Family Freedom Festival
Building on the VFW Auxiliary Foundation
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.
Americanism
Flag Education
POW/MIA Recognition
Promote Patriotism
- Patriotic Appreciation Citation Option 1 – General (Fillable)
- Patriotic Appreciation Citation Option 2 – General (Fillable)
- Respect for Flag Letter to Schools (Fillable)
- Respect for Flag Citation Option 1 – Sports (Fillable)
- Respect for Flag Citation Option 2 – Sports (Fillable)
- 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)
Smart/Maher Citizenship Education Teacher Award
- 2019-2020 Smart/Maher Citizenship Education Teacher Award Application (Fillable)
- 2019-2020 Smart/Maher Citizenship Education Teacher Award Chairman’s Manual
- 2019-2020 Smart/Maher Citizenship Education Teacher Award Press Release – Announce Program (Fillable)
- 2019-2020 Smart/Maher Citizenship Education Teacher Award Press Release – Announce Winners (Fillable)
"Buddy" Poppy/VFW National Home for Children
"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
Chief of Staff and Extension
Extension Materials
- Why Having an Auxiliary Can Boost Your Post (Bachelor 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
- 2019-2020 VFW Auxiliary Official Inspection by District President/Inspecting Officer Report Form
Good Job Awards
- VFW Auxiliary Aloha Good Job Award (Full Page, Fillable)
- VFW Auxiliary Good Job Award Option 1 (Full Page, Fillable)
- VFW Auxiliary Good Job Award Option 2 (Full Page, Fillable)
- 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)
Historian/Media Relations
VFW Auxiliary Emblem Branding Center
Sample Photo Release Forms
Community Outreach Tool Kit
- VFW Auxiliary Community Outreach Project
- Community Outreach Project Tool Kit
- Community Outreach Project Sample Letter
Publicity Tools & Press Releases
- VFW Auxiliary Brochure Order Form (Fillable)
- VFW Auxiliary Fact Sheet (updated October 2019)
- VFW Auxiliary Elevator Speech/What We Do
- 2019-2020 Local Talking Points (Word doc)
- 2019-2020 National Talking Points
- VFW Auxiliary Letterhead Template (Word doc)
- VFW Auxiliary PowerPoint Template (PowerPoint doc)
- VFW Auxiliary Publicity Guide
- How to Share Your Local Auxiliary Story Ideas and Events with Local Media
- Communications Award/Certificate of Recognition for Local Media (Fillable)
- Announcement of a New VFW Auxiliary Media Release Template for Local Auxiliaries (Fillable)
- Announcement of a Forming VFW Auxiliary Media Release Template for Local Auxiliaries (Fillable)
- Announcement of a VFW Auxiliary Membership Drive – Version 1 (Word doc)
- Announcement of a VFW Auxiliary Membership Drive – Version 2 (Word doc)
Websites & Social Media
- Facebook Posts for Member Recruitment
- Website Basics: What to Include
- VFW Auxiliary Website Solutions Program Grant Application
- Top 10 Reasons to Have an Auxiliary or Department Facebook page
- Active and Awesome Auxiliary Facebook Pages
- How to Set Up Your Auxiliary Facebook Page (updated May 2018)
- How to Add or Remove An Administrator on Your Auxiliary Facebook Page (updated May 2018)
- How to Post to Your Auxiliary Facebook Page (updated May 2018)
- How to Schedule a Post on Your Auxiliary Facebook Page (updated May 2018)
- How to Edit or Delete Posts on Your Auxiliary Facebook Page (updated May 2018)
- Best Practices for Your Auxiliary or Department Facebook Page (updated May 2018)
Sample Speeches
Hospital
Veteran & Military Suicide Awareness
- Veterans Crisis Line (1.800.273.8255)
- Veteran & Military Suicide Awareness Teardrop Sticker Template
Volunteer
- VFW Auxiliary Hospital Program Guide (includes VAVS Participation Guide)
- Veterans Administration Voluntary Service
Hospital Volunteer Recruitment
Volunteer Awards
- Graphic of VFW Auxiliary Hospital Volunteer Service Pins
- VFW Auxiliary Hospital Volunteer Service Pin Application Form (Fillable)
- 2019-2020 Outstanding Hospital Volunteer Nomination Form (Fillable)
- Application for Hospital Recruiting Awards
- Hospital Volunteer Appreciation Certificate Option 1 (Fillable)
- Hospital Volunteer Appreciation Certificate Option 2 (Fillable)
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.
Legislative
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.)
- 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 (pdf)
- 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 December 2019)
- VFW Checkpoint Newsletter
- Veterans Vote Brochure
Legislative Websites
Membership
Membership Forms and Applications
- VFW Auxiliary Brochure Order Form (Fillable)
- Member Change/Update Form – Revised August 2018 (Fillable)
- VFW Auxiliary Membership/Member Transfer Application – Revised January 2020 (Fillable)
Membership Program Award Forms
- 2019-2020 Member Recruiter Award Form (Fillable)
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
- Local Talking Points
- National Talking Points
- VFW Auxiliary Brochure Order Form (Fillable)
- 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 for Leadership
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)
Scholarships
General Scholarship Contest Information
Continuing Education
- Continuing Education Scholarship Brochure – includes Application (Fillable)
- Continuing Education Scholarship Application (Fillable)
- Continuing Education Flyer Option A
- Continuing Education Flyer Option B
Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest
- VFW Auxiliary Brochure Order Form (Fillable)
- Young American Creative Patriotic Art Brochure and Application (Updated July 2019)
- Patriotic Art Scoresheet (Updated December 2019)
- Release of Artwork for Patriotic Art Contest
- 2019-2020 Patriotic Art Contest Media Release for Local Auxiliaries (Fillable)
- Patriotic Art Contest Media Release to Announce Winner – Local and Department Level (Fillable)
- 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
- 2019-2020 Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen Public Service Announcement (PSA)
Patriot’s Pen
- 2019-2020 Patriot’s Pen Entry Form and Brochure
- Patriot’s Pen Scoresheet
- 2019-2020 Patriot’s Pen Press Release to Announce Program
- 2019-2020 Patriot’s Pen Press Release to Announce Winners
Voice of Democracy
Veterans & Family Support
National President’s Special Project: VFW Service Dog Program
VFW Auxiliary Resource Rack Card
VFW’s National Veterans Service
NVS consists of a nationwide network of service officers who are experts in dealing with the claims process and help thousands of veterans cut through the bureaucratic red tape every year. They are the key to success, recovering approximately $1 billion in earned benefits and compensation for veterans each year.
VFW’s Veterans & Military Support Program
Youth Activities
Patriotism through Literacy
Youth Contest
- Illustrating America contest information and application (Fillable)
Youth Recognition
- Patriotic Youth Award Option 1 (Fillable)
- Patriotic Youth Award Option 2 (Fillable)
- Patriotic Youth Award Option 3 (Fillable)
- Youth Groups Supporting Our Veterans Citation Application (Fillable) – 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
Resources for Your Auxiliary
Miscellaneous Resources
- VFW Auxiliary Cancer Grant Application
- Guide to Using Technology to Conduct an Auxiliary Meeting
- VFW Auxiliary Website Solutions Program Grant Application
- 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
