Order your Poppies and brochures, poppies take two to three months once ordered. Poppies are currently back-ordered. You may want to work with your Post to assemble poppies. The Post will make .02 for each poppy assembled. The Commander or Quartermaster should have received an email from Department Quartermaster with info on how to proceed.If you assemble 100,000 poppies that would be $2000.00 to your Post and Auxiliary.Check with your local schools, they need water supplies and other items. Put a Poppy sticker on items you donate.Donating to a food drive, put Poppy sticker on some items. See if a local restaurant or business will let you put the Story of the Buddy Poppy on a display case or shelf. Is the owner a Veteran, do they belong to the VFW?Election day is November 3rd. Volunteer to be a Pollster – wear your Poppy Proudly. At events, use the miniature toy soldiers to attach a sticker, vote with your Veteran in mind, and attach a Poppy along with it.At your Veterans Day Flag raising, have Poppies out with a donation canister. If your Auxiliary or Post does the White Table presentation, make sure they are wearing Poppies. Pull up the Poppy Chairman Manual and check out the resources available for more ideas. Check with a community group to see if any upcoming events or dinners you could provide centerpieces for in return for setting out information.Set up a schedule with other non-profits to speak about Buddy Poppy and National Home.Planning a Family Freedom Festival, utilize a display to showcase the VFW National Home for Children, pictures of what is available, brochures about Crisis care, and Case Management. Educate the public on what the VFW does to get families back on their feet, taken care of during deployment, adjusting back to civilian life, and the Crisis Hotline.Remember the children at National Home, to make isolation more bearable, decorated the windows and doors with happy designs keeping their spirits up. Let’s do the same with a window at your Post and send it to the kids as a show of support! Add a poppy in the corner, yellow sun with rays, colorful unicorn, rainbows, beautiful flowers to give you a few ideas. Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming up, change your window decorations to Fall ideas, pumpkins, leaves, Christmas trees, bells, stars.National Home has some great puzzles for sale, they make great items for gifts, raffle items. What a great way to support the National Home, they receive a benefit from the sale and the monies you raise by using them as raffle items.Encourage your Post and Auxiliary members to become life members. Also have a form handy at meetings, dinners, and events. Put out pamphlets and educational materials, if you can have an Auxiliary table at an event or other local meeting, make sure to bring this information with you.Hold a fundraiser to help support a Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinners as well as their Christmas Wish lists at National Home. Currently, they are still asking for financial assistance, will advise in future updates if there will be a Store Wish List.Team NORA – No One Rides AloneFarm and Ranch ReportHISTORIAN & MEDIA RELATIONS Brenda KinghornEvery Auxiliary – Print and use the VFW Auxiliary Publicity Book, it has everything an Auxiliary needs for media. (See an email to Brenda, of a picture of the book and how it was used)Does the auxiliary have a website? With the Post? (Send the link to Brenda)Weather is cooling down, have your members “START TAKING PICTURES!!!” Put them into a photo folder and write a small notation on -The Five Ws: - WHO – WHAT – WHERE – WHEN and WHY.Every Program Chairman, of each Auxiliary, should take pictures of all events that they put on and/or helped in.Samples:Members and youth who are participating in a “Buddy” Poppy Drive or POW/MIA remembrance ceremony.Scholarship winners such as the winner if the Voice of Democracy or Patriotic Art Contest.Flag presentations to Community Groups.If your Auxiliary has done to help natural disaster victims.National President’s Visit.Repairs on a Veteran’s Home\Building a Wheelchair Ramp\ etc..Walks\Runs\Events to raise awareness\funds for Veteran Issues\PTSD.Start an Auxiliary scrapbook. Gather information and pictures of events. This will be your history of the auxiliary and telling the story.Like our Facebook page – Department of Arizona Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary - Send pictures with short notes on what they are, Brenda’s email, breadfriends@With Auxiliary number and name. People's names in the picture and subject. The Department’s new website – Team NORA – No One Rides AloneFarm and Ranch ReportHospitalMelissa MartinVeterans Voices Writing ProjectVeterans Voices Writing Project (VVWP) enables military veterans to experience solace and satisfaction through writing.VVWP Could not Exist Without Volunteers!The Veterans Voices Writing Project (VVWP) has been helping veterans since 