Transcript Officer’s Duties - Home - VFW

No One Does More for Veterans
Officer’s Duties &
Responsibilities
He who has never learned to obey
cannot be a good commander
Aristotle
The Installing officer admonishes
the incoming officers with the
following statement:
The By-Laws and Ritual of this our
organization prescribe in detail the duties
of your office.
By virtue of the confidence placed in you,
through your election, we assume that you
will acquaint yourselves thoroughly with
your duties.”
Comrade Commander, this Post will be
placed in your charge
The supreme quality of
leadership is integrity.
Dwight Eisenhower
You don’t lead by hitting people over
the head—that’s assault, not leadership.
Dwight Eisenhower
Commanders Duties
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Preside at all meetings of the Post
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Presiding duties fall to the Senior Vice Commander if the
Commander is late or absent.
If the SVC is absent the duties fall to the Junior Vice
Commander
In the absence of all 3 commanders the membership
elects a Commander Pro Tempore
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Start all meetings on time
Enforce strict observance by-laws
Appoint officers, committee chairs and necessary
committees (She/he may also remove same)
 Assure that the Quartermaster is bonded according to
Sec. 703 of the by-laws
 Assure that all reports are correctly prepared and
promptly forwarded
 Assure that either she/he or proper representative
attend all District and County Council conventions and
meetings
Sec. 218 of the Manual of Procedure enumerates
all officers duties.
And states…Failure without just cause to
perform the duties of Commander may result
in removal from office
POST AUDITS
A Charge to the Commander:
“It will be your responsibility to see that the
Trustees, in accordance with the National
By-Laws, audit the books of the Adjutant,
Quartermaster and the canteen or club
manager.”
• Failure to insure this is done could void
the bond
• The Bond should be equal to the liquid
assets of the post
Paying the Bills:
The post should have a resolution or Post
by-law dictating how checks are signed…i.e.
With more than one signature
 And/or if the Commander must
countersign
 Or if Debit cards are to be used
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The Commander Shall also:
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Ensure that a properly completed Election Report for
the ensuing year is submitted to Department and
National Headquarters
Decide all questions of law…subject to appeal
according to the By-Laws
Share all applicable correspondence with members
Assure the business of the Post is moving in a timely
and orderly manner
Observe Commemorative dates
The final charge to the new
Commander:
“Much of the success of this
post will depend on you.
Guard well its interests, so that
you may fill your high office
acceptably…I present you with
this gavel, the emblem of
authority. Upon assuming
office you will use it firmly, but
with discretion.”
Senior Vice Commander
“Comrade Senior Vice
Commander, it will be
your duty to assist the
Commander in preserving
order, to preside in the
absence of the
Commander and to
perform such other duties
as may be required by the
laws and Ritual.”
Junior Vive Commander
“It will be your duty to
assist the Commander,
and Senior Vice
Commander in preserving
order, to preside in the
absence of the
Commander and Senior
Vice Commander and
perform other duties as
required of you by our
laws and ritual.
The responsibilities of Commanders are
designed to perpetuate and preserve the
goals of the VFW. Abuse of the positions can
destroy a post and the reputation of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars. There are no
positions in the organization that allow for
Bullies or Dictators.
If your actions inspire others to
dream more, learn more, do
more and become more, you are
a leader.
John Quincy Adams
Comrade Quartermaster
“It will be you duty to take charge of
and accurately account for the funds of
the Post. The duties of your office are
prescribed in detail in the By-Laws.”
You are responsible for all funds and
assets of the post…..an awesome
responsibility and TRUST. ALL funds of
the post are your responsibility…no one
else can assume that responsibility nor
can you pass that on to anyone else.
The Quartermaster Shall
Qualify and secure a bond in a sum equal
to the liquid assets of the post
 Collect and secure all funds and properties
of the post
 Be the treasurer of all committees
handling funds
 Disburse funds only on the authority and
approval of the post membership
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Shall sign ALL checks along with any
other member designated by the QM
and/or post by-laws
 Debit cards may be used…by resolution or
by-law directive
 Provide on a regular basis all records, files
and statements to the Trustees
 Maintain a Post Relief fund Per Sec. 717
 Maintain a Dues Reserve Fund Per Sec
704
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Reconcile and verify all transactions
listed on ALL bank statements
Maintain Books & Records in a
legible and uniform format
Record keeping may be by
electronic means provided a paper
backup is maintained
Make books & records available for
inspection by authorized Officers &
Post Members at reasonable times
A PRIME DIRECTIVE
The QM controls ALL…funds, records,
property and assets…PERIOD
 The QM MUST have possession of ALL
records of the office
 The QM is the treasurer of all committees
that handle money…i.e. Bell Jars, Bingo,
Bar Funds and Fund Raising
 Must file all Federal, State & local forms
and reports…i.e. 990,s…. Etc.
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Adjutant Duties
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Be the official corresponding officer for the post
Takes the minutes of all meetings
Sign all official documents
Maintain proper , legible records
Keep a file of all members original applications
Maintain a record of deceased comrades
Maintain a current copy of the VFW By-Laws
Maintain a copy of proof of eligibility submitted
by officers pursuant to Section 216
Just to name a few
Post Judge Advocate
“Comrade Post
Advocate, you are the
legal assistant and
adviser to the
commander and the
Post in all legal
matters”
judge Advocate Duties
 Advise
the commander and
members on all legal matters
 Interpret the By-laws & Manual
of Procedure
 The Advocate advises but does
not make rulings
Chaplain
“Comrade Chaplain
the members of
this Post look to
you for spiritual
and inspirational
guidance…”
Chaplain Duties
Perform duties such as but not
limited to:
 Be the spiritual guide to the post
 Visit and comfort the sick and disabled
 Participates in every ritual
 Comfort the bereaved
 Set the example in spiritual matters
Surgeon
“Comrade
Surgeon, you
shall be the
chairman of the
health
committee…”
Surgeon Duties
 Need
NOT be a Medical Doctor
 Will NOT operate
 Will promote and direct the health
programs for the benefit of members
and the community
 May visit Hospitals
update
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Advocate, Chaplain and the Surgeon
need not be professionals
 Any competent member can hold those
positions
 The Judge Advocate and Surgeon are
now Appointed postitons at the Post level.
Trustees
“Comrade Post
Trustee, it will be
your duty to make
correct audits and
reports of the Post
records…”
Trustee Duties
Every three months they must audit
the books of the QM, the Adjutant and
any other records & books of
committees
 Failure to do so will jeopardize Post
votes at Council, District, State and
National Elections
 And…could very well void the bond
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FINAL DIRECTIVE
Take your responsibilities seriously and
be aware…the future, stability and
effectiveness of your VFW Post is in
your hands.
We all answer to the membership and
our sacred duty is to all veterans and
the community.