1946. Without the dedication of our wonderful volunteers, Veterans’ Voices could not continue to exist as it has since 1952!Volunteers support the VVWP mission by:Helping veterans write (writing aides)Starting a writing group with other veterans in your area (we can help you do this)Organizing fundraisers within your community or workplaceSharing our mission and information with other veterans, their families, and communityRepresenting VVWP on Veterans Administration Voluntary Service CommitteesTyping manuscripts by veteran writersTo volunteer within the VA System:Print and complete the following downloadable form or send your request to Veterans Voices Writing Project, Inc., 406 West 34th St., Suite 103, Kansas City, MO 64111. Also, complete the VA application for voluntary service here:VA Application: Aid Application: NORA – No One Rides AloneFarm and Ranch ReportLegislativeBambi JohnsonWzzrd2@480-318-2131Fall has officially come and for us, in Arizona, that means milder weather for outside events and our Fall Conference in Lake Havasu. We hope to see many of you in attendance and provide more information on all of our programs.This year for our Legislative Program is offering a special National Legislative Award for the best project to educate people regarding the legislative process. While most Americans say “they know how the government works”….a person may find it hard to understand the actual process for an idea to make its way into law, or how the different branches of government function pertaining to laws. This year we are asking for your help in educating not only your members but your communities on the legislative process.Ideas for projects. Ask a member of your state legislation to speak at an event about their experience in either writing or participation in the process of getting a state bill passed. Distribute Legislative process educational materials at public events.Post a legislative question thru email or social media at regular intervals to keep interest in the subject.Make a fun flyer for kids and pass them out with Halloween goodie bags.Here are some low-cost items I have purchased thru Amazon to educate youth. They are also great easy guides for adults and the 3-D puzzles are both challenging and can be used for display. Government for Kids - Citizenship to Governance | State And Federal Public Administration | 3rd Grade Social Studies $ 10.53Liberty Imports 3D Puzzle DIY Model Set - Worlds Greatest Architecture Jigsaw Puzzles Building Kit (US Capitol Hill) $11.93CubicFun 3D Puzzles Small US Architecture Building Paper Craft Model Kits Toys Gifts for Adults and Teens, White House $14.99The US Congress for Kids: Over 200 Years of Lawmaking, Deal-Breaking, and Compromising, with 21 Activities (For Kids series) $11.89The Electoral College: A Kid's Guide (Kids' Guide to Elections) $6.99How Congress Works and Why You Should Care $11.99These cartoon utube videos will entertain &educate children and you can send them in a link to anyone to share. NORA – No One Rides AloneFarm and Ranch ReportMembershipRay WilliamsBe ProactiveThis month’s theme is to “be proactive.” This is another one of Stephen Covey’s?Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.?Being proactive means thinking and acting ahead of anticipated events.? There are so many ways that you can be proactive in your Auxiliary that there would be no way to list them all. Here are a few:Study the list of Awards for Auxiliaries and their deadlinesHave a Membership planInclude current membersDepartment of Arizona Awards for Auxiliaries100% Membership by January 31, 2021 Department - $30Any Auxiliary that is not 100% by January 31, 2021, will receive additional mentoring for membership by the Department Membership Chairman Ray Williams and a Department Officer.100% MembershipDepartment 100% Pennant100% Plus Membership Department 100% Plus StreamerAll members attending Department conventionwill get ribbon to attach to their badge 100% Auxiliary or 100%+ Auxiliary. (as applicable)101% PLUS by May 30, 2021Department - $50 National Packed Parachute Award for Auxiliaies$10 to each Auxiliary that reaches 95% in Membership by November 30, 2020*$20 to each Auxiliary that reaches 98% in Membership by March 31, 2021*$50 to each Auxiliary that reaches 101% Plus in Membership by June 30, 2021**Based on the June 30, 2020, total membership numbers.Team NORA – No One Rides AloneFarm and Ranch ReportMentoring for LeadershipChrissy HarlanAccording to the?Bylaws and Ritual 2020?the Auxiliary President “shall appoint a committee of not less than five (5) members, including the Treasurer, to contact all members during the year for payment of dues.” It is also recommended that they also contact those who have not paid dues for the last couple of years. Use your Membership Committee as a mentoring tool as well! Once you know why they have not renewed their membership you can:Mentoring on the uses of MALTAMentoring on the Cancer Grant ProgramMentor on the Benefits of their MembershipMentor on ProgramsMentor on the Great Things your Auxiliary is DoingMentor on the Legislative Power we have due to Their MembershipWays to Help and Support your AuxiliaryBe sure your Membership Committee has all the resources at hand to Mentor during these calls.To quote our National Mentoring for Leadership Ambassador Erin Mezek – “We invest in our Auxiliaries when we mentor, encourage and empower our members; it shows we care about them. When we all take an active part in the mentoring process, we can achieve wonderful things for our veterans and their families. When we come together, we all win.” Team NORA – No One Rides AloneFarm and Ranch ReportScholarshipsJeanne HamptonReaping the HarvestIt’s time to start reconnecting with schools, youth groups, past entrants, homeschool organizations to remind the Scholarships deadline to the local VFW for Patriot’s Pen (grades 6, 7, and 8) “What is Patriotism to Me?” and Voice of Democracy (grades 9, 10, 11 and 12) “Is this the Country the Founders Envisioned?” is October 31st.There is still time to reach out to media outlets regarding scholarships- Radio PSAs and newspaper articles with the “Sample press release for Social Media” information available on the Department website , under Programs, under Scholarships.Remember to thank entrants, parents, teachers for their participation- You are paving the way for future contacts. Start planning to judge and coordinating getting the winning entries to District by November 15. If you have an abundance of Scholarship entries, share with other Auxiliaries who may not have schools, or have different back to school procedures than your area, bringing more attention to more students.Coordinate with your Post-it is an election year- Do you have local political figures that would accept an invitation to judge the Youth perspective on Patriotism? Review the VFW “Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen Chairman’s Manual”, also available on the website under scholarships, as an excellent resource to organizing the process.I welcome your ideas and look forward to your Scholarship Program Report. Thank you!Team NORA – No One Rides AloneFarm and Ranch ReportVeterans and Family SupportChairman Lynn PierreSupport for Veteran and Military CaregiversVA Caregiver line: 1-855-260-3274. This line is answered by licensed professionals who match you with services for which you are eligible ad provide information about resources for caregivers We will be utilizing the Elizabeth Dole Foundation for great ideas to promote the care of our caregivers. November is National Caregivers Month. Let’s find ways to get that information out to the public Flyers, maybe a Facebook notice providing information or even invite your local caregivers to a brunch or dinner to show you understand. Our National President’s Special Project – Stars, Stripes, and Support: Combating Food Insecurity Among Our Nation’s Military Service Personnel and Their Families. Food drives are so easy to do and so many people are in need. Also, don’t forget our Department President, Melody Judd as she pursues her own Food Insecurity Program with the White Mountain Indian Tribe donations via her Amazon Wish List. Lastly, and so very important, Veteran Suicide Awareness – get those Blue Pins out and replicate them whenever and wherever you can. Paint rocks and distribute throughout your community, utilize social media to get the word and the hotline information out. Team NORA – No One Rides AloneFarm and Ranch ReportYOUTH ACTIVITIESCarolyn and Stephanie Quinton“Get Excited for the Red, White, and Blue”Anytime you have an event or meeting, hand out the application to anyone who is within the age requirements. Make sure you are familiar with all the requirements, so if they have a question you can answer it or get the answer quickly. And don’t forget to contact your area homeschoolers. They are the underserved population who would jump at the chance to add all or some of our programs/contests to their curriculum. Here are some of the requirements for this contest:Eligibility: Age 6 to 16 years old,U.S. citizen or U.S. nationalContest Rules: Video of contestant singing solo vocal performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” recorded between July 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021.This contest can also be done by emailing the school district to get permission first and have them send it out to the respective teachers.Contest Application and Rules can be found on the Department website under the Youth resource page.PARTNER-UP: Don’t forget to Partner-Up with Scholarship and Americanism. You can hand out the applications for the Patriots Pen and VOD when you are handing out the Youth contest applications. Also, hand out the flag booklet and a flag, patriotic pencil, flag keychain, etc. Kids love freebies! ................
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